Computers have gone from being devices that are for personal and professional use to devices used to network with a number of other people across the world. Originally, there was no way to link two computers on different sides of the world together. But today, not only have we accomplished that, but there is even technology now that sends live images around the world. This technology utilizes the webcam.

A webcam is a camera device that is hooked into the computer to record and send images and motion pictures to the computer. People are able to see their loved ones who are miles away as if they were right next to them. This technology is widely used for video conferencing for multi-million dollar companies. Even Oprah Winfrey has a webcam.

Webcams are truly a remarkable device, but even the most remarkable devices can come with a few circumstances that are less than ideal. Some webcams can be activated remotely or by spyware, which can create a problem with privacy and safety for some people. However, most webcams avoid this pit fall and just bring snazzy images to anyone willing to share and look.

The first webcam was not actually designed to take pictures of people, but was instead designed to stare at a coffee pot at the University of Cambridge. The idea was that you could go onto your computer and see if there was coffee before making a trip just to find out that there was no coffee left. The image of the coffee pot was streamed to college computers onto their desktop for surveilance. This led to what we now use to talk to soldiers overseas, communicate business plans, and just take fun pictures with friends to put on social networking sites. Just imagine what computers would be like now if it hadn’t been for someone who worried about walking to find an empty coffee pot.