Final answer:
The collapse of the Soviet empire catalyzed a technological boom by creating a demand for advanced products, fostering innovation in response to the new global realities and emerging security challenges. The shift from a bipolar to a more complex international landscape after 1991 accelerated developments in technology, particularly in the Information Age and Space Race.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the trends that spurred the demand for technologically advanced products was indeed the disintegration of the Soviet empire.
In the 1980s, the Soviet Union faced various challenges from economic struggles to political instability, which were exacerbated by President Reagan's arms buildup and Gorbachev's reforms such as perestroika and glasnost that failed to revitalize the system.
The disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991 caused a shift from a bipolar world to a more complex international landscape, creating a new environment that demanded increased technological advancement and innovation, particularly in the pursuit of security as varied threats emerged.
The end of the Soviet Union and the subsequent being no longer a counter-balance for the technology race led to the acceleration in technology developments, especially in the Information Age and the Space Race, both crucial during the Cold War period.
With a new world order established after the collapse, there was an increased focus on globalization, bolstered by rapid advancements in computer technologies that propelled demand for more sophisticated technological products.
In summary, the disintegration of the Soviet empire catalyzed a technological boom as countries adjusted to new global realities without the Soviet-U.S. dichotomy, focusing on addressing emerging challenges with technological solutions.
This historical context is foundational for understanding the drive for innovation that persists well into the twenty-first century.