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History of Technology

 



Technology is one of the evolutions of human history. The term ‘technology’ itself is rooted in the Greek words technē which means “art, craft” and the word logos which means “word, speech”. As time passed, the concept of technology expanded and included a variety of tools and machines. By 330 BC, Aristotle introduced the Greek term technologia, dividing scientific knowledge into theoretical, practical, and productive science (technology). Each historical phase had specific materials and power sources. Innovations in metals, agriculture, and construction shaped technology. Technology also impacted food production, manufacturing, transportation, communication, military, and medicine. Changes in technology influenced societies, economies, and cultures. The last centuries have been the era of technological development. The Western and Eastern technological development in recent centuries led to our modern understanding of technology. 


The first era of technology is called the Stone Age Tools. It is c. 2.5 million years ago. Examples of it can be stone made tools such as hammers, axes, and knives. After this age comes another important development that up until now has had enormous impacts on us. It is the development of agriculture. It happened around 10,000 BCE. The development of farming and domestication of animals marked a significant technological shift, enabling humans to settle and form civilizations. The next age is the Bronze and Iron Age which happened around 3,300 BCE-500 BCE. This age was another important age for human history since many important developments occurred in this age such as creation of tools and weapons using bronze and iron. Usage of technologies like wheel, writing systems and early forms of engineering can be seen too such as building pyramids in ancient Egypt. After that came the Middle Ages that happened around the 5th -15th century CE. Medieval technology saw the development of mechanical clocks, windmills, water mills, and improved agricultural tools. Military technology, like the crossbow and gunpowder, evolved during this time. 

The next ages include the Renaissance between 14th - 17th century CE that included advances in art, science and technology. The Industrial Revolution between 17th - 19th century CE that encompasses developments in factories, mechanized production, steam engines and electricity. The 20th century saw rapid changes and progresses in aviation, automobiles, telecommunication, computers and nuclear power. And the 21st Century and beyond has been developing digital technologies such as artificial intelligence(AI), robots, biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc. 


Technology is constantly developed to help and solve problems for us. It is a combination of different fields and skills. As a result it is called the study of skills and methods. At the beginning the technologies developed by humankind were simple tools such as stone made knives, hammers, axes and many more, however over the course of time, it evolved to the highly advanced and intelligent tools we use in our daily lives such as transportation vehicles, medical facilities, communication advancements, etc. As technology has improved, communication and economies have changed with it and it is continuing to do so.         


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