Media Technology Timeline

By ersomers
  • Johannes Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press
    1439

    Johannes Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press

    The exact date is not fully known, but is assumed to be around 1439. Allowed for the mass printing of books, texts, etc.
  • Period: 1450 to

    The Print Era

    A period of time where media such as books, newspapers, and magazines, were incredibly influential for mass communication
  • The First Regularly (Weekly) Published Newspaper Emerges in Paris

    The First Regularly (Weekly) Published Newspaper Emerges in Paris

    it was titled "La Gazette". Began the emergence of more public daily news, although not accessible to everyone.
  • The First Periodical to Coin the Name "Magazine" is Published

    The First Periodical to Coin the Name "Magazine" is Published

    "The Gentleman's Magazine" was a monthly magazine published in London. It was the first to use the term "Magazine", which led to the modern day usage of the term.
  • The Penny Press is created

    The Penny Press is created

    Created by Benjamin Day. allowed newspapers to be sold for a penny, allowed more of the working class access to daily news.
  • Period: to

    The Audiovisual Age

    marks heightened importance in media such as radio, film, and television
  • Alexander Graham Bell Receives First US Patent for the Telephone

    Alexander Graham Bell Receives First US Patent for the Telephone

    Graham made his first phone call on March 10th of the same year. Used solely for business but allowed conversations to happen in real time without meeting in person.
  • First Radio Transmission sent across the Atlantic Ocean

    First Radio Transmission sent across the Atlantic Ocean

    Sent from England to St. John's, Newfoundland (my hometown:)) by Guglielmo Marconi. Led to considerable advances in the way we communicate with those far away from us.
  • KDKA, the station credited as signalling the beginning of commercial broadcast radio, receives financial backing from Westinghouse and gains much national attention for airing election returns following the 1920 presidential election.

    KDKA, the station credited as signalling the beginning of commercial broadcast radio, receives financial backing from Westinghouse and gains much national attention for airing election returns following the 1920 presidential election.

    This shows how radio began its influence as an audiovisual medium. It was used for many different commercial purposes (entertainment, news, etc)
  • The BBC's – and the world's – first regular high-definition television service starts

    The BBC's – and the world's – first regular high-definition television service starts

    Television kickstarted the visual media era. This era completely changed the way we intake our information, and began basing certain aspects of our intake on what we saw as opposed to what we were hearing
  • Period: to

    The "Golden Age" of Television

    Television was one of the top consumed media in this period of time. Everything that was shown on TV during this time period was influential to the masses
  • ARPANET is established

    ARPANET is established

    the first step in a large mass communication technology that would later become the internet. Allowed people to communicate via computer
  • Motorola Releases the First Handheld Phone

    Motorola Releases the First Handheld Phone

    The first telephone that could be brought with users anywhere with ease. Helped make communication even easier as people could pick up calls almost anywhere
  • The First Text Message is Sent

    The First Text Message is Sent

    Texting is an incredibly common form of communication used on portable devices. It can be both interpersonal and even can lead to mass communication through things like tweets, group chats, etc.
  • The Browser "Mosaic" is Released to the General Public

    The Browser "Mosaic" is Released to the General Public

    The first widely available browser that allowed users to see text and images at the same time. Began the shape of the modern internet, which allowed for mass digital communication
  • SixDegrees.com is launched

    SixDegrees.com is launched

    Known widely as the first social media platform. Allowed users to make accounts and friend other users. Paved the way for many other larger platforms of mass communication, which allow people to talk to anyone else with an account.
  • Facebook is Launched

    Facebook is Launched

    One of the largest social networking sites, second only to Google. Mark Zuckerberg, the owner, also owns "Instagram". Still a relevant and popular site today.
  • The IPhone (1st Gen) is Announced

    The IPhone (1st Gen) is Announced

    Revolutionized the Smartphone industry. Because of its sleek design iPhones were very sought after. They changed the way we communicate completely.