Final answer:
The Age of Discovery led to significant technological growth in Europe due to the adoption of non-European navigational technology and other innovations. Economic and scientific advancements were driven by global interactions, contributing to Europe's technological progress and setting the stage for the Industrial Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Age of Discovery on European Technology
The interactions among the peoples and societies of the world during the Age of Discovery had a profound effect on European technology. There was significant technological growth in Europe as a result of exposure to new materials and innovations from other cultures. For example, the exploration era facilitated the adoption of non-European navigational technology, allowing European sailors to navigate vast oceans with greater precision.
Through the course of exploration and colonization during the Age of Discovery, Europeans encountered various ideas and practices which led to advancements in navigational equipment, shipbuilding, and overall technology; this includes advancements in the areas of agriculture, as seen through the Columbian Exchange, and additional scientific progress fueled by the Renaissance. Spain and Portugal, in particular, benefited from the technological transfer they had with Islamic world during the Middle Ages, which contributed to their prowess in navigational arts and subsequent colonial endeavors.
Furthermore, new economic systems and the transatlantic exchange of goods promoted significant technological improvements during this period. Increased long-distance travel necessitated innovations to preserve the health of sailors during voyages and to maintain the specimens collected from abroad. These global interactions and exchanges between Europe and newly encountered societies not only transformed the European economic landscape but also catalyzed a wave of technological and scientific advancements that would continue to evolve into the Industrial Revolution.