This article is about the use and knowledge of techniques and processes for producing goods and services. For other uses, see Technology (disambiguation).

A steam turbine with the case opened. Most electricity is produced by thermal power stations with turbines like this one. Electricity consumption and living standards are highly correlated.^[1] Electrification was voted the most important engineering achievement of the 20th century.^[2]

Technology (from Greek τέχνη, techne, "art, skill, cunning of hand"; and -λογία, -logia^[3]) is the collection of techniques, methods or processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation. Technology can be the knowledge of techniques, processes, etc. or it can be embedded in machines, computers, devices and factories, which can be operated by individuals without detailed knowledge of the workings of such things.
The human species' use of technology began with the conversion of natural resources into simple tools. The prehistoric discovery of how to control fire increased the available sources of fo