Advancements in Technology Essay

Throughout history, major technological advancements have been made. This essay will discuss how technology has changed over time, as well as how technology that was used in the past differs from the technology we use today. Technological advancements have been made in things such as architecture, literature and communication, transportation and more, all of which demonstrate how technology has changed throughout time.

The early Paleolithic Era - also known as the Old Stone Age - is one of the earliest time periods with discoverable evidence of technological advancements. It was during this time period that the creation of stone tools began, as well as using fur pelts as clothing to keep warm. These were crucial advancements for mankind, and without inventions such as those made during this time, humans would not have survived. Stone tools were used by the early humans to defend themselves and to hunt, providing them with a diet with more sustenance than berries and other plants, whilst the clothes they made prevented them from freezing to death during the cold winters. Thousands and thousands of archaeological sites have been excavated, studied, and dated over the years consisting of debris from making and using stone tools, and give evidence of where and when early humans lived, as well as how they survived in certain habitats and climates. In the past, clothing was used more for practicality, whilst today it also serves the purpose of being comfortable and fashionable. Therefore, modern day clothing is not only far more practical due to a difference in materials and techniques used, but also in appearance. Today, we rarely use stone tools. Instead, our basic tools are crafted from metal, while our more technical heavy machinery is run by electricity, making completing the required tasks faster and eliminating needless physical labour. Although the general function remains relatively the same, we can see by comparing clothing and tools from the Paleotlithic era to clothing and tools today, that they have developed immensely. 

Ancient Rome is another time period in which life changing advancements were made in technology, a large number of these technological advancements being architectural. The Ancient Romans are responsible for the invention of aqueducts, dams, bridges, roads, sewers and arches. They were also the first to begin making things such as surgical tools and newspapers. Most of these things are used in modern day society, roads and bridges used to make travelling and transportation easier, and sewers used to protect water quality. The roads they made to connect their Empire serve roughly the same function as our’s do today - but not quite. The first main Roman road was the Appian Way, constructed in 312 B.C and was used as a main route for military supplies, essential to the Romans. Unlike modern day roads, the Romans began building their roads by digging trenches, which they would then fill with stones, sand, and cement. In this day and age, roads are put on or slightly elevated off the ground and used by everyone, a sizeable improvement. They are made of more reliable materials which are capable of supporting more weight, and painted lines are used to keep those travelling along them from crossing into oncoming traffic, preventing accidents. Our asphalt roads are a major advancement from the trench-like roads built in Ancient Rome, and a clear sign of how technology has changed throughout history.

The Ancient Egyptian time period was another full of new advancements and discoveries. It was during this time that a form of paper was invented, devices such as ramps and levers were created, and a form of written language was developed. Egyptian Hieroglyphics were the first written form of communication to consist of an actual alphabet, and were an improvement from prior forms of written communication such as cave art which used vague drawings and symbols. Due to the use of a proper alphabet, they were able to communicate more effectively, efficiently, and with more clarity. Today, there are around 7,100 different spoken and written languages and forty six different alphabets, most of which are comprised of letters much simpler and easier to identify than the original Egyptian Hieroglyphics, a vast development from the Ancient Egyptian times. The first known examples of hieroglyphics were found in a tomb in Abydos on bone and ivory tags, and dated back to between 3,400 and 3,200 B.C. Egyptian Hieroglyphics - in juxtaposition to modern day written languages - show an evidently clear technological advancement that has had a positive impact on our world and how we communicate.

To conclude this essay, we can clearly see that much of the technology created and used in the past during these three time periods, has since been improved drastically to serve the purpose it was made for more effectively, making our lives far easier. The examples given for each time period show how modern day technology differs to that which was developed earlier in history, and describe ways in which technology has advanced.