7 interesting tech facts you might not know
These fascinating technology facts will astound you, whether you consider yourself a technophobe or an IT expert. From mobile apps to big data and even the Deep Web, the technological sphere is larger and stranger than most people realize — and has been for a long time.
Continue reading to learn about some of the most fascinating tidbits from the world of technology:
1. The QWERTY keyboard was purposefully designed to be slow to type on.
Fans of the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard scoff at the inefficiencies of the standard QWERTY keyboard layout. However, QWERTY's inefficiencies had a clear purpose: the keyboard design was intended to slow users down.
Mechanical typewriters used to jam if typists were too fast. This issue was alleviated by the use of QWERTY keyboards. We continue to use QWERTY because we are accustomed to it, but many experts strongly prefer alternative typing methods.
2. The world's first webpage is still accessible.
The first webpage went live in 1991, and it was hosted on a NeXT computer at CERN — the European Organization for Nuclear Research. This useful page was entirely devoted to informing the general public about the World Wide Web. It is now primarily used as a historical archive. Check it out by clicking here.
3. Email existed before the World Wide Web.
It's difficult to imagine a world without the internet in today's mobile age. Surprisingly, when compared to email, the internet is a relative newcomer. Ray Tomlinson sent the first email to himself in 1971, years before the internet existed. Tomlinson claims that his first test emails were completely forgotten.
4. A website monitors the internet's age – and it's not as concerning as you might think.
At https://howoldistheinter.net, you can find out how long the internet has been around — and how old you were when it first came online.
5. The Deep Web contains the vast majority of internet content.
A typical internet user can only scratch the surface of available content. While a prominent Dutch researcher believes that search engines currently index 4.5 million websites, the internet extends far beyond this easily searchable content. Estimates of the Deep Web's size and scope vary, but some researchers believe it is at least 400 times larger than the surface internet.
6. 3D printing is not a new concept.
The technology for 3D printing has been around for decades, but it has only recently gained popularity. The concept first appeared in the 1980s, when it was known as Rapid Prototyping. Charles Hull obtained a patent for the stereolithography apparatus in 1986, but the first commercially available 3D printer did not become available until 2009.
Since then, the significant market divergence has enabled the introduction of 3D printing processes in a variety of sectors and at all market levels.
7. Digital currency accounts for the vast majority of the world's currency.
It is no secret that digital currency plays a significant role in today's economy, but most people are unaware of the extent to which it predominates. Physical money accounts for only 8% of global currency. The remainder is saved electronically.
However, the way we interact with money is only just beginning to change. Experts believe that with the rise of bitcoin and blockchain, our entire approach to commercial transactions will evolve sooner rather than later.
Read next: 22 mind-blowing science facts we didn't know at the start of 2017
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