Technology Portal | Britannica

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="topicbrowse-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="Humankind has long striven to improve its living conditions through the development of tools, instruments, and transportation and communications systems, all with the goal of making our lives easier, more..." /> <meta name="keywords" content="Technology, LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Agriculture & Agricultural Technology', url='/browse/Agriculture'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='origins of agriculture', url='https://www.britannica.com/topic/agriculture'}, Link{text='collectivization', url='https://www.britannica.com/money/collectivization'}, Link{text='terrace cultivation', url='https://www.britannica.com/topic/terrace-cultivation'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Cars & Other Vehicles', url='/browse/Cars-Vehicles'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='airplane', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/airplane'}, Link{text='Ford Motor Company', url='https://www.britannica.com/money/Ford-Motor-Company'}, Link{text='bicycle', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/bicycle'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Computers', url='/browse/Computers'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='IBM', url='https://www.britannica.com/money/International-Business-Machines-Corporation'}, Link{text='computer program', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer-program'}, Link{text='digital computer', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/digital-computer'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Engineering', url='/browse/Engineering'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='machine tool', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/machine-tool'}, Link{text='canals and inland waterways', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/canal-waterway'}, Link{text='bridge', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/bridge-engineering'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Industry', url='/browse/Industry'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='manufacturing', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/manufacturing'}, Link{text='automotive industry', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/automotive-industry'}, Link{text='materials testing', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/materials-testing'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='Inventions', url='/browse/Inventions'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='Thomas Edison', url='https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Edison'}, Link{text='research and development', url='https://www.britannica.com/topic/research-and-development'}, Link{text='Leonardo da Vinci', url='https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci'}]], LinkListWithTitle[title=Link{text='The Web & Communication', url='/browse/Web-Communication'}, description=null, links=[Link{text='X', url='https://www.britannica.com/money/Twitter'}, Link{text='satellite communication', url='https://www.britannica.com/technology/satellite-communication'}, Link{text='Tim Berners-Lee', url='https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tim-Berners-Lee'}]]" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/browse/Technology" /> <title>Technology Portal | Britannica</title>  <script> !function(){"use strict";function e(e){const t=e.match(/((?=([a-z0-9._!#$%+^&*()[\]<>-]+))\2@[a-z0-9._-]+\.[a-z0-9._-]+)/gi);return t?t[0]:""}function t(t){return e(a(t.toLowerCase()))}function a(e){return e.replace(/\s/g,"")}async function n(e){const t={sha256Hash:"",sha1Hash:""};if(!("msCrypto"in window)&&"https:"===location.protocol&&"crypto"in window&&"TextEncoder"in window){const a=(new TextEncoder).encode(e),[n,c]=await Promise.all([s("SHA-256",a),s("SHA-1",a)]);t.sha256Hash=n,t.sha1Hash=c}return t}async function s(e,t){const a=await crypto.subtle.digest(e,t);return Array.from(new Uint8Array(a)).map(e=>("00"+e.toString(16)).slice(-2)).join("")}function c(e){let t=!0;return Object.keys(e).forEach(a=>{0===e[a].length&&(t=!1)}),t}function i(e,t,a){e.splice(t,1);const n="?"+e.join("&")+a.hash;history.replaceState(null,"",n)}var o={checkEmail:e,validateEmail:t,trimInput:a,hashEmail:n,hasHashes:c,removeEmailAndReplaceHistory:i,detectEmails:async function(){const e=new URL(window.location.href),a=Array.from(e.searchParams.entries()).map(e=>`=`);let s,o;const r=["adt_eih","sh_kit"];if(a.forEach((e,t)=>{const a=decodeURIComponent(e),[n,c]=a.split("=");if("adt_ei"===n&&(s={value:c,index:t,emsrc:"url"}),r.includes(n)){o={value:c,index:t,emsrc:"sh_kit"===n?"urlhck":"urlh"}}}),s)t(s.value)&&n(s.value).then(e=>{if(c(e)){const t={value:e,created:Date.now()};localStorage.setItem("adt_ei",JSON.stringify(t)),localStorage.setItem("adt_emsrc",s.emsrc)}});else if(o){const e={value:{sha256Hash:o.value,sha1Hash:""},created:Date.now()};localStorage.setItem("adt_ei",JSON.stringify(e)),localStorage.setItem("adt_emsrc",o.emsrc)}s&&i(a,s.index,e),o&&i(a,o.index,e)},cb:"adthrive"};const{detectEmails:r,cb:l}=o;r()}(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","PROCON_EDITOR_ID": "12941390","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","topicUrlClasses": "[topic, animal, art, biography, event, place, plant, science, sports, technology, procon, money]","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","PROCON_DEBATE_TOPICS_URL": "/procon/Debate-Topics","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SETTINGS_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/settings"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/login"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "TopicBrowse", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Technology", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/[url]?v=3.133.9", "date": 20250217, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "-3762948213093699038" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "B" ,"adsTestVersion": "B" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,45,5]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":0,"currentDate":20250217}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false }, "GA": {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"TopicBrowse","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/203584-131-357FBE7D/speed-internet-technology-background.