The Social Impact of Technology: July 2014

The Social Impact of Technology

Cars

http://wallpapertoon.com/classic-old-car-wallpaper/

By Abbey Trefoni

The Historical Development of Cars

It is unclear who invented the first car as many tried to create models of vehicles but many where never built or used on the road it is said that Ferdinand Verbiest might have been the first inventor of the car. His invention was a self propelled vehicle. He built a basic ball shaped boiler that forced steam towards a turbine which then turned the back wheels of the car. Although it is unclear as in his book Astonomia Europea he states that the vehicle was meant to be a toy for the emperor, showing that it was not meant to be used for transportation as it is said to be only two feet long which is far too small for a human. It is also unknown if it was ever actually build.

http://jalopnik.com/5816040/who-invented-the-worlds-very-first-car

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot was another inventor who is said to have possibly invented the first car between 1769 and 1771 took a steam engine and placed it on a full sized vehicle. His design seated four people and weighed 2.5 tons. There was a boiler on the front which made is extremely hard to control, it is said to have reached a top speed of five miles per hour. It is not known although how well it actually worked as it’s main purpose was to move artillery on the battlefield not for transporting people. This never made it onto the road.

http://jalopnik.com/5816040/who-invented-the-worlds-very-first-car

The credit of the invention of the first modern automobile goes to Karl Benz who in 1886 invented the first modern day automobile. This vehicle was a two seater vehicle, it was a one-cylinder ,two stroke unit. Like the one below.

http://www.wired.com/2010/08/0812berta-benz-first-road-trip/

Panhard Levassor is known to have made the first saloon car which is a car with an enclosed cabin in 1895 which are more similar to the cars in which are driven today. the car had only two doors , seating up to four people.

http://olddesignshop.com/2013/06/free-vintage-image-black-and-white-clipart-car/

From then on there have been many advancements and changes which are today still being made to improve and update cars in becoming more sophisticated. Some advancements are for example new developments in safety and efficiency of cars for example ABS ( anti-lock braking system) , power steering , and airbags.

http://www.caradvice.com.au/suzuki/swift/

The contribution cars have made towards promoting individual and family wellbeing

Cars have made a huge contribution towards promoting individual and family wellbeing. The invention of cars have made a huge impact on technical, practical, and emancipatory wellbeing. Cars have had an impact in regards to technical wellbeing as technical wellbeing refers to the various technologies that enable individuals to control the environment in which they are in. This is in regards to air conditioners in cars as people can travel to and from places in an air conditioned car. Cars is an example of a advancement which contributes to technical wellbeing and individuals may use Petrol , LPG gas , hybrid or diesel vehicles to help them access services and participate in certain activities or events which contribute to their socioemotional , economic , physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Practical wellbeing relates to those technologies which enhance individuals understanding and communication in their environment. This can relate to cars in relation to the hands free technology which most new model cars have. In which via bluetooth you can call and answer phone calls in the car without having to touch your phone and thus concentrate on the road in front. Emancipatory wellbeing relates to those technologies that enable individuals to participate in a variety of different situations. In relation to cars it gives people independence and freedom to do what they like and travel to different places easily and effectively. As a result of this it enhances their overall wellbeing.

The impact of cars on families , communities and the workplace

Politically

There are many laws and policies created which address the emergence of cars. To drive a car you have to have a license and there are speed limits put in place while driving a car in certain areas as to keep people safe. There is also laws put in place in regards to the age of people driving cars, you have to be at least 16 years of age to be able to drive a car and have to undertake many tests before you are able to get your full license. The vehicle needs be registered otherwise it is not able to be driven on the road. Different laws are in place due to what license you have for example learner license, red provisional license and green provisional license. It is the law that all cars have seatbelts and they have to be worn at all times while a car is in motion no matter how long or short the trip is. There are also laws in place in regards to using mobile phones while driving a car, using a mobile phone whist driving is prohibited unless you have a hands free set in the car. If laws are not followed fines, suspension of license and loss of license can result.

Economically

Economically cars can be extremely expensive depending on what make and model you get. Cars are not cheap to purchase and are expensive to run due to other costs for example registration, petrol, and insurance. Although the development and invention of cars have had a positive effect on employment in Australia as many jobs have evolved from the development of cars such as car sales people, manufacturers, mechanics, taxi drivers, car hire companies and those who have jobs with insurance companies in relation to car insurance. Economically cars can have a negative effect on families, communities and also the workplace due to the expensive cost. A positive effect in relation to employment in Australia is due to the number of jobs which have evolved because of the development of cars.

