Kavya Raghavan ← Back to portfolio
Fun Writing

Timeline of
Technology

A (mostly accurate) illustrated walk through the ages — from cave walls to AI.

Written & illustrated by Kavya Raghavan

Today, we use software for everyday tasks, regardless of the industry we’re in. But these tools didn’t always exist. Have you ever wondered what people used to keep track of the various aspects of life a few centuries back? I did — and I made a list about it, taking a stab at a funny walk-through-the-ages look at how the “software” of various parts of life evolved. Have a look, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed making it!

01
20,000 BC

The Stone Age

The Stone Age

Did you know that cavemen used sticks and stones for more than just breaking bones?

02
6,000 BC

Mesopotamia’s Barter System

Mesopotamia’s Barter System

Can you imagine battering for butter? There was a time when you had to barter for your daily bread and butter.

03
3,000 BC

Building the Pyramids

Building the Pyramids

Did you know the world’s oldest skyscrapers were tombs? Building them was only possible through god-like teamwork and constant communication.

04
100 BC

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China

Perfectionist kings wanted to keep infectious malware out of their lands — can’t say we blame them. Back then, the malware was other humans and invading armies.

05
1837–1901

The Victorian Age

The Victorian Age

At least when you “call on someone” today, getting rejected is a lot easier than it was in the Victorian era.

06
Antiquity–20th c.

Messenger Pigeons

Messenger Pigeons

Dropping a quick note to someone was wayyy more complicated than it is today — and way less expensive too. You’d actually need a bird to fly all that way.

07
1260 BC

The Battle of Troy

The Battle of Troy

A gifted wooden horse razed an entire city. The fall of Troy proved that sometimes the biggest threats arrive disguised as gifts. Thankfully, today’s deliveries are usually much less eventful.

08
1492–1499

Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus

Putting together a fab team that works well together can help you find new opportunities in lands the whole world didn’t even know existed.

09
27 BC

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire

All roads led to Rome—but they were built by people working together. The Romans knew that lasting success wasn’t just about great leaders; it was about creating systems that united teams behind a common purpose. Whether it’s an empire or a business, collaboration is what stands the test of time.

10
2000 AD

The Internet Era

The Internet Era

Internet! Internet! Video game consoles, TV units, and at-home glitch-state-of-the-art computers.

11
2019 AD

The Rise of SaaS

The Rise of SaaS

Suddenly, there was software for everything—and you didn’t even need to install it. SaaS made business software faster, smarter, and somehow convinced us all that another monthly subscription was a great idea.

12
2026 AD

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

And now, AI. It’s writing code, creating art, and occasionally making things up with alarming confidence. Every era has had a technological revolution that changed history and transformed human life. This one just happens to have some weird backtalk.

That’s the whole timeline.

From cave walls to cloud dashboards to AI — the tools change, but the instinct to build, track, and tell each other what’s going on hasn’t. Thanks for reading.

See more of my work →

© 2026 Kavya Raghavan — concept, writing & illustration.