BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE HISTORY

Biometric history indicates that the science did not originate at a single place. People all over the world were using the basics for mainly identifying individuals from each other. We'll explain about biometric history in brief over the next few paragraphs. 

The history of biometrics dates back to a long time. Possibly the most primary known instance of biometrics in practice was a form of finger printing being used in China in the 14th century, as reported by explorer Joao de Barros. 

Barros wrote that the Chinese merchants were stamping children's palm prints and footprints on paper with ink so as to differentiate the young children from one another. This is one of the most primitive known cases of biometrics in use and is still being used today. 

Apart from its Chinese genesis, use of biometrics was also noted elsewhere in the world. Up until the late 1800s, identification largely relied upon "photographic memory". In the 1890s, an anthropologist and police desk clerk in Paris,Alphonse Bertillon, decided to fix the problem of identifying convicted criminals and turned biometrics into a distinct field of study. 

Bertillon developed a technique of multiple body measurements which later got named after him - Bertillonage. His method was then used by police authorities throughout the world, until it quickly faded when it was discovered that some people shared the same measurements and based on the measurements alone, two people could get treated as one. 

After the failure of Bertillonage, the police started using finger printing, which was developed by Richard Edward Henry of Scotland Yard, essentially reverting to the same methods used by the Chinese for years. (which still is going strong !) 

Biometric history in the recent past (three decades) has seen drastic advancements and the technology has moved from a single method (fingerprinting) to more than ten prudent methods. Companies involved with new methods have grown into the hundreds and continue to improve their methods as the technology available to them also advances. Prices for the hardware required continue to fall making systems more feasible for low and mid-level budgets and thus making this more adaptable in small businesses and even households. 

As the industry grows however, so does the public concern over privacy issues. Laws and regulations continue to be drafted and standards are beginning to be developed. While no other biometric has yet reached the breadth of use of fingerprinting, some are beginning to be used in both legal and business areas.

FUTURE TECHNOLOGY

Future technology is what scientists and others dream up first, then work hard to make a reality. Future technology encompasses many different areas from nanotechnology, science and medicine, computer and many other specific areas such as space tourism, future cars, future weapons and many areas of which people have not dreamed yet.

Future technology trends may be thought of as either leading edge or "bleeding edge" technology in that this cutting edge is not without its trials and tribulations. For instance, for investors, pouring speculation money into predictions that future technology will pay off may not yield results for decades if ever.

Money on future technology may be wasted in the eyes of some who decide that caution is the better part of valor. But, for a few mavericks, the payoff is in the project itself, and not necessarily in the economic payoff.

A few people get to have their cake and eat it too when it comes to future technology. The likes of Bill Gates and Steven Jobs are a couple of examples of those who have poured time, money and effort into future technology predictions and have been paid handsomely when this high tech has gone mainstream.

Nanotechnology is a hot topic in future technology right now. Chemistry, applied physics, materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering are all hip deep in the future technology trends of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

A couple of other trends in future technology are future cars and future weapons. The Discovery Channel now has programs on each one of these areas with a growing number of viewers interested in what the future holds.

Future cars may be hydrogen cars, electric cars, hybrid, solar or flying cars or cars not yet conceived on the drawing board or 3D computer animation program. Fuel cell vehicles are a hot topic right now, but the future is uncertain and there is much room for speculation on which technology will take root in the years to come.

Future weapons are also of great interest to many. Not only are people wanting to know about such large subjects as America's interest in developing a new hydrogen bomb, but only non-lethal and less lethal weapons of the future. Some of the future weapons can send a heat pulse to disperse and angry mob or emit a beam to freeze a person in his or her tracks.

The only certainly about future technology, however, is that it is uncertain. The realm of future technology predictions is the realm of possibilities. What is possible? What is on the drawing boards now?

How long will it be until these great ideas become mainstream reality? These are burning questions many people want to know and we will attempt to answer as many of these questions as we can through this website.