History Of Information Technology Essay

The history of the Information Technology has been divided into four periods Pre Mechanical (3000BC-1450AD). Mechanical (1450AD-1840AD). Electro Mechanical (1840AD-1970AD). Electronic (1970AD-Today) These periods are categorized with successful breakthroughs. The first economical computer was introduced in the year 1946, which is called Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIC). The general purpose computer was developed in the name of UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) in 1940. Before it came into usage Lyons Electronic Office (LEO) came out and became the world’s first commercial computer. After this, there was a rapid development in the information technology starting from 1969-today, with the continuous development in the features of the computers. ARPANET is introduced in 1969, which is funded by the defence. First single chip processor was introduced by Intel and named as Intel 4004 in 1971. Graphical User Interface and Mouse are experimentally used by The Xerox Paulo Alto Research Center in 1973. The first electronic spreadsheet program was used in 1979. In 1981, IBM introduced first personal computer with operating system developed by Microsoft. . When did it (Information Technology) begin to impact society? The impact of science and technology on society is very high. The impact created by the information technology is even higher. It revolutionized the structure of the management and nature of competition in many of the industrial sector. IT became one the important service sector in many countries. In developed countries like USA it amounts to 74% of GDP, 76% of the national employment and also a trade of about $ 52 billions. Generally service sector includes technology-intensive and technically sophisticated firms in banking, insurance, transportation, health care, professional and personal services. IT with its advantages such as less expensive, more portable, better integrated and better embedded in many devices is in a position to reach out quickly. New applications and interactive multimedia systems for business, home entertainment, and communication purpose has enhanced the scope of IT and likely to evolve and also likely to have a profound effect on industry structure, employment and economic growth. Now a day’s world economy is booming with white – collar services rather than the blue collar services. The white collar services include research, education, design, accounting, marketing, logistic planning, communication, information management etc. these types of activities are important to the individual service industry. The standard of the living and the competitiveness in the world trade will be determined on how the information technology is deployed and used. Society is a broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, collective activities and interests. The integration of society and information technology can be seen in two areas, first the institutions and next the collective activities of the society. IT has influence on the common traditions such as customary pattern of thought, action or behavior and even religious practice or a social custom. With easy access to information, change is observed not only among people within, but through out the world. The social attitude of the citizens has also changed tremendously and every one is expecting various elements of that society to be better informed than before. They are getting more information regarding the subject matter of their choice and about the specific product. With the availability of information they are in a position to know about the services of any organizations and even its back ground. The institutions such as Governments, commercial businesses, News and Media organizations, Educational organizations also have profound influence on the society using the information technology. With the IT development the government is able to give the data easily and the people are able to receive information with out going to the government offices. There is lot of improvement in the e-governance too. IT also improved defense capabilities by helping government in gathering intelligence information. Information technology has helped commercial business activities by offering different software with advances of computer aided design, spread sheets, word processing software not only helped this branch commercially but also automated their business process. Use of internet and satellite television by News and Media organization is a perfect example of Information and Technology’s success. Education system became even closer to the students with the online studies. Even the researchers are able to make their research with wider source of information with in less time. What is the impact of technology on: Individuals Every individual is a part and parcel of the society. For the development of society proper interaction is also necessary. The IT has enhanced the scope of interaction among the members of the society. Introduction of online debates and online voting helped each individual to become part and parcel of administration system and giving a true meaning to Democracy. People are using emails, chartrooms, blogs etc,. Society is able to distribute information quickly, efficiently and cheaply. Society now expects the creation of new information to be facilitated by these new technologies Individual’s education became easy with the recent development in IT. gathering and storing information has become routine. . He is able to do online courses for his academic career, getting the online tutors etc. His mode of education has imparted several new technologies with the technical advancements. Now the designing work, architectural work etc, had been automated with the technical advancement. Information and technology has its mark on Economic reforms as well. In the modern world superior technologies have automated business process there by bringing pace in business activities. Invest management got organized with use of technology. The government has played major role in developing technology in many ways. The US Government invested billions of rupees to develop technology and with aim of making economically sound. Information Technology not only cost effective, it has helped individual to make decisions faster. As decision making has direct impact on profitability, with easy access to all the relevant data. In the due course wastage in terms of time, money and labor has drastically reduced.