nats 1775: test #1

fall 2025

What term became popularized after World War II to describe practical arts, applied science, and engineering?

Technology

What is the difference between invention and innovation?

Invention refers to creating a technology, while innovation is about making it commercially successful.

What does technological determinism assert?

It regards technology as the prime agent of social and organizational change, acting as an autonomous force.

What is a criticism of technological determinism?

It simplifies the complex relationship between society and technological change and neglects human factors.

What does the theory of technology as applied science suggest?

It suggests that technology is driven by scientific discoveries, with a historical separation between science and technology.

What does the phrase 'necessity is the mother of invention' imply?

Technologies are created based on societal needs, but it does not explain technologies that are later repurposed.

How do users influence new technologies?

Users often determine how a technology will be used and can lead to unintended consequences.

What role do technologies play in issues of race, class, culture, and gender?

Technologies can be used for exploitation or oppression, as seen in historical contexts like colonial expansion.

What is the relationship between religion and technology?

Religion can justify oppression and inequality, influencing how technology is developed and used.

What is the hydraulic hypothesis?

It links the rise of early civilizations to large-scale hydraulic systems, requiring centralized coordination and leading to political integration.

What were some key technological advancements in early civilizations?

Metals for tools and weapons, writing, mathematics, and sophisticated astronomy.

What distinguishes early civilizations' scientific knowledge from that of Greek civilization?

Early civilizations applied knowledge for practical purposes, while Greeks pursued abstract, theoretical knowledge.

What was the impact of Greek civilization on technology?

Greeks adopted and adapted knowledge for practical purposes, leading to advancements like roads and aqueducts.

What were some technological achievements of the Roman Empire?

Development of extensive road networks, aqueducts, cement, and military technology.

What was the influence of medieval philosophers on technology?

They often rejected the importance of technical arts, viewing them as inferior to theoretical knowledge.

What notable advancements occurred in Chinese civilization during the Middle Ages?

Techniques for improving agriculture, inventions like gunpowder, paper-making, and the magnetic compass.

How did government involvement influence Chinese technological advancements?

The government owned industries and employed specialized craftsmen, fostering innovation.

What was Hugh of St. Victor's view on mechanical arts?

He saw them as part of man's religious and philosophical quest, linking practical knowledge to salvation.

What was Aristotle's influence on medieval philosophers regarding technical arts?

He viewed technical arts as base and inferior to theoretical knowledge, shaping medieval attitudes.

What was a major consequence of the decline of Greco-Roman civilization?

A decline in both science and technology due to new religious movements weakening the authority of natural philosophers.

What is the significance of the term 'urban revolution' in early civilizations?

It refers to the development of high populations, centralized authority, and complex societies around 6000 years ago.

What were some characteristics of early civilizations?

High populations, centralized political and economic authority, stratified societies, and complex architecture.

What did the term 'deterministic explanation' refer to in the context of hydraulic systems?

It suggests that large-scale irrigation projects caused the development of hierarchical political systems.

What was the role of writing in Mesopotamia?

It marked the development of a new scribal tradition and facilitated the transfer of knowledge.

How did the Greeks' approach to natural philosophy differ from that of craftsmen?

Greeks engaged in abstract speculation while craftsmen focused on practical applications without theoretical explanations.

What was the impact of the Roman Empire's infrastructure on military operations?

The development of roads facilitated military domination and improved communication between armies.

What was the agricultural revolution in Europe during 600-1000 A.D.?

A period marked by a population rise of about 30% due to advancements in agriculture.

What technological advancement increased agricultural production from 33% to 50%?

The heavy plow combined with a three-field rotation system.

How did communal agriculture and the use of horses impact villages in the Middle Ages?

They allowed villages to grow due to increased agricultural efficiency.

What role did military technology play in the rise of nation-states during the Middle Ages?

It contributed to the development of centralized powers and governance.

What is the significance of the mechanical clock in European technology?

It was one of the first technologies made entirely of metal, marking a shift in timekeeping.

What are the two major theories regarding the origin of the mechanical clock?

1. A continuous tradition of time-keepers and indicators. 2. A simpler branch of more complicated technology.

Who is associated with the prototype of the mechanical clock?

Su Sung, who devised a complicated astronomical water clock in China.

Why did the mechanical clock develop in monasteries?

Monasteries had highly regulated activities that necessitated precise timekeeping.

What technological improvements contributed to the spread of the mechanical clock in Europe?

Improvements like the striking mechanism, spring drive, and fuse allowed for the development of watches.

How did Jacques Le Goff view the social implications of clocks?

He argued that clocks were used by the merchant class to gain control over labor and time.

What changes occurred in the relationship between science and technology during the Renaissance?

An increased use of experiments, new social spaces, and the emergence of hybrid humans.

What was Leonardo da Vinci's contribution to technology and art?

He perfected three-dimensional drawing and applied engineering skills for both military and civilian purposes.

What was Galileo Galilei's contribution to the scientific revolution?

He used the telescope to support the Copernican system and gained prestige through his discoveries.

Who invented the printing press and what was its first publication?

Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press, with the first publication being the Gutenberg Bible in 1450.

What were Elizabeth Eisenstein's views on the impact of the printing press?

She believed it brought about a new era of openness and accessibility, increasing literacy and dissemination of information.

What criticisms did Pamela Long have regarding the printing press?

She argued that authors had already begun writing about technical arts before print and that credit for authorship existed prior to the printing press.

How did Francis Bacon view the relationship between knowledge and nature?

He believed scientific knowledge should be put to practical use, aiming to dominate nature through technology.

What characterized the technological innovation in the Dutch Republic?

It was based on producing high-quality goods at low volume, with workers paid high wages.

What was the significance of the Medici Family during the Renaissance?

They sponsored many technological enterprises, influencing warfare, city-building, and displays of power.

What was the changing attitude towards nature during the Early Modern Period?

Nature was viewed as a living organism, contrasting with the later view of dominating nature through technology.

What was the impact of the mechanical clock on societal structure?

It facilitated the regulation of time, which was crucial for trade and commerce, and became a symbol of law and order.

What were the primary functions of the mechanical clock in society?

It served as a timekeeping device, a sign of wealth, and played a role in social functions.

What did the printing press change about authorship?

It allowed works to be recognized and preserved publicly, changing the nature of authorship.

What was the role of engineers during the Renaissance?

Engineers gained higher status due to the increased demand for military technology and infrastructure.

What were the social implications of the printing press according to Eisenstein?

It allowed for greater control over reading material and facilitated the comparison of texts.