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Humankind has long striven to improve its living conditions through the development of tools, instruments, and transportation and communications systems, all with the goal of making our lives easier, more..."/> <meta property="og:type" content="WEBSITE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Technology Portal | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Humankind has long striven to improve its living conditions through the development of tools, instruments, and transportation and communications systems, all with the goal of making our lives easier, more..."/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/browse/Technology"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/203584-131-357FBE7D/speed-internet-technology-background.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"WEBSITE","title":"Technology Portal","description":"Humankind has long striven to improve its living conditions through the development of tools, instruments, and transportation and communications systems, all with the goal of making our lives easier, more...","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/84/203584-131-357FBE7D/speed-internet-technology-background.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/browse/Technology"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-browse-page.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/at.js?v=3.133.9" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> </head> <body data-leg="B" class="categories-browse user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-b b-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='cafemedia';</script> <script data-no-optimize="1" data-cfasync="false"> (function(w, d) { w.adthrive = w.adthrive || {}; w.adthrive.cmd = w. adthrive.cmd || []; w.adthrive.plugin = 'adthrive-ads-manual'; w.adthrive.host = 'ads.adthrive.com';var s = d.createElement('script'); s.async = true; s.referrerpolicy='no-referrer-when-downgrade'; s.src = 'https://' + w.adthrive.host + '/sites/61575e5c934c481d714b3ca9/ads.min.js?referrer=' + w.encodeURIComponent(w.location.href) + '&cb=' + (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) + 1); var n = d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; n.parentNode.insertBefore(s, n); })(window, document); </script> <div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"Science-Tech","description":"Explore science and technology; astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","keywords":"astronomy; biology; chemistry; earth science; mathematics; physics; technology, agriculture, cars, computers, engineering, industry, inventions, communication","classId":"SCIENCE","sortOrder":2},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","selected":true,"navbarId":"SCIENCE"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=evergreen-cap" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SUBSCRIBE </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=evergreen" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SUBSCRIBE </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=nav-login-box&utm_campaign=evergreen</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=evergreen" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> SUBSCRIBE </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY " href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE selected selected" href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART " href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="bg-navy-dark text-white text-center pt-30 pb-20 hero"> <div class="hero-background" style="background-image: url(https://cdn.britannica.com/84/203584-131-357FBE7D/speed-internet-technology-background.jpg?q=25)"></div> <div class="container position-relative"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Technology", "name": "Technology" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb justify-content-center"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a href="/" class="link-white">Home</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> Technology </span> </nav> <h1 class="font-serif mt-30 mb-20">Technology</h1> <div class="font-serif grid"> <div class="col-sm-70 col-sm-offset-15"> Humankind has long striven to improve its living conditions through the development of tools, instruments, and transportation and communications systems, all with the goal of making our lives easier, more productive and—why not?—more fun, too. Thanks to human curiosity and technological research, many significant inventions have been made throughout history that in turn made a difference in our daily lives.</div> </div> <div class="text-hr text-hr-right border-navy label mt-30 ls-lg">Browse Subcategories</div> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 mt-20 category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a href="/browse/Agriculture" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Agriculture & Agricultural Technology</a> <a href="/browse/Cars-Vehicles" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Cars & Other Vehicles</a> <a href="/browse/Computers" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Computers</a> <a href="/browse/Engineering" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Engineering</a> <a href="/browse/Industry" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Industry</a> <a href="/browse/Inventions" class="link-white mr-20 mr-sm-30">Inventions</a> <a href="/browse/Web-Communication" class="link-white ">The Web & Communication</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container"> <h2 class="label my-30 text-center">Featured content, February 17, 2025</h2> <div class="qa-pinboard-items js-pinboard grid gy-20"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/6-signs-its-already-the-future" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/163096-131-0DAF3C79/SpaceX-Dragon-cargo-craft-International-Space-Station-October-10-2012.