In 1918, the world was coming out of World War I but still dealing with the Spanish flu pandemic. Warren G. Harding won the presidential election in 1920 running on the slogan “return to normalcy.”

This return to normalcy was accompanied by advances in technology such as the automobile, radio, film, and electric power. Inventions included the vacuum cleaner, television, electric blenders, frozen foods, water skis, and the band aid. Could the Cloud Revolution be leading us into a similar period of time today?

The advancements of the roaring 20’s were made possible by innovations in: access to information, development of new materials, and increased productivity due to advanced development of machinery. Advancements today that will propel a new surge of innovations fall into similar categories. The most valued information technology invention has been the microprocessor. They have allowed for the measurement, collection, and dissemination of information in seconds across the globe with relatively easy access for all.

The microprocessor has helped us develop advanced machines such as the 3D printer. The future of this technology could lead you to print certain products or parts in your home, no shipping needed. Current advancements in materials are allowing scientists to develop artificial skin, allowing 3D printers to create artificial organs. Advancements now make it possible for supercomputers to run algorithms that can create materials based on the characteristics needed in the material. This process used to be done using the painstaking process of trial and error.

The Cloud is the system that connects all the technology together. At the heart of the cloud are computers, or so called data centers. Over 10 years ago engineers at Google coined the term “warehouse scale computer.” Today, these data warehouses are the size of full scale shopping malls. Access to and use of this information has been accelerated during the pandemic.

Some believe that technological innovation has slowed. It should be remembered that automobiles had been around for 25 years before Henry Ford found a way to create the affordable 1908 Ford Model T. Innovation comes in spurts, noting also that 20 percent of homes had a flush toilet in 1920, by 1930 over 50% of homes had them.

In education, 10 years ago Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) were created. MOOCs quickly gained 1 million users. Today the top 5 universities with the largest number of on-line learners each have from 70,000 to 100,000 students enrolled. While the top 5 MOOCs each have 10 to 45 million “learners” enrolled. Today, students have unprecedented access to knowledge.

Immersion labs are the next step in virtual education. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute teaches student Mandarin in these VR caves, rooms with all walls/floors/ceilings projecting images, using avatars to speak with you. Students learn the language twice as fast as in a normal classroom.

Current advances in access to information, materials, and machinery draw interesting parallels to the beginning of the roaring 20s. Today, we have The Cloud, which drastically increases access to information, education, and collaboration. Will the 2020’s follow the advances of the roaring 1920s? Only time will tell!

Dr. Steve Patchin is Superintendent of Hancock Public Schools. Programs he has contributed to creating include Mind Trekkers and CareerFEST, helping students explore their talents and associated careers in STEM. His research has focused on increasing development of self-efficacy in individual students.