I assume technology came out of specialization. Which is fueled by population growth.

it sure accelerated but technology has always been progressing since tool-making primates exist

The makers of this have also created a 2 part paced course on Coursera

https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=from%20nand%20to%20te...

I had something for this. Something about killing Miles Dyson.

I'd suggest looking at the book Imagine by Jonah Lehrer. It doesn't refer to coding specifically but he talks about ways to foster focus and inspiration. The author looks in to all ways to get to these states of mind including drugs.