Technology is how people modify the natural world to suit their own purposes. From the Greek word techne, meaning art or artifice or craft, technology literally means the act of making or crafting, but more generally it refers to the diverse collection of processes and knowledge that people use to extend human abilities and to satisfy human needs and wants.
Science and technology are tightly coupled. A scientific understanding of the natural world is the basis for much of technological development today. The design of computer chips, for instance, depends on a detailed understanding of the electrical properties of silicon and other materials. The design of a drug to fight a specific disease is made possible by knowledge of how proteins and other biological molecules are structured and how they interact.
Conversely, technology is the basis for a good part of scientific research. The climate models meteorologists use to study global warming require supercomputers to run the simulations. And like most of us, scientists in all fields depend on the telephone, the Internet, and jet travel.
The nature of technology has changed dramatically in the past hundred years. Indeed, the very idea of technology as we now conceives it is relatively new.
The nature of technology has changed dramatically in the past hundred years. Indeed, the very idea of technology as we now conceive it is relatively new
For most of human history, technology was mainly the province of craftsmen who passed their know-how down from generation to generation, gradually improving designs, and adding new techniques and materials.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, technology had become a large-scale enterprise that depended on large stores of knowledge and know-how, too much for any one person to master. Large organizations were now required for the development, manufacture, and operation of new technologies. Complex networks of interdependent technologies were developed, such as the suite of technologies for the automobile. These include gas and oil refineries, filling stations and repair shops, tire manufacturers, automobile assembly plants, the highway system, and many more. The government began to play a larger role in shaping technology through technological policies and regulations.
The meaning of the word "technology" evolved to reflect these changes. In the nineteenth century, technology referred simply to the practical arts used to create physical products, everything from wagon wheels and cotton cloth to telephones and steam engines. In the twentieth century, the meaning of the word was expanded to include everything involved in satisfying human material needs and wants, from factories and the organizations that operate them to scientific knowledge, engineering know-how, and technological products themselves.
As the nature of technology changed, its meaning became more vague, leaving room for misconceptions that sometimes led to questionable conclusions.
As Australia is a well-developed country, its technological advancement is also impressive. The advancement is done in every field whether it is transport, communication, Chemical Science, Medical Science,nuclear technology Software Industry or any other field.
As software industry is at the boom, it gives a great contribution in the economic growth of Australia. Overall, 60% of Australian adults aged 18 years and over used a computer at home and 52% accessed the Internet at home during 2004-05. It contributes a lot in the revenue of country.
Specialist software firms in Australia generate about $10 billion a year in income, or
about 1.3 per cent of Australia's GDP.
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Science and technology are tightly coupled. A scientific understanding of the natural world is the basis for much of technological development today. The design of computer chips, for instance, depends on a detailed understanding of the electrical properties of silicon and other materials. The design of a drug to fight a specific disease is made possible by knowledge of how proteins and other biological molecules are structured and how they interact.
Conversely, technology is the basis for a good part of scientific research. The climate models meteorologists use to study global warming require supercomputers to run the simulations. And like most of us, scientists in all fields depend on the telephone, the Internet, and jet travel.
The nature of technology has changed dramatically in the past hundred years. Indeed, the very idea of technology as we now conceives it is relatively new. 
By the beginning of the twentieth century, technology had become a large-scale enterprise that depended on large stores of knowledge and know-how, too much for any one person to master. Large organizations were now required for the development, manufacture, and operation of new technologies. Complex networks of interdependent technologies were developed, such as the suite of technologies for the automobile. These include gas and oil refineries, filling stations and repair shops, tire manufacturers, automobile assembly plants, the highway system, and many more. The government began to play a larger role in shaping technology through technological policies and regulations.
The meaning of the word "technology" evolved to reflect these changes. In the nineteenth century, technology referred simply to the practical arts used to create physical products, everything from wagon wheels and cotton cloth to telephones and steam engines. In the twentieth century, the meaning of the word was expanded to include everything involved in satisfying human material needs and wants, from factories and the organizations that operate them to scientific knowledge, engineering know-how, and technological products themselves.
As the nature of technology changed, its meaning became more vague, leaving room for misconceptions that sometimes led to questionable conclusions.
As Australia is a well-developed country, its technological advancement is also impressive. The advancement is done in every field whether it is transport, communication, Chemical Science, Medical Science,nuclear technology Software Industry or any other field.
As software industry is at the boom, it gives a great contribution in the economic growth of Australia. Overall, 60% of Australian adults aged 18 years and over used a computer at home and 52% accessed the Internet at home during 2004-05. It contributes a lot in the revenue of country.
Specialist software firms in Australia generate about $10 billion a year in income, or
about 1.3 per cent of Australia's GDP.
