Explaining Blockchain in a way that even a 5 year old could understand (Part 1)
Tags: beginners, blockchain, web3
Published: 2023-03-18 01:45:57

Welcome to the world of blockchain! It's not just a fancy buzzword that tech geeks throw around to sound cool, it's a technology that is changing the game for many industries.

Imagine a world where you can track every single ingredient in your favorite pizza, from the farm where the wheat was grown to the cheese factory where the milk was sourced. Thanks to blockchain, this dream is becoming a reality.

But what is blockchain, you may ask? Think of it as a digital superhero that swoops in to save the day by making transactions more secure and transparent. Instead of relying on a central authority like a bank or government to validate transactions, blockchain uses a decentralized network of computers to record and verify them. This means that no single entity has control over the information, making it nearly impossible to hack or manipulate.

So, what can blockchain do besides make pizza tracking a breeze? It has the potential to revolutionize everything from healthcare to voting systems. Imagine being able to securely and transparently track the origin of medical supplies or even vote from the comfort of your own home.

In this article, we'll dive into the exciting world of blockchain, exploring its inner workings and some of the amazing ways it's being used to transform industries. Get ready to join the blockchain revolution!

## What is blockchain?

![blockchain](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/72268q7pjwubv83z5p73.jpeg)

Blockchain is a type of technology that allows for the secure and transparent recording of transactions and data through a decentralized digital ledger. The fundamental concept behind blockchain is that it enables multiple parties to come to an agreement on the accuracy of a transaction without relying on a central authority to oversee the process.

Imagine you have a box of toys, and you want to keep track of who has which toy at all times. So you create a big piece of paper and write down the name of each toy and who has it. You ask your friends to help you update the paper whenever someone gives or takes a toy.

But you don't want anyone to be able to change the paper or cheat by saying they have a toy they don't really have. So you decide that each time a new toy is given or taken, you will add the information to a new piece of paper, and stick it onto the back of the previous piece of paper with a really strong glue.

Now, even if someone tries to change the information on one of the papers, they can't because it would mess up all the other papers in the chain. And if anyone wants to see who has a certain toy, they can look at the whole chain of papers to see who has had it in the past.

That's kind of like how blockchain works. It's like a chain of papers (or "blocks") that keeps track of information (like who has what), and once information is added to the chain, it can't be changed.

## History of Blockchain 

![history](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zb4f51t03s5hpunhg30l.jpeg)

Blockchain technology was first proposed in the 1990s as a way to create digital money without the need for banks. However, it wasn't until the creation of Bitcoin in 2008 that blockchain technology really took off. Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows people to send and receive money without the need for a middleman like a bank. Instead, A network of computers worldwide is responsible for maintaining the blockchain, a public ledger where transactions are recorded. The blockchain is secure because it's decentralized, which means no one person or organization controls it.

Since Bitcoin, blockchain technology has evolved and can be used for a variety of applications beyond just digital currency. For example, Ethereum is a blockchain platform that can be used to create smart contracts and decentralized applications. Other applications of blockchain technology include supply chain management, identity verification, and voting systems.

Although blockchain technology has a lot of potential, it still faces some challenges, such as scalability and energy consumption. However, as the technology continues to develop, it has the potential to transform many industries by providing new opportunities for innovation, security, and transparency.


## Importance of Blockchain 

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform industries ranging from finance and healthcare to supply chain management and more. In this article, we will explore the importance of blockchain technology and how it can revolutionize the way we conduct business and interact with each other. We will also examine the benefits and challenges of adopting blockchain and the potential impact it could have on the future of our society.

- **Decentralization**

![decentralized](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jfs9gh8dgi024xbcmsan.png) One of the benefits of blockchain technology is that it enables the development of networks that are decentralized, meaning that no single entity has control over the data or network. This characteristic enhances both the security and transparency of the system.
Blockchain is a special kind of computer game where everyone who plays is equal and nobody is in charge. All the players have a copy of the game, and they all work together to make sure that nobody cheats or messes with the game. This makes it really fair and safe for everyone who plays.

- **Security**

![security](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8t0ee8hwywh4mdmorohk.jpeg) The use of cryptography in blockchain transactions provides a high level of security that makes it exceptionally challenging to manipulate or breach them.
In a blockchain, people send things back and forth, like sending money or sharing information. But they don't want anyone else to see or change what they're sending. So, they use a special kind of lock called cryptography that makes it really hard for anyone else to see or change what they're sending. It's like having a special lock on their messages that only they know how to open, so nobody else can mess with it.

