Technology is the use of tools, machines or processes in order to solve problems. It has influenced everyday life for centuries, with inventions like the wheel, fire and writing, and more recently with the printing press, the telephone and Internet.
Technological development has been driven by human curiosity and foresight, but not all technological advances are good. For example, weapons of increasing destructive power have been developed throughout history, from clubs to nuclear weapons.
In the modern world, many people associate technology with gadgets like smartphones, the Internet and computers but there is more to technology than just this. It also includes engineering technologies like building construction, road construction, water and energy supply systems, bridges, canals and inland waterways and maritime works, dams and harbours. It can also include communication and information technologies such as writing, printing, photoengraving and lithography, broadcasting, photography, film, audio, radio and television.
In business, technology can be used to make operations run more efficiently and effectively. For example, it can be used to track and process data or to communicate with employees across departments or locations. It can also help businesses organize information and records to ensure it is stored correctly and easily accessed when needed. For these reasons, many people choose to study a degree in a relevant subject such as computer science, computer engineering or IT to start a career in technology. There are even online courses available that allow students to learn the basics of a specific type of technology, such as Web Design or IT Support.