Timeline of personal productivity
From Timelines
This is a timeline of personal productivity.
Contents
Big picture
| Time period | Development summary | More details |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1800s | Pre-Industrial era to early industrialization | In this time, personal productivity is limited to manual tools, basic writing instruments, and manuscripts. The focus is on recording information and managing basic tasks. As societies begin to organize themselves more formally, basic systems for managing tasks and information emerge. |
| 1800s - Late 20th century | Industrial Revolution to the Information Age | The rise of factories and the Industrial Revolution influence work structures but dont't immediately impact personal productivity tools. Frederick Taylor's scientific management principles in the early 20th century emphasize efficiency and standardization in the workplace. The introduction of personal organizers like the Filofax and the emergence of personal computers mark a shift toward more organized personal productivity.
Towards the late 20th century, the advent of personal computers, Microsoft Office Suite, and email revolutionize the way people manage information, fostering the digital era of personal productivity. |
| Late 20th Century onwards | Digital Age to Present | The rise of smartphones in the early 2000s allow individuals to carry powerful productivity tools in their pockets, blurring the lines between work and personal life. The 2010s witness the dominance of cloud-based productivity tools, enabling seamless collaboration and accessibility from anywhere. The integration of artificial intelligence and automation into productivity tools aim at streamlining tasks and providing personalized assistance. Towards 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the shift to remote work, emphasizing the importance of digital collaboration tools and flexible productivity solutions. Finally, the rise of large language models, like GPT-3, further increase productivity. These models automate tasks, generate content, and assist in various applications, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency across industries. |
Full timeline
| Year | Event type | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8000 BC | Artifact | The world's oldest known calendar" is thought to be a Mesolithic configuration in Warren Field, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This arrangement, consisting of twelve pits and an arc, is identified as a lunar calendar.[1] | United Kingdom |
| 1300 BC – 1201 BC | Artifact | The oldest known boxwood writing tablet with an ivory hinge is one that would be found among artifacts retrieved from the Uluburun Shipwreck, dating back to the 14th century BC near Kaş, Turkey.[2] | Turkey |
| 1440 | Artifact | German inventor Johannes Gutenberg creates the printing press. This hand-cranked press utilizes movable metal type with raised surfaces, rolling ink over them and pressing onto a sheet of paper. This invention facilitates mass production of books and improves access to information.[3] | Germany (Holy Roman Empire) |
| 1564 | Artifact | A large graphite deposit is discovered in Borrowdale, England, leading to the introduction of graphite for writing and replacing lead as a writing material.[4] | United Kingdom |
| 1776 | Concept development | Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations introduces the concept of productive and unproductive labor.[5] | United Kingdom |
| 1791 | American polymath Benjamin Franklin crafts the earliest documented to-do list, beginning with the daily inquiry, "What meaningful contribution can I make today to benefit society?".[6][7][5] | United States | |
| 1793 | Artifact | American inventor Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin, a machine that would revolutionize cotton production by efficiently extracting seeds from cotton fibers. This innovation reduces the labor required for cotton processing, leading to increased profits for planters. The higher profits incentivize planters to expand their crops, creating a demand for additional labor.[6][5] | United States |
| 1850 | Day planners become popular, emphasizing planning's role in increasing productivity during the Industrial Revolution.[5] | ||
| 1874 | Artifact | The first commercial typewriters are introduced, playing a crucial role in enhancing personal productivity. Before typewriters, written communication was primarily done by hand, which could be time-consuming and prone to errors. The typewriter would revolutionize the way people create documents by providing a more efficient and legible method of writing.[8] | |
| 1989 | English computer scientist Tim Berners Lee at the CERN invents the World Wide Web,[6] which significantly improves productivity by providing easy access to information, communication tools, and collaborative platforms. | Switzerland | |
| 1990 | Literature | Dr Edwin Locke and Dr Gary Latham publish A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance, which emphasizes the importance of establishing specific and challenging goals. The book outlines five additional characteristics crucial for successful goal setting. Their research highlights the motivational power of clear objectives and provides insights into optimizing task performance through effective goal-setting strategies.[9] | |
| 1992–1994 | IBM creates its first smartphone, the IBM Simon, which releases for purchase in 1994.[6] | United States | |
| 1993 | Artifact | American multinational technology company Apple Inc. ships the first devices of the Newton, its personal digital assistant (PDA). The Newton, equipped with a stylus and running Newton OS, is the first PDA to feature handwriting recognition. It allows users to take notes, store contacts, manage calendars, send faxes, and more. The introduction of the Newton marks a significant milestone in Apple's attempt to innovate in the handheld device market.[10] | United States |
