Technology Vocabulary

Objects made by humans.

The stage in human history that took
place after the Stone Age. During
this time, farming developed, villages
and towns started to appear, and
copper and copper-based metal tools
replaced stone tools.

Societies in which humans make
tools, grow crops, engineer materials,
and develop transportation systems.

The work technologists do by building
products and structures to make lives
better.

A process that is constantly changing or causing change.

A type of knowledge that describes
the relationships between and among
groups of people.

The historical period from 1750 to
1850, when tremendous changes in
technology occurred. Many machines
and devices were invented, including
the steam engine and the telegraph.

Occurring after the Industrial
Revolution, this time period places
most importance on information
processing and cooperative working
relations between production workers
and managers.

The historical period beginning around
1200 B.C. During this period, iron and
steel became the primary materials
for tools. Trade, transportation, and
communication all improved, and
civilization expanded.

The historical period beginning around
400 A.D. It is known for its various
upheavals, as tribes continually
fought each other for territory, but
technology still progressed.

Conditions determined by nature.
Primitive societies were dependent on
nature to provide food, shelter, and
clothing.

The amount of money left over after
all the expenses of a business have
been paid.

The historical period that began in the
early 1300s in Italy and lasted until
1600. This period is known for new
ideas in art, literature, history, and
political science, but technological
developments also occurred.

The work scientists do by gathering
information to try to explain why
something exists or happens in a
certain way.

Knowledge of the natural world.

The earliest period in history. First,
simple stone tools were used to cut
and pound vegetables and cut meat
from animal carcasses; later, pointed
stone hunting tools were developed.

Having the understanding and ability
to direct new technology.

Initiating the work related to an action plan.

The feedback loop that causes
management and production
activities to change through
evaluation, feedback, and
corrective action.

The function of comparing system
outputs to the goals.

The ability to do work.

The process of using information
about the output of a system to
regulate the inputs to the system.

The money and credit necessary for
the economic system to operate.

The reasons or purposes for a system.

Facts and figures, called data, that
have been sorted and arranged for
human use. It is vital to taking an
active part in society

Materials that flow into the system
and are consumed or processed by
the system.

Artifacts that amplify the speed,
amount, or direction of a force. They
transmit or change the application of
power, force, or motion.

The actions people use to ensure
that production processes operate
efficiently and appropriately.

Natural, synthetic, or composite
substances from which artifacts
are made.

A function that involves dividing
tasks into major segments and
structuring a work force so goals
can be met and resources can be
assigned to complete each task.

The results, good and bad, of the
operation of any system.

The process of setting goals and
developing courses of action for a
company or parts of the company
to reach the goals.

The procedure used to develop
technology that will attempt to
satisfy people’s technological needs
and wants.

The steps needed to complete a
series of identifiable tasks within a
system.

The actions completed to perform the
function of the technological system.

A group of parts working together
in a predictable way, designed to
achieve a goal.

The measurement of how long an
event lasts. It is a key resource
in developing and operating
technological systems.

Artifacts humans use to expand
their capabilities.