People have been dreaming of communicating with others across long distances since before the invention of the telegraph and Morse code in the early 1800’s. They used signal fires, smoke, drum beats, or pigeons to share important messages. But the rapid changes in technological communication, or telecommunication, over the last two hundred years have changed the nature of society. Alexander Graham Bell’s crazy idea that people far apart could communicate as though they were standing right next to each other led to his revolutionary patent of the telephone in 1876. Rapid construction of phone lines around and between cities led to the first trans-continental call from New York to San Francisco in 1915. 

Next switching systems were introduced and multiple calls could be made to the same number at once. Switchboard operators became the newest job in the industry, and back then, working in a switching office was one of the few technical jobs available to women. In large cities though, the job was generally only offered to middle class, young, and unmarried girls. The widespread employment of women in jobs like these led them to organize and eventually win early workplace rights for women.  

In the 1960s numerous advances included the first transatlantic phone cable from Nova Scotia to Scotland, the first telecommunications satellite, and the first emergency call to 911. Since then, the changes have been fast and exciting and are still in motion. At the close of the 20th century, hundreds of millions of individuals were using mobile phones, and smart phones had only just been introduced by IBM. Today, approximately 5 billion people in the world use mobile phones, half of which are smart devices.

The first telephones were created for everyone but mostly those with money in developed countries could buy them. This excluded much of the world’s population. Limited wireless and poor internet access in remote locations continue to exclude some people. However, progress in satellite technology, phone shape, size, page-reading software, and more have increased the number of people who can access phones. These improvements have become a tool for increasing prosperity in many areas.

Telephones and smartphones have connected people across short and long distances, strengthening relationships and creating connections between people that might never have met. The existence of smartphones led to the development of social media, a new form of technology the world is only beginning to learn about. These technologies have created large-scale communities that bring the people of the world together. Through social media, people can organize and in some cases fight for change by creating movements such as “#MeToo.” It has also been used for harm by supporting radicalized or racist communities that encourage hate. Future changes need to be guided by efforts to support the best of human nature while limiting access to those who would cause damage.

Another example of big changes in this industry is the dramatic shift in society during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a very short time, phones and computers became central to people’s lives. They helped children attend school and connect virtually, and remote work became a standard for many people. The new ability to instantly transfer money and communicate across specialties allowed for the rapid development and distribution of vaccines. In spite of expanded access to phones and the internet, the biggest advances during COVID-19 were still not afforded equally to everyone. Some people, often the most poorly paid, still had to go to work in person in spite of the risk, and schools with limited funding struggled to provide computers and remote access for their students. This demonstrates how important access to new technology can be in ensuring that everyone can participate fully in the new society in which we live. 

Telecommunications have rapidly improved the standard of life for many people around the world. Like most human creations though, there are some who benefit more than others. For those who are considering a career in engineering, it will always be important to consider how new technology can be used to ensure the most good for the most people.