• Science: Theoretical or experimental studies of unexplained phenomena.
• Technology: The capability to perform specific engineering techniques with known phenomena.
• Project Hindsight: A 1960s study to understand the relationship between scientific research and technological innovation.

Many view technology as the child of science; however, the "Project Hindsight" study challenges this. It found only 9% of technological successes stemmed directly from scientific research, the rest came from independent technological events.

👉 Real-world example: Picture the creation of a smartphone. Science might have given us insights into how electrical signals work (9%), but the rest (91%) - like the design, user interface, or battery management - is pure technology/engineering prowess.

Historians argue science might actually be more indebted to technology than the other way around. Why? Because without technology (like the steam engine), we wouldn't have tools or systems to apply scientific principles.

👉 Real-world example: Ancient inventors didn't understand the science behind steam power when they invented the steam engine. But that invention provided scientists with a practical example to study and develop the laws of thermodynamics.

So, why do we care about distinguishing science and technology? Besides funding issues, there's a certain prestige and power linked with each field. Our culture values inventors and scientists differently, even though their contributions to our world are equally important. The question is whether the current status quo is sustainable or if the balance will shift.