20th
century.
The increase of technology in the 20th
century makes it difficult to place recent developments into perspective. New
materials, from synthetic rubber through plastics and artificial fabrics,
influence ways of life and fashion. With the electric streetcar appeared in
1888, cities grew over distances that could be covered by a horse. After Henry
Ford made up the assembly line in 1913, the automobile became cheep enough for
many people to afford it. Aircraft industry grew after the firs flight by the
Wright brothers in 1903.
Electronics started when Marconi sent the first
transatlantic radio message in 1901.Radio, and television, changed
communications.
Although early computing machines existed by
World War 2, modern computers and office machines became a reality with the
invention of the transistor in 1948. Nuclear power was introduced after World
War 2, and the space age began with the first Soviet spacecraft in 1957. Many
of the developments depended on scientific inventions made before their
adaptations by engineers.
Medical technology was enriched by the use of
new medicines and new equipment. This nearly doubled the life span of a person
compared to 100 years earlier. New technologies in biology led to genetic
engineering.
In weaponry there was the invention of the
tank, the perfection of the airplane, and, finally, the use of the atomic bomb.
These changed war conflicts from personal contacts of soldiers to putting all
the world at risk.
Technology keeps advancing at a rapid rate. The
world has become smaller, and people communicate and travel very quickly any
where.
Words:
Synthetic rubber – синтетическая резина, plastics – пластмасса, artificial fabrics – искусственный волокна, assembly line - конвейер, streetcar – трамвай, adaptation – приспособление (к жизни),
equipment - оборудование,
life span – продолжительность жизни, weaponry - вооружение, perfection - улучшение, advance – движение вперёд.
Answer
the questions:
1.
How
did life change at the beginning of the 20th century?
2.
How did WW2 influence the development of
technology?
3.
Did the life span increase due to the
development of technology?
4.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
the development of technology?