Nanotechnology involves manipulating materials at the nanoscale of 1 to 100 nanometers. While nanomaterials have been unintentionally produced for decades, the ideas and modern field of nanotechnology began in 1959 with Richard Feynman's talk and the term was coined in the 1970s. Today, nanotechnology is being applied in various fields like medicine, food, fuel cells, electronics, solar cells, space, and textiles. Potential risks include inhalation exposure and environmental impacts, so further research is still needed to develop applications safely.