VII. Science and Technology

•Science and Technology are important parts of culture.

• Science – the active process of acquiring knowledge of the natural world.

• Technology is the way in which people use tools and machines.

A. Technology and Progress

•Early humans made gradual advances in technology.

• About 3 million years ago, people first learned how to make tools and weapons out of stone

• later on, they discovered how to control fire

•Technological advances changed cultures

• early humans were hunters and gatherers who traveled from place to place to find food.

• Later, people discovered how to grow crops.

•They also tamed wild animals for farming and also used them for food

• Overtime, people began to rely on agricultural and domesticated animals for the majority of their food.

•Agriculture provided a steady and reliable food source

• This allowed people to settle in one area permanently.

• These settlements eventually turned into cities

•As cities developed, people began to create government to watch over the people

• People also developed systems of writing that helped people write laws

•All of these advances led to the development of the first civilizations about 5,000 years ago

• Civilization – a society with a complex culture

•As civilization became more advanced, they developed new technology to make their lives easier

• For example, many cultures created irrigation canals to provide their crops with much need water

• irrigation – supply of water to crops

•Cultures that lacked these new technologies developed much more slowly

• Eventually, advanced technology would spread throughout the entire world.

B. Modern Technology

•Beginning around 1800, people developed new technologies that used power-driven machinery

• This was called the Industrial Revolution

• It led to the growth of cities, science, and many new businesses

•Eventually people developed technologies such as automobiles, airplanes, computers, and space travel

•All of these advances in technology have led to a rise in people’s standard of living

• Standard of Living – the level of comfort enjoyed by a person or a society.

• Modern technology also helps to connect people, products and ideas.