COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

Invention and Development of

Communication Technology



Communication Technology

Introduction

Communication technology involves both human (communication intra-psychic, interpersonal) and machine (telecommunications, new technologies). The new information technologies and communication (ICT) or Information Technology (IT) refers to everything related to the techniques used in the treatment and transmission of information. This mainly comprises of information technology, Internet and telecommunications. (Barney, 2005; Avgerou & Ciborra, 2004)

The concept of “communication technology” is of two typical characteristics of new concepts, which is frequently mentioned in contemporary debates. It can also be observed that the term technology, which strictly means speech technology being used in place of technique, is both simpler and more accurate. (August & Meadows, 2008)

This concept is closer to that of the information society, which means a society in which communication technologies play a central role. It is usually placed in the continuity of industrial society. The digital age has definitely settled and as each technological revolution gives rise to fears, it also generates hopes, encouragement and new works. (Tamara, 2006; Barney, 2005)

History of Communication Technology

Speaking today of Communication Technology, it is essentially about the merger between telecommunications (telephone, radio, television) and information technology. It is this junction that gave birth to the World Wide Web, which could be described as the most successful communication technology in the sense that it brings together all multimedia networks. (August & Meadows, 2008)

The communication technology, even if not always known, has a long history behind it. The communication technology, even if not always known, has a long history behind it. It would seem logical and preamble to start with the invention of writing in Mesopotamia, 3300 BC that has developed practical means of wet clay and reed cuts or even tackle the woodcut. This was practiced before the invention of printing. (Barney, 2005; Avgerou & Ciborra, 2004)

In Europe in 1468, the invention of Guttenberg, the typography and the printing press, helped greatly to the dissemination of information. In 1793, Claude Chappe establishes a communication system and optical mechanics called "semaphore" designed as a stone towers that transmit signals using mechanical arms. This system was the first telecommunications network nationwide in 1844 consisting of 534 laps. By 1832, the electric telegraph was invented and things became faster and easier. (Avgerou & Ciborra, 2004)

In 1801, Joseph-Marie Jacquard invented an automated loom called "Jacquard loom" that operated through a system of punched cards. This invention marked the advent of automation, which prefigures the typing allowing mechanical processing, calculation and publication of information. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and in 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph. Sounds could be recorded and broadcast and in 1895, the film projector was invented. (Tamara, 2006)

Then a series of scientific discoveries complemented to give rise to communication technologies, which became more powerful each time reducing the distance between people. In 1920 the first commercial radio broadcasts were aired. In 1935 the electric typewriter and in 1943 the first computer that was originally designed to break the German codes during World War II, was ...