Technology Template
Restructuring the Codex
We are currently moving articles around and changing the general structure of the Codex. Please come back later if you get lost!Inventions & Improvements Galore
The technology template can be used to describe any kind of invention or general improvement. This can be anything from pottery, to gun powder and all the way to FTL drives. Technologies are usually in the background of any world but are very useful to explain why something is possible or how it works. This helps to stay consistent within the rules of the world and how its gadgets work.
The example used in this template is the real-world Steam Turbine, but this is just one very specific use of this template!
The template has many prompt boxes which can be filled in. Use them for inspiration and to help format your article. Do not feel like you have to fill out all of them!
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
The terms in the braces below each heading tell you under which tab this prompt appears and what the title of the box is.
Technology Tree Chart
The hierarchy of technologies is visually represented by the automatically created organization trees. All you need to do is fill in the Parent Technologies prompt in all of the relevant technology articles. This organization tree is added to the bottom of each article in the metadata section. One limitation is that even though it is possible to add multiple parent technologies, only the first will be visualized.Utility
(UTILITY)
How is it used? Did its use change over time? Was it used for things the inventor did not intend?
How is it used? Did its use change over time? Was it used for things the inventor did not intend?
Since the 1980s, steam turbines have been replaced by gas turbines on fast ships and by diesel engines on other ships; exceptions are nuclear-powered ships and submarines, and LNG carriers. Some auxiliary ships continue to use steam propulsion. In the U.S. Navy, the conventionally powered steam turbine is still in use on all but one of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ships. The Royal Navy decommissioned its last conventional steam-powered surface warship class, the Fearless-class landing platform dock, in 2002, with the Italian Navy following in 2006 by decommissioning its last conventional steam-powered surface warships, the Audace-class destroyers. In 2013, the French Navy ended its steam era with the decommissioning of its last Tourville-class frigate. Amongst the other blue-water navies, the Russian Navy currently operates steam-powered Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers and Sovremenny-class destroyers. The Indian Navy currently operates INS Vikramaditya, a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier; it also operates three Brahmaputra-class frigates commissioned in the early 2000s and one Godavari-class frigate scheduled for decommissioning. The Chinese Navy currently operates steam-powered Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers, Sovremenny-class destroyers along with Luda-class destroyers, and the lone Type 051B destroyer. Most other naval forces have either retired or re-engined their steam-powered warships. As of 2020, the Mexican Navy operates four steam-powered former U.S. Knox-class frigates. The Egyptian Navy and the Republic of China Navy respectively operate two and six former U.S. Knox-class frigates. The Ecuadorian Navy currently operates two steam-powered Condell-class frigates (modified Leander-class frigates).
Manufacturing
(MANUFACTURING)
How is this technology used in the manufacturing of goods? Or is it a technology that helps the manufacturing of something else?
How is this technology used in the manufacturing of goods? Or is it a technology that helps the manufacturing of something else?
The present-day manufacturing industry for steam turbines is dominated by Chinese power equipment makers. Harbin Electric, Shanghai Electric, and Dongfang Electric, the top three power equipment makers in China, collectively hold a majority stake in the worldwide market share for steam turbines in 2009–10 according to Platts. Other manufacturers with minor market share include Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Siemens, Alstom, General Electric, Doosan Škoda Power, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Toshiba. The consulting firm Frost & Sullivan projects that manufacturing of steam turbines will become more consolidated by 2020 as Chinese power manufacturers win increasing business outside of China.
Parent Technologies
Children Technologies
Access & Availability
(ACCESS/AVAILABLITY)
Is this technology generally available or is it a military secret? Or a technology only known to a faction of time travelers who make sure they are the only people who know about it? Is this technology something everybody knows about? Is there only a specific social class or other group which has access to this technology?
Is this technology generally available or is it a military secret? Or a technology only known to a faction of time travelers who make sure they are the only people who know about it? Is this technology something everybody knows about? Is there only a specific social class or other group which has access to this technology?
Complexity
(COMPLEXITY)
How complex is this technology? Are there other technologies required for its use? Does it use many different components?
How complex is this technology? Are there other technologies required for its use? Does it use many different components?
Discovery
(DISCOVERY)
How and when was it discovered? Under which circumstances was it discovered? And who discovered it? Or was it a team or organization?
How and when was it discovered? Under which circumstances was it discovered? And who discovered it? Or was it a team or organization?
Related Items
Related Materials
Related Prompts
The prompts listed below are part of the Worldbuilding Prompts that can be found under the Community menu. These prompts use the template discussed in this article. Using these prompts is a great way to expand your worldbuilding!Mentioned Templates
Just a reminder that the technology template now also has the "social impact" field
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