Technology has revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with one another. We are constantly surrounded by it, and yet there are still many things that we don’t know about it. In this blog post, we will be exploring 10 surprising facts about technology that will make you question everything you thought you knew. From mind-boggling new inventions to incredible advances in computer technology, these facts will leave you amazed and questioning the world of tech around you. So without further ado, let’s jump in and explore these fascinating facts!
1) We spend more time on screens than ever before
With the rise of technology, it’s no surprise that we spend more time in front of screens than ever before. A 2019 study found that Americans now spend an average of 11 hours a day on electronic devices. With this amount of time, our lives are increasingly being shaped by digital media and the internet.
2) The average person checks their phone over 80 times a day
A recent study found that people check their phones an average of 80 times a day, which adds up to almost 6 hours of usage. This is a staggering amount of time considering the fact that we are usually only conscious for 16 hours a day. Our reliance on technology has drastically increased and this high frequency of phone checking only serves to further emphasize this point.
3) We now have shorter attention spans than goldfish
Research has found that the average human attention span is now down to 8 seconds – one second less than that of a goldfish! This highlights just how important it is for marketers and content creators to make their content as engaging as possible in order to capture the interest of their audience.
4) The first ever website is still online
The very first website went live in 1991 and it is still accessible today. It was created by physicist Tim Berners-Lee and the World Wide Web Consortium at CERN. The website contains information about the World Wide Web, its history, and how to use it. It’s a remarkable testament to the power of the web that it has lasted this long!
5) The first email was sent in 1971
The first electronic mail was sent in 1971 by Ray Tomlinson, an engineer working on ARPANET (the predecessor of the modern internet). Tomlinson sent the first email to himself as a test and it has since become the most popular form of communication in the world. By 2020, there were over 3.9 billion email users worldwide!
6) The first ever online purchase was made in 1994
The world’s first ever online purchase happened on August 11th, 1994. It was a CD by the band Sting, purchased by a man in the United States. Since then, e-commerce has grown exponentially and now makes up almost 20% of all retail sales worldwide. From books and electronics to groceries and cosmetics, the internet has revolutionized how people shop.
7) The first ever selfie was taken in 1839
The world’s first ever selfie was taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839. It was a self-portrait taken outdoors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cornelius removed the lens cap of his camera, ran into the frame and stood for a few seconds before running back and replacing the lens cap. The result was a pioneering self-portrait that still stands as a historic moment in photography.
8) The first ever emoji was created in 1999
The world of digital communication changed forever with the introduction of the first emoji. Developed by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita, the emoji was designed to add personality and emotion to text messages. The word “emoji” is derived from two Japanese words, e (“picture”) and moji (“character”). Today, emojis are used billions of times every day, allowing us to quickly and easily express our thoughts and feelings without using words.
9) The first ever YouTube video was uploaded in 2005
It was a 19 second video titled “Me at the Zoo” and was uploaded by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim. It showed Karim standing in front of the elephants at the San Diego Zoo. Since then, YouTube has become one of the most popular platforms for sharing and watching videos. Now with more than two billion users and over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, it’s safe to say that YouTube is here to stay.
10) The first ever blog was created in 1994
The blogosphere began in 1994 when Jorn Barger created “Robot Wisdom,” the first weblog. It quickly gained popularity, paving the way for bloggers everywhere to share their thoughts and stories online. With its inception, the digital era was born and has since evolved into what we know today.