We normally think of technology leading the way, taking us forward and ‘time’ (people, processes, etc) playing catch up. So it was interesting when I found an example at home where the roles were reverssed …
I was clearing out some old things of mine and I came across not one but THREE steering-wheel locks. Around the time of my first car (late ’90s) the best way to prevent your car from being stolen was to have a steering wheel lock – a large clunky mechanism that you fastened each time you left your car. In later years, this mechanism was replaced with the gear-lock, a less-clunky and more effective security measure. And, this was finally replaced with immobilisers that were built into the car key and were seamlesss to the consumer.
While putting the steering-wheel locks in the trash I realised that technology, in the form of immobilisers and laser-cut chip-keys, was an example of where reliable & everyday technology took several years to come to the fore. Good-bye to the old, and Welcome to the new – technology, it’s nice of you to join us!
