Communication Technology Update and Fundamentals, 16th Edition

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A History of Communication Technology

Yicheng Zhu, Ph.D.*

The other chapters in this book provide details regarding the history of one or more communication technologies. However, one needs to understand that history works, in some ways, like a telescope. The closer an observer looks at the details, i.e. the particular human behaviors that changed communication technologies, the less they can grasp the big picture.

This chapter attempts to provide the big picture by discussing recent advancements along with a review of happenings “before we were born.” Without the understanding of the collective memory of the trailblazers of communication technology, we will be “children forever” when we make interpretations and implications from history ...