History of Technology

Technology has become part of our everyday lives, with computers, smartphones, and ever more complex technical marvels bringing the world to our fingertips. This title offers an overview of one of the most exciting times in technology. Beginning in 1900, the text guides the reader through innovations such as important advancements in farming, the exploration of space, military technology, and modern advancements in engineering and food production. Readers can anticipate a thorough overview of the myriad ways technology has evolved and continues to change our lives.

The Industrial Revolution improved technology so significantly that social structures and the world economy would be changed forever. This resource examines technological developments during the era. A brief history of the Industrial Revolution first provides contextual background. This is followed by technological achievements within individual fields, such as power, textiles, transport, communications, and other industries. The resource concludes by examining the changes to labor and the workplace that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Students of the digital age will be fascinated to read about the technological achievements during this earlier similarly pivotal, transformative, and revolutionary period in history.

While the medieval period is often written off as a backward and benighted era, it was, in fact, marked by advances in wind and water power, agriculture, navigation, timekeeping, and military technology. The invention of the printing press near the end of the Middle Ages ushered in the early modern period. The achievements of this era-in particular the fabrication of scientific instruments, the development of commerce, rising urbanization, and the invention of the steam engine-laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution. Readers will be engrossed by this information-packed title and come away with a real understanding of how technology develops over time, building, by fits and spurts, on the technology already in use.

Readers may not think of technology as being from the ancient world, but advances in agriculture, weaponry, art, and food preparation have influenced the development of both human history and the physical development of humans themselves, as well as human migration all over the world. Using photographs, this book thoroughly examines the earliest human technologies, including irrigation, metal work, and ancient artillery, to show readers just how technologically advanced ancient cultures were and to show how human history began to develop because of each of the advancements.

Do you know that computers were only invented within the past 100 years? And that the smartphone was only recently invented, in the mid-1990s? Yet today, computers and other devices are everywhere in our lives--in classrooms, homes, and public places. From the first calculating machines made of cogs and wheels during the 1640s to virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift, this book charts the incredible history of computers.

Do you know that the first industrial robot started work in 1959? Now robots are in factories, in homes, laboratories, and the sky. Robots explore other planets as well as ocean depths. They also carry out jobs that are dangerous for humans. From the first robots of the 1950s to the drones and androids of the present day, this book charts the amazing history of robots.

Did you know that the wheel was invented in prehistoric times, in about 3500 B.C.? Now we can travel between towns and cities in super-fast trains, in fast cars, and halfway around the world in a day in airplanes. From dugout canoes from 10,000 years ago right through to modern-day driverless cars, this book charts the amazing history of transportation.

Do you know that 200 years ago, the only way that one person could send a message to another person was by letter or messenger? It's hard to imagine now, with our smartphones and computers at our fingertips. From the invention of the telegraph in the 1830s all the way through to the wearable technology of the present day, this book charts the incredible history of telecommunications.