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Technology in the World of Avatar

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Fire Nation drill
Technology in the World of Avatar
General information
Type

Technology and inventions

Examples
Technology in the World of Avatar varies greatly from nation to nation. The heavily industrialized Fire Nation was far more advanced compared to the other three nations, though the Earth Kingdom, albeit still pre-industrial, was much closer to the Fire Nation's capabilities than the peaceful and technologically unambitious Air Nomads or the Water Tribes were, which as the names suggest, used only primitive technologies in combination with airbending and waterbending respectively to achieve their needs and ends.

Contents

Air Nomads Edit

Southern Air Temple sanctuary door.
AnnawantimesAdded by Annawantimes

The Air Nomads never industrialized, as they never felt the need to consciously expand their technological capabilities. Their insistence on making the least amount of environmental impact on the world as possible, and their relatively peaceful way of life meant that they were satisfied with conventional and classic technology. The Air Nomads did however have enough technical knowledge to produce their own gliders.

Examples of technology Edit

  • Glider - Support tool that airbenders have frequently used for assistance in airbending.
  • Air temple sanctuary door - This door is opened only through the use airbending, by sending a gust of air through two trumpet-like objects, which eventually turn three locks that unlock the door.[4] It seems that the structure itself can be entered without the need of airbending, as the mechanist was able to enter the sanctuary in the Northern Air Temple without having to open the door.[2]

Water Tribe Edit

The Water Tribes have limited technology apart from the many hydraulics-based structures present in the polar tribes.

Examples of technology Edit

The Northern Water Tribe's canal system.
Water SpoutAdded by Water Spout

Earth Kingdom Edit

The Earth Kingdom is in the eve of industrialization with the limited manipulation of steam and metal machines towards the end of the war, most which were invented by the mechanist. The majority of their technologies have earthbending as their main sources of power.

Examples of technology Edit

The Omashu mail delivery system in use.
Natsu11Added by Natsu11
  • Omashu delivery system - The Omashu mail system is a linking slide that spreads for miles in the city of Omashu. Earthbenders use their bending to place carts filled with a variety of cargo in specific lanes. Gravity then provides the carts with potential energy, which they use to maneuver through the mail system. The parcels arrive at specific stations, where they are reloaded and sent to another lane.[6]
  • Ba Sing Se Monorail - Enormous train network stretching across the whole city of Ba Sing Se, connecting all three rings. It serves as the city's mass transit system. The monorail is pushed from one end of the rail network to the other by a group of elite earthbenders.[7]
  • Sand-sailers - Gliders used by sandbenders to travel through the Si Wong Desert. They are equipped with compasses that allow the users to determine their position relative to Si Wong Rock.[8]
  • Fireworks - Explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes.
  • Earth Kingdom ferries - Vessels powered by a paddle wheel.

The mechanist Edit

The mechanist's glider design.
Water SpoutAdded by Water Spout

The mechanist is a prolific technological innovator from the Earth Kingdom. He has settled in the Northern Air Temple after the flooding of his village. The mechanist created schematics and sample weapons for the Fire Nation as payment for safe refuge in the temple. His invention of the hot air balloon allowed the Fire Nation to develop a powerful air force. His real name is never revealed.

Inventions Edit

Earthbending-powered tanks in the Invasion of the Fire Nation.
ThailogAdded by Thailog
  • Ice torpedo - A weapon designed for the waterbending-powered submarines, used during the Invasion of the Fire Nation.[3]
  • Peanut sauce bombs - Explosive weapons (failed).[3]
  • Timing device - Apparatus used to keep track of time during an eclipse.[9]
  • Time candles - Candles used to determine time.[2]
  • Cut-safe knife sharpener - A knife sharpener invented by the mechanist.[2]
  • Eclipse glasses - Special glasses worn during an eclipse to prevent eye damage.[9]
  • Elevators - Machines invented by the mechanist to lift people to high elevations. War Minister Qin is seen riding one up to the mechanist's workshop for blueprints, and a man is seen briefly in the temple riding one up to a platform. These are steam driven.[2]

Fire Nation Edit

The Fire Nation is the most technologically advanced nation in the Avatar World. A majority of the Fire Nation technologies are made out of metal and fueled by burning coal. Being the orchestrators of the Hundred Year War, most of these technologies are war-orientated.

