TECHNOLOGY AND INVENTION

Inventions have been the driving force behind the world's progress, making human life easier, better, and longer. Inventors combine existing knowledge and principles in new ways to create innovative products or processes. This differs from discoveries, which are findings in nature that were previously unknown, such as a new chemical element.

Throughout history, inventions have emerged in various fields, including mechanical, chemical, electronic, and nucleonic. New machines, drugs, communication methods, and atomic power applications are constantly appearing, leading to new jobs, businesses, and industries. This, in turn, generates wealth for nations and paves the way for further inventions.

The journey of invention began in prehistory, with early humans developing crucial tools like fire-making devices, the wheel and axle, the pulley, the saw, the screw, the wedge, and the inclined plane long before the invention of writing. These foundational inventions, like the wheel, became the basis for countless subsequent creations, from roller skates to racing cars, and even integral parts of engines. Early civilizations also made strides in pottery, weaving, metalworking, and developed weights, measures, and time-telling methods. They engineered wells, irrigation canals, drains, sewers, and water supply systems for their homes.

For a long time, invention progressed in a hit-or-miss fashion, often influenced by superstitions and false notions rather than scientific understanding. Progress was primarily made when a significant need arose and the solution was readily apparent. Inventions continued to flourish through the ancient Greek and Roman periods, and even during the Middle Ages, contrary to the belief that progress had halted. The Renaissance, beginning in Italy and spreading to France and England, saw a resurgence of interest in art, science, and invention, epitomized by Leonardo da Vinci.

Today, individual incentive efforts have largely been replaced by organized research, with large corporations and universities investing heavily in fundamental research that often leads to marketable products. Commercial laboratories also conduct research on a fee basis. The federal government is the primary funder of invention in the United States, with a significant portion of funds directed towards the aircraft, missiles, electrical equipment, and communications industries. This focus on practical applications over basic knowledge has drawn criticism. Globally, discovery and invention are recognized as key tools for achieving national objectives, with countries like Japan and Great Britain emphasizing technical education and scientific support. Even underdeveloped nations are striving to promote or adapt inventions.

The inventive process today is deeply connected to industrial methods and production. For an invention to become widely adopted and encourage further innovation, it must be mass-produced with standardized, interchangeable parts. This widespread use facilitates further improvements and new inventions. Modern research is characterized by systematized invention, primarily focused on technological research, discovery, and innovation. This often involves interdisciplinary research teams and a new methodology based on the systematic application of science to technology, ensuring the continued progression of inventions.