The practical application of science. General term for the processes by which human beings fashion tools and machines to increase their control and understanding of the material environment.
Technology is closely related to science and engineering.
It includes the development of new materials, machinery, and processes that improve production and solve technical problems. The earliest materials used by humans were bone, horn, shell, and stone. Metals were rare or difficult to obtain, although forms of bronze and iron were in use from 6000 BC, and 1000 BC, respectively. In the 15th century the blast furnace was introduced, enabling the production of cast iron, but the process remained expensive until the English ironmaker Abraham Darby substituted coke for charcoal in 1709 - ensuring a plentiful supply of cheap iron at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Rubber, glass, leather, paper, bricks, and porcelain underwent similar processes of trial and error before becoming readily available.