- **Transparency**

![transparent](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jie6e4rxy4xu214b1vo2.jpg)
The use of blockchain technology enables public accessibility to all transactions, promoting transparency, and minimizing the risk of fraudulent or corrupt activities by ensuring accountability.

a blockchain is like a special notebook where people write down all the transactions they make, like buying or selling something using digital money. This notebook is shared with everyone in the network, so everyone can see what's happening. This makes it harder for bad people to cheat or do bad things, because everyone can see what they're doing.

- **Efficiency**

![efficient](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/uqvlywxlpdc21lmuoum0.png)
The use of blockchain technology can enhance efficiency by removing middlemen and automating procedures, resulting in reduced expenses and streamlined processes.
gets rid of the middleman by letting everyone involved in a process check if everything is going smoothly. This saves time and money and  makes things work more smoothly.

- **Trust**

![trust](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9ovrd0zv38vvfy91a8lq.jpeg)

The decentralized and transparent features of blockchain technology have the potential to foster trust among individuals or groups who might otherwise be distrustful of one another.

Imagine you and your friend want to play a game, but you don't trust each other to keep score. Now, imagine you have a special notebook where you both write down every point scored, and no one can change what's written. That's kind of like how blockchain works - it keeps a secure and unchangeable record of things that have happened so that everyone can trust what's written in it.


- **Innovation**


![innovative](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xeqxkj83lk5vf85o8si6.png)

The emergence of blockchain technology has facilitated the development of innovative business models and applications that were not feasible before, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Blockchain is like a special computer system where lots of people can work together and keep track of things. It's like a big, virtual notebook that everyone can write in and see what others are writing. This makes it really hard for anyone to cheat or change things without everyone else knowing.

Now, because this special computer system is so good at keeping track of things, people have started using it to make new kinds of things that weren't possible before. For example, they can create digital money that no one person or company controls (that's DeFi), or they can make special digital things that are unique and can't be copied (that's NFTs). These new things are exciting because they can be used in different ways and can help people do more cool stuff with computers!

## Major Concerns with Blockchain Technology 

![concerns](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6rqg01tk9wx4ojf1m0z4.jpeg)


Blockchain technology is a popular and promising technology that can solve many problems and transform various industries. However, like any new technology, there are some concerns and challenges that need to be addressed.

These concerns include issues like how to make blockchain technology work faster and more easily with other systems, how to make sure it is secure, and how to make sure it follows all the necessary laws and regulations.

We will talk about these concerns and explain how they could affect the future of blockchain technology. By understanding these issues, we can better appreciate the potential benefits of blockchain while also recognizing the need for continued work to overcome the challenges ahead.

- **Security**: There have been instances of hackers stealing from blockchain-based platforms, which raises concerns about the overall security of the technology.

- **Scalability**: Blockchain technology can only process a limited number of transactions per second, which can make it slow and inefficient compared to traditional payment systems.

- **Regulation**: There are currently no clear regulatory guidelines for blockchain technology, which can create uncertainty and risk for businesses and investors.

- **Energy** Consumption: The process used by some blockchain platforms to verify transactions (called "proof-of-work") requires a lot of energy, which can be bad for the environment.

- **Interoperability**: Different blockchain platforms don't always work well together, which can make it difficult to move assets or data between them.

- **Privacy**: While blockchain is secure, the transparency of the ledger means that some types of information might not be kept private, which could be a concern for individuals and businesses who need to keep sensitive data confidential.

## Conclusion 
To sum up, blockchain technology has the capacity to transform various industries and solve multiple issues. Its decentralized and secure nature makes it an appealing solution for many applications. However, there are also obstacles and concerns such as scalability, interoperability, security, and regulation that require attention.

Nonetheless, the blockchain community is actively working to address these challenges through continuous research and development. As the technology advances and grows, we can anticipate the emergence of more innovative use cases and applications.

Overall, the vast potential benefits of blockchain technology make it worth exploring and developing despite the challenges ahead. By collaborating and working together, we can unlock the full potential of blockchain and create a more efficient, transparent, and secure world.

Blockchain is a very broad topic to cover, there are still a lot of aspects to talk about,  we'll do that in the *Part 2* of this article. 

That's all for now,  till I write again.