The way that people relax has most definitely changed over the centuries; if you were born into a working class family in the Middle Ages, you would have watched drama plays, performed by travelling groups, while poets and musicians also performed. Indeed, right up until the Industrial Revolution, live drama and music was the number one entertainment avenue.
Radio
In the 1930s and 40s, radio played a major role is people’s lives, listening to radio comedy and short stories read by broadcasters, while the radio was also an important source for current news. especially during WWII. Radio shows evolved and this kept millions of people entertained until the arrival of television.
Music concerts & festivals
The 60s saw the start of music festivals with Woodstock being a big hit; major bands like The Beatles and Rolling Stones toured the world, playing to packed arenas. Music festivals were held in Europe, Scandinavia and the US and are still as popular today as they were back then, with all the top performers going on tour.
Television
We all know how TV gripped the world, quickly reaching the stage when every family could afford a TV set and in the early seventies, colour TV arrived. Early broadcasting might offer one or maybe two TV channels and post WWII saw TV stations popping up everywhere. Those in their late 60s would probably remember the first time they saw a colour TV, which was ground-breaking at that time. The entire world watched Neil Armstrong (or did they?) step onto the lunar surface with those magical words, “that’s one small step for man and a giant leap for mankind’.
World Wide Web
The nineties saw the arrival of the information highway, which has evolved into what we know and love today. What can’t you find on the Internet? Many people make a living online and every man and his dog has a Facebook account. Internet 2.0 will be followed by Internet 3.0 and the Internet of Things will be powered by 5G, thanks to thousands of Starlink low-orbit satellites that cover every square metre of the planet. Bluetooth speakers were a game-changer for wireless connectivity.
Digital platforms
There are many digital platforms for online entertainment; online casinos offer jackpot slot machines that could change your life, while the serious player focuses on blackjack, poker or baccarat. YouTube is everyone’s favourite, while social media has captured the world, allowing users to stay connected with family and friends.
What does the future hold?
This is a question that many people would like to know the answer to; virtual reality is improving in leaps and bounds, while low-orbit 5G satellites provide broadband Internet that supports the Internet of Things as well as the regular web we all know and love.
Entertainment is constantly changing alongside society and with so much digital content on the web, we are all spoilt for choice when it comes to online entertainment.
