Science In a Social CONtext is a series of eight books based on the project SISCON-in-Schools. The books provide a new course in science and society for general studies at sixth-form level. The course has been specially designed to make scientific problems accessible to the non-scientist, as well as to explain the social aspects of science to the scientists. This four-section book is used in an optional unit which focuses on technology, invention, and industry. Section 1 discusses several factors which help make a new technology succeed. Four stories illustrating these factors are included. Section 2 briefly examines research and development (R&D) in industry. Case studies of two industrial inventions, plastics and microelectronics, are provided in sections 3 and 4 respectively. The history of these industries as well as the effects of their developments on society are discussed. Instances of lucky choices exploited but not understood, "market pull" due to some other new development within the community, "breakthrough" when some relevant scientific puzzle has been solved, technological research needed to apply a new invention, problems with new production processes, and social effects of the new technology are considered in both case studies. (JN)