Ancient Inventions and Their Impact

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the cuneiform writing system developed by the Sumerians?

  • To communicate through oral tradition
  • To record economic transactions and historical events (correct)
  • To craft poetic literature
  • To represent musical notation

What does the term 'cuneiform' derive from, and what does it reflect about the writing style?

  • Babylonian for 'clay', alluding to its medium
  • Sumerian for 'writings', indicating its cultural significance
  • Latin for 'wedge', describing its shaped impressions (correct)
  • Greek for 'symbols', reflecting its pictorial nature

What type of tool was primarily used to create cuneiform inscriptions?

  • A chisel
  • A pen
  • A brush
  • A stylus (correct)

At what point in history did the use of cuneiform begin to decline?

<p>Around 100 BCE (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which civilizations primarily utilized cuneiform writing before its decline?

<p>All Mesopotamian civilizations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism does a shadoof primarily serve?

<p>Lifting water for irrigation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the ancient wheel in Sumerian society?

<p>Carrying heavy loads (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for starting the paper-making industry in China?

<p>Ts’ai Lun (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable function of the Antikythera mechanism?

<p>To calculate and display astronomical phenomena (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the oldest known wheel found in Mesopotamia?

<p>It dates to around 3500 BC (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the structure of a shadoof resemble?

<p>A seesaw or balance beam (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What writing system was developed by the ancient Sumerians?

<p>Cuneiform (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What material was primarily used for writing before the invention of paper?

<p>Papyrus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the cost comparison of a sheet of papyrus to modern currency?

<p>About what $20 is worth today (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient civilization was first known to use the wheel for pottery making?

<p>Sumerians (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year approximately was paper invented in China?

<p>105 AD (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the historical significance of the heavy plough in Medieval Europe?

<p>It allowed for the farming of heavy, clay soil which supported urban growth. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year is the manufacture of the Antikythera mechanism estimated to have occurred?

<p>100 BCE (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the invention of gunpowder come about?

<p>It was created accidentally by alchemists seeking immortality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism did Heron of Alexandria invent in the 1st century AD?

<p>The aeolipile, a steam-powered device. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main effect of using the heavy plough in Northern Europe?

<p>It allowed for settlement and urbanization in naturally unsustainable areas. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'aeolipile' refer to?

<p>An ancient steam turbine converting steam to rotary motion. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage increase in urbanization did Europe experience between 900 AD and 1300 AD due to the heavy plough?

<p>14.3% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following inventions was not part of the Middle Period?

<p>The aeolipile (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with the invention of the first television system?

<p>Philo Farnsworth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a medical incubator?

<p>To keep newborns at an optimal temperature and humidity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which antibiotic was discovered by Abelardo Aguilar?

<p>Erythromycin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement did Diosdado Banatao contribute to computing?

<p>The first graphical user interface accelerator (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the aim of the board game Challenge 21?

<p>To enhance abstract thinking and mental skills (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Abelardo Aguilar discover erythromycin?

<p>1949 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of the PC chipset developed by Diosdado Banatao?

<p>It accelerated the use of graphics for commands. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What health condition was specifically targeted by Fe Del Mundo's improved incubator?

<p>Jaundice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main components of the early gunpowder mixture?

<p>Sulphur, saltpeter, and charcoal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which dynasty did gunpowder begin to be used in military affairs?

<p>Tang Dynasty (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the first government-produced paper money called?

<p>Jiaozi (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred to mechanical clocks in the 14th century?

<p>They switched from weights to spring-powered mechanisms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What function did the agents serve for merchants during the Tang Dynasty?

<p>They recorded deposits and issued promissory notes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of clocks did Pope Sylvester II construct in 996?

<p>A mechanical clock (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which centuries did gunpowder spread to Arab countries and then to Europe?

<p>12th and 13th centuries (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How often did the monks have to wind up the mechanical clocks for accurate functioning?

<p>Twice a day (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Ancient Period Inventions

  • Ancient Wheel: Developed by Sumerians around 3500 BC, the earliest wheels were used for pottery and later for transporting heavy goods and chariots.
  • Papyrus and Paper: Egyptians utilized papyrus for writing around 3000 BC. Paper was invented in China around 100 BC, with Ts’ai Lun pioneering mass production in 105 AD.
  • Cuneiform Writing: Originating from the Sumerians around 3500-3000 BCE, this system employed stylus tools to create wedge-shaped impressions in clay, evolving into word-concepts.
  • Shadoof/Shaduf: An ancient irrigation tool resembling a seesaw, used for lifting water, still found in countries like India and Egypt.
  • Antikythera Mechanism: An ancient Greek device for calculating astronomical positions, dating back to 100 BCE, discovered from a shipwreck in 1901.
  • Aeolipile: A steam turbine invented by Heron of Alexandria in the 1st century AD, recognized as the first to convert steam into rotary motion, although initially viewed as a novelty.

Middle Period Innovations

  • Heavy Plough: Transformative for Northern European agriculture, allowing for the cultivation of heavy clay soil, leading to population growth and urbanization (7.7% increase in density, 14.3% in urbanization from 900-1300 AD).
  • Gunpowder: Invented accidentally by Chinese alchemists during the Tang Dynasty while seeking an elixir of immortality; became pivotal in warfare during the Song and Yuan Dynasties.
  • Paper Money: Emerged during the Tang Dynasty as promissory notes and formalized by the Song Dynasty, where the government issued the world's first true paper currency, known as jiaozi.
  • Mechanical Clock: Development of clocks in Europe dates back to the 10th century, with significant advancements in the 14th century including spring-powered mechanisms, requiring winding by monks.

Philippine Inventions

  • Bamboo Incubator: Invented by Dr. Fe Del Mundo, this incubator maintains optimal conditions for premature and sick newborns, significantly impacting neonatal care.
  • Erythromycin: Discovered by Abelardo Aguilar in 1949, this antibiotic was among the first successful macrolides introduced in the US, known for its efficacy against bacterial infections.
  • PC Chipset: Developed by Diosdado Banatao, this invention enhanced computer graphics performance, enabling faster data processing through the use of smaller chips.
  • Challenge 21: A Filipino board game designed to encourage mental alertness and strategic thinking, promoting skills in abstract reasoning and observation.

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