Miniaturization is an intermediate trend in technology toward increasingly smaller scale for first mechanical, then optical and tiny-ward to electronic devices. The trend can be traced back to ancient times both as an abstract science and a physical practice beginning with atomic theories of the Nature of matter and the use of crude forerunners of microscopes.
The art of miniaturization has evolved into the current science of Nanotechnology and Molecular nanotechnology but was an important process spanning centuries.
The tinyness race
The race toward miniaturization particularly divided in East vs. West fashion, was led by Japan on the East and (debateably) Germany for the West. One story recounts that a drill bit of tiny proportions was sent to Japan to return with a hole drilled through it. See Japanese miniaturization culture
Miniaturization in science fiction
Miniaturization is also a theme of science fiction. See Nanotechnology in fiction.
Beside referring to redesigning products to make smaller ones, miniaturization in science fiction also refers to "shrinking" things and people into smaller sizes. See Resizing (in fiction).
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