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is grappled by the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm. October 10, 2012." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/6-signs-its-already-the-future" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">6 Signs It’s Already the Future</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> If you thought future tech was just for sci-fi flicks, hold on to your non-rocket-powered seats. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-is-known-and-not-known-about-area-51" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/213796-050-2A2DCD32/area-51-gate.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Area 51 Gate" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-is-known-and-not-known-about-area-51" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Is Known (and Not Known) About Area 51</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Area 51 has spawned more conspiracy theories than perhaps any other military facility in the world. Here’s what we know (and... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/list/10-inventions-that-changed-your-world" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/04/24404-131-BA7B1B4F/Apple-II.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The Apple II" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/list/10-inventions-that-changed-your-world" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">10 Inventions That Changed Your World</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Things you <em>really</em> can’t live without. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/story/what-comes-after-terabyte" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/189553-131-E3087991/symbols.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="green digital binary symbols" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/story/what-comes-after-terabyte" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">What Comes After Terabyte?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Kilo-, mega-, giga-, tera-, ??? </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-flight" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/40/96240-050-142CC589/flying-machine-Leonardo-da-Vinci-plans-ornithopter.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Leonardo da Vinci's flying machine" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-flight" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">history of flight</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> In the history of flight, the most important landmarks and events include an understanding of the dynamic reaction of lifting... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/instrumentation-technology" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.9" class="default col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/instrumentation-technology" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">instrumentation</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Instrumentation, in technology, the development and use of precise measuring equipment. Although the sensory organs of the... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/military-technology" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/122235-050-E11FDA3B/Cold-War-poster-equipment-Soviet-army.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Red Army" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/military-technology" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">military technology</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Military technology, range of weapons, equipment, structures, and vehicles used specifically for the purpose of warfare.... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex js-pin col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/invention-technology" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/41/129641-050-D30CA107/lightbulb-invention-Thomas-Alva-Edison-1879.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="incandescent lightbulb" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/invention-technology" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">invention</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Invention, the act of bringing ideas or objects together in a novel way to create something that did not exist before. Ever... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="qa-quizzes"> <h2 class="h3 mt-30 mb-20 font-weight-bold">Technology Quizzes</h2> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/computers-and-technology" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/63/166063-131-0E023062/computer-chip-processing-unit-history-society-science.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="computer chip. computer. Hand holding computer chip. Central processing unit (CPU). history and society, science and technology, microchip, microprocessor motherboard computer Circuit Board" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/computers-and-technology" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Computers and Technology Quiz</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Computers host websites composed of HTML and send text messages as simple as...LOL. Hack into this quiz and let some technology... