The scientific advances made in the last two centuries have drastically improved the quality and structure of human existence. Exploring the history of that technological progress, and the numerous and complex elements that propelled its development, the Encyclopedia of Technological Progress attempts to comprehensively classify the theories and hypotheses proposed in modern human history on the effects, meaning, and control of these advances. This massive and learned reference work draws on a wide range of disciplines in its study of technological development, including philosophy, sociology, theology, history, and literature, as well as writings found in newspapers, political speeches, letters, and sermons, among other sources.

“It is exceedingly important . . . that we should seek to understand more deeply the nature of technological development and very timely that this book should have appeared now to give distance and perspective to our efforts in this direction.”—Alexander King, president of the Club of Rome