In fact, the reliance of humans on technology since the beginning of time has given them the ability to develop more and more advanced technology while solving more difficult problems. Since that we are genetically programmed to try to achieve more convenience and comfort, we are always in a chase for new machinery, better tools and more comfortable environment that will make us happier.
This could be best illustrated by the space race, which has given a great push to hundreds, if not thousands of new technological abilities in the fields of mathematics, computer science, biological sciences, engineering etc. Although we have reached space, this race isn't slowing down and new questions and needs are arising every day. Scientists all over the world research those fields, trying to discover facts about our world from the human cell to the mysteries of the universe while developing new approaches to solve the problems that arise from those discoveries.
In contrast to that statement, things have changed this situation in the past century and thus may result in a different perspective. Nowadays, most of the people concentrate on a certain profession and every need in their life that is not in their field of expertise relies on technology or skills that others have developed. In the past, people used to have a broad set of professional abilities, due to the fact that they haven't got a tool and gadget to every day to day activity. Thus, the fact that so many activities during the day are performed not by our mind makes us think less and do more.