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/electronics-amp-gadgets-quiz" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/128701-131-74746B98/nano-iPod-2007.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The iPod nano, introduced by Apple CEO Steve Jobs in San Francisco, May 2007. A revolutionary full-featured iPod that holds 1,000 songs and is thinner than a standard #2 pencil. MP3 player, music player, digital music" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/electronics-amp-gadgets-quiz" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Electronics & Gadgets Quiz</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Who is the maker of the iPhone? In what year was the DVD introduced? The iPod? Scan these questions and test your knowledge... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/computers-and-operating-systems" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/93/149293-131-2CD523EA/Technician-computer-system-console-UNIVAC-Corona-Annex-June-1-1981.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Technician operates the system console on the new UNIVAC 1100/83 computer at the Fleet Analysis Center, Corona Annex, Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach, CA. June 1, 1981. Univac magnetic tape drivers or readers in background. Universal Automatic Computer" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/computers-and-operating-systems" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Computers and Operating Systems</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> How does the Internet move information between computers? What is the operating system made by Microsoft? Log into this quiz... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/can-you-hear-me-now" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/166070-131-2E812E1B/radio-technology-crystal-set-receiver-whisker-cat.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="radio. Early radio technology. An antique crystal set using a cat's whisker from the early 1920s. A crystal radio receiver or cat's whisker receiver a radio receiver. Runs on the power received from radio waves (diode)." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/can-you-hear-me-now" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Can You Hear Me Now?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Who invented the radio? Who first used radio waves to transmit the human voice? From phonographs and jukeboxes to Walkmans... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/computers-fact-or-fiction" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/09/166709-131-57D46CC0/keyboard-Human-finger-touch-types-QWERTY-layout.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="keyboard. Human finger touch types www on modern QWERTY keyboard layout. Blue digital tablet touch screen computer keyboard. Web site, internet, technology, typewriter" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/computers-fact-or-fiction" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Computers: Fact or Fiction?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is QWERTY a computer language? Was the first Web site established in the U.S.? Log into this computer quiz and prove that... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/technological-ingenuity" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/167287-131-8E89C686/businessman-touch-screen-tablet-Corporate-Business-Display.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="White male businessman works a touch screen on a digital tablet. Communication, Computer Monitor, Corporate Business, Digital Display, Liquid-Crystal Display, Touchpad, Wireless Technology, iPad" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/technological-ingenuity" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Technological Ingenuity</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> From the first tools of early humans to IBM’s Deep Blue computer, learn more about technological ingenuity in this quiz. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/gadgets-and-technology-fact-or-fiction" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/29/172929-131-5AAB8A77/businessman-touch-screen-tablet-Corporate-Business-Display.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="White male businessman works a touch screen on a digital tablet. Communication, Computer Monitor, Corporate Business, Digital Display, Liquid-Crystal Display, Touchpad, Wireless Technology, iPad" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/gadgets-and-technology-fact-or-fiction" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Gadgets and Technology: Fact or Fiction?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Is virtual reality only used in toys? Have robots ever been used in battle? From computer keyboards to flash memory, learn... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/acoustics-and-radio-technology-fact-or-fiction" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/173050-131-B4DE36F9/radio-speaker-knobs-tuner.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="radio. Old analog electric radio with speaker, knobs and tuner. transmission, radio wave" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/acoustics-and-radio-technology-fact-or-fiction" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Acoustics and Radio Technology: Fact or Fiction?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Do cellular phones use relayed radio signals? From antennas to tweeters, test the strength of your mental signals in this... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/internet-firsts-fact-or-fiction" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/13/185313-131-9BA3E7A2/Screenshot-Microsoft-Outlook-Spam-Folder-Junk-folder.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Screenshot of Microsoft Outlook Spam Folder. Junk folder. Internet. Communication. Email. E-mail." class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/internet-firsts-fact-or-fiction" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Internet Firsts: Fact or Fiction?