Pre Smart Phone

When I think about how may gadgets I used to carry in my briefcase to accomplish only a fraction of what today's smart phone can, it is mind boggling. The miniaturization of technology combined with high speed internet and wireless communication, now delivers the world to us, instantly, in the palm of our hands.  

In the past, doing research meant hitting the library to source multiple books or getting limited information from home encyclopedias.  Because this reference material was only current up to the date of publication, more recent information was gleaned  from newspapers, magazines, journals and network news.

When the development of the micro processor made it possible for us to own a personal computer, file cabinets became floppy drives, typewriters turned into word processors and  adding machines became calculators.  Once the marriage of hardware and software development was established, it was off to the races. As people began to digitize, the demand for more speed, storage and user friendly applications began to skyrocket. With hardware getting smaller and more portable, computers were no longer relegated to an office or a den. The laptop gave us the ability to take our information with us wherever we needed to go. Then came the internet, the ability to communicate, send email and share information world wide from anywhere.

From the early stages of digital technology to where we are today, we have witnessed how it has influenced our every day life and It's hard to imagine any aspect that is not dependent on it. As a technology geek, I am intrigued with what might be in store for the generations to come.