Historical Antecedents in Science and Technology PDF

Chapter 1 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology Learning Outcomes At the end of this topic the students should be able to : Explain how Science and Technology affected society and the environment and vice versa; Identify inventions and d...

Chapter 1 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology Learning Outcomes At the end of this topic the students should be able to : Explain how Science and Technology affected society and the environment and vice versa; Identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the course of history; and Discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines  In ancient times, people were more concerned with transportation and navigation, communication and record- keeping, mass production, security, and production, as well as health, aesthetics, and architecture Transportation Use to go to places and discover new horizons. Use to search for food and find better locations for their settlements To trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that they lacked Navigation assisted them in their journey Communication Essential in their endeavors to discover and occupy new places Needed a way to communicate with the natives of the areas they visited to trade and avoid conflict Record keeping to remember the places they had been to and document trades they made. Record keeping their history and culture to establish identities as they tried to relate with other cultures and civilizations Problem faced There is scarcity and increased demand for food and other basic necessities. The challenge was to produce food at a given time and space since resources were getting scarcer. Thus, there is a need to form a technology that would increase food supplies and other survival needs without traveling more or working harder  Weapons and Armors Important in discovery of new Conflict occurs if different places or the establishment of groups struggled to control new alliances with other tribes. vital resources Avoid the risk of conflict when Stronger nations tended to people meet people with invade weaker ones so they different culture and could take much-needed orientations resources. Thus, the development of weapons and armor for security and protection was considered a major achievements Conservation of Life Conservation of Life is the primary challenge they face Different illnesses and diseases, both natural and man-made, hamper the full potential of human beings. Given the said predicament, science and technology played a major role in the discovery of cures to, if not the prevention of illnesses. Engineering Engineering is ventured because it helps to integrate their needs--- for better transportation, the establishment of structures for protection from human attacks and natural disasters, and the construction of bigger and stronger infrastructures. It allowed humans to build structures that would address their specific needs and wants.  Architecture Ushered through engineering development Elaborate architectural designs were signs of the technological advancement of a particular civilization. In the future, architecture will be considered a status symbol among nations of how advanced their technology is. Establish the identity of a nation  Out of necessity, people in ancient times were able to discover and invent things that would impact the lives of modern people--- Beautifying infrastructures and surroundings, prolonging life, raising the quality of life, and developing technology to improve how they look. Major Technological Advancement During The Ancient Times  Sumerian Civilization Located in the Southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia. Known for their high degree of cooperation with one another and their desire for great things. Discontented with the basic things that life can offer, push them to desire and develop many things connected to science and technology.  Cuneiform First writing system. A system that utilizes word pictures and triangular symbols which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then left to dry. Used to keep records of things with great historical value. Uruk City Considered the first city in the world. A city made out of mud or clay from the river which they mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked bricks. Used bricks to make houses that protected them from the harsh weather and built a wall around the city that prevented wild animals and neighboring raiders from entering  The Great Ziggurat of Ur Also called the mountain of god, was built in the same manner that they constructed the City of Uruk. Sacred Place of their chief god, where only their priest are allowed to enter. The temple showcases elaborate and intricate Sumerian Architecture and the remarkable technology used to build it.  Irrigation and Dikes Built to get water from the rivers, maintain farmlands, maintain water supply, and prevent flooding caused by the river. Enjoy year-long farming and harvesting, which increased the food production Sail Boats The main mode of transportation was through waterways such as rivers and seas. Used to carry large quantities of products and were able to cover large distances. Essential in transportation and trading as well as in fostering culture, information, and technology. Wheel Invented the wheel since the specialized tools needed to create it were already available. Used first to farm work and food processes- mass production made easier. Used to mill grains with less effort in less time.  Plow A farm technology used to dig the ground where seeds would be planted. Used by farmers to cultivate larger parcels of land faster, enabling them to mass produce food without taking so much effort and time Roads Built to facilitate faster and easier travel. Made out of sun-baked bricks that they laid in the ground. They poured bitumen, a black sticky substance similar to asphalt to smoothen the roads. Useful especially during the rainy season when traveling is softer than travelling on muddy roads.  BabylonianCivilization Emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They are great builders, engineers, and architects. Hanging Gardens of It was said to be a structure made up of layers of gardens that contained several species of plants, Babylon trees, and vines. Legend said that great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens for his wife, Queen Amytis. However, it has no physical evidence and its location is still unknown. Some said that it was a product of the creative imagination of the said King or if it is true, it might destroyed by war, erosion, or an earthquake. If the stories were true, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon may be considered one of the greatest engineering and architectural achievements of the world almost impossible to replicate.  