</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> You may fancy yourself a denizen of the internet, but how much do you know about its history? Test your knowledge with this... </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media position-relative"> <a href="/quiz/mobile-phones" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/191106-131-04A785AF/woman-someone-example-phone-communication.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Happy business woman talking on cell phone in office, telephone, mobile phone" class="col-100" /> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="/quiz/mobile-phones" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Mobile Phones</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 font-14"> Hello? Can you hear me now? Test your knowledge of on-the-go communication with this mobile phones quiz! </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="qa-videos pb-30"> <h2 class="h3 mt-30 mb-20 font-weight-bold">Technology Videos</h2> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/hillside-vineyard-Rhine-River/-18559" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/33/22533-138-D1536837/hillside-vineyard-Rhine-River.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Observe a farmer toiling in a hillside grape vineyard along the Rhine River at Europe's northernmost point" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/hillside-vineyard-Rhine-River/-18559" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Observe a farmer toiling in a hillside grape vineyard along the Rhine River at Europe's northernmost point</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/discussion-bicycle-history/-204483" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/186489-138-80DEE276/discussion-bicycle-history.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Trace the history of bicycles, the designs, the boom in the cycling industry, and how racing became an integral part" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/discussion-bicycle-history/-204483" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Trace the history of bicycles, the designs, the boom in the cycling industry, and how racing became an integral part</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/American-design-work-Norman-Bel-Geddes/-205592" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/186410-138-B8755F35/American-design-work-Norman-Bel-Geddes.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Know about American industrial design and the contribution of Norman Bel Geddes in popularising modern styles" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/American-design-work-Norman-Bel-Geddes/-205592" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Know about American industrial design and the contribution of Norman Bel Geddes in popularising modern styles</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/report-microbead-pollution-effect-life/-219878" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/00/191900-138-7F568255/report-microbead-pollution-effect-life.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Know about microbead (microplastic) pollution and its devastating effect on marine life" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/report-microbead-pollution-effect-life/-219878" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Know about microbead (microplastic) pollution and its devastating effect on marine life</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Overview-cranberry-production/-217147" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/192621-138-4DCB0DFC/Overview-cranberry-production.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="How are cranberries harvested in North America?" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Overview-cranberry-production/-217147" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How are cranberries harvested in North America?</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/John-Miller-Animation-underfriction-upstop-wheel-American-1919/-41083" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/28/48528-138-E8DBD859/John-Miller-Animation-underfriction-upstop-wheel-American-1919.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="How roller coasters stay on their tracks" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/John-Miller-Animation-underfriction-upstop-wheel-American-1919/-41083" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">How roller coasters stay on their tracks</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/bridge-video-construction-Park-Bridge-Canada-British-2007/-191744" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/180754-138-84D8F579/bridge-video-construction-Park-Bridge-Canada-British-2007.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Witness the construction of the Park Bridge in Kicking Horse Canyon, British Columbia, Canada" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/bridge-video-construction-Park-Bridge-Canada-British-2007/-191744" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Witness the construction of the Park Bridge in Kicking Horse Canyon, British Columbia, Canada</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/refining-process-petroleum-components/-16663" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/40/21940-138-B6802C3B/refining-process-petroleum-components.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Learn how crude oil is heated to condense into gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, bitumen, and other products" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/refining-process-petroleum-components/-16663" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Learn how crude oil is heated to condense into gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, bitumen, and other products</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/recording-Kinetoscopic-sneezing-Fred-Ott-1894/-100092" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/19/99819-138-AA0E2A11/recording-Kinetoscopic-sneezing-Fred-Ott-1894.