Veterinary Medicine The Coming Revolution

The Coming Revolution

If this were a prayer meeting I’d be shouting “Amen!” In 1914, W. J. Martin DVM looked into the future and saw a coming revolution. One thing he did not see, however, is the impact one revolution has on the next. He could not have foreseen the mind-numbing increase in the rate of fundamental and sweeping change.

History is apt to remember those cataclysmic events that are recognized as altering the course of mankind, while largely forgetting the years in between. Yet, it is the years between those events, or rather the lack of them, that is most significant.

Let’s consider technology, one of the many forces driving the acceleration of change. In every case listed below it took decades for a quiet revolution to occur.

In 1906 Arthur Korn invented a machine that could send pictures over telegraph wires. Some 80 years later, fax machines became available to the general public.

Robert Goddard wrote a paper explaining how traveling to the moon by rocket ship would one day be possible. The newspapers of 1919 ridiculed him without mercy, dubbing him the “moon man.” Decades later space travel became reality.

After years of trying, Henry Ford invented an automobile in 1892. In 1908 Ford Motor Company sold its first car. American life didn’t really change, however, until 1916 when Ford reduced the price of the Model T to $250. Automobiles were suddenly within reach of almost everyone.

Television was first demonstrated in London by John Baird in 1926. Color television was demonstrated by Bell Labs in 1929. It wasn’t until several decades later that the first TV generation emerged.


The Coming Revolution If this were a prayer meeting I’d be shouting “Amen!” In 1914, W. J. Martin DVM looked into the future and saw a coming revolution. One thing he did not see, however, is the impact one revolution has on the next. He could not have foreseen the mind-numbing increase in the rate of fundamental and sweeping change. History is apt to remember those cataclysmic events that are recognized as altering the course of mankind, while largely forgetting the years in between. Yet, it is the years between those events, or rather the lack of them, that is most significant. Let’s consider technology, one of the many forces driving the acceleration of change. In every case listed below it took decades for a quiet revolution to occur. In 1906 Arthur Korn invented a machine that could send pictures over telegraph wires. Some 80 years later, fax machines became available to the general public. Robert Goddard wrote a paper explaining how traveling to the moon by rocket ship would one day be possible. The newspapers of 1919 ridiculed him without mercy, dubbing him the “moon man.” Decades later space travel became reality. After years of trying, Henry Ford invented an automobile in 1892. In 1908 Ford Motor Company sold its first car. American life didn’t really change, however, until 1916 when Ford reduced the price of the Model T to $250. Automobiles were suddenly within reach of almost everyone. Television was first demonstrated in London by John Baird in 1926. Color television was demonstrated by Bell Labs in 1929. It wasn’t until several decades later that the first TV generation emerged.		DOXtalks is brought to you by: The Columbus Animal Hospital 2278 39th Ave. Columbus, NE 68601 (402) 563-4151 (800) 722-7088 (402) 564-0472 FAX PRESERVING and ENHANCING The Bond Between You and Your Animal Companions. Hours of Operation: Monday thru Friday 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday 9 AM - NOON Sunday Closed Pet Loss Counseling Click Here Now Consulting With The Entire Veterinary Profession Call or e-mail for more details! Dr. Jim Kramer 2278 39 Avenue Columbus, NE 68601 Email: jim@jimkramer.com Or call Columbus Animal Hospital at 800-722-7088
Now, instead of taking several decades for a revolution to occur, advancing technology generates several revolutions within a decade. And, with every advance the next one comes faster. Indeed, things really do change faster every day. In the 1950’s, my father built his veterinary practice on Hog Cholera vaccinations and the sale of antibiotics. One day he got up in the morning and found that Hog Cholera had been eradicated and that lay companies (created by veterinarians) had taken much of the profit out of the dispensing business. Three years ago there were three retail bookstores in our community. We have a set of shelves in our lobby that serves as a constant reminder, because we got them from the last of these bookstores to close. While small bookstore owners fretted the loss of their business to chains like Barnes and Noble and Borders, Amazon.com quietly took over their industry. So what do we do to prepare for a changing world? There are thousands of right answers and only one we know for sure to be wrong: to deny the depth, breadth and rate of change complacently clinging to things that we know are disappearing. W. J. Martin looked into the future and saw a coming revolution. He could not have seen the wonderful and historically unique opportunities veterinarians now have to impact the lives of their patients, clients, colleagues and staffs. I wish I had said it myself: “…and while the spark of life feebly burns hope shines out brightly (W. J. Martin).” Copyright © 2005. Jim Kramer DVM. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this article in any form requires express written permission. Back to article list
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