From Talking Drums to the Internet: An Encyclopedia of Communications Technology

From Talking Drums to the Internet is the story of the human quest to communicate more effectively. It reaches far back into prehistory to explore cave paintings, hieroglyphics, and smoke signals - all technological giant steps in their day. But the volume focuses primarily on the twentieth century, when the pace of innovation became an explosion and we progressed from listening to radio early in the century to watching color television at the halfway point to attempting communication with extraterrestrials at the approach of the second millennium. From Talking Drums to the Internet helps the reader make sense of this dizzying profusion of breakthroughs and their impact. More than 210 alphabetically arranged entries clearly explain the workings of each technology and its applications. They also explain the enormous social implications of important technologies, such as the printing press, radio, and television, which have already changed forever the nature and quality of life for billions of people around the world. This comprehensive volume not only brings readers up to date on the current developments in communications technology and their effects; it also helps them understand the roots of controversies, trace the course of important technological advances, and make the acquaintance of those individuals who have played particularly important roles. Its extensive illustrations, lists of references, and painstaking cross-references make it an important and timely addition to every library collection.