Sumerian Inventions and Discoveries

• Students should be able to identify inventions and discoveries from the ancient, middle, and modern ages and discuss scientific and technological developments in the Philippines.

Ancient Civilizations

• Ancient people were able to discover and invent things that would impact modern lives.

Sumerian Civilization

• Sumerian civilization emerged in the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia.
• Sumerians had an unusual flair for technological invention.
• Sumerians invented a wide range of technology and perfected the large-scale use of existing ones.

Cuneiform

• Cuneiform is the first writing system that uses word pictures and triangular symbols.

City of Uruk

• The City of Uruk is considered the first true city in the world.
• The Sumerians used sun-baked bricks made of mud or clay mixed with reeds to build the city.

The Great Ziggurat of Ur

• Considered as the first true city in the world.
• The Sumerians used sun-baked bricks of mud or clay mixed with reeds to build the city.

Wheel

• Sumerians constructed the first wheels by inserting rotating axles into solid discs of wood.

Irrigation and Dikes

• Sumerians created dikes and irrigation canals to bring water to farmlands.
• Sumerians used dikes and irrigation canals to control the flooding of the rivers.

Plow

• The plow was invented to dig the ground where seed would be planted.
• Using the plow helped people mass produce food without taking so much effort and time.

Babylonian Civilization

• Babylonian civilization flourished near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
• The Hanging Gardens were fabled gardens built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Queen Amytis.
• According to historians, this structure was made up of layers upon layers of gardens with a wide variety of plants, trees, and vines.

Astronomy

• Babylonians introduced the use of constellations to determine the weather, climate, and seasons.
• Babylonians also studied celestial bodies such as the moon, stars, and the sun, to predict future events.
• Babylonians mapped the position of astronomical bodies, now known as horoscopes, to foretell daily lives and those of their kings.

Egyptian Civilization

• Egyptian civilization is located in ancient North Africa.
• Egyptians built many engineering feats such as pyramids, temples, and tombs.

Paper or Papyrus and Ink

• Paper made from papyrus was the main writing material in ancient Egypt.
• Papyrus (cyperus papyrus) was a plant which once grew in abundance along the Nile River.
• Egyptians also invented ink by combining soot with different chemicals.

Hieroglyphics

• Hieroglyphics, also called holy writings, was one of the writing systems used by ancient Egyptians.

Cosmetics

• Egyptians wore kohl as a cosmetic to darken their eyes and to prevent and even cure eye ailments.
• It was created by mixing malachite with mineral galena.

Wig

• During the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were worn for health and wellness rather than aesthetic purpose.

Water Clock or Clepsydra

• The water clock or clepsydra was invented by Amenemhet.
• The water clock was an ancient device for measuring time by the gradual flow of water.

Greek Civilization

• Greek civilization has made considerable contributions to the world especially in the fields of science and technology.
• Its origins were in the land of Greece and the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Alarm Clock

• The ancient Greek's alarm clock used water or small stones or sand that dropped into drums to sound the alarm.
• Plato was believed to have utilized an alarm clock to signal the start of his lecture.

Water Mill

• Watermills were used in agricultural processes like milling of grains which was a necessary form of food processing during that time.

Archimedes' Screw

• The Archimedes' screw was invented by Archimedes.
• It was an efficient way to move water up a hill.

Biology

• Aristotle introduced the idea of classifying animals according to their different characteristics.
• He is often referred to as the father of zoology.

Cartography

• Cartography is the study and practice of making maps.
• Anaximander was one of the first pioneer cartographers to create a map of the world.

Roman Civilization

• Roman civilization emerged from the city of Rome in modern-day Italy.

Newspaper

• Romans introduced the first newspapers known as gazettes.

Bound Books or Codex

• With papyrus pages bound together and covered by animal skin, the ancient Roman civilization was able to produce the first books or codex.

Roman Architecture

• The Roman government was able to implement projects such as large churches (cathedrals and basilicas), aqueducts, coliseums, and amphitheaters.

Roman Numerals

• Romans devised their own number system to address the need for a standard counting method.
• The Roman Numeral system would meet increasing communication and trade concerns.

Chinese Civilization

• China is located on the far east of Asia.
• The Chinese civilization is the oldest civilization in Asia.

Silk

• The Chinese were the ones to develop the technology to harvest the silk.
• Silk is naturally produced by silkworms and processed to make paper and clothing.

Tea Production

• Tea production was developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that could shred tea leaves into strips.

Great Wall of China

• The Great Wall of China is recognized as the largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built.

Gunpowder

• Gunpowder was developed by Chinese alchemists by mixing charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate.

Middle Ages

• The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations.
• Wars were prevalent during this time.

Printing Press

• Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press.
• Gutenberg used wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits.
• He attached a metal impression of the letters, and pressed firmly the cast metal into a piece of paper, making an exact impression.

Microscope

• Zacharias Janssen developed the first compound microscope.

Telescope

• The telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote objects, was a great help for navigators.
• The telescope was first patented in 1608 by Hans Lippershey.

War Weapons

• Cross bows, long bows, and chainmail were invented during the Middle Ages.

Modern Ages

• The Modern Period covers human history from the creation of a more global network to the present day.

Pasteurization

• Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, invented pasteurization.
• Pasteurization is the process of heating dairy products such as milk to kill harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil faster.

Petroleum Refinery

• Samuel M. Kier invented kerosene by refining petroleum.

Telephone

• In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone.
• He made the first call on March 10, 1876, to his assistant, Thomas Watson.

Calculator

• The creation of modern calculators did not only pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, but also resulted in the development of more complex processing machines like the computer.

Philippine Inventions

• The Philippines also contributes to the advancement of science and technology.
• Many of the discoveries and inventions made by Filipinos were built from indigenous materials to adapt to the harsh tropical environment.

Salamander Amphibious Tricycle

• H2O Technologies, headed by Dominic N. Chung and Lamberto Armada, together with Chief Designer Victor "Atoy" Llave, invented the Salamander.
• The Salamander is an amphibious tricycle that can cross flooded streets, rivers, and lakes.

SALt Lamp

• A young Filipina inventor named Aisa Mejino invented a lighting system that utilizes saltwater.
• She invented the Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) lamp, an environmental-friendly light source that runs on saltwater.

Medical Incubator

• Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the first Asian woman admitted into Harvard Medical School, invented a medical incubator.
• The incubator was made from indigenous and cheap materials.

Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System

• The Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) introduced a trap system made of natural ingredients which are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans and the environment.
• It is known as the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System (OL Trap).

Ejeepney

• This modern type of transportation uses electricity instead of the more expensive diesel.