Once Peripheral, Now General: The Pervasion of Digital Technology

Collaboration with Ali Tafti.

Abstract: Here, we use US patent data to test whether digital technologies manifest patterns consistent with GPT's definition. We distinguish between two perspectives of technologies: 1. Inputs to the invention; 2. Outputs of the invention. We find that only by adopting the former view do digital technologies fit the GPT's definition. This finding carries implications for empirical research and we incorporate it into the second dissertation chapter.

Figure shows the Movement of Classes of Digital Inventions over Time.