How Streaming Technology Was Built
How Streaming Technology Was Built — an illustrated inventions story, set in United States. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Inventions.
Page 1
Arjun tugged on his mom's hand as they walked into the carnival. "Wow, look at that Ferris wheel!" The entire place glittered with lights, a symphony of sounds mixing together. A meteor streaked across the sky, making Clara stop in her tracks. "This carnival is amazing!"
Page 2
Later, as Arjun and Clara shared some popcorn, he asked, "Mom, how do we watch movies at home? Like, without a DVD or anything?" Clara smiled. "It's called streaming, sweetie. You know, it makes me wonder how people watched movies before!" Arjun's eyes widened with curiosity. "Who invented streaming?"
Page 3
Arjun raced back to his tent, his worn leather notebook bouncing. He scrambled to his shelf, grabbing his glowing Invention Encyclopedia. Turning the old book to the right page, he said, "Time to learn!" he exclaimed, opening the book, his eyes wide with wonder. A swirling light filled the tent, the carnival fading from view.
Page 4
Arjun found himself in a dimly lit room filled with wires and vacuum tubes. A man tinkered with a large machine, muttering to himself. "Hmm, that connection doesn't seem right..." Arjun recognized him instantly from his book. "Are you George Michael?" Arjun asked, a hint of awe in his voice.
Page 5
"Indeed, I am. Though most people don't recognize me," George chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Trying to send movies to a TV from miles away. Difficult problem. But the reward will be that, people can watch content any time, and that's worth it! It's 1948, and television is just getting started but if i get my invention to work people can choose from thousands of videos"
Page 6
Arjun flipped through his notebook. "But how did this become streaming like we have today?" George sighed. "Well, it wasn't easy! It took years of improvements. In 1996, Marc Andreessen created Netscape, that let people watch short videos, the technology got much better, in fact, you could say 'the only constant is change' as the philosopher Heraclitus would say."
Page 7
"Wow! So, Marc Andreessen and you helped create streaming by inventing this technology," Arjun said. "But what about Netflix, Hulu, and all those services?" George smiled. "That's thanks to even MORE innovation. Reed Hastings figured out how to send digital movies over the internet, but not as one big file like an email. By 2007, Netflix was making 1.2 billion a year!"
Page 8
Suddenly, a loud clunk echoed through the room. "Oh no! The receiver has malfunctioned!" George exclaimed. Arjun remembered something he had read in his encyclopedia. "Wait! I read that adding a specific type of resistor can stabilize the signal!" He rummaged through the spare parts on a shelf.
Page 9
Arjun quickly found the resistor, handing it to George. "Here! Try this one!" George carefully installed the resistor, flipped a switch, and the machine sputtered back to life. "Incredible! You saved the day, Arjun! Now i can send a movie!"
Page 10
Suddenly, Arjun was back in his tent, the Invention Encyclopedia closed on his lap. He ran to Clara. "Mom, I know how streaming was invented! It was George Michael, Marc Andreessen, and Reed Hastings!" Clara smiled. "That's amazing, Arjun! Now, let's stream that movie you like."
About this story
- Location: United States
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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