Technology advancements have transformed how humans work, socialize, cook, and even seek medical care. Between 1945 and 2,000, different scientists invented tools and appliances that shape the life of many people in 21st century. One of the major discoveries is the Internet, which over 50% of the global population use on daily basis. For instance, people use the Internet to share pictures with friends over messaging applications, buying goods online, and communicating with friends who are far away in real time. The microwave is another technological innovation that makes heating food in the kitchen much easier. There are also industrial microwaves, which are widely used in various manufacturing sectors. On the same note, healthcare research specialists developed the electronic medical records (EMR) technology to track patients’ affairs, such as changes in health condition, treatments, and medications. The bottom line is that humankind’s desire for interconnected, healthy, and luxurious lifestyle inspired the development of sophisticated innovations between 1945 and 2000 that are currently indispensable necessities in communication, cooking, and healthcare industries.
The Internet is a critical infrastructure in the modern business and communication sectors. Back in 1960s, the US initiated the development of a communication platform that the military and government agencies could use to transmit information securely. The research led to the invention of the packet-switched computer network in 1969, which later evolved into modern day internet technology (Popkova & Sergi, 2021). Some of the popular uses of the Internet include facilitating access to search engines, social media platforms, and online shopping websites. In addition, people looking for love use the Internet to search companions on dating websites. On the other hand, businesses use the Internet to engage clients directly on their social media pages and websites. Many entrepreneurs establish online businesses to access worldwide market, as well as use artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor customers’ activities on their websites. The information helps businesses to improve sales by providing clients with customized services or visual aids for accessing their desired products (Moruzzi, 2019). Following the broad application of the Internet in business, social interaction, and e-commerce, the usage of the technology will keep growing in the next two decades.
Microwaves are devices that produce electromagnetic waves used in a various modern industries. In 1941, Percy LeBaron Spencer discovered that the magnetrons he was testing for making aircraft radar emitted heated that could be tapped for cooking and industrial application. Spencer filed a patent for the microwave technology in 1945, and proceeded to manufacture the first prototype in 1947 (Ross, 2017). Presently, microwave technology is used in a broad range of industries such as communications, remote sensing, biomedical, and navigation. Ross (2017) asserts that microwave heating is one of the most popular cooking appliances in the US. Over 90% of American households own consumer microwave ovens used to defrost frozen foods, boil water, and heat food. The appliances make cooking easier, and allow more downtime for engaging in other activities. Besides, there are thousands of cookbooks with recipes one can prepare using microwaves (Ross, 2017). Considering the widespread use of the microwaves in domestic and industrial sectors, the popularity of microwave ovens will keep growing in the next two decades.
Automating the health records is critical in the modern world to keep pace with the complicated healthcare systems. Traditionally, physicians stored medical records on paper files, which were marked with unique information such as social security number and the surname of clients. Unfortunately, the system was inefficient because doctors could hardly share diagnoses of their patients with other medical experts. For that reason, medical accidents were rampant before the automation of health records because physicians frequently prescribed unsuitable drugs, or even misdiagnosed clients. In the 1960s, Larry Weed invented the idea of collecting and recording patients’ data electronically. Recently, EMR has evolved into EHR, which is a comprehensive healthcare information database shared among healthcare providers worldwide – a client moves with previous diagnosis and treatment history to nursing homes, specialists, and hospitals (Benedictis et al., 2020). Therefore, EMR technology usage will continue growing in the next 20 years since it improves treatment accuracy while reducing healthcare expenses because doctors will not need to repeat screen tests that a client had already taken previously.
Overall, humans frequently improve the internet, microwave, and EMR technology applications to attain healthy, luxurious, and interconnected lifestyle associated with the advancement of technological innovations invented in the twentieth century. The Internet is a disruptive technology with a broad range of applications ranging from communication, social interactions, to running e-commerce. Other critical internet applications that will increase the Internet usage in the next couple of decades include online banking and schooling. In the year 2020, many schools turned to online education in the height of international lockdown instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, microwaves have redefined modern kitchens, as they offer fast and convenient means of cooking. The appliance is handy in the age of refrigerated food because people can defrost food in minutes. Lastly, the EMR has taken the center stage in improving healthcare data by providing physicians with a shared database of patients’ health information. Therefore, the application of the technology will grow steadily in the future.
References
Benedictis, A., Lettieri, E., Gastaldi, L., Masella, C., Urgu, A., &Tartaglini, D. (2020) Electronic Medical Records implementation in hospital: An empirical investigation of individual and organizational determinants. PLoS ONE, 15(6): e0234108. Web.
Moruzzi, M. (2019). The Internet ideology: From A as in advertising to Z as in zipcar. Massimo
Popkova, E. G., &Sergi, B. S. (2021). “Smart technologies” for society, state and economy.Springer.
Ross, R. (2017). Who invented the microwave oven? Live Science. Web.