Technology Changes Over Time

Fifty years ago, people did not have computers in their homes and offices. If they wanted to write a letter or note to someone, they could write it on paper with a pen, pencil, or crayon, or type it with a typewriter. There was no e-mail, no instant messaging, and no texting. Communication sure has changed a lot since then! What other kinds of technology have changed over time?

Activity

1. Think of a type of technology that interests you and that has changed over time. Focus on a particular problem and the different ways that people have solved it. For example, you might be interested in technology for keeping food fresh, technology for playing a sport, technology for communicating with people who are far away, technology for lighting homes, or technology for getting from one place to another.
   
   

2. Use the Internet to research the technology you chose. Find at least five different methods or inventions that have been used at different times to solve the same general problem.
   
   
3. For each example of technology, find a picture, record approximately what year or years the technology was used, and write a short description of what it is.
   
   
4. Arrange your examples into a timeline to show how your chosen technology has changed over time. Give your timeline a title that tells what problem the technology solves. You may create your timeline as an electronic document or as a physical poster. Be creative! Try to make your timeline fun to look at as well as interesting to read. Before you start, take a look at the rubric to find out what makes a great timeline.
   
   
5. Submit your document or a digital image of your poster to your teacher.