Concept of Technology
We explain what technology is, its types, origin, history, and other
characteristics. Also, its importance and various examples.
What is technology?
Technology is the set of scientific notions and knowledge that humans use to achieve a precise objective, which can be the solution of a specific problem of the individual or the satisfaction of any of their needs.
It is a broad concept that encompasses a wide variety of aspects and disciplines within electronics, art, or medicine. For example The creation of robots for the automation of repetitive tasks or animal cloning.
It can serve you: Nanotechnology
Types of technologies
Technology can be classified in different ways depending on the characteristics that are taken into account.
According to the type of product :
Hard technologies. They use elements of the hard sciences such as engineering, mechanics, mathematics, physics, chemistry. The product that is obtained is visible and tangible, that is, it is the production of material goods. For example the development of a mobile device.
Soft technologies. They are based on the humanistic or soft sciences, such as sociology, psychology, economics. In general, they are used to improve processes and achieve greater efficiency in institutions or companies. The product obtained is neither visible nor tangible since it consists of the development of services, strategies, theories. For example the development of software.
According to the American sociologist James David Thompson:
Flexible technologies. They are used in different areas, that is, they have several uses. For example, the microchip that is used in telephones and computers.
Fixed technologies. They are used for the production of a certain product, or in a certain area. They are technologies designed and produced for a single purpose. For example, rat poison is used only for the elimination of said animal.
According to the level of innovation :
Cutting edge technologies. Also called "high technologies" or "latest technology", they are more advanced technologies, available in a certain place and time.
Appropriate technologies. They are technologies that are designed taking into account the environmental, social, and economic impact in a given society.
According to your application:
Operating technologies. They are obtained after a long period of study, observation, and experience.
Computer Technologies. They are developed by the manufacturers of a certain product.
Product technologies. They combine tools and knowledge to produce a certain product.
Origin and evolution of technology
Instinctively, from the beginning of history, people sought to develop technology ( techniques to improve their quality of life ). The discoveries that man has made over the years have been shaping the world as it is known today, therefore, the technology exists since the beginning of the species, although it has not been called as such until the 18th century.
Formally speaking, technology has its origin when technique (initially empirical) began to link with science and in this way, the production methods are structured.
Throughout the different periods of humanity there have been discoveries that modified how the human being relates to himself and to the environment that surrounds him:
Stone Age ( Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic). It was characterized by the use of stone for the manufacture of utensils and the development of agriculture with rudimentary tools for land management. The discovery of fire was one of the first technologies that brought significant benefits to humans.
Metal Age. It was characterized by the development of agriculture, animal domestication, and the transition from nomadism to sedentarism. The smelting of copper, bronze, and iron were developed. The Egyptian civilization is credited with the discovery of papyrus and pottery; the Romans developed sophisticated agriculture, improved the technology of ironwork, and developed civil and military engineering; Chinese civilization is credited with the discovery of paper, the iron plow, the compass, the propeller, the crossbow, and gunpowder.
Middle Ages. The emergence of the modern printing press was one of the most important milestones within this period.
Industrial Revolution. It was a period of social, economic, technological, and cultural transformations characterized by the development of an urban and industrialized economy. One of the most prominent inventions of this time was the steam engine. During the 19th century, the telegraph, the light bulb, the telephone, and the automobile emerged.
Twentieth-century. There was a great technological development with discoveries such as the airplane, radio, television, the computer, as well as important advances in nuclear technology, technology applied to medicine and space technology. Within this century there was the Information and Telecommunication Revolution or the Information Age (1985-2000).
XXI century. Technological progress (also called the scientific-technological revolution or intelligence revolution) evolved rapidly. Technology and communications transform industry. Its rapid growth and insertion in society brought important consequences. The risk is fundamentally given that human beings can control and dominate them.
Importance of technology
The discoveries and the appearance of new tools produced through technology were key to human and societal development. Technology brings great discoveries that allow us to improve production, save time, increase the quality of life, facilitate life in society, shorten distances, get to know the planet.
Technology emerged as a need for man to meet individual and collective desires using scientific knowledge and techniques to solve problems and satisfy their needs. It has allowed the human being to know in depth the environment that surrounds him and to modify it to achieve his ends; Through the centuries man invented and modified tools to improve his lifestyle.
Technology has brought discoveries in the field of medicine, advances in access to information, communication, and transportation, in the simplification of tasks.
Technology features
It is present in all areas of personal life and in society, such as work, education, medicine, communication.
It allows us to manufacture new objects: through it, the human being modifies the environment that surrounds him.
It is responsible for most of man's discoveries.
If it is used well, it improves the quality of life of the human being, if it is used badly it can cause serious damage to individuals and society.
It is subject to change (technological changes occur discontinuously).
Its developments involve cultural, labor, and social changes.
Uneven technological development can generate social and economic gaps within a community or between regions or nations.
Examples of technologies
Robotics. It uses tools and knowledge from various disciplines (electronic engineering, electrical engineering, computer science ) for the design and manufacture of robots. These robots are expected to be able to perform automated tasks and jobs that are routine and tedious for humans or lower production costs in industries.
Cryptocurrencies. They are a type of digital currency that uses a distributed ledger technology (allows you to record and synchronize transactions between multiple users in different locations).
3d print. It is a type of addition printing that efficiently creates unique parts and complex geometries on a wide variety of materials. Through 3D printing, a three-dimensional object is created by superimposing the layers of materials, and it is used in a large number of industries for different uses.
Artificial intelligence. It involves the creation of machines that mimic the cognitive functions of human beings. This technology is used in various disciplines such as economics, medicine, transportation, video game software, systems control, handwriting recognition, speech recognition, and pattern recognition in online assistants.
Autonomous vehicles. Technology is used to create driverless cars that are programmed to mimic human capabilities for driving and control. This type of vehicle perceives the environment through laser systems, radars, computerized vision. Several programs are testing this new technology to see if it can be used extensively.
Biotechnology. It is the discipline that uses technology to create products from biological systems and living organisms. Biotechnology has been responsible for the creation of vaccines and antibodies and is used in medicine, agriculture, industry, and care of the environment.
Relationship between science and technology
The concept of technology is often confused with that of science. On the one hand, science is an ordered set of knowledge that is obtained through observation and experimentation.
On the contrary, technology takes the knowledge and techniques from the different sciences and uses them to develop tangible and intangible goods or services that contribute to human development.
While science allows knowing certain phenomena, technology deals with combining and modifying them efficiently to solve a problem or satisfy a need. Therefore, technology depends entirely on the existence of science. Scientific advances also imply new opportunities for technological development.
In the last decades, the concept I + D + I (Research, development, and innovation) gained notoriety, which combines scientific study with technology.
Continue with: Exact Sciences
References:
"History of technology" in Science Direct.
"The types of technology" at the International University of Valencia.
"Technology in the Ancient World" in Encyclopedia Britannica.
"The 50 greatest breakthroughs since the wheel" in The Atlantic.
"Distributed registry technologies" at the Bankinter Innovation Foundation.
Last edited: July 12, 2020. How to cite: "Technology". Author: MarÃa Estela Raffino. From Argentina. To: Concept.de. Available at: https://conbeto.de/tecnologia/. Accessed: August 15, 2020.
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