Examples of technology Edit

  • Tank train - A Fire Nation engineering marvel. It is a cross between a tank and a train.[10]
Fire Nation war balloons, invented by the mechanist.
Water SpoutAdded by Water Spout
  • Fire Nation drill - A very large, hydraulic metal drill designed to penetrate the walls of Ba Sing Se, so that the Fire Nation could conquer the Earth Kingdom capital and ultimately win the War.[1]
  • Tundra tank - Large armored vehicles.[2]
  • Fire Nation trebuchet - Catapults used to conduct long-range warfare. They have appeared in different sizes from being huge fixed catapults on Fire Nation ships to small portable catapults to be used by infantry.[11]
  • Hot air balloon - War balloon that uses a small valve in the top of the vehicle that allows control of the balloon's motion.[2]
A ballista ready to shoot.
RenatablsAdded by Renatabls
  • Fire Nation airship - A massive aerial vehicle built from the foundation of the war balloon.[9]
  • Jet ski - Steam-powered jet skis perfect for short-range water travel and warfare.[12]
  • Fireworks - Explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. Used in the Fire Days Festival.
  • Ballista - Huge crossbow type weapon that uses torsional force to propel generally smaller and lighter projectiles, for example darts or arrows, much farther and faster than a catapult or similar device.
  • Gondola - This gondola was seen used at the Boiling Rock prison as a transport for prisoners and personnel. It was also used in Sokka's escape plan.[13][14]
  • Great Gates of Azulon - Built for not letting other nations come into the Fire Nation. It was only seen in when the invasion force tried to enter the Fire Nation successfully on the Day of Black Sun.[3]

Republic City Edit

Republic City plays host to a multitude of technological advancements. These range from vehicles, such as automobiles (known as Satomobiles) or police airships, to mechanisms such as microphones or radios.[15]

Examples of technology Edit

Automobiles crashing in Republic City.
Lady LostrisAdded by Lady Lostris
  • Automobiles - Automobiles are used widespread in Republic City. Different types of vehicles exist, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
  • Police airship - Large airships are used by the police force of Republic City to monitor crime from above.
  • Radios - Radios are devices used to transmit radio broadcasts to the citizens of Republic City. Events such as pro-bending matches or speeches are often broadcasted through the use of radios.
  • Microphones - Microphones are mechanisms used to amplify sounds. They are known to be used by pro-bending announcers and public speakers.
  • Cameras - A camera is a device that captures and stores images. Mostly used by Republic City reporters and journalists alike.
  • Flashlights - A flashlight is a device used to illuminate dark spots, usually looking for something. Flashlights are used by the Metalbending Police Force to do security sweeps.

