Technology means a lot of things these days. The word "technology" brings to mind various devices, such as laptops, phones, and tablets. Technology may also make you think of the internet, data, or advancements in the world of engineering. This may be a narrow scope, though, as technology includes so many creative solutions to many everyday problems humans have faced all throughout history. So what is technology?
Technologies from around the world have been adopted to aid human life, from the most basic inventions, to complex systems that function entirely independently of the human experience. Technology has revolutionized society in countless ways; technology allowed early humans to grow their own food, navigate the open oceans, tell time, and connect society on a global scale. The transition from manual to technological methods of solving problems took place simply because relying on technology makes work easier. This lesson discusses these advancements in technology, and provides an overview of what technology is.
Technology Definition
The definition of technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or applications. Technology uses scientific principles, and applies them to change the environment in which humans live. Technology can also use scientific principles to advance industry or other human constructions. Problems exist in the human environment and have for all the history. The existence of problems is what creates technological advancement; where there is struggle and tension, there is ingenuity and creativity. From this environment comes technology: ways in which the human experience is improved by the invention of objects that solve a problem.
Types of Technology
There are any types of technology, differing in historical invention and application, as well as by the type of problem they solve. Types of technology include mechanical technology, medical technology, communications technology, electronic technology, and industrial and manufacturing technologies. Though these different types of technology all serve different purposes, range in design, and are applied in different ways, they all have one thing in common: they all solve a problem.
Mechanical Technology:
Mechanical technology is one of the simplest forms of technology, both in its application and in its design. Mechanical technology is the use of simple machines to solve problems. This includes the use of pulleys, levers, wheels and axles, wedges, inclined planes, and even cogs and gears. Mechanical technology is used for any task that involves doing mechanical work, which is primarily the motion of objects. Any machine, generator, or tool used to do work uses mechanical technology.
Though mechanical technology is simple, it has allowed for extremely important advancements in the human experience. Early humans using the wheel allowed for the transportation of heavy material to be faster and easier. The first wheel was found in ancient Mesopotamia, and is thought to be used as a potter's wheel to throw clay pots. Ancient Egypt and India saw the invention of the shadoof, a hand-operated lever and fulcrum used to lift water to irrigate crops. Ancient Greek philosopher Archimedes was the first to record simple machines, including pulleys, levers, and inclined planes, all used as machines to lessen the work needed to accomplish a task. During the Industrial Revolution, mechanical principles were used in the invention of engines, which use a system of pistons to generate large amounts of force needed to move trains and power factories. In modern times, mechanical technology is employed to accomplish all sorts of engineering tasks, such as running our cars, lifting heavy objects, and transporting goods.
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