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Radio Rises in Popularity
Because of WW1, the radio was mass produced and sold. With the popularity of the radio, people could hear what was happening all over the world in the comfort of their own homes. Previously, people would only get access to this news by reading the newspaper. Unfortunately, in the late 1920’s, many Canadian radio listeners were tuning their dials to American stations. This led the federal government to establish a royal commission to advise on the future broadcasting in Canada in 1928. -
The First Public Demonstration of Televised Images in Motion
In 1925, John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of televised images in motion. TV has not only brought people closer to real-world events and broadcasts, it has brought people together socially. In addition, televeision has created many jobs. Through the 1920s, production of television in Canada was mainly restricted to inserts for American newsreels, sponsored short films, and documentaries produced by the government motion picture bureaus and a handful of private companies. -
Dynamic Speaker is Invented
The most widely used type of speaker in 2010 was the dynamic speaker, invented in 1925 by Edward W. Kellogg and Chester W. Rice. This type of speaker changed the way people could communicate in large crowds. Instead of using a horn or yelling, people could use the speaker that would reach the masses. Back then, the cost for one of these speakers was 250 dollars or 3000 dollars if one were to buy it today. Today, society uses the dynamic speaker every day to transmit all kinds of messages. -
The Longest-Running Telephone Model is Released to The Public
In the 1930’s, the longest-running telephone model, Model 102, was released to the public. This model was the first desktop rotary dial telephone of many that would span the rest of the 20th century. Before model 102, people had to resort to the Candlestick telephone where both their hands were occupied holding the machine. During this time, telephones created many jobs for women, as they began to work in the telecommunications sector as receptionists and operators. -
Telephone Pager is Invented
The pager was invented by Alfred J. Gross, a Toronto-based wireless communications pioneer, in 1949. When it was patented, the FCC did not approve of the pager for public use until 1958. The name pager was first used in 1959 when Motorola made a personal radio communications product they called a pager. Motorola began its 40-year reign as the dominant leader in the paging space with the introduction of the first consumer tone-only pager, the Pageboy I. -
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Fibre Optic Cables Are Invented
Fiber optic cables are used for transmitting voice, images, and other data at close to the speed of light. Researchers Robert Maurer, Donald Keck, and Peter Schultz invented fiber optic wire or "Optical Waveguide Fibers" capable of carrying 65,000 times more information than copper wire. In the 1960s, Elias Snitzer of American Optical published a theoretical description of single mode fibers, a fiber with a core so small it could carry light with only one wave-guide mode. -
Zip Codes Are Created
Zip codes were created in 1963 to allow for more precise long distance shipping, among other things. In 1943, postal zones were implemented by the postal service for large cities. But this system was not universal and a more general system was needed. So, in 1963, the new postal code system was offered by Robert Moon. This system is an expanded ZIP codes system, also called "plus-four codes" or "add-on codes". These additional digits may be used for an apartment group, a city block, etc. -
Instant Replay is Created
George Retzlaff, a Toronto-based producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's wildly popular "Hockey Night in Canada," used a hot processor to produce a wet-film replay of a goal during the 1955-56 season. The actual debut of the instant replay technique was on December 7, 1963 by Tony Verna during the annual Army-Navy football game. -
IMAX Movie System is Invented
An interesting Canadian invention related to communications is the IMax Movie System, co-invented by Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, and Robert Kerr in 1968. This innovation dramatically enriched the cinema watching experience in all aspects including in both visuals and sound. As such, it is easier than ever for us to consume high quality media along with all of its contained images, messages, and advertisements that people and corporations wish to communicate to us. -
Computerized Braille is Invented
Computerized braille was invented by Roland Galarneau in 1972. Previously, the printing of braille was a slow and very expensive process. However, Galarneau developed the "Converto-Braille": a homemade computer that scanned and translated texts into Braille at a rate of 100 words per minute. Today, braille translation software exists to handle most of the common languages of the world, and many technical areas, such as math and music. This is all thanks to the blind inventor, Roland Galarneau. -
Email is Invented
Email was invented in 1978 by 14-year-old genius, Shiva Ayyadurail. The creation of email meant that individuals could slowly transition from the traditional and old-fashioned postal mail to a more convenient way of communicating with their colleagues.Today, many working adults rely on email in order to communicate with their colleagues, bosses, and even family. It is not uncommon to receive important notices, newsletters, and even invoices via email. -
World's First Cellphone is Released to the Public
Motorola’s invention of the commercial cell phone was released to the public in 1984. This technology revolutionized the world as we knew it. Previously, all phones had cords and were binded to a person’s home. Now, people, mostly the upper class at the time, could make calls on the go and try out the beginnings of cellular technology that would change lives decades later. The first cell phone inspired the invention of the smartphones that the majority of Canadians have today. -
The World Wide Web is Invented
The World Wide Web was first introduced to the public by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. The World Wide Web has been essential in the creation of email and social media, two forms of communication that are heavily used today. These websites have led to the development of online shops and services, which have transformed the way we communicate with businesses. With the World Wide Web, we can simultaneously perform research, communicate with others, and even entertain ourselves. -
Mosiac Brower is Invented
NCSA Mosaic was the first internet browser to make a major impact in society. In November 1993, Mosaic broke away from the small pack of existing browsers; it included features like icons, bookmarks, a more attractive interface, and pictures. This web browser provided the necessary means for society to communicate with one another using pictures and information. Mosaic also dramatically increased the number of internet users and assisted in the development of popular software, such as Microsoft. -
The DVD is Invented
A DVD is a type of optical disc used for data storage and as a platform for multimedia. In 1994–95, two competing formats were introduced. However, by the end of 1995, the competing groups, Sony, Philips, the Toshiba Corporation, and Time Warner Inc., had agreed on a common format to be known as the DVD, that combined elements of both proposals.The DVD dramatically progressed communication in society. People were now able to place information on a disc and share it with others around the world. -
Wikipedia is Launched
Wikipedia began with its launch on 15 January 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger. The source was one of the most influential advancements in society. It caused for an abundance of people to share their own ideas and information through a free online encyclopedia. Wikipedia created an atmosphere for young people to collect information without using a library or a book. This created flexibility in schooling and made knowledge more accessible. -
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Social Media Platforms (MySpace, Skype, and Facebook) Begin to Launch
Many social media platforms were originated between the years of 2003-2004. MySpace, released in 2003, allowed for easier communication between people using blogs, photos, music, and videos. Secondly, Skype was released in 2003 which allowed for face to face communication without physically being in the same place. Lastly, Facebook was released in 2004. With the release of Facebook, communication was forever changed to instant messaging and the sharing of photos, videos, and one's life.
