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Science and Technology
In recent years, scientific and technological developments have drastically
changed life on our planet as well as our views both of ourselves as individuals in
society and of the Universe as a whole.
Today, science and technology are closely related. Many modern
technologies such as nuclear power and space flights depend on science and
the application of scientific knowledge and principles. Each advance in pure
science creates new opportunities for the development of new ways of making
things to be used in daily life. In turn, technology provides science with new and
more accurate instruments for its investigation and research.
Technology refers to the ways in which people use discoveries to satisfy
needs and desires, to alter the environment, to improve their
lives. Throughout human history, men and women have invented tools,
machines, materials and techniques, to make their lives easier.
Of course, when we speak of technology today, we are looking at it in a
much narrower sense. Generally, we mean industrial technology, or the
technology that began about 200 years ago with the development of power-driven
machines, growth of the factory system, and mass production of goods that has
created the basis for our modern society. Today we often say that we live in an
age of science and technology. According to one estimate, 90% of all the
scientists who ever lived, were alive and active in the 1970-s. This increased
scientific activity has brought new ideas, processes, and inventions in ever-
growing amount.
The scientific revolution that began in the 16th century was the first time
that science and technology began to work together. Thus, Galileo, who made
revolutionary discoveries in astronomy and physics, also built an improved
telescope and patented a system of lifting water. However, it was not until the
19th century that technology truly was based on science and inventors began to
build on the work of scientists. For example, Thomas Edison built on the early
experiments of Faraday and Henry in his invention of the first practical system
of electrical lighting. So too, Edison carried on his investigations until he found
the carbon filament for the electric bulb in a research laboratory. This was the
first true modern technological research.
In a sense, the history of science and technology is the history of all
humankind.

Answer the questions:
1 What role has scientific and technological development played in man’s life?
2 What proves that science and technology are closely related today?
3 What does the term «technology» refer to?
4 What does the term «industrial technology» mean?
5 How is scientific activity in the 1970-ies estimated?
6 What facts prove that the scientific revolution of the 16th century was the first
time that science and technology began to work together?
7 What was the first true modern technological research?
8 How can the history of humankind be described?

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