Impact of Technology on Society - Research Paper Example

In the process of the advancement of technology, the equipments and the methodology became simpler and more user friendly. For instance, the fixed landline equipments which were heavy were replaced with wireless and mobile phones which are light and portable. The environmental, social, economic and political implications of telephone as a technology on the society have been large. This essay aims to analyze the impact of telephone on the society with reference to the environment, economics, and politics of the society. 1.1.

The Background After the invention of telephone in 1876, by early 1900, telephone signals were successfully sent between close by cities (NAE, 2013). The invention of vacuum diode by Sir John Ambrose Fleming was a turning point in the history of telephony. A major milestone in the technology was the first transcontinental call which was made in the year 1915 (NAE, 2013).Though there were portable versions of phones which were used in vehicles right from 1940s, it was in the year 1973 that the first fully portable version phone was made by Martin Cooper for the Motorola Company (NAE, 2013).

Later in mid 1990s, following other innovations in the technology, Voice over Internet Protocol, which made voice call using internet was invented. This, along with other innovations changed the whole user perspective towards telephones. Today, mobile phones have become hubs for a wide range of activities and transactions. Through these innovations the technology of telephony has largely influenced the society. 2. Society before telephones Before the telephones were invented one of the first medium through which the society was connected across long distances was through letters.

Letters of course took long days to reach the destination and also involved complex administrative procedures. There has to be regularly operating establishments at both the receiver and the sender ends to make sure that the letter reaches the right destination. As it took time the major disadvantage was that the communication could not keep up with time. For instance, an elaborate communication which is urgent in nature could not be done through letters as there is the possibility that the relevance of the information contained in the letter could go outdated within the time that the letter takes to reach the destination.

However, letters were known for its emotional value. Fictional literatures have elaborately dealt with the psychological content associated with letters. In fact letters were known for its expressive nature. There were other means of faster communication in the pre telephone era. Telegrams and technologies like Morse codes were utilized to facilitate faster communication. The whole concept of privacy and personal space was challenged after the penetration of mobile phones into the society. Before individuals had their own portable phones, they all enjoyed a personal space which they themselves could decide.

With their mobile phones switched on, the users share a public space more than their personal space. The mobile version of the telephone technology has changed the politics, economics and social structure of the society to a large extend. Before mobile telephony, there were no tall receiver towers radiating harmful radiations into the