| 1994 | Literature | American author Stephen Covey publishes The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.[9] | United States |
| 1997 (January 16) | Software | Microsoft Outlook is released, becoming a popular tool for email management, calendars, and tasks. | United States |
| 2001 | Smartphones are integrated with the internet, allowing users to access online services and information directly from their mobile devices.[6] | ||
| 2003 | Literature | Canadian-American motivational public speaker and self-development author Brian Tracy publishes Goals!.[9] | United States |
| 2007 | American businessman Steve Jobs unveils the first iPhone, a groundbreaking moment in smartphone evolution. The introduction of mini software applications (Apps) would revolutionize the concept of mobile devices, significantly impacting productivity by providing versatile tools and functionalities on a single device.[6] | United States | |
| 2007 (November 20) | Ali Abdaal opens his Youtube channel. | United Kingdom | |
| 2010 (April 3) | Artifact | The iPad is first introduced, popularizing the use of tablets for productivity and entertainment. | United States |
| 2012 (December 7) | Literature | Hal Elrod publishes The Miracle Morning, which introduces a transformative approach to life that promises significant improvements in various areas. The book suggests that by dedicating just six minutes each day, individuals can experience profound changes in happiness, health, success, fitness, energy levels, stress reduction, financial situations, and relationships. The author contends that this "not-so-obvious" secret, known as The Miracle Morning, has been practiced by thousands globally and can lead to the life one has always desired. The book encourages readers to wake up to their full potential and embark on the journey to an extraordinary life.[11] | United States |
| 2018 (September 25) | Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky publish Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day, which offers a four-step daily framework to help individuals take control of their time and attention in a world filled with constant distractions. Drawing on their experience designing Google products and the renowned "design sprint" methodology, the authors provide a customizable set of practical tips and strategies. The book emphasizes small shifts in habits and environment to optimize energy and focus, allowing readers to intentionally make time for what truly matters in their lives. It's a guide to reclaiming control over one's schedule and priorities.[12][13] | ||
| 2019 | Smart devices gain increased relevance as IoT (Internet of Things) and AI devices infiltrate the workspaces, enhancing productivity. Entire smart systems emerge, dedicated to optimizing energy usage and management efficiency in modern establishments.[6] | ||
| 2019 | The global productivity management software market is valued at US$45.81 billion, anticipating to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4% from 2020 to 2027.[6] | Worldwide | |
| 2020 | Literature | Cal Newport publishes "The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done" in The New Yorker, discussing the challenges and limitations of personal productivity in the knowledge work era.[14] |
Meta information on the timeline
How the timeline was built
The initial version of the timeline was written by Sebastian Sanchez.
Funding information for this timeline is available.
Feedback and comments
Feedback for the timeline can be provided at the following places:
- FIXME
What the timeline is still missing
- Event types: Literature, Youtube channels, mobile apps, artifacts, research
- research on procrastination, multitasking, perfectionism, lack of prioritization, constant interruptions, overcommitting, lack of planning, not taking breaks, ignoring health, disorganization, fear of delegating, negative self-talk [1].
- Research on coffee, caffeine
- https://productivityknowhow.com/history/the-evolution-of-productivity/
Timeline update strategy
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Owano, Nancy. "Scotland lunar-calendar find sparks Stone Age rethink". phys.org. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ Payton, Robert (1991). "The Ulu Burun Writing-Board Set". Anatolian Studies. 41: 99–106. doi:10.2307/3642932.
- ↑ "1440: Invention of the Printing Press". History of Innovation. 7 October 1440. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ↑ "The History of the Pencil". Pencils.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "The dark history of our obsession with productivity". fastcompany.com. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 "A Short History of Productivity". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ↑ Goessling, Tim (8 September 2014). "Living a day according to Ben Franklin". The Daily Dot. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ↑ Cortada, James W. (2015). Before the Computer: IBM, NCR, Burroughs, and Remington Rand and the Industry They Created, 1865–1956. Princeton University Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-4008-7276-3. Archived from the original on 2018-06-26.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Philippe, Alex (3 February 2022). "A Brief History of Productivity Methods — Part 1: The Goal-Setting Trend". ILLUMINATION. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ↑ "Apple Discontinued the Newton 25 Years Ago Today". macrumors.com. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
- ↑ "The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)". books.google.com. 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ Knapp, Jake; Zeratsky, John (25 September 2018). "Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day". Crown. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ "My Favourite Productivity Book of All Time". youtube.com. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ↑ Newport, Cal (17 November 2020). "The Rise and Fall of Getting Things Done". The New Yorker. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
