From the industrial to the information society

The 1970s : a period of transition

In order to be able to anticipate correctly the evolution linked to the emergence of the digital economy, it's not enough to know that it's happening ; a precise understanding of which stage of the transformation we are at is necessary to be in step with the times. The history of the new technologies is full of visionaries who were too far ahead of their contemporaries and were faced with nothing but setbacks.

The cycle of new technology (illustrated by the car industry)

Contrary to popular opinion, the speed of technological innovation is extremely relative, if not quite imperceptible, and there are at least two reasons for this. Each new scientific discovery requires more investment than the last. Also, even if the number of researchers and the means put at their disposal increase, this does not mean that the rhythm of scientific discoveries speeds up proportionally. The second reason is cultural : between the moment that a scientist or team realises a scientific breakthrough, and the moment that the latter has a significant impact on society, there are often two generations : the first will play the role of pioneer and explore the concrete applications of the discovery, and the second will take up the idea and integrate it into its lifestyle.

Let's look at the second revolution and in particularly at the car industry.