- The technology trigger - when the technology is first discovered or announced.
- Peak of inflated expectations - when “nobody knows what it’s like but everyone says it’s great”.
- Trough of disillusionment - when the technology can’t live up to the incredible hype that surrounded it. It quickly becomes unfashionable and despised.
- Slope of enlightenment - people and businesses start to figure out the areas where the technology is actually useful and beneficial.