-
Humans begin using complex vocalizations to communicate, laying the foundation for symbolic speech and collective thinking -
Early humans in Europe and Asia paint scenes of animals and life on cave walls one of the first visual storytelling methods . -
One of the earliest writing systems, inscribed on clay tablets to record trade, laws, and stories, enabling communication beyond spoken words . -
A formal writing system mixing pictograms and phonetics, used for religious inscriptions and official records -
Ancient Greeks and Persians use pigeons and courier routes (like Marathon runners) to deliver time-sensitive messages across distances . -
Bi Sheng invents movable clay type, allowing faster production of texts—an early precursor to global printing -
Johannes Gutenberg creates mechanized movable type, enabling mass production of books and the rapid spread of knowledge -
Samuel Morse’s telegraph revolutionizes long-distance messaging with instant electrical signals -
Alexander Graham Bell sends voice over wires: “Mr. Watson, come here—I want to see you.” This marks the start of modern telephony -
Marconi and Lodge transmit Morse code over radio waves, enabling wireless messaging over the air -
Reginald Fessenden delivers the first audio broadcast (violin Bible reading) to ships at sea aboard the Alexanderson alternator -
John Logie Baird conducts an early public broadcast, merging visuals and audio to reach mass audiences -
Transistor innovation leads to compact radios and early computers which form the backbone of data communication -
Ray Tomlinson sends the first networked email on ARPANET, using the now-iconic @ symbol -
Martin Cooper (Motorola) makes the first handheld cellular call: “I’m calling you on a real cell phone…” -
Neil Papworth sends “Merry Christmas” via SMS, starting the era of mobile typing and data communication -
Tim Berners‑Lee opens the Web; Mosaic browser takes off, making Internet accessible to the public . -
Facebook (2004) and Twitter (2006) launch, reshaping personal and global communication on massive scales -
Apple’s iPhone introduces mobile apps, touchscreen, internet, and high-speed data in one device . -