From the first exploratory journeys made by explorers such as Christopher Columbus in 1492, to the present, technology has been a key driving force behind discoveries of land and sea throughout history.
The age of exploration was not only driven by human curiosity; it also had a strong economic impact on European societies during this period. A variety of factors were responsible for this. These included increased trade and navigation techniques that enabled traders to travel more quickly, and cheaper production methods that allowed for greater quantities of goods to be produced.
In addition to improving the way people lived in the past, many scientists believe that the advent of technology will lead to further improvements in the future. For example, the invention of the telescope led to the discovery of planets beyond our solar system. Other technologies, such as airships and submarines, have allowed us to see what’s under water. In fact, most of the world’s oceans remain unexplored.
A look at technological advances that allowed exploration to thrive and made it possible for people to travel across the world and beyond in search of new lands.
Why do we celebrate these historical achievements?
As far back as 2000 years ago, exploration was a risky endeavor and success wasn’t guaranteed. However, thanks to advancements in technology, exploration became much easier and safer.
In order to explain this, I’ll be using examples from the world of travel, so that it is easy to understand and relate to anyone looking to change their career path.
What were the technologies that helped?
Technologies that made possible exploration included:
- Sailing Ships
- Wind power
- Printing
- Firearms
- Steam ships
- Watercrafts
- Airplanes
- Radio and other wireless technology
Why do we celebrate the accomplishments of these advancements?
Exploration allowed us to go further and discover a whole new world. Our modern day heroes have used these technologies to build businesses and create jobs that benefit others.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the technologies mentioned above:
Sailing Ships
It’s amazing how fast sailing ships traveled across oceans when they didn’t use sails. The first recorded voyage by Europeans to America was completed by Christopher Columbus aboard the Santa Maria.
At that time, he used a mixture of wind and oars to navigate his way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Today, sailing ships can be found on display all over the world, including at the National Maritime Museum in London.
Wind Power
The age of exploration was made possible by wind power, which powered sailing ships during that time.
By harnessing the force of nature, sailboats could stay longer in different locations and explore even more of the world.
Wind is an extremely useful resource, and most countries rely heavily on wind to produce electricity.
Sailing ships couldn’t move very quickly with their sails alone, but wind could be used to increase the speed of sailing boats to make them able to travel faster.
Printing
With the invention of printing, exploration was made a lot easier.
When you think about it, the only reason why explorers traveled so far away from home was because they needed to print maps and books and share information about where they went and what they discovered.
Today, you can easily access this information on the internet and use it to plan your next vacation, for instance.
Firearms
Gunpowder was invented centuries before the age of exploration, but its development continued to accelerate and advance in that era.
There’s a famous story about Christopher Columbus and his brother Bartholomew. On the 14th of October 1492, Bartholomew wrote a letter to Queen Isabella of Spain asking her to finance a journey. He also wrote that Columbus had asked him to accompany the expedition.
Columbus and Bartholomew sailed for three months, until they reached the Caribbean Sea. They then stopped in the Bahamas, where they received a message that they had won a competition for being the first.
What Were the Technological Advances Made Possible the Age of Discovery?
In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to discover America, but he didn’t know exactly where he was going. He thought that he would sail to India, but instead he discovered North America. His voyage changed history, and it opened up new opportunities for people all around the world.
It wasn’t until the 15th century that people started to realize how important technology is. The invention of the printing press allowed for more books to be published, and this helped spread knowledge throughout Europe.
Another example of a great technological advance is the telephone, which was invented in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell. This device became very popular in the 20th century, allowing people to talk to each other from one place to another.
Technology has also played an essential role in the modern day. Today, we have computers, smartphones, and many different forms of communication. Without these devices, our lives would be much harder.
What Were the Technological Advances Made Possible the Age of the Digital Age?
Technology is one of the greatest inventions of all time. From computers to cell phones, technology has improved everyone’s lives in so many ways. While most people don’t realize how much technology impacts their life, it does have a major impact on almost everything that we do.
One of the biggest benefits of modern day technology is the way it makes communication easier than ever before. People no longer need to send letters to each other to communicate. Nowadays, you can talk to your family members and friends using the internet.
You can also use social media sites to stay connected with your friends and loved ones. This means that you’ll never be alone or feel isolated from the rest of the world. You can even keep in touch with people who live far away by sending them text messages.
Another great benefit is the fact that technology has revolutionized education. Students are now able to learn at any time, anywhere in the world. Thanks to online courses and video lessons, students are able to study whenever they want. In addition, teachers are able to create lesson plans on their own, without having to wait for the school to provide materials.
As a result of these advancements, more people are becoming interested in learning about new technologies. And, because of this interest, there is a growing demand for qualified professionals.
