This document provides a history of the development of communication technology over time. It discusses the evolution from the telephone to cell phones to smartphones, and the development of computers from desktops to laptops to tablets. It also outlines the creation of the internet and how it enabled new forms of communication like email, social media, and user-generated content on wikis. The document analyzes how theories like media dependency theory, uses and gratifications theory, and the diffusion of innovations help explain people's adoption of new communication technologies.

1. Back To The Future:
A Look Into Communication Technology
By:
Kristin Hood

2. The Phone
• Telephone: The invention of the electric telegraph paved the way to new forms of
communication technology. Starting off with Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the
telephone back in 1876. This resulted in a faster and more efficient way of
communicating, and long distance at that. The telephone allowed for people to send and
receive messages by verbal communication. As time went on this communication device
would evolve into other things.
• Cell phone: Martin Cooper invented the first cell phone, that he began working on in
1973. Its purpose is to function as a mobile communication device. Originally cell phones
worked by sending radio wave to radio towers.. Over a period of time advancements
were made on the cell phone. The functions of the device were very limited though and
included basic features and tools.
• Smartphone: Our simple communication device has now developed into this
multifunctional device. We not only use our mobile device to make phone calls and send
and receive text. There are many features such as: the ability to connect to the
internet, camera function, access apps, play games, use it as a GPS, access your music
and much more. The signals used to receive and send things is even digitized now
allowing for the process to be faster.
This form of communication has developed into a small portable device that allows you to
communicate and connect to the internet from pretty much anywhere. Some of the devices
are even being made with a bigger screen but still a slim body, in a way it’s like a computer
molded into a portable phone.

3. The Computer
•Desktop Computer:
This computer came
about from
microprossers back
in 1971.. The size of
the computer was
meant to sit on top of
a desk hence it’s
name. The desktop
computer had
components that
included the:
processor, monitor, k
eyboard, and mouse.
•Tablet: Apple in a way was the “leader” of
the tablets. They first cam out with the iPad
in 2010. Then from here on out you started
seeing other companies coming out with
their versions of the tablet. The tablet is
device that has components of a
computer, Smartphone, camera, portable
gaming device all into one. It is a touch
screen device that allows for the addition of
an actual keyboard to make it more like a
mini laptop if you want. It’s a very convenient
and efficient device because of it being
portable and allowing you to do and access
many things.
•Laptop: The laptop is
major advancement
with computers. It
still had the same
components as the
desktop computer
except it was
portable. You no
longer had to stay in
one are just to use
your computer. The
device allowed for
people to be mobile
and take their pc
wherever they
wanted to.

4. The Internet
• The invention of the internet to me opened the door to a new
form of communication technology. This invention gave people
access to an endless amount of information. The internet also
allowed for people to connect from all over the world and
network with one another. With the social media aspect it is just
something that has really taken off. This is something that will
continue to grow and develop.
• Email: This form of communication allowed people send
messages extremely and receive a quick response at the
same time. You no longer had to wait days or weeks for
message and response by traditional mail.
• Wiki: Wiki is a website that allows people to post and access a
lot of information. It’s kind of like an encyclopedia, people add
information about different subjects for it to be at other peoples
disposal. People can also add on to information already posted
on the site.
• Social Network: This creation allows you to create online profiles of your self. With this you are able to stay
connected with people by adding friends and gaining followers. It also allows for the sharing of
information, photos, news and events. It’s a good way for people to communicate and stay in touch from all over
the world. It is even a good marketing tool for many companies to promote their business and products. Popular
social networking sites include: MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and many more.

5. Media System Dependency Theory
• This theory influenced my choice of
communication technologies because so
many people are consumed by their
devices and what they allow them to do.
This theory says that the more a person
has the needs fulfilled via the use of media
will result in the media having more of a
impact in the person’s life. The person will
then be influenced by the impact the
media has.
• People these days are so dependent on
our communication technologies as a
main source to get information, stay
updated with the news and much more.
• This model is more elaborated and shows
more specific effects of the dependency
theory.

6. Uses and Gratifications Approach
• There are 3 objectives to the approach that include:
• Explaining how people use mass communication to gratify their needs
• Figuring out the motifs as to why people use media
• Figuring out positive and negative outcomes of individual media use

7. Roger’s Diffusion of Innovations
• This theory influenced my choice of communication technologies because it focused on how why
and how people came to use new forms of media as time went on and the influences behind that
decision.

8. References:
•Rogers, E.M. (1976). New Product Adoption and
Diffusion. Journal of Consumer Research, 2 (March), 290 -301.
•Leung, L. & Wei, R. (2000). More than just talk on the move:
Uses and Gratifications of the Cellular Phone, Journalism &
Mass Communication Quarterly, 77(2), 308-320.
•Ball-Rokeach, S.J., & DeFleur, M.L. (1976). A dependency
model or mass-media effects. Communication Research, 3,3-21.
•Bauerlein, Mark (2011). The Digital Divide. The Internet, 26 &
Learning To Think in a Digital World, 34.
•Campbell, R & Martin, C & Fabos, B. (2011). Media & Culture.
An Introduction to Mass Communication.