The class was interesting and thought-provoking, combining history, technology, and discussions about the future. Coming from an electrical engineering background, I already knew some basics like logic gates and binary. But this class helped me see these ideas in a new way by looking at their history and how they connect to society. For example, learning about the invention of the telegraph was really fascinating. We talked about why it was created—like Morse’s personal experiences, the slow speed of snail mail, and the earlier inventions that made it possible. It showed me how new ideas often come from a mix of need, creativity, and timing.
We also looked at the challenges Morse faced, like political and financial problems, and how he was able to imagine a future connected by technology that most people hadn’t even considered yet. The class showed how the telegraph didn’t just improve communication but also changed the way people and organizations worked. That idea feels really relevant today with how technology continues to reshape our lives.
On the modern side, we talked about things like quantum computing, AI, and the problems they bring, like copyright issues with music and how technology can have unexpected effects. For example, learning about steganography and how human vision works brought up interesting questions about how we see and understand the world around us.
This mix of topics helped me understand how big changes in technology happen and why it’s important to think about their effects on people. The class made me think about how history can teach us lessons as we deal with today’s fast-changing tech world. It also reminded me to approach engineering with both problem-solving skills and an awareness of how technology affects society.