Technology is a way of applying knowledge to produce a product. It is the process of reproducing something or doing something and is used in many fields. In our everyday lives, technology is everywhere. It is used to make our homes and vehicles work better, produce food, and create new products. Technology is ubiquitous, from our phones to our cars and refrigerators.

Developing new technologies has profound societal consequences. They have increased human welfare, but they can also damage the environment and harm individuals and groups. Since the 1970s, new technologies have been criticized for their impact on the environment, and this has led to an increased interest in sustainable technology. The use of renewable energy is another aspect of technology that has spurred environmental awareness.

Ultimately, technology is an attempt to make the world a better place. People who design and create technology participate in the process of defining the state they want to see. For example, the development of the theory of conservation of energy was motivated by the need to improve the efficiency of commercial steam engines. Technology advances also provide motivation for scientific research.

The development of technology typically involves a step-by-step process, with each step validating the underlying ideas and testing the idea against reality. As a result, each stage becomes more complex. However, despite these advances, early technologies often stall in the middle stage, a situation known as ‘death valley’. To overcome this obstacle, scientists must make sustained efforts.