Local Technology

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Local Technology

Published by: BhumiRaj Timalsina

Published date: 28 Jan 2022

Local Technology in Occupation Business and Technology in Grade-7, Reference Note

Introduction 

The use of knowledge for practical purposes is known as technology. It is simply the practical use of knowledge for solving problems or inventing useful tools. For example, production of food items, medicines and various other equipment and tools such as mobile phones, computers, printers, cameras, etc. Along with development and advancement, the technologies are also getting advanced day by day. Many traditional technologies are being replaced by the modern technologies. For example, typewriters have been replaced by computers.

Difference between Traditional and Modern Technology

It is quite difficult to find the exact boundary line between traditional and modern technology. Here are some of the differences between traditional and modern technologies:

Traditional Technology

Modern Technology

In order to dig the field, the plough was used.

In order to dig the field, the tractor is used.

For the presentation of work, the overhead projector was used.

For the presentation of work, the multimedia projector is used.

In order to type and draft letters and documents, the typewriter was used.

In order to type and draft letters and documents, computers, keyboards, and printers are used.

For photography, film camera was used.

For photography, digital camera is used.

For the purpose of taking images for health, traditional X-ray machine was used.

For the purpose of taking images for health, modern CT scans and MRI are used.

Interrelation between Traditional and Modern Technologies

Modern technologies are the outcomes of the advancement of the traditional technologies. As the time passes, the new innovations replaced the older ones based on the existing concept of knowledge and ideas. Modern technologies are the new innovation to the old technologies. In this way, modern technologies are not applicable if traditional technologies didn’t exist. For example, if we compare the televisions before 10-15 years and now, we find vast differences between them. The televisions at that time used to be very heavy with black and white screen and antennas were required in order to operate it. But now, the TVs are found in many shapes and sizes with various specifications. In the market, we can find the traditional televisions with improved and additional features.

Safe Use of Equipment

We have heard in the news that many accidents are caused while using household equipment and machinery. While using equipment (such as kitchen appliances, farm machinery and equipment, electronic communication equipment etc.), there are certain things to be considered which are as follows:

  • Appropriate user
    There are various types of equipment that are easy to use as well as dangerous to use. The equipment such as televisions, mobile phones, irons, etc. can be easily and safely handled by the users but the equipment such as drillers, special computer-based machines, etc. are to be used by the respective professionals only.
  • Study of manuals and guidelines
    The manuals and guidelines help the user to handle the equipment in the right manner. So, it is strongly recommended for the users to study the manuals and guidelines as it also suggests the special safety measures.
  • Use of common sense
    One should use their common sense while operating any kind of equipment. For example, we should be intelligent enough that we should turn off the switch before fixing the problems of electrical equipment.
  • Use of accessories
    Various accessories such as gloves, masks, eyeglasses, aprons, helmets, etc. are required for safety in order to handle certain equipment.
  • Understand the functions
    One should understand the functions of the devices, its parts, and its buttons clearly. Misunderstanding and random use of buttons may damage the equipment.
  • Alertness
    While using the equipment, one should be very careful and alert. A small carelessness or mistake may cause a huge loss.
  • Away from children
    Most of the equipment should be kept away from the reach of children. Children do not have proper ideas to use that equipment. This may damage the equipment as well as may harm the children.

Some Local Technologies and Mechanism

Plough

A plough is a farming tool that works with the power of ox, bull or buffalo. It helps to dig the soil in fields so that seeds can be planted. It is pulled by bull or ox or buffalo, and the spur at the bottom of the plough makes the furrow across the field.

Watermill

Watermill is an engine that works under the principle of transformation of kinetic energy to mechanical energy. It uses a water wheel or turbine to operate a mechanical process such as flour or lumber production, metal shaping etc. The flowing water is passed down in force directly to the turbine connected with the mill. The grains in feeder container fall down uniformly to the hole in rotating disc automatically with the vibration caused because of motion.

Water pump (Dhiki pump)

Water pumps are operated with the help of human power. They are used to regulate the flow of water through the vehicles' cooling system. They are also used in the rural areas of the Terai region for the purpose of irrigation as well as for drinking water.They aremechanical devices that move fluid or gas by pressure. They cause water to circulate.

Oilseed crushing device (Kol)

Oilseed crushing device is a traditional technology of Nepal that is used to crush the oilseeds like mustard, sesame, etc. It is known as "Kol" and "Ghani" in Nepal and India respectively. It mainly consists of three parts:

  • First part: The first part is a wooden mortar fixed on the ground. It has a scooped circular pit at its centre and an outlet to exit the oil after crushing.
  • Second part: The second part is a wooden pestle whose curved end is inscribed in the circular pit of mortar and another end is fixed to an angular rotator which can freely move around the mortar.
  • Third part: The third part is the angular rotator itself, one end of which carries a Y-shaped structure to move around the mortar and the other is fixed to the upper end of the pestle.