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Historically science and technology have been regarded as different propositions, and have developed differently.

From the end of the 19th century, the distance between science and technology became closer gradually. Usefulness of science has been gradually recognized from a new aspect, in addition to the conventional thought that science is driven by pure intellectual curiosity.

The awareness that science and technology are important to the existence of a nation is strengthened dramatically with World War II as a turning point, and in the second half of the 20th century, science came to be focussed upon as the foundation of social and economic development. At the same time, we started to see a fusion between science and technology.

Below we have looked back thoroughly on the development of science and technology in the 20th century and its penetration into society, by dividing the effect on human society into the following four categories.