Cryptography, the art and science of secure communication, has a long and fascinating history dating back thousands of years. Here's an overview of cryptography's key developments and milestones throughout history:
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American Revolution Technology
The American Revolution, which took place from 1775 to 1783, was a war fought between Great Britain and its thirteen North American colonies, which eventually declared themselves the independent United States of America. During this period, several technological advancements and innovations played a role in shaping the course and outcome of the conflict. Here are some key technological aspects of the American Revolution
The First Semiconductor
The first semiconductor device is generally considered to be the point-contact diode, also known as the "cat's whisker" diode, invented by Jagadish Chandra Bose in 1899. This early semiconductor device was made using a semiconductor material (typically a mineral called galena) and a metal point contact. It allowed the flow of electric current in only one direction, making it a rudimentary rectifier.
1518 Dancing Plague
The dancing plague of 1518 was a strange phenomenon that occurred in Strasbourg, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire (now France). In the summer of 1518, a woman named Frau Troffea began dancing in the streets and continued for days without rest. Soon, more people joined her, and within a month, there were around 400 people dancing uncontrollably in the city.
Antebellum Technology
Antebellum technology refers to the technological advancements and innovations that occurred in the United States before the American Civil War (1861-1865). During this period, the country experienced significant progress in various areas, including transportation, communication, manufacturing, and agriculture. Here are some notable technological developments from the antebellum era:
What Made the Commodore 64 Popular?
The Commodore 64 was relatively affordable compared to other computers of its time. It retailed for $595 at launch, which was considerably cheaper than many other home computers available at the time.
The TI-99/4A Computer
The TI-99/4A was a home computer released by Texas Instruments (TI) in 1981. It was an 8-bit computer that competed with other popular home computers of its time, such as the Commodore 64, Atari 800, and Apple II.
The Great Horse Epizootic of 1872: “Living Machines” and Technology
The second industrial revolution (1870-1914) transformed the urban landscape of the United States.[1] This urbanization and subsequent migration of people across the United States required a massive investment in transportation. Although the railroad quickly transformed itself into the principal means of distance transportation by the 1870s, horses remained the primary means of transportation, distribution, and labor in all significant urban areas.
Jefferson Wheel
The ability to relay messages secretly has been a challenge throughout history. How can one person communicate secretly, efficiently, and across any distance without the information being discovered by someone other than the recipient? From the Greek scytale and the Roman Caesar Cipher, the technology of cryptography remained relatively the same until the late 17th century, when events in Europe and America required an updated message transmission method.