Unit 4: Technology and operations vocabulary: technology,n. the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes Technology is the way how an organisation transforms its inputs into given outputs. obsolescent,adj. become obsolete e.g. obsolescent equipment/slang,etc. obsolescence,n.=extinction, dying out fashion,n. popular or the latest style of clothing, hair, decoration or behaviour a manner of doing sth e.g. in a simplified/casual fashion,etc. unenlightened,adj. not being spiritually aware,modern,rational, well-informed The Industrial Revolution=rapid development of industry that occured in Britain in the late 18th and 19th century, 1 brought about by the introduction of machinery. It was characterised by the use of steam power, the growth of factories and the mass production of manufactured goods. loom,n. an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn or thread multimedia=using more than one medium of expression or communication, incoorporating video and audio impact,n. a marked effect or influence IBM=International Business Machines Corporation (New York) follow in sb's footsteps=do as another person did before, making a journey or following a particular career labourer,n. person doing unskilled manual work for wages conduit,n. a person or organisation that act as a channel for the transmission of something 2 shelf- life,n. the length of time for which the item remains usable, fit for consumption, or saleable. state-of-the-art,adj. the most recent stage in the development of a product, incorporating the newest ideas and features merger,n. a combination of two things, esp. companies into one expertise, n. expert skill or knowledge in a particular field automation,n. the use or introduction of automatic (working by itself or with no direct human control) equipment in manufacturing 3