Part Seven VII › Division I I › Section 711 711

Technology: Its Scope and History

Subject Outline

AGeneral conceptions or definitions of technology
BRelations between technology and other spheres of contemporary life
- 1Technology and wealth
- 2Technology and war [see 736]
- 3Technology and education
- 4Technology and art [see also 612.D.4.]
- 5Technology and social institutions [see also 512.B.3.]
- 6Technology and the underdeveloped regions: the export of Western technology [see also 512.B.3.]
- 7Effects of technology on the environment [see also 355.B.1.]
CHistory of technology: sociocultural consequences of technological changes [see also 512.B.]
- 1Technology in the ancient world
  - aThe beginnings of technology (to c. 3000 bc): emergence of the earliest communities, use of stone tools and weapons, beginnings of mining and agriculture
  - bThe urban revolution (c. 3000-500 bc): early civilization in the valleys of the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates river systems, waterworks for irrigation, urban manufacturing
  - cTechnological achievements of Greece and Rome (500 bc-ad 500): mastery of iron, invention of mechanical contrivances, architectural and constructional works
- 2Technology from the Middle Ages to 1750
  - aMedieval advances (ad 500-1500): harnessing of wind power and waterpower; construction of canals and bridges; construction of full-rigged ships; invention of printing
  - bThe emergence of Western technology (1500-1750): invention of early scientific instruments and tools, birth of steam power, development of agricultural and constructional techniques
- 3The Industrial Revolution (1750-1900)
  - aAdvances in power technology: development of steam power, internal-combustion engine, and electric power; exploitation of mineral and fossil fuels
  - bDevelopment of industries: iron and steel, textiles, chemicals, transportation, communications
- 4Technology in the 20th century
  - aEarly developments: exploitation of hydroelectric power; synthesizing of fibres, plastics, rubber, dyes, and drugs; rationalization of production
  - bSpace Age technology: nuclear power, automation and the electronic digital computer, rocketry and space exploration, advances in agricultural technology, advances in transportation and communication