Final answer:
An example of technology from today not present in Robert Hooke's era is smartphones. Technology has rapidly evolved from early inventions like the abacus to today's Internet, electric cars, and AI, with each advancement building upon the past. What we currently use will likely be seen as archaic in the future, demonstrating the continuous progression of technology. The correct option is (b)
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of technology we use today that did not exist at the time of Robert Hooke is smartphones. When we consider how technology has evolved, it's evident that devices like smartphones, which we consider essential in our daily lives, were once nonexistent. Hooke, who lived in the 17th century, contributed to the field of science with his work in microscopy, but he could never have envisioned the complex technologies we hold in our hands today.
Technological progress has been immensely fast-paced; what was once an innovation quickly becomes obsolete. The Internet, for instance, revolutionized the way we connect and communicate, turning the entire globe into an interconnected network. This tool enables not only communication but access to information and services on an unprecedented scale. Similarly, electric cars are advancing the way we think about transportation and our impact on the environment, while artificial intelligence is transforming industries by automating processes and creating new ways of problem-solving. None of these existed in Hooke's time.
Throughout history, innovations like the abacus, the steam engine, and even large clunky computers of the past have laid the groundwork for today's technological marvels. With this historical perspective, we recognize that the technologies of today are simply stepping stones to future advancements that we may find difficult to imagine now, much like Hooke probably couldn't have imagined a smartphone or the Internet.