20th Technology Advancements

In Social Studies we've been looking at technological advancements through different eras. The era I researched was the 20th century. We then wrote an essay explaining three technology inventions and how it compares to the models around these days. Here is my essay:

The 20th century included a lot of historical advancements in technology. Advancements include vacuum cleaners, World Wide Web, and video games. Improvements to technology that were invented and discovered in the 19th century further improved and developed in the 20th century. Inventions such as the incandescent light and the automobile were perfected and deployed into the public for people to use personally. Technology in the 20th century had been heavily influenced by the two World Wars. Ways of communication also changed during this era. Since devices much as phones and personal computers had been enhanced, access to the WWW and video games had increased in popularity. Military weapons and technology had been tested and developed due to wars.

Motorized vacuum cleaners were invented and developed in 1901 by a British engineer named Hubert Cecil Booth. Booth was also the one who invented the word ‘vacuum cleaner’. It was the first model to use suction rather than blown air. The first portable cleaner to be made and used was created by Walter Griffiths in 1905. It was thought to be convenient and easy to store. Throughout the 20th century, developments every year were made and it soon brought us to the cleaners that we use to date. Vacuum cleaners these days are powerful and cordless options are also around. The vacuum cleaner has improved so much to the point where there are robot models available. Without the vacuum cleaner, life would’ve been hard to maintain a clean and tidy environment. Perhaps more people would have back problems after having to keep bending down to use a dust brush and pan. Imagine the rush you’d be after realising that your parents were coming over in half an hour, but the floor is still in a messy state!

Another invention created in the 20th century that is a huge aspect of your daily life is the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web - also known as WWW - was invented by a British scientist called Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. Its intended purpose was so there would be a way that automatic information could be shared between scientists in universities and institutes around the world. Comparing the quality from its original release date to modern-day, we can easily see how much faster it’s gotten. Another aspect such as its capability supports the idea of how much it’s changed through time as well. These days, the WWW is used by a vast majority of people as a way to find and gather information at the click of a few buttons. It’s so convenient that I was able to find the information for this on the internet itself from the comfort on my computer, without having to search the books in the library for hours.

Something this I’m sure all people from the younger generations couldn’t imagine a life without is video games. Video games were created in 1958 by the American physicist, William Higinbotham. The first game created as a game that had a similar idea to the rules of tennis, it was called ‘Pong’. Pong was simply a black and white game that involved two lines parallel each other on opposite ends of the screen and a pixelated ball going back and forth. Higinbotham had the idea to create something to prove that science wasn’t all about war and destruction. 62 years later, present, games have evolved a lot. Not only have the various concepts and popularity of video games skyrocketed, but the graphics and quality have also improved massively. E-sport is not considered as a real sport, and people even take it up as a career. Competitions are held globally to find the top gamers from every country in different games. Games which are widely known include Minecraft and Fortnite.

Before the advance technologies that are around nowadays, a lot of its origin date back to the 20th century. With the world wars and a strive for new ideas, new inventions were created which help us live life more comfortably. Vacuum cleaners, the World Wide Web and video games are examples of technology that we use in everyday life. There’s still room for lots of improvement in the upcoming years, the possibilities are endless. On the other hand, we may go as far as robots and androids taking over humanity, as envisioned in sci-fi movies. For the time being, it’s best to enjoy the comfort that modern technology provides for us.