History of Technological Innovation

A complete understanding of technological innovation includes understanding its history and development. On one level, the history of technological innovation can be examined through the lens of chronological development of machines and studied artifacts. On a more conceptual level, the history of technological innovation can be examined through understanding economic and social development. Discussions on the chronological and conceptual levels follow.

Innovation - Historic Artifacts

Most people look at human innovation chronologically. Scholars have devised classifications to describe human development and evolution. These ages date as far back as prehistoric times and included the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. The progression from one Age to the other would not be possible without technological innovation. Each Age built upon the innovations of the previous Age, and with the advances of the Iron Age came the Machine Age, with the birth of the Industrial Revolution.

The artifacts of each Age provided physical representations of human innovation. The creation of stone tools enabled mankind to protect itself from attackers or predators and to establish dominance. Bronze tools resulted from additional innovation. Bronze, a metal created by smelting copper and tin, added extra durability. Mankind discovered how to make fires burn hotter, eventually resulting in the ability to create a fire hot enough to melt iron. Iron tools surpassed bronze tools in terms of strength and durability. As humans learned how to make better implements, continuing innovation marked the beginning of the Machine Age with the Industrial Revolution. Notable tools from that time include the internal combustion engine and Eli Whitney's cotton gin.

Innovation - Social and Economic Development

The internal combustion engine enabled the creation of the railroad, used for shipping goods and people and reinforcing westward expansion. As the railroad moved west, so did people seeking their fortunes. The transcontinental railroad would not have been possible without the labor of the Chinese railroad workers. The immigration of the Chinese and other Asiatic peoples reflected the need and demand for labor. The technological innovation of the internal combustion engine along with other forces created a pattern of immigration and labor demands that led to the racial and ethnic diversity of the western United States.

Other methods of transportation depended on the internal combustion engine as well. For example, the invention of the car would not have been possible the engine. Cars used the engine, as horseless horse and buggies. The innovation of Henry Ford's processes such as the conveyor belt, interchangeable parts, and the assembly line created cars that were fairly affordable.

As the popularity and availability of cars increased, so did America's landscape. Suburban areas developed around urban areas, as mobility increased, and the need for short distances between work, home, school, and stores diminished. With the development of transportation infrastructure and national policy resulting in the development of interstate highways, the shift from urban culture to suburban culture gained further strength as a result of technological innovation. Recently, cars have been back in the news, as demand for more environmentally friendly cars continues to increase. The Toyota Prius and Honda hybrids demonstrate the innovative efforts of car manufacturers to meet such a demand.

In addition to transportation, media and communications represents fields that have felt the influence of innovation. With the development of the internet, cable broadcasting, and cellular technology, people have changed the methods of interacting and information gathering. For example, the internet gives one the ability to find and share information with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks. Cable broadcasting enabled people to obtain access to news reports and programming previously unavailable. Cable makes CNN, a 24-hour news broadcasting channel, exclusively available. Cable also provides an additional option for high speed internet service. Cell phones provide users with the ability to make calls to virtually whomever, wherever, whenever they want. Recently, users also have the option to send text, picture, and video messages from their phones.

Of course, such innovation in computing and telecommunications depend on people such as Ted Waitt, Michael Dell, Bill Gates, Arthur C. Clarke, and Richard Li, all of whom have contributed greatly to society in his own way.