Socially

The improvements and developments in cars have allowed people to be able to communicate more easily and effectively. As families for example are able to go and visit each other more often allowing them to be able to be more socially interactive with their family as they are able to drive to their house quickly and easily especially if a family member takes ill. Due to them being able to stay in contact more easily this shows that cars have a positive effect on people and helps relationships and families. Cars assist in individuals in their daily lives as they can easily travel to and from daycare or school for their children, shopping for groceries for their family and getting to work. It allows people to attend meeting and conferences in relation to their work easily as travel is not a problem.

The particular groups of people who use cars and why they use it

Mainly cars are used by adults who in particular are in the workforce as a means to get to work and back home although in today’s society most people own a car whether they are stay at home parents or workers. This technology is used as it is easier for someone to just drive themselves to work or to the shops rather than catching public transport as that can take way more time for example you may have to walk to a bus station, then when on the bus have to wait until it gets to your stop and then walk to your destination and more easily to get grocery shopping home. Through the development of cars it has meant that people are able to get to and from places easily and effectively in less time. It has also helped those for just general daily errands dropping of children at school for example and doing the groceries going to doctors or friends places or social events.

Other technological developments which have emerged due to the development of cars

Many new technological developments have developed from the emergence of cars. Some for instance is airbags which are a gas-inflated cushions which were invented in 1968 by Allen Breed, they have developed to ensure safety to passengers and drivers while in the car, in the event of a car accident the airbags will inflate.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/56337/airbag-recall-australian-toyota-honda-nissan-and-mazda-models-affected

Seatbelts are also a technological development that has emerged because by law you have to wear seatbelts for safety reasons. Seatbelts were originally invented by George Cayley in the early 19^th century although Edward J. Cagham was granted the first patent in 1885 for a safety seatbelt.

http://nebraskanssavedbythebelt.org/who-is-least-likely-to-wear-a-seat-belt/

Also roofs on cars are an emergence from the development of cars as originally cars were made without roofs, now roofs protect us from certain weather conditions for example rain. Active Park assist is a new technological emergence which has evolved due to the development of cars, this technology virtually parallel parks your car for you, with only a person needing to control the gas and brake pedals. Emergency brake assist is another technological emergence for cars as this helps in an emergency, detecting the need to brake faster allowing a quicker braking time. Many of the new emergence's of cars are in regards to safety as safety is a big concern for those who drive cars and are creating new ways in which to keep people safe in a vehicle.

The issues related to cars

There are six main issues related to technological development they are Ethics, Equity, Censorship, Electronic media, privacy and computer crime.

In relation to ethics some technological developments can lead to ethical questioning to whether it is right or wrong and the positive and negative affects on individuals and also the environment. Equity in relation to technological developments is that not all technology is equally available to access by individuals and communities due to certain factors. Censorship can be a major issue due to technological developments as it refers to the omission or suppression of information which may be objectionable, sensible or harmful. Electronic media is also an issue which has rose to technological developments as individuals can access data through electronic media and information can be easily accessed. Privacy is a big issue which has resulted from technological developments and has become a huge issue that laws have been put in place to protect peoples privacy. Computer crime is another issue which has risen in relation to criminal offences in which computers and electronic devices have been involved.

In relation to the technological development of cars, privacy and computer crime are the main issues which have evolved in regards to mainly hire cars. As most people book hire cars for example on the internet in which personal details and credit card numbers are required to make a booking, due to this issues have risen in regards to hacking peoples credit cards and personal details and virtually stealing someones identity. Although there are laws in place people still steal others identities and this majorly affects individuals as money can be stolen and loans taken out in there name and then they are left with the debt to pay back or prove it was fraud.

The way in which cars empower men and women to meet the needs of individuals and families

Cars empower men and women to meet the needs of individuals and families in many ways in particular to the need of access to services easily and conveniently. As people are able to get in a car and drive to the service they need in regards to health and education with no hassle at all for example doctors, and shopping centres, schools and sporting and social events. This has empowered men and women to meet the needs in their own life and their families.This makes them independent and not reliant on others and brings together the family on many occassions.