History and types of technology

When we look around us, we see a vast number of examples of technology. The mobile phone in our hands, the headphones we wear for listening to music, the microwave we use to heat our food, and even the planning and construction of the buildings we live in – all involve some form of technology. Technology has become so integral to our lives that imagining existence without it is almost impossible. Consider what it would be like if you were unable to communicate with your grandmother, who lives away from you, on the phone. Yes, that’s how significant a role technology plays in our lives when we contemplate it deeply.

The history of technology is essentially the history of the invention of tools and techniques. Technology encompasses methods ranging from as simple as stone tools to the complex realms of genetic engineering and information technology that have emerged since the 1980s. The term “technology” originates from the Greek words “techno,” meaning art and craft, and “logos,” meaning word and speech.

New knowledge has empowered people to create novel things, and conversely, scientific advancements are often made possible by technologies. These technologies assist humans in reaching places they couldn’t previously access and provide scientific instruments enabling us to study nature in more detail than our natural senses allow. Technological change both influences and is influenced by a society’s cultural traditions. It serves as a force for economic growth and a means to develop and project economic, political, military power, and wealth.

The newest forms of technology include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Edge Computing, Quantum Computing, and Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. These cutting-edge technologies are shaping the future and redefining how we interact with the world around us.