Historical antecedent refers to an event in history that existed or happened before, especially as the cause or origin of something that came later. The first wheels were not made... Historical antecedent refers to an event in history that existed or happened before, especially as the cause or origin of something that came later. The first wheels were not made for transportation but for farm work and food processes. PAPYRUS Material similar to thick paper that was used in ancient times as a writing surface. Wigs were worn to protect the shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from sunlight. They shaved their head to prevent lice. AQUEDUCT Romans constructed waterways throughout their empire to bring water from outside sources into cities and towns. TEA PRODUCTION It was developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred leaves into strips. Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first compound microscope in 1595. SAILBOAT It is the main mode of transportation through waterways such as rivers and seas. PLOW Invented to dig the earth in a faster pace. CUNEIFORM It is the earliest known writing system and was originally developed to write the Sumerian language. CODE OF HAMMURABI A collection of 282 rules that established standards for commercial interactions as well as fines and punishment for crimes. NEWSPAPER / GAZETTES Gazettes contained announcements of the Roman Empire to the people. GREAT WALL OF CHINA Chinese leaders instituted wall-building projects to protect the land from northern, nomadic invaders. Johann Gutenberg designed and built the first known mechanized printing press in Europe, allowing the mass production of books. TELESCOPE In 1609, Galileo learned of the spyglass and began to experiment with grinding and polishing his own lenses. Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria. The first handheld calculator was a 1967 prototype called Cal Tech, whose development was led by Jack Kilby. Albert Einstein was a famous scientist that had profound impact on quantum theory to nuclear power and the atom bomb. He came up also with the famous equation E=mc2. Alexander Graham Bell developed the world's first working telephone, receiving a patent on the 1876. Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining petroleum. Isaac Newton helped define the laws of gravity and planetary motion, co-founded calculus and explained the laws of light and color. WOOD BLOCK PRINTING One of the world's first printing technologies used paper, ink, and wood for printing. Read more