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5 Ways electrical engineering changed the world

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There are a number of fields that have changed the world we live in today. These different fields have achieved a lot of different advancements however, few have achieved as much as electrical engineering has.

Electrical engineering is a complex field that studies electricity and electronics. A lot of electrical engineering is what we call mature technology which means it needs to branch into new electronics and new physics to produce massive changes within society. The importance of electrical engineering is very high; it has been a huge part of our developing society. Let’s take a look at 5 achievements electrical engineering has achieved over time.

1. Solar energy
Solar energy is now used for a number of things including solar powered heating, thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. It is an important source of renewable energy and is one of the most appealing sources of electricity. A huge number of the population is saving money and power by investing in fixed and portable solar panels which have huge long term benefits.

In 2011, the International Energy Agency said that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits. It will increase countries’ energy security through reliance on an indigenous, inexhaustible and mostly import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating global warming, and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence the additional costs of the incentives for early deployment should be considered learning investments; they must be wisely spent and need to be widely shared.

2. Insulators
Insulators or insulation was invented to keep things like electricity, the heat and the cold from easily escaping. An electrical insulator is a material whose electrical charges do not flow freely; things like wood, plastic, rubber and glass are good insulators. The first person to ever use insulation is not known however, the history of insulation goes back to the very early days of humanity. Prehistoric man built shelters with materials to protect them from the weather and other conditions, similar to our modern day insulation. Without insulation any heating, cooling or energy would escape the room.

3.The battery
An electric battery consists of one or more electrochemical cells with external connections provided to power electrical devices. The most used battery is the primary battery which is used once and then disposed of. They are commonly used for flash lights and other portable devices. While important they are secondary to rechargeable batteries which can be recharged multiple times. They come in all shapes and sizes to power a multitude of devices including wristwatches, remotes, hearing aids, toys and so on. They have changed and enhance a way of life.

4. Radio Broadcast
This history of radio dates back to 1830s when radio development began as wireless telegraphy. James Clerk Maxwell showed in theoretical and mathematical form in 1864 that electromagnetic waves could propagate through free space. Radio has transformed society and was what gave birth to the entire field of electronics. At first no one thought radio was very promising in a world dominated by telegraph and telephone. However radio has now become a part of everyday lives, we rely on it to listen to sports, the news, music and other current events.

5. Telephone
The telephone is a multipurpose tool that has changed our society for the better. It has come a long way and is now used in the home, business and within education as a source of communication, entertainment and for academics. When it was first introduced in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell, only the rich could afford to buy it. However, things have changed and a multitude of people have access to the telephone. They come in all shapes, sizes and vary in price. The telephone has changed the way we communicate as well as our social relationships. The telephone makes it possible to stay in contact with long distance relationships, enabling us to maintain a strong bond with our family and friends.

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