About two million years ago our ape-like ancestors in Africa began to make tools by chipping flakes from pieces of flint. In so doing they took a gigantic leap forward along the path to civilization. They had begun to invent things, a trait that set them apart from the other animals.They had begun to change their environment for their own benefit. And ever since human beings have been easing their lives by making practical use of their discoveries and inventions in toher words by technology. The progress of technology was generally very slow in about two centuries ago. Then, in the 17oo's, the pace began to quicken, and a series of inventions, first in textile-making, led to what is known as the Industrial Revolution.