about two million years ago our ape-like ancestors in Africa began to make tools by chipping flakes from pieces of flint. In so doing they took a gigantic leap forwards along the path to civilization. They had begun to invent things, a trait that set them apart from the other animals. They had begun to change their environment for their own benefit. And ever since human being have been improving their lives by making practical use of their discoveries and invention , In other words , by technology. The progress of technology was generally very slow until about two counties ago. Then, in the pace began to quicken. and a series of inventions, first in textile-making, led to what is known as the industrial Revolution.