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Watch a motion picture of a sneeze as captured by a strip Kinetograph" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/recording-Kinetoscopic-sneezing-Fred-Ott-1894/-100092" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Watch a motion picture of a sneeze as captured by a strip Kinetograph</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-10 d-inline-flex col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25 "> <div class="card text-normal col-100 "> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Vespa/-193836" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/53/180053-138-79D36855/Vespa.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Why is the Vespa scooter so popular?" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="card-body text-hyphenate"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Vespa/-193836" class="font-weight-bold font-16 lh-sm">Why is the Vespa scooter so popular?</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center mt-50" style="background: url('https://cdn.britannica.com/36/133036-131-565D1E2F/Air-France-Airbus-A320-200.jpg?w=1600&h=400&c=crop&q=90') center / cover no-repeat"> <div class="bg-black text-white px-50 py-40 m-50 text-center shadow"> <div class="label mb-5">Image Gallery</div> <div class="font-18 font-weight-bold">Technology</div> <div id="view-gallery" data-href="/media/24/3997" class="mt-20 btn btn-blue">View Gallery</div> </div> </div> <DIV class="marketing-CATEGORY_PAGE_NEWSLETTER marketing-content" data-marketing-id="CATEGORY_PAGE_NEWSLETTER"><div class="container mt-30"> <div class="marketing-newsletter border shadow px-20 pl-sm-60 py-40" style="background: url('https://cdn.britannica.com/safeimages/image-20200512-192730.jpg') bottom right / contain no-repeat"> <div class="font-20 font-weight-bold">Never Miss a Day in History</div> <div class="font-serif mt-5 mb-15 col-md-60">Sign up for daily fun facts about this day in history, updates, and special offers delivered right to your inbox.</div> <div class="grid gy-15 col-100 col-sm-70"> <div class="newsletter-form-container col-100"> <form class="newsletter-form grid g-15" method="post" action="/newsletter-subscription/EB_ON_THIS_DAY"> <div class="newsletter-form-email-wrap col-100 col-sm-60"> <label class="sr-only" for="sign-up-email-input">Email address</label> <input id="sign-up-email-input" title="Email address" type="email" name="email" class="form-control" placeholder="Email address" pattern="[a-z0-9._%+-]+@[a-z0-9.-]+\.[a-z]{2,4}$" required> </div> <div class="newsletter-form-submit-wrap col-100 col-sm"> <input type="submit" class="btn btn-blue w-100" value="Sign Up" /> </div> <input type="hidden" name="source" value="Category" /><input type="hidden" name="campaign" value="Mendel" /><input type="hidden" name="medium" value="box" /><div class="col-100 mt-15 font-12">By signing up, you agree to our <a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Privacy Notice</a>.</div> </form> <div class="md-subscribed hidden"> <div class="mb-10">Thank you for subscribing!</div> <div>Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div></DIV><div class="subcategories container mb-50"> <h2 class="h3 mt-30 mb-20 font-weight-bold pt-30">Technology Subcategories</h2> <div class="grid gy-30"> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Agriculture"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/01/125601-004-BF4425DC/Combine-harvester.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="combine harvester" class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Agriculture" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Agriculture & Agricultural Technology</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Agriculture, the active production of useful plants or animals in ecosystems that have been created by people. Agriculture has often been conceptualized narrowly, in terms of specific combinations of activities and organisms—wet-rice production in Asia, wheat farming in Europe, cattle ranching in the Americas, and the like—but a more holistic perspective holds that humans are environmental engineers who disrupt terrestrial habitats in specific ways.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/agriculture">origins of agriculture</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/money/collectivization">collectivization</a> <div class="font-serif">agricultural policy</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/terrace-cultivation">terrace cultivation</a> <div class="font-serif">agriculture</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Cars-Vehicles"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/127149-050-0C1C9430/train-subway-station-London-Underground.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="London Underground" class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Cars-Vehicles" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Cars & Other Vehicles</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Automobile, byname auto, also called motorcar or car, a usually four-wheeled vehicle designed primarily for passenger transportation and commonly propelled by an internal-combustion engine using a volatile fuel.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/airplane">airplane</a> <div class="font-serif">aircraft</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Ford-Motor-Company">Ford Motor Company</a> <div class="font-serif">American corporation</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/bicycle">bicycle</a> <div class="font-serif">vehicle</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Computers"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/40/216540-138-14385CFE/How-machine-learning-is-predicting-synthetic-products.