1. Inputs to Technological Systems

3. INPUTS PEOPLE MACHINES MATERIALS ENERGY INFORMATION TIME FINANCES

5. Scientists Scientists generally develop the basic knowledge needed to develop products and processes. Engineers Engineers apply scientific and technological knowledge in designing products, structures, and systems.

6. Technologists Industrial and engineering technologists bridge the gap between engineering and operations personnel.

7. Workers Unskilled workers perform tasks that require only a minimum of training. Semi-skilled workers perform tasks that require a limited amount of training. Skilled workers are highly skilled individuals that have had extensive training and work experience. Skilled workers in laboratories and product-testing facilities are usually called technicians .

8. Management Managers organize and direct the work of others. They set goals, structure tasks to be completed assign work, and monitor results. Entrepreneurs are the people that create business. They have vision of what can be done and are willing to take risks to see it happen.

9. Consumers Consumers are the reason for the system in the first place. Their need for products, structures, information, and mobility gives rise to the system. Machines Humans are the only species on earth that can develop and use technology. This is based on the fact that humans are tool builders and tool users.

10. Tools The “tool box “ of humans has grown over history. Early people had a few crude tools. Common Hand Tools. Almost every technology uses a common set of hand tools to produce, maintain, and service products and equipment. These tools may be grouped into six major categories:

12. Mechanisms Mechanisms are basic devices that are used to power or adjust equipment and machines. In physics the mechanisms are called simple machines. These mechanisms work on two basic principles and can be grouped under six categories:

16. Wheel and axle - is a shaft attached to a disk. It acts as a second class lever FORCE Load

17. PULLEY - are grooved wheels attached to an axle. They also act as second class levers. LOAD FORCE DIRECTION CHANGE LOAD FORCE FORCE MULTIPLIER

18. FORCE LOAD DISTANCE MULTIPLIER

21. Materials All material is made up of one or more of the 96 elements that occur naturally on earth. Types of Materials Materials are composed of either living matter or nonliving matter. Materials that come from living organisms are called organic materials . Wood, cotton, and flax are products of plant fibers. Materials that do not come from living organisms are called inorganic materials . Metals and ceramic materials are inorganic.

24. Physical State Gases - are materials that easily disperse and expand to fill any space. Liquids - are visible, fluid material that will not normally hold their size and shape. Common liquids include the water we drink and bathe with, fuels for transportation vehicles, the sea water that supports boats and ships, and coolants for industrial processes.

28. Energy Energy powers our factories, heats and lights our homes, propel our vehicles, drives our communication systems, and supports our construction activities.

30. Sources of Energy Energy is available from three major sources. The first source of energy is the sun. This form of energy has always been with us and will continue to be so. It is said to be inexhaustible . The second source of energy comes from living matter. These sources are called renewable . The third source of energy is exhaustible . These sources are limited by the quantity found on earth.

31. Finances Technological systems require people, machines, materials, and energy. These are generally purchased. People are paid wages of salaries. Materials are purchased. All this requires money. The technological system or company can be sold to people. They can become part owners of the operation. If one person owns it, the operation is called a sole proprietorship . A few owners can form a partnership in which each person owns a portion of the company. A legal entity called a corporation , can be formed to own the operation.

32. Shares, which are certificates of ownership in the corporation, can be sold. In all three cases, the money was raised by selling equity-a portion of the company. Therefore, raising money in this way is called equity financing . Banks, insurance companies, or investment groups can loan money to support the activities of a company. This type of financing is called debt financing .

33. Time Humans have constantly been aware of time. Technology has accelerated the use of time. We allocate machines time, computer time, and sales time.