The rate at which new technologies are adopted by consumers can be displayed graphically as an adoption curve. The steeper the curve, the faster the technology is adopted. Using the graph below, you can make up your own mind if the pace of technological change is quickening. 

From Our World in Data: 

Click on the image above to go to the visualization. There are three ways to engage:

• You can click to advance the timeline next to 1860 (bottom of graph) to see the progression of various technologies over time.
• You can also click on the specific technologies on the right margin (e.g. Flush toilet) to see the adoption curve for that specific item.
• Finally, if you click on "Add technology," you will see additional options including Amazon Prime adoption, Internet, Podcasting, Social Media usage. 

Questions: 

• What do you think are the factors that determine the pace that new technologies are adopted? 
• Pick 5 specific technologies (remember that "Add technology" enables you to select technologies that are more current) and track the number of years it took for the technology to achieve 80% adoption rate. 
  • As you compare their adoption cycles, what do you think help or hinder the speed at which these technologies were used. 
• Do you see any items that have actually seen a DECREASE in their usage? What may have hastened its decline? 

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Looking for more interactive resources? Check out the NGPF Interactive Library and additional blog posts with interactives. 

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.

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