progress; improvements in social welfare. / Personal progress, usually in the development of a skill.

To improve (in reference to a society's technological capability or general quality of life). / To advance in proficiency; to make progress in the development of a skill.

technology

to be astonished, surprised, amazed, startled

to get a big surprise; to be astonished

lo and behold

modern times, variously described as after the 19th century, after World War I, or after World War II, until the present

nanotechnology

Modern English

modernization