Disruptive Technology

Technology is considered disruptive when it profoundly changes the way we do something. It often makes older technology obsolete.

Our history is filled with examples of disruptive technology. The personal computer deleted the typewriter industry. The vacuum cleaner sucked up much of the broom business. The zipper snagged a good portion of the button business. And just look at how technology has disrupted the music industry.

Identify and research another example of disruptive technology from the past.

• What older technology did it disrupt?
• Why did it disrupt this technology? (Was the disruptive technology cheaper, more convenient, faster, more powerful?)
• What effects did this disruption have on society?

Now find an example of an emerging technology that has the potential to be disruptive.

• What current technology will it disrupt?
• Why will it disrupt this technology?
• What effects will this disruption have on society?