Definition

Noun: A fundamental and rapid change in a society or industry caused by the introduction and widespread adoption of new, advanced technologies. This term most commonly refers to the period of major industrialization and technological innovation that transformed societies from agrarian economies to industrial ones, but it can also describe subsequent periods of profound technological change.

Usage

The term "technological revolution" is used to describe a historical period or ongoing process where new technologies fundamentally alter the way people live, work, and organize society. It emphasizes a systemic shift rather than the invention of a single device.

Examples

• The technological revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, often called the Industrial Revolution, introduced steam power and mechanized manufacturing.
• We are currently living through a digital technological revolution driven by computers and the internet.
• The pace of the current technological revolution in artificial intelligence is unprecedented.

Advanced Usage

• "to spark/trigger a technological revolution": to cause such a fundamental change.
  • The invention of the microprocessor sparked a new technological revolution.
• "in the midst of a technological revolution": currently experiencing such a period of change.
  • The healthcare sector is in the midst of a technological revolution with new diagnostics and treatments.

Variants and Related Words

• Industrial Revolution (n): The classic historical example of a technological revolution, marking the shift to industrialized manufacturing.
• Digital Revolution (n): The ongoing technological revolution centered on digital computing and communication technology.
• Technological change (n): A broader, often more gradual term for the process of invention, innovation, and diffusion of technology.
• Paradigm shift (n): A fundamental change in the basic concepts and practices of a scientific discipline or other field, often driven by a technological revolution.

Synonyms

• Industrial transformation
• Tech-driven upheaval
• Sea change in technology

Related Concepts

• Innovation (n): The process of introducing new ideas, devices, or methods, which is the driving force behind a technological revolution.
• Automation (n): The use of largely automatic equipment in a system of operation, a common outcome of technological revolutions.
• Disruption (n): A disturbance or problem that interrupts an event, activity, or process; technological revolutions are often disruptive to existing industries and social structures.

Noun

1. the transformation from an agricultural to an industrial nation