It wasn't so long ago that some of today's hottest tech trends were considered "out there." From entertainment to business and everything in between, here are 10 innovations that changed computing's face.
Some of these advancements were directly attributable to computer scientists while others benefited from their work. The emergence of these technologies is driving unprecedented changes in compute power and bandwidth.
1. The Transistor
Transistors are the building blocks of modern electronic devices. They are used in everything from radios to microwave ovens and even spacecraft. The ability to process large amounts of information quickly and accurately has changed our lives. We can now ask questions that were impossible to answer before computers and find the answers faster than ever before.
A transistor is a tiny device that either switches electric current on and off or amplifies it. It was invented in 1947 by researchers John Bardeen, Walter Brattain and William Shockley at Bell Laboratories.
Since their invention, scientists have been able to shrink transistors down to unimaginable sizes, with the smallest ones now matching the width of a DNA strand. They are found in microprocessors, computer memory chips and virtually all electronic devices. They are deeply embedded in integrated circuits, or microchips, which are a crucial part of every electronic device.
2. The Microprocessor
A computer needs memory to store programs and data, a processor to manipulate the numbers and produce a numerical result, and input/output capabilities to communicate with the outside world. The microprocessor integrates all of these functions on a single chip, drastically reducing the size and cost of computers.
Intel is generally credited with developing the first commercial microprocessors in 1971, but many other companies were working on the technology. One example is Michigan Engineer Lee Boysel (BSE MSE EE 1962 1963), who developed fundamental microprocessor technology for IBM, McDonnell Aerospace and Fairchild Semiconductor before starting his own company in 1968.
Intel's first microprocessor, the 4004, was a 4-bit unit that took 60k instructions per second. It ran on NMOS transistors, but was later replaced with CMOS designs that dissipated less power. This allowed it to run faster.
3. The Laptop
A laptop is a portable computer that incorporates all the essential input and output components of a desktop computer into a unit that can be taken anywhere. They feature a screen that opens up like a book to provide access to the keyboard and display, and they close up when not in use to keep them safe from harm.
Unlike desktop computers, most laptops have built-in cellular connectivity and Wi-Fi networking capabilities. This allows them to connect wirelessly to the Internet and work from locations without access to power outlets.
The earliest laptops used floppy disks for storage, but hard disk drives quickly became the standard. However, SSDs have been slowly replacing HDDs in most laptops because they consume less power and are more resistant to physical impacts. Laptops are also smaller and lighter than desktop PCs. This makes them perfect for travel and for homes with limited space.
4. The Smartphone
A smartphone is a mobile phone with advanced features, including web browsing, software applications and a mobile operating system (OS). It can also function as an email and music player, digital camera and camcorder, GPS navigation device, alarm clock and photo album.
Compared to older cell phones, a modern smartphone can do just about anything and is always within reach. It's no wonder people consider smartphones essential to their lives.
This year saw smartphones get even slimmer and more powerful, with phones such as Google's Pixel 2 and Samsung's Galaxy S8 proving the thin-bezel age had arrived. Meanwhile, a variety of innovative apps continue to keep users entertained, productive, organized, current on breaking news and socially connected. The possibilities are endless. See also personal information manager and PDA. Also called a smartphone, cellphone and converged phone/PDA.
5. The Internet
The Internet, sometimes called the Net, is a global system of computer networks in which computers can communicate with each other. It was originally funded by the American defense establishment as the ARPANET, but the researchers who worked on it embraced an anti-establishment ethic and refused to smother it with secrecy.
The internet has enabled people to connect easily regardless of geographic distance, and experts expect it to continue to bring people together. This includes instant messaging, voice and video communication and online learning, as well as access to online news and media, blogs, e-books and digital libraries.
It also enables the proliferation of social media, which allows people to share information, spread fashion trends and rumours and undermine totalitarian regimes. And of course, it enables online shopping and the delivery of online content via websites such as YouTube, Netflix and Spotify.
6. Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the short-range wireless communication technology that lets devices connect with each other without wires. It uses a low-power 2.4GHz radio frequency to create personal area networks (PANs) with a range of up to 10 meters.
Bluetooth technology allows laptops, smartphones, headphones, printers and other devices to communicate with each other. It can also simplify tasks that would have otherwise involved copious amounts of cords strewn across your desk, including printing documents and listening to music on wireless headphones.
It's hard to imagine a modern electronic device that doesn't have Bluetooth built in. It's even used in things like earbuds and hearing aids, fitness trackers and smart home gadgets such as light bulbs and refrigerators. And with the release of Bluetooth 5.0, which doubles the transmission distance and provides four times more data throughput, this wireless technology continues to evolve.
7. The Virtual Private Network
Initially, VPNs were associated with businesses and used to allow employees to access private company data remotely while looking like they were at the office. But as encryption standards became more powerful, new tunneling protocols were created, and security concerns for individuals became more prevalent, the use of VPNs became commonplace among home computer users. In fact, by the time privacy scandals such as WikiLeaks or Edward Snowden arose, the concept of net neutrality was in jeopardy and people were fighting to protect their online data. Without net neutrality, companies would be able to collect and sell your browsing history.
8. The Drone
Whether it's recording acrobatic aerial footage in film making or delivering goods, drones have become incredibly useful. Their popularity has led to a rise in privacy concerns as people use drones without permission. Luckily, several laws exist to protect citizens' rights to privacy, although some drone users still ignore these rules.
Drones have helped with many mission-critical and safety-critical tasks, such as assisting in search and rescue operations following natural disasters, inspecting power lines and pipelines or counting wildlife. They've also been used by the military for surveillance and even airstrikes.
The Air Force has been using drones for some time, including the X-37B, which looks like a mini space shuttle. The X-37B's primary objectives are to develop reusable spacecraft technology and to operate experiments that can be returned to Earth. Reforestation efforts around the world have been aided by drones, too. These small machines scour the ground, then drop seed vessels that contain the nutrients and seeds that will help trees grow back where fires destroyed them.
9. The Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) allows physical objects to communicate with one another and churn out data that can be analyzed. Powered by super-cheap computers and wireless networks, IoT can turn almost anything into a sensor.
From light bulbs to jet engines, IoT can send information about a machine's status and health, or the weather. This real-time data can be used for operations and maintenance, enabling businesses to run their processes more efficiently.
For example, smart home devices like thermostats and lightbulbs can help older people stay in their homes longer and reduce energy costs, while IoT telematics systems can improve safety by giving drivers alerts when they're driving recklessly. IoT can also enable product-as-a-service business models by allowing companies to monitor and service their equipment remotely. This can help them reduce operational costs and increase customer satisfaction.
10. The Artificial Intelligence
AI is a broad and complex subject that has a wide range of uses across different industries. In business, it can help with routine tasks to minimise human error and maximise efficiency. For example, e-commerce giants use AI to provide better product recommendations based on their customers' previous purchases.
In medicine, AI can help with interpreting MRI scans to look for tumours or other malignant growths. This can reduce the workload of radiologists and potentially save lives. In addition, AI is used for telemedicine, where it can analyse symptoms and input patient information to assist with diagnosis. This also helps to improve the speed and accuracy of telemedicine.
