Activity 2.2
Question: Think of six things domestic or other, that are now available which were not when you were a child.
How many of these items are manufactured? Are any of them ‘Crafted’ items?
1. Smart phones / Tablets – Not available when younger, computers and internet have become more common as I have grown up. Additionally, Smart phones were not commonly owned until the last few years. – These items are manufactured normally on a large scale, all though containing small parts that could have been assembled by hand chances are these are now done by machinery due to mass requirement demands.
2. Hybrid / Electric cars – These are only just starting to take off with lots of places still unable to provide charging points/ facilities as they are such a new concept. Moreover, it is a concept that I believe will start to really take off in the next few years; especially now higher end company’s such as Tesla have started to develop their own product.
3. Digital Camera / Photos – When I was younger I always had to purchase disposable cameras and take the film to be developed. However now digital cameras are normal, meaning you can take photos and upload them to a computer or print them the same day. Printing photos is now something you can do at home that doesn’t require a dark room. Furthermore, cameras are manufactured on a large scale however certain components such as lenses and mirror systems in high spec cameras are still often hand made.
4. Data Storage – When I was younger all storage / recordings was performed on VHS tapes. However, with the development of SD cards and hard drives have become obsolete. – This item is in the manufactured category.
5. Satnav – Satnavs are a manufactured product however they were not widely obtainable when I was younger. Furthermore, the technology and manufacturing within them has advanced immensely within in the last few years. New features such as speed cameras and live alert updates are all very new.
6. 3D Printing – 3D printing is an extremely new concept. The machines are engineered but the products they are producing would have been designed and the parts assembled by hand, meaning this product is as equally manufactured mechanically as it is craft. 3D printing is an extremely new idea that is still very much in development; Nonetheless it has been successfully used for medical purposes among many others.