Understanding Technology Science and Technology - Chapter 4 – Lesson 1

Lewis H. Latimer (1848–1928) Renaissance Man You probably know who Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell are. But, do you know who Lewis H. Latimer is? He, too, was an inventor. Latimer was called a “Renaissance man” because he could do many things.

A son of escaped slaves, Latimer enlisted in the Union Navy at the age of 15. After the Civil War ended, Latimer taught himself mechanical drawing. He used the skill to draw the plans for Alexander Graham Bell’s invention, the telephone. Later, Latimer took a job at the U.S. Electric Lighting Company, where he invented a different type of electric lamp. He also wrote a groundbreaking book about electric lighting. Not only was Latimer skilled in mechanics, but he was also an artist; he played the flute and wrote plays and poems.

What skills did Latimer have that shaped his career? Besides electric lights, name other inventions that are part of your daily life that didn’t exist hundreds of years ago.

What Is the Goal of Technology? Technology is the use of knowledge to solve practical problems. The goal of technology is to improve the way people live. Technology can be classified into at least six broad areas: communication, manufacturing, biological and chemical, energy and power, construction, and transportation. The biological and chemical area includes medical technology.

Science is the study of the natural world to see how it functions. People who study the natural world are called scientists. Technology changes the natural world to meet human needs or solve problems. An engineer is a person who uses both science and technology to solve problems.

Using your own words, explain why technology changes the natural world, and the role engineers play in this process.

Evolving Technology Technology is the use of knowledge to solve problems and improve the way people live. Technologies include actual tools and devices, as well as the processes to make these things. Humans have had the knowledge and ability to create technology for about 1.6 million years- hundreds of thousands of years before any human civilization devised written language.    Some tools have changed dramatically over time. Others, such as the wheel, remain amazingly consistent, in shape if not materials.

Which construction tools were devised to make cutting materials easier?

Which technologies involve communication?

Society puts a high priority on innovations in renewable energy technology. Name five or six relatively recent technological advances that help to more cleanly power our devices and buildings.

How Does Technology Progress? Technology is always changing. Technology moves ahead as people’s knowledge increases and as new needs can be satisfied.   Over time, some products may become obsolete, or no longer used. Current technologies are those in wide use at the present time. Emerging technologies are those that are just beginning to become widely available. They may be expensive and may not work perfectly.   Not all old technologies become obsolete. Some coexist with current technologies because they still meet people’s needs.

Relate Text and Visuals Identify the advantages and disadvantages of the obsolete and current technologies shown.

What Are the Parts of a Technological System? All systems are made of parts that work together. Like all systems, a technological system includes a goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and in some cases, feedback.

All technological systems have a particular goal, or purpose. An input is something that is put into a system in order to reach that goal. The process is a sequence of actions that the system undergoes toward that goal. An output is a result or product. If the system works correctly, the output should match the goal. Some technological systems have an additional component called feedback. Feedback is information a system uses to monitor the input, process, and output so that the system can adjust itself to meet the goal.

Communicate Imagine you want to use a calculator to add some numbers Communicate Imagine you want to use a calculator to add some numbers. Describe the following parts of this technological system. Be sure to use the following terms in your response: goal, input, process, and output.

Key Concept Summaries What is the Goal of Technology? Technology is the use of knowledge to solve practical problems. The goal of technology is to improve the way people live. Technology can be classified into at least six board areas: communication, manufacturing, biological and chemical, energy and power, construction, and transportation. The biological and chemical area includes medical technology. Science is the study of the natural world to see ow it functions. People who study the natural world are called scientists. Technology changes the natural world to meet human needs or solve problems. An engineer is a person who uses both science and technology to solve problems.

How does technology progress? Technology is always changing. Technology moves ahead as people’s knowledge increases and as new needs can be satisfied. Over time, some products may become obsolete, or no longer used. Current technologies are those in wide use at the present time. Emerging technologies are those that are just beginning to become widely available. They may be expensive and may not work perfectly. Not all old technologies become obsolete. Some coexist with current technologies because they still meet people’s needs.

What are the parts of a technological system? All systems are made of parts that work together. Like all systems, a technological system includes a goal, inputs, processes, outputs, and in some cases, feedback. All technological systems have a particular goal, or purpose. An input is something that is put into a system in order to reach that goal. The process is a sequence of actions that the system undergoes towards that goal. An output is a result or product. If the system works correctly, the output should match the goal. Some technological systems have an additional component called feedback. Feedback is information a system uses to monitor the input, process, and output so that the system can adjust to meet the goal.