Objectives: Explain that most technological development has been evolutionary, the result of a series of refinements to a basic invention. Explain that the evolution of civilization has been directly affected by, and has in turn affected the development of tools and materials. Explain that throughout history, technology has been a powerful force in reshaping the social, cultural, political, and economic landscape. Explain that early in the history of technology, the development of many tools and machines was not based on scientific knowledge but on technological know-how. Explain the technology and its impact on civilization through the time-periods of human history.

How did it change our lives? How did the following items influence the lives of the people that first used it?

The Palaeolithic Age 500,000 BC – 10,000 BC Earliest known stone tools Stone axes, bone needles Impact of technology Improved health Enhanced security Enabled humans to increase population

Mesolithic Age 10,000 BC – 4000 BC Development of composite tools Leatherwork Basketry fishing tackle Domestication of animals Impacts of Technology Beginning of settled communities.

Neolithic Age 4000 BC – 2300 BC The Neolithic Revolution is the development of crops agriculture. Pottery, polished stone tools, spinning and weaving tools, wooden and stone plows, sickles. Impacts of Technology – Dependable year round food, Division of labor that spurs invention and innovation Year Round Settlements

Bronze Age 2300 BC – 700 BC Earliest civilizations — development of metallurgy Copper and tin make bronze. Bronze jewelry, tools, and weapons. Impact of Technology Stone tools were gradually replaced by metal ones. Enabled humans to alter their environment at a great rate

Iron Age 700 BC – 476 AD The use of iron as the main metal. Iron dagger, iron chisels, small figurines, ornamental jewelry, swords, axes, spearheads. Impact of technology Military dominance for uses of iron weapons Iron bladed plows enabled humans to cultivate heavier soils and increase food production

Middle Ages 476 –1492 AD Period of European history between fall of Rome and Renaissance Wheeled plow, improved harness for horses, horseshoes, stirrups, waterwheels, crank, windmill, cast iron, cannons, mechanical clock, compass, ocean-going ships. Impact of technology – Rise and decline of serfdom and feudalism Rise of the money economy and capitalism Expansion and contraction of economic activity Beginnings of urbanization and industrialization.

Renaissance 1492-1750 AD Transitional movement in Europe between the middle ages and modern times, marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence Telescope, microscope, thermometer, clocks, barometer Impact of technology Instrumentation enabled early scientists to observe and quantify natural phenomena Technology triggers the scientific revolution

Industrial Age 1750-1950 AD The cultural stage characterized by the first use of complex machinery, factories, urbanization, and other economic and general social changes from strictly agricultural societies. Steam engine, electricity, automobile, airplane, radio, television, telephone, and rocket. Impact of technology - The Industrial Revolution gave rise to urban centers requiring vast municipal services created a specialized and interdependent economic life and provided the economic base for the rise of the professions, population expansion, and improvement in living standards.

Information Age 1950 AD–Present Starting in the 1950s and continuing today in which the gathering, manipulation, classification, storage, and retrieval of information is central to the workings of society. Transistor, integrated circuit, computer, communication satellite, digital photography, artificial heart, nuclear power plant, space shuttle. Impact of technology — As information becomes more widely available, increasing numbers of individuals and organizations will be in a better position to make decisions that “experts” now make, decentralizing decision making and empowering more people.

BDA Poster Neolithic Revolution Codex Book Alphabet Paper Printing Press Linotype Telegraph The Mechanical Clock Cannons Otto Cycle Laser Bessemer Process Stirrups Thermometer Water Wheel Celluloid Roll Film Textile Mills Radiotelegraphy/telephony Xerography Electric Power/Lighting/Motors Nuclear Fission Vaccines Windmill Roentgenography Vulcanized rubber Indoor Plumbing Refrigeration Steam Engine Transistor