Timeline of personal productivity

This is a timeline of personal productivity.

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.	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.	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.	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.	United Kingdom
1776	Concept development	Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations introduces the concept of productive and unproductive labor. While primarily pertaining to economic productivity at the societal level, the concept is indirectly related to personal productivity, as individuals can draw insights from Smith's distinction by focusing on tasks and activities that contribute meaningfully to their goals, whether personal or professional.	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?".	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.	United States
1850		Day planners become popular, emphasizing planning's role in increasing productivity during the Industrial Revolution.
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.
Late 1940s		The Kanban method originates in Toyota's production system. It would gain popularity in the software development world in the 2000s.	Japan
1974	Concept development	Mark Snyder publishes study titled Self-monitoring of Expressive Behavior, in which he introduces a social psychological concept called self-monitoring, involving self-observation and self-control guided by situational cues for social appropriateness. The study develops a reliable self-report measure, the Self-Monitoring Scale (SM), to assess individual differences in self-monitoring.
Late 1980s		The Pomodoro Technique is developed by Francesco Cirillo.
1989		English computer scientist Tim Berners Lee at the CERN invents the World Wide Web, 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.
1992–1994	Artifact	IBM creates its first smartphone, the IBM Simon, which releases for purchase in 1994. Smartphones play a significant role in personal productivity by providing a multifunctional tool that assists individuals in managing various aspects of their lives.	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.	United States
1994	Literature	American author Stephen Covey publishes The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Highly successful, this book provides advice on personal development, teamwork, self-renewal, mutual benefit, proactivity, and strategies for achieving private and public victories.	United States
1997 (January 16)	Software	Microsoft Outlook is released, becoming a popular tool for email management, calendars, and tasks.	United States
1997		The 80/20 Principle. Named after economist Vilfredo Pareto, this principle gained popularity in the business world in the late 20th century and was further popularized by books like "The 80/20 Principle" by Richard Koch (1997).
2001		Getting Things Done (GTD) is introduced by David Allen in his book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
2001		Smartphones are integrated with the internet, allowing users to access online services and information directly from their mobile devices.
2003	Literature	Canadian-American motivational public speaker and self-development author Brian Tracy publishes Goals!.	United States
2007	Artifact	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.	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.	United States
2013	Literature	Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington publish The 12 Week Year, which provides a guide to transforming the traditional annual goal-setting approach into a more dynamic 12-week execution cycle. The book challenges the conventional 12-month thinking, emphasizing the advantages of shorter cycles to avoid complacency and enhance urgency. By condensing the year into 12 weeks, the approach fosters focus, clarity, and a heightened sense of urgency, ultimately leading to increased productivity and impactful results. The book serves as a practical resource for individuals and organizations seeking to improve their execution effectiveness, offering insights from experts in the field of execution and implementation. It encourages a shift in perspective to accelerate the journey to success.
2016 (January 5)	Literature	American nonfiction author Cal Newport publishes Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, which is a guide to cultivating the skill of deep work, defined as the ability to concentrate on cognitively demanding tasks without distraction. Newport argues that deep work is a rare and valuable skill in today's economy, offering extraordinary results and true fulfillment. The book provides actionable advice, drawing on stories and examples. Newport suggests that professionals should consider quitting social media and advocates for practicing boredom to enhance deep work. Overall, the book encourages readers to embrace focused success in an increasingly distracted world.	United States
2018 (September 25)	Literature	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.
2018 (October 16)	Literature	American writer James Clear publishes Atomic Habits, which would be considered a highly practical guide to habit formation. Clear distills essential insights into building positive habits and breaking negative ones. The book provides actionable strategies, emphasizing the power of small changes for significant results. With a focus on productivity and effectiveness, the book would gain widespread acclaim for its straightforward approach.	United States
2019 (February 5)	Literature	Cal Newport publishes Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, which advocates for a more intentional and mindful use of technology. Newport provides insights into overcoming the overwhelming digital distractions that contribute to anxiety and stress. The book introduces a 'digital declutter' process, guiding readers to reevaluate their relationship with social media, prioritize meaningful conversations, and rediscover the joys of offline experiences. Described as the Marie Kondo of technology, Newport's book offers practical advice for regaining control over devices and achieving a calmer, more purposeful life amidst the chaos of the digital world.
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.
2019	Statistics	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.	Worldwide
2020 (November 12)	Literature	Cal Newport publishes The Time-Block Planner, which introduces the time-blocking method, a time-management strategy employed by highly successful individuals like Elon Musk and Bill Gates. The planner facilitates task prioritization, enabling users to focus on crucial matters without being distracted by emails, social media, or external demands. By adopting the time-block method, individuals can efficiently organize their schedules, push aside distractions, and concentrate on impactful work.
2021 (March 2)	Literature	Cal Newport publishes A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, which challenges the prevailing email-centric approach to work and advocates for a more productive and fulfilling work environment. Newport argues that constant digital communication has created a counterproductive "hyperactive hive mind" workflow, leading to reduced profitability and overall dissatisfaction. Drawing on investigative reporting, he proposes clear processes, reduced administrative tasks, and streamlined communication to redefine how tasks are managed. Newport envisions a future where the knowledge sector evolves beyond email dependence.

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/

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYjFsuVOoc