Whenever a discovery or breakthrough in technology or process creates an impact on how we go about our daily lives, we often hear people say the phrase ~ “a new era has arrived.” This could be the simplest description to explain an Industrial Revolution ~ the emergence of an innovation that introduces a new way of living.
Marking of Four Industrial Revolutions
There have been four industrial revolutions that created an impact on economies, lifestyles and social landscapes.
The First Industrial Revolution was marked by the discovery of steam and water which led to the construction of machines replacing manual labor by humans and animals. The Second Industrial Revolution is where electricity and internal combustion emerged, a breakthrough that led to the development of convenient modes of transportation like cars and airplanes. It also made possible communication via radio and telephone and opened the gates for mass production in manufacturing.
Electronics, the internet, and information technology helped improve speed and productivity which marked the Third Industrial Revolution. It is referred to as the early onset of the digital revolution as we shift from analog and electronic to digital technologies. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has built on this innovation and brought in a disruption that blurred the lines between physical, biological, and industrial. Internet of Things {IoT}, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing are just some of the words passed around today as part of the daily conversation. While entering a fully automated world creates a myriad of opportunities packed with great excitement, it also poses a more significant challenge for us all to face.
New trends, new opportunities, new challenges
