Technology and its historical development
FDI ANTONIO VAN UDEN
1. INTRODUCTION.
The term Technical refers to each one of the intended and efficient
aimed at transforming the environment for the benefit of mankind.
Science The word brings us to the discourse on the essence of the facts and things in seeking their why. The goal of science is to determine the ultimate reason for what happens .
The emergence of science in technology has given rise to what we know in today
as Technology, ie the product of a synthesis activity
scientific and technical processes .
Man learns to cover basic needs that allow their survival adapting the environment to their needs through the technique, not like animals, adapting to the environment.
every time technology is based on the level of scientific and technical knowledge achieved so far, except that scientific advances are not which lead to technical and instant technology. In fact, it may take years, even centuries, before humanity can use and exploit a given scientific discovery.
There are two main ways technological development :
• Solve a problem or need new recipes or by action procedures and the creation (invention) of artifacts (tools, mills, machinery ) . From this point, the device or procedure can considered a technique (already have the solution to the problem.)
• Improvement of a procedure or device , which become, in this way, in
a new technological problem, and so on, each time you want to refine
.
So, talk about the historical development of the technology is not to talk about scientific discovery, but on the solution given to problems in most cases, take the form inventions, as well as people who refineries.
1.1. Technological periods.
can divide the History of Technology into three periods, namely:
Technology chance.
Knowledge of Nature in this period is minimal, and techniques are discovered by chance. The experiences are transmitted from parents to children because the remembrance of situations experienced and the progress (eg perfect piercing and cutting properties of the tools) are accelerating as intelligence is developed.
Craftsman Technology.
In this period, technical (skills) improved by the work of a group of people (craftsmen) who, through testing (prototypes) are able to leverage and incorporate new elements to the techniques inherited from their ancestors. It's a way to act more like evolution to the invention. At the same time, opening channels of communication with other societies and cultures can import and export new technological ingenuity. The technical progress in each of its branches separately and is not carried out a combination of techniques to solve problems.
engineering technology.
The structuring of technological thinking through the use of a
project solution method allows the thought forward to
action. Now the solution of a problem is based on to find the "recipe" that
combine known techniques to achieve the optimal result (invention). The solution is achieved automatically be technical (that can be improved in the future.) Scientific research and the dissemination of advances are key factors to achieve this optimization.
2. KEY MILESTONES IN THE HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY.
Chronologically, the history is divided into ages representing the period of
time between two important historical facts:
•
Prehistory: to the use of writing (circa 3000 BC)
•
Ancient : until the demise of the Western Roman Empire (476
AD).
•
Middle Ages, until the capture of Constantinople by the Turks (1453).
•
Modern Age, until the French Revolution (1789).
• Modern Times : until today.
2.1. Prehistory.
is a long period of time during which the human being, to survive, acquired skills and progressive techniques: hunting, gathering fruit, making utensils and the control of fire.
Emergence of Homo habilis .
was the first hominid (c. 2000000 BC), capable of shaping stone to turn it into a tool. These tools (chopper ) were made based river stone, which is sharpened by hitting. The remains (flakes ) were used to rip.
Use of Fire.
Because glaciation the Homo erectus began building shelters and use caves for shelter. Had a social organization based on hunting. The use of fire gave heat and light, and he also allowed the cooking plants and animals. However, it was not until to 12000 BC to get get fire by friction.
Neolithic Revolution.
is considered the most important step human history, and covered the 10000 BC to 3000 BC, approximately. Climate change that took place after the last glaciation caused the appearance of areas with a mild climate that drove the development of agriculture and animal husbandry.
