Technology covers the use of tools, techniques and systems. It is often dependent on a knowledge of science, as well as the evolution of design.
Appropriate technology and sustainable technology are particular focuses in technology. While they often overlap, sustainable technology may be very simple or complex, cheap or expensive; while appropriate technology emphasizes affordability and robust design.
Most people use some form of technology every day of their lives. There are many different types of technology, and each one has unique functions that aim to make certain processes more efficient. With a better understanding of different types of technology, you can learn how each type of technology can help improve your daily life, and perhaps, this knowledge can even help you develop a desire for a career in technology. In this article, we discuss what technology is and list 20 common technology types.
What is technology?[edit | edit source]
Technology is the product of transferring scientific knowledge to practical use. Different forms of technology are the result of people trying to find more efficient ways to do things and testing new ideas. Technology is constantly improving and generally aims to make processes easier for people. For example, the internet makes communication easier and more efficient. While a single piece of technology often overlaps into different areas, there are generally six different categories of technology: communication, electrical, energy, manufacturing, medical and transportation.
6 common types of technology[edit | edit source]
Here are six different categories of technology with examples for each:
1. Communication[edit | edit source]
Communication technology consists of any pieces of technology people use to communicate with one another. Some early examples of communication technology include Morse code and the telegraph. Below are some examples of more modern communication technologies:
Television[edit | edit source]
Television sets transmit signals over which we can listen to and view audio and visual content. People use television to communicate important messages, advertisements, entertainment and more. Most televisions receive signals from a cable wire or over the internet, which relays signals that direct a television set on what content to display.
Internet[edit | edit source]
Many people consider the internet to be the most popular and powerful communication technology. It allows people from around the world to interact through written messages, as well as audio and video messages. With the internet, users can communicate almost instantaneously with anyone else and share information. This makes it a powerful tool for businesses, charities, governments and individuals among many others.
Cell phones[edit | edit source]
Cell phones are a modern improvement over the telephone. With a cell phone, people have the ability to call other phones and have a conversation with people across the world. Many phones are also capable of connecting to the internet, which allows users to communicate in other ways, such as text messages or video chats.
2. Electrical[edit | edit source]
Many pieces of modern technology use electricity in some form. A few examples of electrical technology include:
Computers[edit | edit source]
Computers operate through a rapid pulsing of electrical currents. Their core foundation of computers is binary code, which determines whether there is an electrical current. Depending on the order in which the device receives these currents, a computer performs different functions. People use computers to access the internet and print physical copies of digital content among other functions.
Circuitry[edit | edit source]
A collection of electrical components that perform a particular function is a circuit. An example of an electrical circuit is a computer processor, which is a small component that translates electrical
