7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

Multimedia has been around for longer than we think.

The first ever existence of some sort of multimedia took place thousands of years ago in the shape of

cave paintings painted by cavemen (see Figure 7.1 for an example).

Cave paintings were thought to be painted for communication purposes.

Cavemen used paintings to communicate with one another.

Such ancient multimedia content proved also useful in communicating with generations to come.

Thousands of years after, up to this day, multimedia is still being used as a way to interact and

communicate between people.

Computers have played a huge part in developing and enhancing the multimedia experience.

They have developed a great deal throughout the years since they were first made in 1939.

7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

In 1939, the first automated digital computer was made by John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry.

It was called the 'ABC computer' (Atanasoff Berry Computer). In terms of multimedia, the ABC

computer did not offer much as it was only designed to solve mathematical (linear) equations.

It was however, the building blocks of all computers from then after as it implemented three ideas

that are still being used in computers today:

Used binary digits to represent all numbers and data.

7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

The use of electronics to perform calculations instead of wheels of mechanical switches.

Separation of computation and storage.

Computers from the 1930s up to the 1950s were developed to calculate and solve mathematical

equations or break codes (Colossus), see Figure 7.2.

They were called the first generation computers.

They used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums and were enormous in size.

From the 1950s to 1960s, second generation computers were created.

Vacuum tubes were replaced by transistors which made the computer a lot smaller and faster

in terms of processing data.

Third generation computers 1960s to 1970s were developed using integrated circuits.

The transistors used for the second generation computers were miniaturized and placed on

semiconductors silicon chips.

This also made the computers more efficient and faster.

For the first time in computer history, keyboards and monitors were produced and used with

computers instead of punch cards.

7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

In the 1970s, computers were being produced for the home user (fourth generation computers).

They came with a monitor, keyboard and an addition to third generation computers, a floppy disk.

Up till now, computers were only used for word processing and calculations, which were now being

carried out using spreadsheets.

As well as this, computers were command driven which meant that the user had to type in

instructions for the computer to execute.

In the 1980s, computers were further developed to accommodate a GUI (Graphic User Interface) and

the mouse was introduced.

7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

This made computers a lot more user friendly and interactive as they were no longer command

driven.

In the 1990s, the CD-ROM drive was developed and CD-ROMs were extensively used by computer

users. CD-ROMs paved the way for the use of multimedia in computers.

Vast numbers of applications were installed on CD-ROMs that were used on computers.

Video games were a major hit as video and sound cards were widely available for users.

Word processing and spreadsheet packages were greatly developed as well to make them as

straightforward and easy to use as possible.

Monitor, speaker, keyboard and mouse are hardware components that were and still are a major

factor in enhancing the multimedia experience one receives.

They were greatly developed in the 1990s and as a result developed the text, audio and video the

user received from the computer, see Figure 7.3.

7.1 Development of Multimedia Technology

The widespread use of the internet at the beginning of this century has proved to be a revolution for

multimedia use and the sharing of multimedia between individuals.

Also, the advancement in software technology has aided in the production and enriching of multimedia

which is shared and viewed across the Internet.

Websites such as 'Youtube' and 'Facebook' accommodate different types of multimedia use and

are used by millions of users across the globe.