Six Innovations That Changed the Workplace and Commercial Property.
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash
The workplace has undergone incredible transformations over the last century, thanks to groundbreaking inventions that changed the way we work and interact with our surroundings. These innovations didn’t just impact productivity and communication—they also redefined commercial properties, shaping modern office spaces, retail environments, and industrial facilities. In this blog, we’ll explore 6 key inventions that transformed workplaces and commercial property.
1. The Elevator (1850s)
The invention of the modern elevator (with an automatic safety device to prevent it from falling) by Elisha Otis, an Amercian industrialist, made it possible to expand available space in city centres with skyscrapers and high-rise office complexes, optimising land use and creating the bustling business districts we know today.
2. The Typewriter (1868)
The typewriter brought standardisation and efficiency to document production, setting the stage for modern office work and formalising communication. This invention not only helped define the administrative workspace within commercial properties but also established the need for designated office areas, leading to the layout styles that would become the norm in business environments. It was also important for women in the workplace, who were considered most suited to typing work and could now be offered better pay and working conditions compared to other work available to them at the time.
3. The Telephone (1876)
The telephone transformed communication within workplaces, by enabling instant conversations with clients, customers, and colleagues across distances. This invention reduced the need for physical meetings and established the call centre as a fixture in office spaces. Today, phone systems are integrated with digital communications, supporting remote work and flexible office setups.
4. Air Conditioning (1902)
The invention of air conditioning by a New York engineer named Willis Carrier in 1902 made indoor environments more comfortable and productive and ensured factory machinery could run more efficiently. Businesses could be located in hot climates, office buildings could be taller and made of glass and today computers can run without overheating and shoppers can enjoy a controlled climate in shopping centres. We are now seeing advanced HVAC systems contribute to energy efficiency and occupant satisfaction, making climate control a defining feature of high-quality office and retail buildings.
5. The Computer (1980s)
The computer saw workplace take up in significant numbers throughout the 1980s. From data processing to document creation, computers became indispensable tools for virtually every business and saw a new technology era begin.
6. The Internet (1990s)
The internet redefined the workplace, making it possible for teams to collaborate in real time, share files instantly, and communicate across continents. Internet connectivity became a fundamental utility, as essential as electricity or plumbing. Office spaces were reconfigured to support data cabling and server rooms, paving the way for today’s high-tech business environments.
And what about the future? It looks like it will be driven by technological advancements. Digital transactions and blockchain technology are set to redefine how financial interactions and property records are managed. Smart building technology is changing property management, virtual tours and 3D modelling are increasingly important in how properties are marketed and leased and lastly, e-commerce and digital connectivity will continue to influence office, retail, and industrial spaces, blurring the lines between physical and virtual environments.
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