Blog #9: Diffusion of Innovation

 Diffusion of Innovation: Computers

When looking at the scale of Diffusion of Innovation, we are able to see all of the different parts that go into an idea being born and how different individuals react to it. For my Diffusion of Innovation, I decided to use the idea of Computers, and their history since it is a technology that is so prominent in todays world.

First off we have the Pioneers. The Pioneer for the "Computer" was a man in France named Joseph Marie Jacquard. He was the individual that got the ball rolling in 1801 when he created a loom that punched wooden cards to weave fabric designed. Although this is not what our computers do now, computers work similarly, in which you punch keys and the corresponding actions show up on your computer screen. During this time, according to the chart, was when the idea was still in an experimentation phase. It may not have been out to the public yet, but there were certain individuals, such as the creators, who were still making final adjustments to get it released to the public. 

The Weaving Loom

Although the time in between was also filled with technological advancements when it came to updating the computer, the next stage specifically touches on Early Adopters, or, individuals who first used it for the reason it was meant to be used for.

Second we have the Early Adopters. These are individuals who started using the computer for its main purpose, or what we know of computers to be used for now, more or less. In 1953, two men helped shape the computer to help individuals communicate during wartime. Grace Hopper created the first computer language, otherwise known as COBOL, and Thomas Johnson Watson, Jr. conceived the IBM 701 EDPM to help the United Nations keep tabs on Korea during the war. This is when computers were in the Adoption Phase, and were used, but not commonly. Computers during this time were used mainly for war efforts or Universities who had access to them.

COBOL

IBM 701 EDPM

 

Then we have the Early Majority. It is during this phase of the Diffusion of Innovation that we see more individuals having access to computers, and starting to use them for things other than what their original purpose was. It was between 1974-1977 that personal computers hit the market. These computers included Scelbi & Mark- 8 Altair, IMB 5100, Radio Shack's TRS-80 and the Commodore PET. While computers were now available for individuals to have for personal use, they are still in the Adoption Phase at this point in time. This means that they are still a long way from being perfect, and they are only available for individuals that can afford them. While they are starting to become more popular, only the early majority of individuals can afford to have them.

Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair

Then we have the Late Adopters. These are individuals who knew about the invention as it was coming out, but maybe they didn't decide to purchase one until they were financial able to, or saw a purpose for a Computer being in their house. There is not a set date in time for individuals who decided to be Late Adopters, but, this is also the Maturing Stage when it comes to the Diffusion of Innovation. I would put the year 2006 down for this time frame because that is when laptops started to come out. In 2006, Apple introduced the MacBook Pro, and although individuals had access to laptops before that time, it wasn't until then that individuals who didn't have a desktop may have felt the need to purchase a computer of some sort. 

Lastly we have the Laggards. These are individuals who may have seen no need for a laptop, or individuals like my grandparents for example who do not use a laptop as often as other generations. They have grown up without the technology for a majority of their life, so they see no need in spending their money and purchasing one at this stage in their life. At the same time, this also goes for individuals who may not be finically sound enough to purchase a laptop or a desktop. There are some individuals who cannot afford wifi, which means that they are not able to purchase a laptop because it would be of no use to them. They rely on other means to use a computer whether it be at a library or another common space. This is the Saturation Stage of the technological advancement. 

While we feel that Computers are everywhere and they consume most of our lives, they will never reach 100% on the Diffusion of Innovation scale for the reasons listed above. They will reach a plateau at some point and continue to stay on that level until there is a way that all individuals can afford to have one.

Citation: https://www.livescience.com/20718-computer-history.html