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The Drill". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. September 15, 2006. No. 13, Book 2: Earth
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "The Northern Air Temple". Elizabeth Welch Ehasz (writer) & Dave Filoni (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. November 4, 2005. No. 17, Book 1: Water
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 "The Day of Black Sun, Part 1: The Invasion". Michael Dante DiMartino (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. November 30, 2007. No. 10, Book 3: Fire
  4. ↑ "The Southern Air Temple". Michael Dante DiMartino (writer) & Lauren MacMullan (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. February 25, 2005. No. 3, Book 1: Water
  5. ↑ "The Guru". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. December 1, 2006. No. 19, Book 2: Earth
  6. ↑ "The King of Omashu". John O'Bryan (writer) & Anthony Lioi (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. March 18, 2005. No. 5, Book 1: Water
  7. ↑ "The Earth King". John O'Bryan (writer) & Ethan Spaulding (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. November 17, 2006. No. 18, Book 2: Earth
  8. ↑ "The Desert". Tim Hedrick (writer) & Lauren MacMullan (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 14, 2006. No. 11, Book 2: Earth
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse". Aaron Ehasz (writer) & Joaquim Dos Santos (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. November 30, 2007. No. 11, Book 3: Fire
  10. ↑ "The Chase". Joshua Hamilton (writer) & Giancarlo Volpe (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. May 26, 2006. No. 8, Book 2: Earth
  11. ↑ Seen throughout Avatar: The Last Airbender.
  12. ↑ "The Painted Lady". Joshua Hamilton (writer) & Ethan Spaulding (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. October 5, 2007. No. 3, Book 3: Fire
  13. ↑ "The Boiling Rock, Part 1". May Chan (writer) & Joaquim Dos Santos (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 16, 2008. No. 14, Book 3: Fire
  14. ↑ "The Boiling Rock, Part 2". Joshua Hamilton (writer) & Ethan Spaulding (director). Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon. July 16, 2008. No. 15, Book 3: Fire
  15. ↑ "Welcome to Republic City". Michael Dante DiMartino, Bryan Konietzko (writers) & Joaquim Dos Santos, Ki Hyun Ryu (directors). The Legend of Korra. Nickelodeon. April 14, 2012. No. 1, Book 1: Air
Retrieved from "http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Technology_in_the_World_of_Avatar"
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43 comments

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  • 67.163.84.224

    ok

    by an anonymous contributor
  • Percy.co

    Zuko isn't supposed to have a telescope way back in the first season. Thumbs up for being so up to date and beyond.

    by Percy.co
  • 72.64.115.119

    Has anyone invented guns yet? My friend told there was but I don't remember any mention of them.

    by an anonymous contributor
  • 74.73.73.95

    It is weird that in the legend of Korra it seems like 1970s tec.

    by an anonymous contributor
  • 69.132.88.84

    Someone should note that in "A Leaf in the Wind" the pro bending anouncer uses the phrase "Hold the phone". This would imply that phones have been invented and are in regular use. I would add this to the Republic City section myself, but the editor won't load on my computer.

    by an anonymous contributor
  • 74.222.230.2

    I see that in any way, people invent amazing things during war time and it isnt used as anything but war use until war ends, it is possible the transition between A;TLA and Lo

    by an anonymous contributor
  • Equalist

    If science and technology advanced so much between the end of ATLA and LoK, then why didn't it make a similar leap between when Aang was frozen in the iceberg and when he got unfrozen? Sozin's flashback reveals that the Fire Nation had a navy similar to the one they have during the series, and Aang is never shocked by the concept of advanced machines, like those that the Mechanist had, indicating that he must have seen something lie that at some point before. Neither, for that matter, are Katara or Sokka, despite their never having left the South Pole. What gives? I mean, even if you were born at like, 400 AD, and you woke up one day and it 500 AD, you'd still be surprised at how much things had changed, even though, from our 21st century perspective, nothing much would have. We don't see Aang surprised at any changes in clothing, architecture, language, art etc which must have changed, even if technology was more or less the same. So what gives? Why was the world so static?

    by Equalist
    • Iluvcinderella

      good question O_O

      by Iluvcinderella
    • 71.36.74.222

      Well I agree I think this is a very good question, but in the episode where you learn about Sozin and Roku's past there is a scene where you their home town in the fire nation, and if you compare that enviroment to the one in aang's time you notice some advancements.

      by an anonymous contributor
    • 166.250.65.9

      The FN probably had a policy similar to the soviet union, people under a tyranny have very little incentive to create and invent when they have no prospect of reward. And the EK and WT were too busy fighting off the FN to bother inventing anything other than weapons.

