100 Years Of The Wireless Device, Almost....
Believe it or not, The research that finally led to the wireless device ad we know it today began in 1888 by a man called Heinrich Rudolf Hertz. His research followed up on earlier theories but were actually implemented by Nikola Tesla, (I believe this was in 1916). The term wireless came into being originally to refer to the radio receiver, perhaps this is why your gran refers to her stereo as a "wireless". Today it is used far more widely to describe a huge array of items from a mobile phone to computer peripherals.
Personally, I can't imagine life now without wireless devices. We all use them everyday, sometimes without even knowing it. Do you have satelite television? Well, there's a wireless device. What about your remote controls? I could offer you a list of thousands of uses for wireless technology but for now, will concentrate on those that relate to your computer. Without a doubt, my most used wireless devices are my keyboard and mouse. My PC sits some way away from my couch, which is where I sit to use it. My monitor is on a bracket that swings out from the wall so I can type and browse the internet in comfort and not be tied to a desk. In the back of my PC I have a USB device that receives all the information from my keyboard and mouse and translates it into usable data for my PC to understand. Without this vital equipment I would be stuck in a cupboard using my PC. This is where it used to be, it was cramped, cold, and I ended up with headache. Of course if you are only an occasional computer user then this will perhaps not be so important.
Another wireless device which is probably the most popular of all now, is Bluetooth. It got it's name from a danish king known as Harald "Bluetooth" Blaatand. This man was responsible for unifying Norway and Denmark, and as Bluetooth technology was originally developed with the aim of bringing telecoms and computer industries together, it seemed like a fitting name. Bluetooth is used widely now and has many, many uses. Perhaps the most popular is transmitting pictures and videos between mobile phones or the use of hands free kits, but todays computers use Bluetooth for many day-to-day activities. I have a Bluetooth USB Dongle. This is of course, another wireless device. It plugs into my PC and is used to send and receive data to and from other wireless devices. My mobile phone is just one of them. You can use it to synchronise your PDA, or to wirelessly connect your printer, and even for networking purposes.
I am planning soon, to use the wireless device technology to set up a home network. This will enable me to use a laptop in the garden or in another room away from my desktop PC. I will still be able to use the internet, (without wires of course). I will even be able to access files that are on my PC from the laptop, cool hey? All in all, the wireless device is one of those simplicities in life that we use everyday without even thinking about it. We won't realise how much we need it until it's gone. A bit like having a powercut and ending up with no electricity. So before you think that a wireless device is reserved only for Tech-heads and computer geeks, just have a look around your home and in your car. I garauntee you are using it already and you didn't even know.
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