Long before bitcoin

The origins of blockchain can be traced back to the 1990s, when Stuart Haber and W. Scott Stornetta began looking for a solution to the problem known as 'double-spending'. The idea they proposed resembled the current blockchain structure. They wanted to create a system that would not allow data manipulation. The idea was to create a sequential blockchain structure in which each block would have a digital imprint of the previous one. This concept, although still theoretical, was the cornerstone of later developments in the field.

The beginnings of blockchain, although modest, were a key step towards creating a technology that revolutionised the world. Haber and Stornetta were the pioneers who initiated the journey that led to the modern blockchain technology that we have today. In their original design, they focused on ensuring the immutability of data, which is one of the core features of blockchain technology.

• An expired patent

At the beginning of the 21st century, the idea that Stuart Haber and W. Scott Stornetta introduced in the 1990s made a comeback. The patents that protected their original concept had expired, paving the way for further innovation.

• The cryptographic hash function

One of the key elements that influenced the development of blockchain was the introduction of the cryptographic hash function. This technology, also known as 'hashing', allows any amount of data to be converted into a unique string of fixed-length characters. This innovation was crucial to the emergence of blockchain technology, as it allowed the creation of reliable and unalterable blocks of data.

The introduction of the cryptographic hash function into blockchain technology had a huge impact on its development. This made blockchain more secure and reliable, which contributed to its widespread recognition and use.

Blockchain and the first application

The real breakthrough for blockchain technology was its use in the bitcoin cryptocurrency, which emerged in 2009. Bitcoin, designed by a mysterious figure (or group of individuals) known as Satoshi Nakamoto, was the first application of blockchain technology in practice. Nakamoto integrated blockchain technology into the bitcoin protocol to enable secure and transparent transactions. All transactions were recorded in blocks and added to the chain in chronological order, creating an unalterable and publicly accessible record of all transactions. This concept, although simple, has had a huge impact on the world of finance and its influence has spread to many other sectors.

Blockchain 2.0

The development of blockchain technology did not end with bitcoin. In 2014, the term 'Blockchain 2.0' began to gain popularity. This idea describes the evolution of blockchain technology beyond its original use in cryptocurrencies. If the topic of Blockchain piques your interest, it is worth enrolling in an online course on the Webinar Universe training platform. Online learning allows you to expand your knowledge in a simple way in a field of interest.

• Smart Contracts: A revolution in transactions

One of the most important elements of Blockchain 2.0 is the introduction of the concept of smart contracts. These are self-executing contracts that are triggered when certain conditions are met. This allows transactions to be carried out automatically, without the need for a trusted intermediary.

• New applications of blockchain technology

The innovation introduced by Blockchain 2.0 has opened the door to many new applications for blockchain technology. It finds applications not only in finance, but also in sectors such as real estate, the music industry, healthcare or education. Thanks to smart contracts, it is possible to create decentralised applications that can operate automatically and independently. In this way, Blockchain 2.0 contributes to the further digital transformation of society, opening up new opportunities for innovation and efficiency. The webinar Universe platform is the place to expand your knowledge in this field.

Technology for the 21st century

Although Bitcoin is the most popular example of the use of blockchain technology, the possibilities for its use are much wider. Many experts predict that the technology will gradually develop and be used in more and more areas, not only in digital payments.

Already, blockchain is being used to create so-called smart contracts (Smart Contracts), which are written in code and can automatically carry out various operations such as transferring funds, transferring information, recording and saving data or making purchases. This technology has the potential to bring significant modifications in areas such as online identity, the electoral process, governance, resource monitoring, supply chain oversight, M2M transactions and supplier identification and reputation. Below, we describe several sectors that can benefit from the potential that blockchain technology offers.

• Finance

The financial sector was one of the first to recognise the potential of blockchain technology. Already in 2015, an association of banks and FinTech companies was formed to pursue the development of this technology. Thanks to the decentralisation it guarantees, blockchain has the potential to develop into a secure system for storing banking data and into a more efficient and less costly way of transferring money.

• Healthcare

Many of the challenges facing the healthcare sector could be solved with blockchain technology. Every doctor and healthcare professional could have secure and simple access to a patient's medical records, located in one central location, regardless of the number of doctor or specialist shifts.

• Politics and administration

Election systems based on blockchain technology would be a virtually tamper-proof construct. From voter registration to identity verification to vote counting, the system would be unassailable. Blockchain-based applications can be used to reduce excessive bureaucracy and corruption in state institutions.

• Legal industry

Document management, retrieval and provenance verification are key tasks in the legal industry. By securely storing and verifying documents, blockchain technology can help eliminate doubts about the legality of wills or other legal documents.

Hiring and sharing rides

Blockchain can enable the creation of true peer-to-peer networks for renting and sharing various goods and services, eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries who typically charge additional fees. In practice, there is no obstacle to peer-to-peer networks developing to rent and lend everything from books to tools to furniture and other goods.

In summary, blockchain is a technology that has revolutionised the way we view and manage data. From its humble beginnings in the 1990s, through its use in bitcoin, its development in Blockchain 2.0 and its applications today, blockchain is constantly evolving and adapting to the needs of the 21st century. In an era of digitalisation and the growing importance of data, technologies such as blockchain are becoming vital. They are the foundation for many innovative solutions that have the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including education. If the topic of Blockchain application and development sparks your interest, an invitation to an online training on the Webinar Universe platform is open. Online learning can provide the necessary knowledge that can contribute to further development. The pleasure of online learning cannot be underestimated.