Past of Multimedia
In the general sense, multimedia uses a combination of different forms of communication to pass information across a large group of people. Its origins can be traced from the beginning of time when the early man invented writing in the most rudimentary forms. This mostly included pictures drawn on cave walls and other places. Such early forms can be traced from the years 13,000 BC (Duckett 2010). Perhaps one might disregard this as early forms of multimedia but they comprise of the multimedia fundamentals. These include text, graphics, and images.
Newspaper was the next form of revolutionized pro modern form of multimedia. Its origin can be traced from the era of Julius Caesar. However, in the 16th century is when the first modern newspaper was published in Germany (Duckett 2010). After the newspaper, radio was the next big thing in the industry. The first transmissions were sent in 1895 but the first broad casting done in the early 20th century (Duckett 2010). Though it was initially thought to be used only in telegraph, its use diverged and it radio was invented. Not long after, television was invented changing the face of multimedia forever.
Present of Multimedia
Arguably, the invention of computers could be named as the strong hold of modern multimedia and telecommunication prowess. Soon after the invention of the computer, email and internet were invented and this runs the basics of today’s conveying of messages all over the world. It is so amazing that people can receive programs aired in the western world while in Africa. This is enabled by satellite waves or sometimes the internet (Jasola & Kinshuk 2008). This has been the largest stepping stone in the modern world since it helps unite all locations of the world despite their financial status quo.
These newly founded inventions are the basics of the earlier models of multimedia. For instance, radio waves gave way to television giving way to the internet. This helps the modern generation appreciate the past inventions and understand that what happens in the present will determine the future. In addition, institutions like MIT and companies manufacturing telecommunication and multimedia devices have been responsible for the unimaginable heights achieved in this industry (Jasola & Kinshuk 2008).
Future of Multimedia
The foreseeable future in multimedia can be based on capitalizing on the already invented inventions and devices and making them more efficient. However, as days go by, the lifestyle and social environment is expected to change and the meaning of multimedia will be in a different dimension. For instance in today’s generation greatest hype is the three dimension picture viewing ability. In the past, such viewing effects were unimaginable but it is expected that in the future, this will even advance to sensory effects (Mustafee 2010). This will definitely improve the viewing effects. Another futuristic anticipated invention is the cloud computing. It is predicted that this will enable data as well as entertainment flow freely without corrupting storage and accessing devises. Cloud computing is highly anticipated since it will improve the quality of lives and how efficiently people manage their leisure and work. This invention will involve linear modulation in which video compression will enhance multimedia spectrum systems (Mustafee 2010). Many telecommunications engineers argue that this model is vital in the future invention but it will be a long journey and hard to achieve.
In conclusion, futuristic multimedia inventions will most probably be way out of the today’s engineer’s scope of thinking. With the improving telecommunication invention, anything is bound to happen. Many might foresee future inventions based on what is here in the present but those might also give way to unimaginable scope of multimedia. However, the most important factor is that information is transferred from one location to another with more ease for a better future.
References
Duckett, B. (2010) Historical Dictionary of Journalism: Reference Reviews, 24 (3) 6 – 7
Jasola, S., & Kinshuk. (2008) Analysis of QoS for DVB-RCS-based IP network: Campus-Wide Information Systems, 25 (1) 4 – 17
Mustafee, N. (2010) Exploiting grid computing, desktop grids and cloud computing for e- science: Future directions. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 4 (4) 288 - 298