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="How is machine learning used in chemical synthesis?" class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Computers" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Computers</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Have computers replaced dogs as man's best friend? They've certainly become an indispensable part of daily life for most people in our modern society. The first modern computers used analog systems, which were especially useful for solving problems and simulating dynamic systems in real time. By the 1960s, digital computers had largely replaced their analog counterparts. Later there was a similar transition from mainframe computers to personal computers. The advent of personal computers brought computers into the individual consumer's home for the first time. Rapid developments in computer and Internet technology powered an ever-expanding selection of handheld digital devices such as the Palm Pilot, BlackBerry, iPhone, and iPod. Computer chips were increasingly embedded in consumer devices of all sorts, including cars, cameras, kitchen appliances, toys, watches, and much more, reinforcing the interconnected nature of the world in which we now live.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/money/International-Business-Machines-Corporation">IBM</a> <div class="font-serif">American corporation</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/computer-program">computer program</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/digital-computer">digital computer</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Engineering"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/49/160349-050-FCE6B9E3/side-gold-medal-winner-Charles-Stark-Draper.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Obverse side of the gold medal given to the winner of the Charles Stark Draper Prize, awarded annually by the U.S. National Academy of Engineering." class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Engineering" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Engineering</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Engineering, the application of science to the optimum conversion of the resources of nature to the uses of humankind. The field has been defined by the Engineers Council for Professional Development, in the United States, as the creative application of “scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behaviour under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property.” The term engineering is sometimes more loosely defined, especially in Great Britain, as the manufacture or assembly of engines, machine tools, and machine parts.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/machine-tool">machine tool</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/canal-waterway">canals and inland waterways</a> <div class="font-serif">waterway</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/bridge-engineering">bridge</a> <div class="font-serif">engineering</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Industry"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/resources/encyclopedia-placeholder.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="subcategory placeholder" class="col-100 mb-15" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Industry" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Industry</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Industry, a group of productive enterprises or organizations that produce or supply goods, services, or sources of income. In economics, industries are customarily classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary; secondary industries are further classified as heavy and light.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/manufacturing">manufacturing</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/automotive-industry">automotive industry</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/materials-testing">materials testing</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Inventions"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/03/20703-138-9F69D60C/Thomas-Edison-life-video-history-American-invention.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Watch a silent short of Thomas Edison, who invented the phonograph and incandescent electric light" class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Inventions" class="font-weight-bold font-16">Inventions</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">Without the efforts of famed inventors such as Thomas Edison, James Watt, Alexander Graham Bell, and the Wright brothers, our daily life today would look a lot different. Landmark inventions like the printing press, steam engine, telephone, incandescent light bulb, and airplane heralded new stages of progress in technology and spurred further innovation.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Edison">Thomas Edison</a> <div class="font-serif">American inventor</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/research-and-development">research and development</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leonardo-da-Vinci">Leonardo da Vinci</a> <div class="font-serif">Italian artist, engineer, and scientist</div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-sm-33 col-md-25"> <a href="/browse/Web-Communication"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/69/217969-050-87561CD2/Twitter-founders-Biz-Stone-Evan-Williams-2009.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Biz Stone and Evan Williams" class="col-100 mb-20" /> </a> <a href="/browse/Web-Communication" class="font-weight-bold font-16">The Web & Communication</a> <div class="font-serif mt-10 line-clamp clamp-3">The development of the World Wide Web had a massive impact on the ways in which people interact and communicate, ultimately paving the way for the heavily interconnected world that we live in today. Although Internet communication dominates in many spheres of life, other means of communication remain no less important.