      Once the war ended however, the policies of all nations changed fostering creative freedom and leading to the technological revolution.

      by an anonymous contributor
    • 98.216.53.175

      They are reffering to the real world and how actual change started in the ninetees while before that, change was slow

      by an anonymous contributor
    • Xwindtearx

      wow that's a pretty good point.

      by Xwindtearx
    • 72.189.148.253

      Think about our world's own timeline. During the 1800's, very little technology changed. It wan't until the late 1800's and the industrial revolution that we saw technology remotely similar to today. And only in the last 50 years, maybe less, has technology gotten closer to what it is now. The human race, bending or no bending, tends to have its ups and downs. So it would make plenty of since that for 100 years, little would change. But the next 70 would show a much greater increase in technology.

      by an anonymous contributor
    • 180.190.134.65

      well how about compare the technology between 1750-1850 and to 1850-1920

      by an anonymous contributor
    • 58.111.215.202

      You forgot a point man not much can change during war, so most of the people (excluding fire nation) were busy making sure they are safe. So in my opinion not much changed except no more airbenders left.

      by an anonymous contributor
  • Bahjy1

    Korra's Avatar World contains skyscrapers, automobiles, and maybe TV's and laptops will be added next to the iPhone 526G.

    I mean in 70 years they invented all that, this kinda screws up the fun of A:TLA's technology.

    I think LOK will be far more boring than A:TLA.

    by Bahjy1
    • In The Clouds

      Actually, LOK's technological advancements are quite realistic considering it's 70 years in the future.

      by In The Clouds
    • Mysteria Femina

      Also, the tech is steampunk. How much do you know about steampunk? In a steampunk-inspired world, the technology is supposed to be of a more whimsical fantasy nature, with less emphasis on actual progress. Did you notice that all of the technology still has an 'old' feel to it? It's not like they're driving modern automobiles.

      Did anyone seriously expect that with Sokka and the mechanist (and all the other smart people) on the loose, there still wouldn't be any progress? That the world would suddenly stop all advancement after already making tanks, airships, utility trucks, war ships, a giant drill, and more?

      by Mysteria Femina
    • Fire Eater

      @Mysteria Femina I don't know, this seems to have gone past "Steampunk" stage. In fact, I don't see the steampunk flavor at all.

      by Fire Eater
    • Mysteria Femina

      It is less prominent, but full-blown steampunk would be just as awkward as even more advancement. Steampunk is not a one-size-fits-all. It is a concept, a feeling, a dream that can grow into almost anything you imagine.

      by Mysteria Femina
    • Mysteria Femina

      Also, airships filling the air is very quintessential steampunk. (I wonder if they are trying to achieve heavier-than-air flight without airbending yet.)

      Basically, the root concept of old vs new we kind of see so far is at the heart of steampunk. It's a less showy form of steampunk, and seems limited to the technology without including clothing, etc., but it is steampunk.

      by Mysteria Femina
      history
    • Omar067

      We were booming in the Industrial Revolution. I think the original series was based on life in the 1890s and LoK is based of 1920's, the cars in LoK look like the 1920'S.

      by Omar067
  • Avatar Wael

    Would be nice if the drill is still there in Korra's adventures. :)

    by Avatar Wael
  • RageOfFluffy

    I wonder... Say the Fire Nation did not harass the Mechanist and he invented for the Earth Kingdom, would they then be the most technologically advanced?

    by RageOfFluffy
    • Vulmen

      Maybe. I mean, they took his one war balloon without any schematics/explanation and rebuilt it tenfold, in under a year making an entire airship fleet including entirely new self-powered Airships.

      That kind of advance seems a bit far fetched xD But they did it.

      by Vulmen
      history
    • BlueDagger

      Not to mention the fact that they had tanks and, presumably, were already making a giant drill even before the Mechanist lost the balloon.

      by BlueDagger
    • RageOfFluffy

      Very true what you say, Vulmen! And wasn't the Mechanist the one who designed the Drill... Perhaps he even designed the tanks. But one thing that baffles me is, to quote the Abridged series, how the Mechanist can design giant freaging drills and war machines but can't figure out hot-air balloons... Sigh, I fear we shall never know!

      by RageOfFluffy
  • 71.190.233.76

    I put up elevators in the mechanist section...

    by an anonymous contributor
  • H-Man Havoc

    I wonder, should this also be under the Equipment category? I'll place it until such a time someone may remove it.

    by H-Man Havoc
  • Lotus Ying

    Does King Kuei's glasses counted as one of the Earth Kingdom inventions?

    by Lotus Ying
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