Precursor (noun)

1. Something or someone that precedes and indicates or announces another.
2. Something that is an early version of something else.

Origin:

From the latin praecursor, from prae- ("before") + cursor ("runne.r")

Examples:

1. The novel is seen as a precursor to the modern detective story.
2. The precursor to the smartphone was the brick-like mobile phone.
3. The Wright brothers are considered the precursors of modern aviation.
4. The precursor to the computer was the abacus.
5. The precursor to the French Revolution was the Enlightenment period.