Timeline – Communication

If a password is requested, use the password “hjkl” without the quotes to access the timeline.

Wireless electric and electronic communication (hereafter: wireless communication) is a cornerstone of modern-day society. The first step towards this was the discovery of radio waves. While theorized to exist in 1867 by the British James Clerk Maxwell, it was first proven in 1887 by German Heinrich Hertz. Until 1912, they would be called Hertzian waves. Radio waves are the foundation of all other wireless communication methods to this day, though some would classify certain methods as using microwaves, which themselves are sometimes considered a subclassification of radio. The first step to using radio waves was the development of the radio transceiver, first successfully tested in 1895 and later in 1901. This form of communication could transmit and interpret radio as Morse code, a simple code previously used in telegraphy. The next logical step was to convert audio into a radio signal, then back. Then again, convert images into radio, then back. The latter took on the form of television, which became extremely influential mass media in the mid-20th century. The invention of digital computers around this time led to the concept of the computer network, then ARPANET in 1967. ARPANET was the predecessor to the modern Internet, which is one of, if not the most popular form of media in the present day. The Internet would spur the development of Wi-Fi and other remote communication technologies such as satellite Internet. The Internet also enabled the development of media services such as social networks or video streaming sites, which themselves are now most commonly consumed on portable electronic devices. The smartphone, based on the earlier cellphone, and the powerful but portable tablets. Wireless communication has completely revolutionized how the world communicates, with significantly less infrastructure needed to support it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *