Technology is a broad term that can refer to tools or machines, but it also includes ideas and methods. It is used to describe the ways in which a society works and to describe the means by which societies organize themselves and achieve practical goals.
A wide range of technologies exists, from simple tools such as a crowbar to complex machines such as a space station. But technology is more than just tools; it can also refer to the methods of organizing society, for example democracy, which could be considered a technological innovation.
In the most general sense, a technology is any tool or device that increases the efficiency with which people can perform tasks and make decisions. Most commonly, the word is applied to material devices, such as computers and phones. However, it is also used to describe intangible ideas and concepts, such as software.
Many of the most important advances in modern life have been developed with help from technology, including agriculture, medicine, communications, transportation, entertainment and weapons. Some of the most significant technology has been driven by military needs, such as air and nuclear weapons, but recent developments in areas like telecommunications, genetic engineering, medical technology and the Internet are also driving societal changes.
Despite its immense power, technology is not magic. Behind ESA’s often amazing technological discoveries AND achievements lie human curiosity and foresight. This book helps readers understand how these devices work by explaining the principles that underpin them in clear, step-by-step explanations supported by original and easy-to-follow graphics.