This article provides an insight into the various views and outlooks people had in regards to progress. As Arnold Pacey states, it is important when studying the history of technology to know what people believed about progress, and whether they related in any way to the development of technology.(course reader, 33) In many instances, however, Christians in Europe turned to the Bible in order to explain and understand the concept of progress. For many people they based their view of human destiny of the Apocalypse, which was concerned with the notion of the end of the world. This belief therefore, created little thought or consideration in terms of progress and technological development for many people living in Europe during the 13th century. (course reader, 33) Although there was little emphasis placed on progress, what was then the significant of new technologies and techniques being developed into society by cathedral builders and textile workers.(course reader, 33)

Another important aspect of this article is the beliefs and views of Franciscan friar Roger Bacon, a 13th century writer. Bacon also shared the same views of world, and felt that its end would soon approach, however, had a devoted interest to technological innovation. Bacon, just as cathedral and textile workers believed that “the extension of knowledge was necessary in successfully resisting the corruption that was coming, which would precede the end of the world.” (course reader, 33)