Technological Developments

  • Abacus
    1200 BCE

    Abacus

    developed to perform arithmetic operations, square/cube roots
    slide counters along rods, wires, or lines within a wood frame
    developed around 2,000 years ago and used throughout the Middle East, China, & Russia
    Can still be found today throughout the world; also used by those with a visual impairment
  • Codex / Paper
    134 BCE

    Codex / Paper

    Replacement for papyrus around the 2nd century; became the most widely used and significant advancement for information storage
    Typically used sheepskin (parchment) or calfskin (vellum)
  • Electricity / Electromagnetism

    Electricity / Electromagnetism

    Alessandro Volta created the first battery
    comprised of two different metals that were placed in an acid
  • Cash Register

    Cash Register

    Developed by James Ritty & John Ritty
    Were capable of expressing values in dollars & cents
    Created printed receipts for customers, maintained transaction logs, as well as performing other accounting functions
    Embezzlement of cash became more difficult; bell would sound off every transaction
  • Computer Hypertext System

    Computer Hypertext System

    Peter Brown started the research into the hypertext systems
    Allowed for quicker calculations
    Stored information on stacks of cards
  • Sources

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