Final answer:
Technological progress can be measured by the number of patents issued annually, which reflects invention and innovation in various fields.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way to measure technological progress is through the analysis of patent filings. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for instance, has typically issued more than 150,000 patents annually in recent years. This method reflects both invention, which advances knowledge, and innovation—the application of these advances in new and improved products or services. The development of such patents, ranging from genetic discoveries to smaller and better transistors, has enabled greater productivity by allowing workers to perform tasks more efficiently with advanced tools and technologies.