Basalla emphasizes the vast array of different artifacts that have been created throughout human history. This diversity is crucial for understanding technological evolution, as it shows that innovation is not a linear process but a complex web of various inventions and ideas. The book highlights how this diversity has allowed humanity to adapt to different challenges and environments.

One of the central themes is the idea that humans are driven to invent new technologies to meet basic biological needs such as food, shelter, and defense. This necessity-driven innovation challenges the notion that technological progress is solely the result of individual genius. Instead, it underscores the collective effort and societal pressures that spur technological advancements.

Basalla uses the analogy of organic evolution to explain how new technologies emerge and are selected by society. This perspective shifts the focus from revolutionary inventions to gradual, evolutionary changes. It provides a framework for understanding how technologies are integrated into daily life and how they evolve to meet changing societal needs.