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3387 BCE
Discovery of Knapping
Knapping, the process of shaping granite with a rock to form a sharp edge, is believed to have originated in Gona, Afar, Ethiopia. This tool provided our ancestors (bipedal hominids) with protection from predators and the ability to scrape meat from bone. This improved diet, ultimately leading to better brains. Remnants of the oldest form of knapping were found in 2010, believed to be 3.39 million years old (Yonck, 2017). -
2479 BCE
Beginning Stages of Spoken Language
Spoken language was most likely not used until the vocal tract and hyoid bone were adequately evolved. Along with the shape of the larynx, the location and form of these structures provided the opportunity for spoken language. Based on fossils, it was estimated this occurred around 200,000-250,000 years ago (Yonck, 2017). Researchers with the Linguistic Society describe the first language to be somewhat similar to how a toddler speaks, called "protolanguage" (Jackendoff, 2021, para. 12). -
Moore's Law
Gordon Moore predicted a technological trend. He estimated that every two years, there would be systematic doubling of the number of electronic components that could fit on an integrated circuit. This would result in exponential growth of components, leading to quicker and more powerful computers (Yonck, 2017). -
Rosalind Picard
Picard works at the MIT Media Lab. Her research in 1991 about signal processing in artificial intelligence led to the groundbreaking discovery of the importance of emotion in prioritization and how this impacts AIs. In order to mimic human vision, AIs needed to experience feelings to prevent indifference to incoming data and distinguish what is important (Yonck, 2017). -
Near Future Innovation
One prediction I have for the near future is the implementation of robot caregivers. This would be beneficial, especially for the elderly, as they could potentially stay in their homes and be cared for by a robot instead of going to a nursing home. -
100 Years from Now
Another innovation I could see happening 100 years from now would be nurses being replaced by robots. As a nursing student, this is nerve-wracking; however, it would make sense, especially during a pandemic. This would prevent unnecessary exposure of human nurses during the next pandemic.
