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characteristic of other animal species. It is this ability to apply
technological methods that separates humans from animals. Humans
have technology, while other animals do not. Since toolmaking is an
important aspect of human nature, the history of technology is the

history of humans. Thus, we must begin our investigation of technology
at the very beginning of human history.
The Effects of Technology
Modern technology has had a tremendous effect on the lives of

people throughout the world. Inventions such as the automobile

influenced where people lived and worked and how they spent their
leisure time. Radio and television changed people's entertainment habits
and brought them information about world events as they happened
while the telephone revolutionized communications. Today, technology

has brought goals into reach that few would have dreamed were possible
100 years ago. Humans have the capability to conquer hunger, cure and
prevent many diseases, and transport goods and people swiftly and

easily all over the world. Even space travel has become a reality.
Over the centuries of human history, technology has benefited
people by increasing their production of goods and services, reducing
the amount of labor needed to produce goods and services, making labor

easier, and bringing higher living standards. Technology has made a
tremendous increase in the production of goods and services possible

and today workers can produce many more goods than workers of 100
years ago. For example, in the 1800s, people and animals provided the
work force on American farms while today machines do most of the
work. Machines have reduced the amount of labor needed to produce

goods, thereby increasing worker productivity and giving them more
leisure time. In the 1800s, factory workers toiled 12-16 hours a day, 6
days a week, and vacations were unheard of.

Today, most American and European workers work S hours a day,
5 days a week, and have paid holidays and vacations. Technology has
also made work easier as machines perform most of the laborious
functions that used to be done by hand. Finally, the increased production

of goods has produced high living standards in the world's industrialized
nations where people are better fed, clothed, and housed than ever
before in history. Technology has also increased our life span as better

health care, nutrition, and sanitation have helped to eliminate and control
disease.

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