Innovations Past and Future

200,000 Years Ago

Unlike Neanderthals and all other species, early humans developed a genetic mutation that allowed them to communicate abstract concepts. This ability enabled barter — trading something of value for something of greater value. Trading motivated specialization, which has been made ever more valuable by innovation since.

10,000 Years Ago

Trade between specialist artisans led to urbanization, as people increasingly gathered in settlements to collaborate. This created efficiencies that allowed for experimentation and craftwork, which further accelerated technological progress.

500 Years Ago

Science (the iteration of reasoning and experimentation) enabled finding uses for materials, such as steam and metal alloys, that were not apparent from simple observation. The invention of the printing press enabled publications that informed distant experimenters to improve on others’ work.

200 Years Ago

Science and printing led to the production of steel and harnessing of fossil fuels, which sparked the Industrial Revolution, enabling transportation and therefore trade and specialization at greater distances, yielding improved efficiencies.

People began vaccinating against pathogenic diseases, enabling even greater urbanization and productivity.

100 Years Ago

The Industrial Revolution powered the electrification of the world, which drove innovation in electronic devices. The electronic transistor enabled information to be stored, transmitted, and processed digitally using computers.

25 Years Ago

The spread of the internet led to mobile and cloud computing.

Now

The cloud has conglomerated the information representing most of human knowledge in a form that can be usefully transformed, which is fueling the AI revolution.

10 Years in the Future

Blockchain technology will provide decentralized trust among strangers, making trade smoother.

AI-informed genetic engineering will improve human and planetary health.

15 Years in the Future

Nuclear energy will power the demands of AI and blockchain, substantially reducing the need for fossil fuel-based energy, and mitigating global warming.

Quantum computing will solve problems beyond the reach of digital processing.

25 Years in the Future

Nuclear fusion will provide energy that is virtually limitless by past standards and with little environmental impact.

100 Years in the Future

With abundant energy and technological advancements, human civilization will expand beyond Earth, leading to urbanization on the moon and Mars.

Human lifespans will often exceed 100 years, so many of today’s children will experience this future.