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38,000 BCE
Cave Paintings
In the prehistoric era, ancient people painted in caves to record events that occur in their lives. -
30,000 BCE
Stone Tablets
In recent centuries, people wrote on rectangular stone chunks, today known as "stone tablets." Like cave paintings, writing on stone tablets became their way of remembering events. Their pictorial form of writing used images (glyphs) to represent words or syllables. -
30,000 BCE
Rock Carving
Also known as petroglyphs, it is defined as an activity where people would peck directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammerstone. People used this as a way of expressing themselves. Today, many scientists refer to it as "rock art." -
200 BCE
Smoke Signal
A smoke signal is an old form of long-distance visual communication. Old tribes made columns of smoke by controlling its puff and its size, so that they may send a message to distant tribes. For instance, they may use this as a distress call or a warning signal for future attacks. -
150 BCE
Writing Materials
In this era, people started to come up with different writing devices, such as the papyrus. Because of this, communicating through written words became easier. -
100 BCE
Traditional Paper
The traditional paper first appeared in China, during the reign of the Han dynasty. The first paper was made from rags, but later plant materials were used, such as bark, hemp, and bamboo. Along with the existence of ancient writing materials, conveying messages through text became more practical and convenient. -
1440
Printing Press
The printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium, thereby transferring the ink. This boomed during the Renaissance era when the need for timely information became more and more rampant. Because of the printing press, people were able to publish books, journals, and newspapers, therefore spreading information became easier. -
Newspapers
A newspaper is a publication that contains updates on current events. It allowed people to be aware of the things that happen around them, and to this day, people use it to keep themselves informed about different matters. -
Magazines
A magazine is a publication released periodically that contains trends, lifestyle stories, and more. Although fairly similar to a newspaper, the magazine has more images and text and is not required to consist of weekly updates. -
Photographs
Photography is defined as the science, art, application, and practice of creating durable images by recording light. Using a camera, capturing moments was made easier. It saved more time compared to older ways of saving memories. -
Morse Code
Morse code is a method of transmitting text information as a series of on-off tones, lights, or clicks that can be directly understood by a skilled listener or observer without special equipment. This can be used to communicate in secret. -
Telegraphs
A telegraph is a device or system that allows the transmission of information by coded signal over distance. This brought to the concept of telephones, allowing people to communicate to teach despite long distances. -
Typewriters
Prior to the invention of the typewriter, good penmanship was an important indicator of literacy. When typewriters were marketed, people no longer have to write text or symbols. This also introduced the concept of keyboards as a way to input text. -
Telephone
During the American Industrial Revolution, Alexander Graham Bell invented the first functional telephone in 1876. Shortly thereafter, major cities across the United States and Europe began to install the revolutionary telephone system. Like a developed version of the telegraph, the telephone was used to communicate to different people despite long distances. -
Phonographs
A phonograph is a device for the mechanical recording and reproduction of sound. This device was the first to record, store, and reproduce sounds as perceived by people. -
Radio
Radio is the technology of using radio waves to carry information, such as sound, by systematically modulating the properties of electromagnetic energy waves transmitted through space. Because of this device, people could get informed of the news by simply listening to it. -
Televisions
The television is a telecommunication medium used for transmitting moving images in monochrome (black-and-white), or in color, and in two or three dimensions and sound. To this day, we still use it for entertainment, news, education, and more. -
Computers
A personal computer is a multi-purpose electronic computer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. With this we can interact with people and use it for surfing the internet. -
Electronic Mails (E-Mail)
Electronic mailing is a method of exchanging messages between people using electronics. Because of this invention, people no longer have to wait for days, weeks, or even months to receive a letter or a message from someone afar. To this day, we make use of e-mails to communicate, especially for academics or work-related matters. -
Mobile Phones
A mobile phone is a wireless handheld device that allows users to make and receive calls and messages. It was a very convenient device because it is small, portable, and an efficient way to communicate with people at any time or place. -
Smartphones
A smartphone is a mobile personal computer with a mobile operating system with features useful for mobile or handheld use. This did not only allow people to make calls and send messages, but also download applications that made interaction with technology much easier. -
Social Media
Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through the building of virtual networks. Using this, we are able to communicate with friends, families, strangers, and different members of our communities using social media applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.