Free KCSE History and Government Notes and Tutorials

Development of Transport and Communication

30/7/2020

Development of Transport and Communication

List of Contents

Definition of Communication
Early forms of communication
Modern means of communication

Definition of Communication

It is the exchange of ideas, information, news feelings or opinion over some distance

Early forms of communication

Messengers
Fire and smoke signals
Horn blowing
Drum beating
Screaming and cries
Bells
Flags
Written messages
Use of gestures

Development of Transport and Communication

Messengers

Were commonly used to deliver messages
Messages were delivered verbally
The accuracy of the message normally depends on the memory of the messenger who always travel on foot
Animals and birds such as cats, dogs, doves, pigeon and parrots were also used as messengers

Disadvantages of Messengers

One would be killed on the way
He would give the wrong message or forget the message
He would fail to meet the recipient
It was too low
Messenger who brought bad news were killed on arrival in some communities
A person carrying verbal messages could be tortured to make him reveal the message
The distance covered would be limited since they walked on foot

Signals

A signal is a simple message in a code e.g. fire, smoke, drumbeat, horn blowing etc

Fire signals

It was lit at the top of hill where it could be seen from far

Advantages

It was used in sending an urgent message
It was a visible signal
it was faster in terms of speed
it was cheap
it upheld confidentiality

Disadvantages

messages could only be sent over short distances
range of messages passed was limited
it was restricted to weather conditions
was of little use if one was on the lookout to see and interpret
it had only one meaning

Smoke signals

Fire was lit using damp materials’ or green leaves, this gave a lot of smoke

Disadvantages

It was not visible in cloudy or misty weather
On windy weather the smoke was blown away before the message could be read
Messages could only be sent over a short distance
If no one was one the lookout smoke or fire signal was useless

Drum beating

Communities used drumbeats to send messages
Each beat had its own codes for relaying different messages
They spread the message quickly
They were effectively used at dawn and sunset when all was calm

Advantages

A wide range of message would be relayed
Messages from drumbeats could be conveyed over wide areas
Could be used at any time day or night and in every season be it wet or dry
Messages were conveyed faster by drumbeats compared to smokes signals

Disadvantages

At times it was difficult to differentiate the beats and therefore the messages could not be clearly interpreted
The message could be misunderstood
It relied on the people with special skills
Drum beat message were easily interfered with by natural elements like wind or rain

Screams and cries

They were used on hills or mountain tops because of the echo
Used screams to convey messages
Ululation signified feasting or good news such as the birth of a child

Bells

They were used in Christian countries to remind worshippers the service was about to start
It was also used to warn a disaster or invasion when rang very rapidly

Flags
Ships carrying the same flag either belong to the same country or company

Written messages

In Egypt it was called heirographic while in Mesopotamia it was called cuneiform
Several materials were used to write messages on
Man used clay tablets dried skin and bark of trees. Later man developed scrolls parchments and then papers

Advantages

They provided reliable information that was not easily forgotten
Information was stored in that form for future reference
Information could be interpreted into different languages so that it would be accessible to many
The message in most cases, was accurate

Modern means of communication

The Modern means of communication includes:-
Telephone, Radio, Television, Video, Internet, Newspapers, Journals, Magazines, Electronic mail, Telex, Telegraph, Cinema, Fax mile, Trans-receiver, Pager, Satellite, Periodicals

Telecommunications

It is the sending and receiving of messages through electronic devices such as radio, TV, telephone etc

Telephone

Is a communication device used in relaying sound waves by converting them into electrical signals and then reconverting them into sound waves
It was invented by Alexander Graham Bell an American in 1875. He was assisted by Thomas Watson.
It was used to receive and make calls

Cell phone/ mobile phone

It is a type of wireless communication
Dr martin cooper is considered to be the inventor of the first modern portable cell phone in 1973
Manufacturing companies we have in Kenya included; nokia, Motorola, Sony, alcatel, Samsung, Ericson, Panasonic, sagem and Siemens AG
The service provider includes; safaricom, airtel, vodaphone, MTN, E&C and Verizon wireless

Features of cell phone

Making and receiving calls
A personal phone-book
Ability to send and receive sins
Ability to store and to display and record the telephone number of a caller
Calculator, clock and calendar
Access to the internet i.e. send and receive e-mail
Digital camera capacity
A variety of ringtones or a vibrate call mode
Store e-mail address

Disadvantages

Poor reception where there is no network
The cellular technology is dependent on the availability of electricity
There is a problem of breakage of external antennae
Continuous use of mobile phones has raised the fear of the effect of radioactive rays on human beings
Cell phones are easily stolen due to their small size
The internal antennae may also interfere with the phones other components such as the calculator and the clock etc

Television

It was invented by John Logie Baird in 1926
He was demonstrating how moving images could be transmitted by radio waves at a distance
The first public television station British Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1936

Advantages

It conveys news and information from all over the world more vividly
It is an important device for entertainment
Some educational programs are broadcasted on the television
Is used to advertise goods
It is effective in transmitting ideas since it commands attention
Television has enabled humankind to bridge the limitation of real-time communication

Disadvantages

TV can only be viewed where there is electricity
Pornographic programs have eroded cultural values especially among the youth who have grown watching TV
Violence is rampant among young people because of watching violent programs such as wrestling and violent movies
Advertisements on the television such as those of alcoholic drinks and cigarette have encouraged deviate behavior
Watching television has become an addition in some in some homes

Radio

It is the sending of information through electromagnetic waves in the air and can be received by anyone who has suitable receiver
People who helps in the invention of the radio includes;
Heinrich Rudolph hertz – a German – 1888
Guliemo Marconi – Italian
Radio are used in ships aeroplane and security forces

Importance of radio

It’s cheap and many people can afford
News and information is quickly received throughout the country
Illiterate people can understand the information because they use local languages
It has enhanced transport systems because it is used in aeroplane and ships
The public is educated on government policies
It is a source of entertainment
Radio signals are used to communicate with space crafts
Radio calls are used by security men to report any crime therefore enhancing security
It has created employment to many

Telegraph

An American Samuel Morse is credited with the making of the first operational telegraph in 1837
Send coded electronic messages by wire over a long distance

Advantages

Telegraph lines were set along the railway to provide information about the movement of trains hence assisted in development of transport
It enabled journalists to spread the news faster
It enabled business people and industrialists to order raw materials