Technology in the World of Avatar

Technology in Avatar: The Last Airbender, varied greatly from nation to nation. The heavily industrialised Fire Nation was far more advanced compared to the other 3 nations, though the Earth Kingdom, albeit still pre-industrial, was much closer to to the Fire Nation's capabilities than the peaceful and technologically unambitious Air Nomads or the Water Tribes were, which as the name suggests, used only primitive technologies in combination with Waterbending to achieve their ends.

Air Nomads
The Air Nomads never industrialized, as they never felt the need to consciously expand their technological capabilities. This is likely because every Air Nomad was an Airbender, and could therefore use airbending to do many things in their lives. Their insistence on making the least amount of environmental impact on the world as possible, and their generally peaceful way of life meant that they were satisfied with classical technologies. The Air Nomads did however have enough technical knowledge to produce their gliders. It is unknown by what means their temples were constructed or how they acquired such other objects as the metal bison-teething ring; whether or not they were made themselves or traded and commissioned by other nations is unknown. It is unlikely the Air Nomads had a formal currency.

Examples of Technology

 * Glider - Support tool that Airbenders have frequently used for assistance in Airbending.


 * Air Temple Sanctuary Door - This door is opened only using Airbending, by sending a gust of air through two trumpet-like objects, which eventually undoes three locks, which unlock the door. It seems there is a way in without using Airbending, showed by the Mechanist in the Northern Air Temple, where he turned the sacred Air Temple Sanctuary there into his own private workshop, much to the disgust of Aang.

Water Tribe
The Water Tribe has limited technology.

Examples of Technology

 * "Stink and Sink" - Aquatic bomb invented by Hakoda.
 * Canal - Canal lock system passable only by the use of Waterbending in the Northern Water Tribe.
 * Waterbending Powered Submarines - An underwater naval vessel used in the Invasion of the Fire Nation, envisioned by Sokka and built by The Mechanist.
 * Ice Torpedo - A weapon designed for the Waterbending- powered submarines, used during the Invasion of the Fire Nation.

Earth Kingdom
The Earth Kingdom has limited industry and has some technological advances.

Examples of Technology

 * Omashu Mail Delivery System - The Omashu mail system is just a linking slide that goes on for miles in the city. Earthbenders move the packages around to different slides.
 * Ba Sing Se Monorail - Enormous train network stretching across the whole of Ba Sing Se, connecting all three Rings. It serves as its mass transit system. The monorail is pushed from one end of the rail network to the other by a group of elite Earthbenders.
 * Sand-sailors - These are gliders used by the Sandbenders to travel through the Si Wong Desert.
 * Fireworks - Explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes.
 * The Paddle Wheel - The Earth Kingdom Ferries were powered by paddle wheel.

The Mechanist
The Mechanist is a prolific technological innovator. He belonged to Earth Kingdom and has settled in Northern Air Temple. He made weapons for the Fire Nation to save the other refugees with him. Aang finds this out and gets angry but helps them fight the Fire Nation. But his invention the Hot Air Balloon was found at end of episode of The Northern Air Temple and the Fire Nation uses it in war as a mighty weapon. This is seen in the episodes of The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse and Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into The Inferno. His real name is never revealed.

Inventions

 * Hot Air Balloon - Experimental weapon developed for the Fire Nation.
 * Gliders - Simple flying apparatus based on the Airbenders gliders.
 * Waterbending Powered Submarines - Naval vehicles used in the Invasion of the Fire Nation. (envisioned by Sokka and built by The Mechanist)
 * Earthbending Powered Tank - Vehicles owned and operated by the Earth Kingdom Military. Used in the Day of Black Sun.
 * Earth Kingdom Supply Truck - Motorized, metallic vehicles. They were supposedly designed by Sokka in preparation for the invasion. They were used as a means of Ice-Torpedo.jpg transportation.
 * Ice Torpedo - A weapon designed for the waterbending powered submarines, used during the Invasion of the Fire Nation.
 * Peanut Sauce Bombs - Explosive weapons. (failed)
 * Timing Device - Form to keep track of time during an eclipse.
 * Time Candles - Candles used to see the time.
 * Cut-Safe Knife Sharpener - A knife sharpener invented by The Mechanist, never seen.
 * Eclipse Glasses- Special glasses worn during an eclipse to prevent eye damage.

Fire Nation
The Fire Nation is the most technologically advanced nation in the world. Most possibly it was advanced faster in the war, due to the need of new weapons and the help from the Mechanist. A majority of the Fire Nation technologies portrayed in the TV series were made out of metal and fueled by burning coal.

Examples of Technology

 * Tank Train - It is a Fire Nation engineering marvel. It is a cross between a tank and a train.
 * Fire Nation Drill - It was a very large, hydraulic metal drill which was designed to penetrate the "impenetrable" walls of Ba Sing Se, so that the Fire Nation could conquer the Earth Kingdom capital and ultimately win the War.
 * Tundra Tank - Tanks are large armored vehicles.
 * Fire Nation Trebuchet - These catapults are used to conduct long-range warfare, and have appeared to come in different sizes from being huge fixed catapults on Fire Nation ships.
 * Fire Nation Airship - It is a massive aerial vehicle.
 * Jet Ski - Another vehicle in the Fire Nation's war arsenal, these steam-powered jet skis are perfect for short-range water travel and warfare.
 * Fireworks - Explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. Used in the Fire Days Festival.