The History of Technology

How people of all times and places used their unique skills to innovate, improvise and invent, to

increased their capabilities.

By the application of knowledge, tools and skills to solve problems

With innovation that creates knowledge and processes to develop systems to solve problems.

Technology extends human capabilities:

Most technological developments are evolutionary; the result of a series of refinements to a basic invention.

The evolution of civilization is directly affected by the development and use of tools and materials.

Technology has been a powerful force in reshaping the social, cultural, political, and economic landscape throughout history.

Major Periods of Technology Evolution

The Iron Age - defined by the use of iron and steel as the primary materials for tools.

The Middle Ages - development of many technological devices that produced long-lasting effects on technology and society.

The Renaissance - rebirth of the arts and humanities.

The Industrial Revolution - development of continuous manufacturing, sophisticated transportation and communication systems, advanced construction practices, and improved education and leisure time.

The Information Age - emphasis on the processing and exchange of information.

How did the following items influence the lives of the people that first used it?

In small groups Identify a technology advancement influenced history.

Example: The plow, irrigation systems, cannons, printing press, steam engine, radar, computer.

Discuss What did people do before the advancement? Why is the advancement important? How did it change history? What were the benefits to people?

A chronological record of significant events often including an explanation of their causes.

Earliest known stone tools Stone axes, bone needles

Impact of technology Improved health Enhanced security Human population increase

Development of composite tools Leatherwork, basketry, fishing

tackle

Impact of Technology Farming, domestication of

animals, beginning of settled communities.

10,000 BC – 4000 BC

Development of agriculture, year round settlements

Pottery, polished stone tools, spinning and weaving tools, wooden and stone plows, sickles.

Impact of Technology – Dependable year round

food, division of labor that spurs invention and innovation

4000 BC – 2300 BC

Earliest civilizations - the development of metallurgy, mainly the combining of copper and tin to make bronze.

Bronze jewelry, tools, and weapons.

Impact of Technology - Stone tools were gradually replaced by metal ones. Enabled humans to alter their environment at a great rate

2300 BC – 700 BC

The use of iron as the main metal. Iron dagger, iron chisels, small

figurines, ornamental jewelry, swords, axes, spearheads.

Impact of technology Military dominance for uses of

iron weapons and the use of iron bladed plows enabled humans to cultivate heavier soils and increase food production

700 BC – 450 AD

The period of European history between fall of Rome and the Renaissance

Wheeled plow, improved harness for horses, horseshoes, stirrups, waterwheels, crank, windmill, cast iron, cannons, mechanical clock, compass, ocean-going ships.

Impact of technology - The rise and decline of serfdom and feudalism, the rise of the money economy and capitalism, the expansion and contraction of economic activity, and the beginnings of urbanization and industrialization.

450 –1400 AD

The transitional movement in Europe between the middle ages and modern times, marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence

Telescope, microscope, thermometer, clocks, barometer

Impact of technology - Instrumentation enabled early scientists to observe and quantify natural phenomena.

1400-1750 AD

The cultural stage portrayed by the first use of complex machinery, factories, urbanization, and other economic and general social changes from strictly agricultural societies.

Steam engine, electricity, automobile, airplane, radio, television, telephone, and rocket.

Impact of technology - The Industrial Revolution gave rise to urban centers requiring vast municipal services, created a specialized and interdependent economic life, and provided the economic base for the rise of the professions, population expansion, and improvement in living standards.

1750-1950 AD

the gathering, manipulation, classification, storage, and retrieval of information is central to the workings of society.

Transistor, integrated circuit, computer, communication satellite, digital photography, artificial heart, nuclear power plant, space shuttle.

Impact of technology - As information becomes more widely available, increasing numbers of individuals and organizations will be in a better position to make decisions that “experts” now make, decentralizing decision making and empowering more people.

1950 AD–Present

Examine the following graph. How has the nature of work

changed over time?