History of Science and Technology

A Brief History of Science and Technology

• Science and technology date back approximately 2.3 million years ago with the discovery of early human tools in East Africa.
• Mesopotamian cultures (around 400 BC) displayed early scientific observation in areas like diseases, astronomy, and chemicals.
• Ancient Egypt made contributions to medicine and mathematics.
• Euclid and Archimedes made significant contributions during the Classical period (300-400 BC) in geometry and engineering mechanics, respectively.
• The discovery of bronze and the invention of the two-wheeled cart occurred in the Bronze Age (around 3000 BC).
• City development and pyramid construction were important technological advancements in Egypt.
• The Middle Ages (450-1450 AD) saw further technological developments, especially in weaponry.
• The Renaissance (1450-1600 AD) brought a resurgence of knowledge, aided by Gutenberg's printing press (c. 1450) and Leonardo da Vinci's diverse contributions.
• Nicolaus Copernicus (early 1500s) reintroduced the heliocentric model of the universe.
• Advancements in navigation, such as the triangle sail and magnetic compass, enabled exploration.
• Galileo Galilei pioneered the modern scientific method, inventing the telescope (1608) and microscope in the modern era (post-1600 AD).
• Isaac Newton (born 1642) formulated the laws of gravity and motion and co-founded calculus.
• Albert Einstein (20th century) is known for his quantum theory work and the equation E=mc².
• The Industrial Revolution (late 18th to early 19th century) introduced mass production in factories.
• The 20th century is marked by inventions like the light bulb (Thomas Edison, 1879), the automobile, and space travel.

Science and Technology in the Philippines

Pre-Colonial Era

• Indigenous technologies included wet and dry rice cultivation, handicrafts, pottery, weaving, metalwork, and boat building.
• The Banaue Rice Terraces exemplify pre-Spanish engineering.

Spanish Colonial Period

• Formal education was introduced through Parish schools (16th century) and universities (e.g., University of Santo Tomas in 1611).
• Advanced agricultural methods and medical studies were prioritized.
• The School of Medicine and Pharmacy at UST opened in 1871.
• The Jesuits established the Manila Observatory in 1865.

American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era

• The Philippine Commission established the Bureau of Government Laboratories on July 1, 1901.
• The Bureau of Science replaced it on October 26, 1905.
• The National Research Council of the Philippines was recognized on December 8, 1933.
• The Science Act of 1958 (Republic Act No. 2067) created the National Science Development Board (NSDB).

Marcos Era and Martial Law

• The 1973 Philippine Constitution (Article XV, Section 9) prioritized science and technology for national development.
• Executive Order No. 784 (1982) reorganized the NSDB into the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).
• The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission and PAGASA were established under Presidential Decree No. 49, s. 1972.
• Mindanao and Visayas campuses of the Philippine Science High School were founded in 1986 (Executive Order No. 1090).

Fifth Republic

• The Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP was formulated on August 8, 1988.
• The Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 (R.A. 6655) opened free education at the secondary level.
• The "Science for the Masses Program" promoted scientific and technological literacy.

President Fidel V. Ramos' Term

• The Science and Technology Agenda for Development (STAND) was the country's development plan for 1993-1998.
• "Competence, Competitive Conscience: the Medium-Term Plan of the Department of Science and Technology (1999-2004) had six flagship programs.
• These programs included enhancing technology enterprises; clean technologies; establishing a packaging R&D center; expanding regional meteorology centers; S&T intervention for the poor, vulnerable, and disabled; and a comprehensive S&T program for Mindanao.
• The Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was established in 1993.
• Priorities of STAND: exporting winners identified by the DTI, meeting domestic needs identified by the Presidential Council for Countryside Development, supporting industries, and developing the coconut industry.
• Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (R.A. 8439).
• Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (R.A. No. 7687).
• Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (R.A. 7459).
• The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (R.A. 8293).

Explore the evolution of science and technology from early human tools in East Africa to advancements in Mesopotamian cultures and Ancient Egypt. Discover key contributions from Euclid and Archimedes during the Classical period. Also, learn about the impact of the Renaissance and Gutenberg's printing press.