History of Technology and Engineering

Paradigm Shift

• A significant change where traditional thinking or practices are replaced by new approaches.

History of Technology

• Explores the evolution of technology through the contributions of engineers and scientists.

Egyptians

• Smelted copper, ushering in the Bronze Age.
• Constructed pyramids, showcasing engineering prowess.
• Hero of Alexandria, known for inventing the plow.

Chinese

• Built the Great Wall of China, a significant feat of engineering.
• Developed the abacus, an early calculating device.
• Invented paper by Cai Lun in 100 AD.
• Pioneered moveable type printing.
• Discovered gunpowder, a revolutionary explosive.
• Created the mechanical clock, a crucial timekeeping tool.
• Invented the compass for navigation.

First Mechanical Clock

• The Sung Water Clock was an early example of a mechanical timekeeping device.

Greeks

• Made advancements in architecture, evident in their enduring structures.
• Ptholemy contributed to astronomy.
• Aristotle's philosophical insights influenced scientific thought.

Renaissance

• A period marked by a "rebirth" in technology.

Leonardo da Vinci

• Wrote backward, a unique writing style.
• Developed numerous inventions, including:
  • Siege defenses
  • War Scythe
  • Multi-Barrel Gun
  • Ornithopter
  • Tank
  • Helicopter
  • Airplane Wing

Nicholas Copernicus

• Proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, placing the Sun at the center.

Galileo Galilei

• Made contributions to physics, including:
  • Isochronous Motion
  • Parabolic Motion
  • Inertia (though later attributed to Newton)
• Developed the thermometer, a tool for measuring temperature.
• Created the telescope, leading to groundbreaking observations of:
  • Moon
  • Jupiter
  • Saturn
  • Milky Way
• Faced an ecclesiastic trial due to his scientific work.

Charles Darwin

• Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection, replacing Lamarckian evolution.

Paradigm Shift

• A paradigm shift is a significant change in the way of thinking about or doing something.
• It replaces the usual way with a new and different approach.
• A paradigm shift, as explored by Thomas Kuhn, is not a minor revision of an existing scientific theory.
• Instead, it fundamentally alters the scientific theory itself and dramatically changes the way it seeks to understand reality.

History of Technology

• The text provides a brief overview of key inventors and their contributions to the development of technology.

Egyptians

• Smelted copper, marking the Bronze Age.
• Constructed the pyramids.
• Hero of Alexandria's work on mechanics, including the invention of the plow.

Chinese

• Built the Great Wall.
• Invented the abacus for calculations.
• Developed paper by Cai Lun around 100 AD.
• Created moveable type for printing.
• Invented gunpowder.
• Designed the mechanical clock.
• Introduced the compass to navigation.

First Mechanical Clock

• The Sung Water clock is mentioned as an early form of mechanical timekeeping.

Greeks

• Made significant contributions to architecture.
• Ptholemy’s work in astronomy.
• Aristotle's influence on philosophy and science.

Renaissance

• A period of significant advancements in technology and art.

Leonardo da Vinci

• A Renaissance polymath known for his inventions.
• His writing was backwards, a personal quirk.
• Developed numerous inventions including siege defense mechanisms, war scythes, multi-barrel guns, ornithopters, tanks, helicopters, and airplane wings.
• His famous quote: "Tell me if anything is ever done."

Nicholas Copernicus

• Proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, placing the Sun at the center.

Galileo Galilei

• Made significant contributions to physics.
• Made advancements in astronomy using the telescope.
• His observations led to discoveries about the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Milky Way.
• Faced an ecclesiastical trial for his scientific views challenging the established order.

Charles Darwin

• His theory of evolution by natural selection revolutionized biology.
• His work replaced Lamarckian evolution.