The History of Digital Technology: How it All Began and Where it is Going

As the term suggests, digital refers to numbers, two in particular, namely ones and zeros. In the mid-1950s, we already had the technology to send messages along telephone lines in an analogue fashion. At that time, American engineers were seriously looking into the 17th-century concept of using binary numbers to represent information. They chose 0 and 1, which can be added to infinitely, (00110001000101000), and their goal was to transmit this data along fibre optic lines; each digit is called 1 bit, and by joining many ones and zeros, it was possible to send large blocks of data, which might be text, audio or even video.

digital technology

Military Use

As expected, in the 1960s and 1970s, digital technology was primarily used for the military, as it offered a faster, clearer form of communication over long distances. As a result, the digital language ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) was formed, and this became a benchmark for digital development, which eventually emerged in the private sector.

US Telecommunications

In the 1980s, telecom giants saw the potential of digital technology, and improved fibre optics saw the development of cell phone networks. At the same time, cable TV operators also saw the potential of this new technology. Satellites were put into orbit, mirroring data to other parts of the world at the speed of light and data speeds began to increase.

Replacing Analogue Systems

In 2000, old analogue systems were still being replaced with digital transponders that relayed data to other ground stations and satellites. As a result, it is thought that there are many hundreds, if not thousands, of satellite trash that is orbiting the planet, its lifespan ended. This space garbage eventually drops to a level where it enters the atmosphere and is burned out during the process.

Digital Devices

There are literally billions of digital devices installed by a leading white glove logistics firm such as Rhenus High Tech, which transport and install high-tech equipment. For example, MRI and CT scanners, X-Ray machines and all kinds of touch-screen devices need special handling, and this is the domain of white-glove logistics.

The Future

Digital technology never stops in its development. With Elon Musk sending up thousands of 5G satellites, we are soon launching the Internet of Things (IoT), a global network that connects all AI will control digital devices and this network. This will be used in many ways; traffic management, remote control of digital devices and project collaboration, to name but a few. So here are a few tips if you are looking for a private investor for your new business.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is a real game-changer that can push past human limitations, and we can expect to see AI merging with digital tech to provide unique solutions to many of the global problems we currently face. Some experts are very concerned about AI, warning that machine learning might be the last invention of humanity. Guidelines need to be in place to ensure that AI is always used responsibly, and it should take us to a whole new level.

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