</div> <div class="label mt-20">Articles</div> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/money/Twitter">X</a> <div class="font-serif">social media platform</div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/satellite-communication">satellite communication</a> <div class="font-serif"></div> </li> <li class="mt-20"> <a class="font-weight-bold" href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Tim-Berners-Lee">Tim Berners-Lee</a> <div class="font-serif">British scientist</div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <DIV class="marketing-CATEGORY_PAGE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="CATEGORY_PAGE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Britannica Premium</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Did you know you're not getting the full Britannica experience? Access unlimited content with none of the ads by becoming a Britannica Premium subscriber.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=category-browse&utm_campaign=evergreen">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV> <nav class="breadcrumb my-30"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a href="/" class="">Home</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> Technology </span> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <footer class="md-footer footer-wrapper hide-on-edit"> <div class="footer-bck"> <DIV class="marketing-FOOTER_NEWSLETTER marketing-content" data-marketing-id="FOOTER_NEWSLETTER"><div class="md-footer-newsletter-form pt-10 mb-30 mx-15 mx-sm-120"> <div class="font-18"> <strong>History at your fingertips –</strong> Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox! </div> <div class="p-30"> <div class="newsletter-form-container"> <form class="newsletter-form" method="post" action="/newsletter-subscription/EB_ON_THIS_DAY"> <div class="form-group grid d-flex justify-content-center"> <div class="col-sm-50 col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="enter-your-email">Enter your email</label> <input id="enter-your-email" type="email" name="email" class="form-control font-18 p-10" placeholder="Enter your email" pattern="[a-z0-9._%+-]+@[a-z0-9.-]+\.[a-z]{2,4}$" required> </div> <div class="col-sm-auto col-100 mt-5 mt-sm-0"> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-outline-white" style="width: 100%; height:100%;">Subscribe</button> </div> </div> <div class="text-white pt-30 text-opacity"> By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.<br> Click here to view our <a class="link-white text-decoration-underline" href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Privacy Notice</a>. Easy unsubscribe links are provided in every email. </div> <input type="hidden" name="source" value="Footer" /><input type="hidden" name="campaign" value="Mendel" /><input type="hidden" name="medium" value="Box" /></form> <div class="md-subscribed hidden text-white"> <div class="my-10">Thank you for subscribing!</div> <div>Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div></DIV> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex justify-content-center colored" data-value="connect" > <div class="share-label text-uppercase hidden-xs">Stay Connected</div> <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> <a class="social-icon youtube justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/encyclopaediabritannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>YouTube</span></a> <a class="social-icon instagram justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/britannica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Instagram</span></a> <a class="social-icon pinterest justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="pinterest" href="https://www.pinterest.com/britannica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg height="30" width="30" viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="" role="img"><path d="M0 12c0 5.123 3.211 9.497 7.73 11.218-.11-.937-.227-2.482.025-3.566.217-.932 1.401-5.938 1.401-5.938s-.357-.715-.357-1.774c0-1.66.962-2.9 2.161-2.9 1.02 0 1.512.765 1.512 1.682 0 1.025-.653 2.557-.99 3.978-.281 1.189.597 2.159 1.769 2.159 2.123 0 3.756-2.239 3.756-5.471 0-2.861-2.056-4.86-4.991-4.86-3.398 0-5.393 2.549-5.393 5.184 0 1.027.395 2.127.889 2.726a.36.36 0 0 1 .083.343c-.091.378-.293 1.189-.332 1.355-.053.218-.173.265-.4.159-1.492-.694-2.424-2.875-2.424-4.627 0-3.769 2.737-7.229 7.892-7.229 4.144 0 7.365 2.953 7.365 6.899 0 4.117-2.595 7.431-6.199 7.431-1.211 0-2.348-.63-2.738-1.373 0 0-.599 2.282-.744 2.84-.282 1.084-1.064 2.456-1.549 3.235C9.584 23.815 10.77 24 12 24c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0 0 5.373 0 12"></path></svg> </a> </div> <br/> <div class="container"> <ul class="list-unstyled legal-links"> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">About Us & Legal Info</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/contact/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/termsofuse.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="https://corporate.britannica.com/diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Diversity</a></li> </ul> <div class="mt-20">©2025 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</div> </div> </div> </footer> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"TopicBrowse","templateName":null,"pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":null,"pageLength":null,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":true} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.9"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-browse-page.js?v=3.133.9' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"TopicBrowse","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":null,"gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Technology Portal | Britannica