Electrical Engineers - Transforming the Lives & Modern World
The invention of the crude electric generator known as the electrical dynamo in 1831 by Michael Faraday made it possible for the industrial use of electricity. Faraday’s electrical dynamo was able to generate stable eclectic current, which was a major problem by then. The dynamo also enabled the invention of other conversion devices that were powered by electricity.
The light bulb
Two scientists, Thomas Edison, an American, and a British scientist Joseph Swan invented the light bulb in 1878. The duo developed incandescent light bulbs in their respective nations, which saw the electric lighting of houses and later streets. In 1882, Edison further improved the light bulb by relying on his previous direct current system to illuminate the first electric street lamp in New York.
Motors
The Faraday’s Direct current system was improved by the discovery of the alternating currents by Nikola Tulsa in 1887. Nikola is also credited with the discovery of the polyphase distribution system that proved useful in the transmission of power to the electric AC motors. Tesla’s discovery got the attention of industrialist and inventor George Westinghouse who was greatly impressed and formed a partnership with Tesla. This collaboration was as crucial as it led to the nationwide use of electricity in America.
Television
The now most famous and important Philo Farnsworth invented household electronic gadget in 1928. Farnsworth made the first public demonstration of an electric television in this year. The public display led to a few countries making televised broadcasts in the early 1930′s. However, the end of the First World War saw a rapid rise in the televised broadcast subscription throughout the world.
Radiolocation and radars
The First World War saw an increase in the risk of aerial attacks. Nations were more concerned and took deliberate measures to develop technologies that would identify the aerial attacks. Through radar technology, nations would simulate aerial attacks. The breaking out of the Second World War saw the radar and radiolocation become the most important priority, as it was a competitive edge over the enemy forces. The military poured their resources into the development of this technology. At the time of USA entry in the Second World War in 1941, it had already two systems ready for use in the war. These were the 105-MHz SCR-270 and the 205-MHz SCR-268.
Computers
It was not until 1941 when Konrad Zuse developed the world’s first programmable computer dubbed the Z3. These developments were vital as they saw the development of other land breaking technologies including the NASA Apollo mission. Scientists relied on the great arithmetical prowess of the Z3 to make their inventions.
Transistors and microprocessors
The compact devices rely on these transistors to perform. A trio of William B. Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain brought the transistors to life in 1947. The breakthrough of the transistors led to the development of the integrated circuit by Jack Kilby in 1959. The personal computers we used in the modern-day are attributed to the development of the microprocessors, which were invented in 1968 by Marcian Hoff at Intel.
Satellites
The modern-day long-distance telephone services were made possible by the invention of satellites in 1979. The modern-day satellite advances enhanced the establishment of the satellite communication launched in Tokyo in the 1990′s. This era saw a great drop in the prices of the commercial satellite transponders channels that saw a drastic rise in satellite communications including the mobile satellite phones, satellite radios, television, and the satellite internet.
Internet protocol
In 1981, the RFC 791 introduced version 4 of the internet protocol (IP) while RFC 793 introduced the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). These two enabled the creation of the TCP/IP that is heavily relied upon by the current day internet.
Fiber optic
The late 1990′s and early 21st century saw a rapid increase in demand for the internet. Consequently, the demand for higher communication bandwidth increased. The internet protocol traffic saw an unprecedented rate of increase than that of the integrated circuit in Moore’s law. The optical fiber cables saw an increasing usage, as they are able to carry up to 100 times more information than the conventional cables suited electronic amplifiers. The fiber optic cables have seen an increase in internet access to billions of people across the world.
Smartphones and Wi-Fi
The early years of the 21st century saw a rise in the development and use of smartphones. These phones were first used in Japan in 1999 but saw a global penetration in mid-2000 to become the standard type of mobile phones today. The development of portable internet access and the Wi-Fi continues to supply users with access to the flow of information.
Space exploration
Between 2004 and 2012 scientists have been studying the environmental condition of the hostile planet mars. This is possible through the invention of modern-day engineering marvel Mars opportunity and the Curiosity rovers.
Advancements in Virtual Reality, Robotics and Technology Entrepreneurship
Several emerging technologies such as industrial robots, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are advancing at a rapid pace. These types of technologies are broad-based in their scope and significant in their ability to transform existing businesses and lifestyles. They have the potential to ease people’s lives as well as improve their personal and business dealings.
One of the rapidly proliferating technologies is Virtual Reality (VR) whose usability is constantly on the increase. Some of the applications related to VR technology have already matured but others are still in their infancy. This technology offers new possibilities in the field of product development by speeding up the pace and improving quality. With the help of this technology prototypes and products can be tested virtually (virtual prototyping) before final verification with physical prototypes is performed.
Users can virtually test and experience the use of the products before they exist, which can lead to improved usability and better ergonomic design. Customers and users can interactively influence the product idea and the layout plans for a factory, a hospital, or a city, thanks to VR.
Electrical engineering has also got a fillip with the advent of robotics which has greatly impacted the human world. There has been a number of developments in the field of robotics in India, both institutionally driven as well as more subtle percolations within business processes and consumer lifestyles. The government’s vision for a smarter ‘Digital India’ is at the core of the perceptions of decision-makers and employees regarding the impact of robotics on businesses as well as on society and the challenges that stand in the way of maximizing gains.
Future of electrical engineering
Continuing advances in electrical engineering is poised to develop flexible smartphones with holographic displays. This will allow the viewing of the 3D images by several users from different sides of the gadget without using 3-D glasses. Currently, drones are used in military, photography, and in reconnaissance. However, advances in drones’ technology will allow a new series of wall climbing drones that can overcome any obstacle using the perching mechanism. The future smartwatches will not have to be touched on their screen as they will contain special ring and sensitive receivers converting tactile contacts into signals. Future electrical engineers have to collaborate across industries.
Conclusion
Electrical engineering is at the heart of today’s changing landscape whether it pertains to designing, building, operating, and maintaining global power systems, telecommunications networks, and computing infrastructure or developing electronic systems essential to industry, health, and entertainment. Starting from designing electronic components, software, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications, the goal of electronic engineers is to find innovative and progressive solutions to today’s global challenges.
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