The Pre-Industrial Foundations

Before the 18th century, technology was primarily focused on human survival, agriculture, and the transmission of knowledge.

The Middle Ages & Renaissance (450 – 1750 CE): This era saw the development of the mechanical clock, the compass, and windmills. The most transformative invention was Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press (c. 1450), which triggered an information explosion by making books accessible to the masses

Stone & Metal Ages (3.3 Million years ago – 450 CE): Technology began with basic stone tools used by ancestors like Australopithecus. Major milestones included the control of fire, the Neolithic Revolution (the transition to farming), and the invention of the wheel (c. 3500 BCE). The transition from copper to bronze and eventually iron allowed for more durable tools and the rise of complex civilizations.