Also, its importance and various examples.
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4 min. ReadingTechnology
With technology, tools were invented to improve the quality of life.
What is technology?
Technology is the set of scientific notions and knowledge that human beings use to achieve a precise objective , which may be the solution to a specific problem of the individual or the satisfaction of one of their needs.
It is a broad concept that covers 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 may help you: Nanotechnology
Types of technologies
Technology can be classified in different ways depending on the characteristics that are taken into account.
Depending on the type of product :
Hard technologies. They use elements of hard sciences such as engineering, mechanics, mathematics , physics , chemistry . The product 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 humanistic or soft sciences, such as sociology , psychology , and economics . Generally, 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 used in phones 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 with 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 at a certain place and time.
Appropriate technologies. They are technologies that are designed taking into account the environmental , social and economic impact on a given society .
Depending on your application:
Operation technologies.
They are obtained after a long period of time of study, observation and experience .
Equipment 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
technology fire history prehistory
The discovery of the use of fire was one of the first technological advances.
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 shaped the world as we know it today, therefore, technology has existed 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 be linked with science and in this way production methods were structured.
Throughout the different periods of humanity there have been discoveries that modified the way in which human beings relate to themselves and the environment that surrounds them:
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 provided notable benefits to humans.
Age of metals . It was characterized by the development of agriculture , animal domestication and the transition from nomadism to sedentary lifestyle. The smelting of copper , bronze and ironwas developedThe Egyptian civilization is credited with the discovery of papyrus and pottery; The Romans developed sophisticated agriculture, improved the technology of working with iron 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 appearance 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 notable inventions of this era was the steam engine. During the 19th century, the telegraph, the light bulb, the telephone, and the automobile emerged.
Twentieth century. There was great technological development with discoveries such as the airplane, radio, television , and the computer , as well as important progress in nuclear technology, technology applied to medicine, and space technology. Within this century the Information and Telecommunications Revolution or the Information Age (1985-2000) occurred.
XXI century. Technological progress (also called scientific-technological revolution or intelligence revolution) evolved rapidly. Technology and communications transform the industry . New technologies are those that emerge after World War II . Its rapid growth and insertion into society brought important consequences. The risk fundamentally lies in whether human beings are able to control and dominate them.
Importance of technology
technology features
Technology has allowed us to access larger territories in the world.
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 , make life easier in society, shorten distances, and get to know the planet .
Technology emerged as a need for man to satisfy individual and collective desires using scientific knowledge and techniques to solve problems and satisfy their needs. It has allowed human beings to thoroughly understand the environment that surrounds them and modify it to achieve their goals; Throughout the centuries man invented and modified tools to improve his lifestyle.
Technology has brought with it discoveries in medicine, advances in access to information, in communication and transportation, and in the simplification of tasks.
Technology Features
It is present in all areas of personal life and society , such as work, education , medicine, communication.
It allows new objects to be manufactured : through it, human beings modify the environment that surrounds them.
It is responsible for most of man’s discoveries.
If used well it improves the quality of life of human beings, if used poorly it can cause serious harm to individuals and society.
It is subject to change (technological changes occur discontinuously).
Its developments imply 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
technology example 3d printer
3D printers create three-dimensional objects by superimposing layers of materials.
Robotics . It uses tools and knowledge from various disciplines (electronic engineering, electrical engineering, computer science ) to design and manufacture robots. It is expected that these robots can perform automated tasks and jobs that are routine and tedious for humans or reduce production costs in industries.
Cryptocurrencies. They are a type of digital currency that uses distributed ledger technology (allowing transactions to be recorded and synchronized between multiple users in different locations).
3d print. It is a type of addition printing that efficiently creates unique parts and complex geometries in a wide variety of materials. Through 3D printing, a three-dimensional object is created by superimposing 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 imitate the cognitive functions of human beings. This technology is used in various disciplines such as economics, medicine, transportation, video game software, system control, handwriting recognition, speech recognition, and pattern recognition in online assistants.
Autonomous vehicles. The technology is used to create driverless cars that are programmed to mimic human driving and control capabilities. This type of vehicle perceives the environment through laser systems, radar, and computer vision. There are several programs that 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 environmental care .
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Relationship between science and technology
technology science
Technology uses knowledge from science to develop goods or services.
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 experiment .
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 us to understand certain phenomena, technology is responsible for 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 recent decades, the concept of R&D&I (Research, development and innovation) has gained notoriety, which combines scientific and technological study.