Egyptian Civilization Pyramids Paper or Papyrus Papyrus was a plant that grew abundantly Located in North Africa along the Nile River in Egypt, processing it The Pyramids were an to produce thin sheets of paper. engineering feat of the Egyptians Used to send letters or correspondences established by the Pharaohs. anywhere in the world delivered by birds. More secure record-keeping.  Ink Hieroglyphics They invented ink by combining They believed that this writing system was soot with different chemicals to provided for them by their gods. produce different colors. It can be seen today and remains to be as It must withstand the elements of famous as the pyramids where they were found. nature since it was used to record It tells the modern world of the history and history, culture, and codified laws. culture of the Egyptians. It must be tamper-proof so that It is well preserved since they were carved on people cannot simply tinker with the walls of pyramids and other important those written down by authorities Egyptian structures.  Wig Cosmetic Invention of ancient Egyptians. Worn for health and wellness. Used to protect the shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the harmful rays of the Sun. Better than a scarf since a wig allowed heat to escape. Considered cleaner because it prevented the accumulation of head lice  Water Clock/ Clepsydra This device utilizes gravity which affects the flow of water from one vessel to the other. The amount of water remaining in the device determines how much time has elapsed since it is full. In the process, time is measured. Widely used as a timekeeping device during ancient times.  Greek Civilization An archipelago in the southeastern part of Europe. Known as the birthplace of modern philosophy. In-depth works on Mathematics and Philosophy are some of the major achievements of the Greeks. More than the coliseum and the olympics, they contributed much to the world especially in the fields of science and technology  Alarm Clock The purpose was just the same- to tell an individual when to stop and start. They use water (sometimes the small stones or sand) that drop into drums which sounded the alarm. Plato was believed to have utilized an alarm clock to signal the start of the lecture. His version, however, used four water vessels lined up vertically.  Water Mill Commonly used in agricultural processes like the milling of grains which was necessary for food processing at that time. The mass production of rice, cereals, flours, It requires less effort and time to operate since the farmer does not have to raise animals. It only required access to rivers or flowing water where a mechanism of a large wheel with small “buckets” of water attached to it could be installed.  Roman Civilzation The Roman Empire was perceived as the strongest political and social entity in the West. It was considered the cradle of politics and governance during that period. Other civilizations looked up to the Roman Empire as a model for legislation and codified laws. The Roman Empire made significant contributions to politics. Many discoveries and inventions attributed to the Roman Empire are still relevant today. Newspaper One of the major contributions of the Romans is the newspaper. The first newspapers, known as gazettes, contained announcements of the Roman Empire to the people. Made before the invention of paper, these gazettes were engraved in metal or stone tablets and then publicly displayed. When paper was invented, it became easier for the Romans to "publish" matters that needed the attention of the Roman citizens. Bound Books With the invention of paper, civilizations found it easier to record everything that happened in their time. Paper was advantageous due to its durability, lightweight nature, or Codex and space efficiency. Civilizations became fond of record-keeping, including historical events and legislated laws. Literature transitioned from clay tablets to paper parchments. Julius Caesar is credited with starting the tradition of stacking papyrus to form book pages. Covers for these early books were initially made of wax. Later, covers were replaced by animal skin, which was stronger and more durable. This development led to the creation of the first books or codex in the ancient Roman Empire.  Roman Numerals Other number systems existed before Roman numerals but couldn't meet high calculation needs. Roman Empire expanded and needed a standard counting method for communication and trade. Roman numerals are not widely used today. Roman Architecture Roman architecture is one of the most visual contributions of the ancient Roman Empire to the world. Roman architecture was considered a continuation of Greek architecture, hence, the resemblance. Romans adapted new building and engineering technology to preserve elaborate architectural designs and create sturdier infrastructures. The Romans creatively redesigned old architectural patterns to adapt to new trends. The Roman government fully supported and funded developments in engineering and architecture. Major projects included large churches (cathedrals and basilicas), aqueducts, coliseums, amphitheaters, and residential houses.  Chinese Civilization The Chinese civilization is considered the oldest in Asia and possibly the world, often referred to as the "middle kingdom" and situated in the far east of Asia. It was famous among other ancient civilizations because of its silk trade. Not a great amount was written about ancient China partly due to its distance from the other civilizations. Despite its less popular status among the early civilizations, one cannot discredit the significant contributions of Chinese civilization to the world.  Silk One of the things that connected Far East China to the world is silk. were the ones who developed the technology to harvest the silk and process it to produce paper and clothing. Silk production resulted in the creation of a product for trade. It bridged the gap between the western world and the middle kingdom.  Tea Production Tea is a beverage produced by pouring hot or boiling water over crushed or shredded dried tea leaves. It was believed that the first tea was drunk by a Chinese emperor. Tea production was developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred tea leaves into strips. This machine was done using a wheel-based mechanism with sharp edges attached to a wooden or ceramic pot. This invention allowed the Chinese to increase their tea production and trade with other nations. China thus became known for its tea exports aside from its silk products. Tea production developed by the ancient Chinese may have resulted in making tea as one of the most popular beverages in the world today. Great Wall of China The Great Wall of China is considered the largest and most extensive man-made structure in China. It was built to keep out foreign invaders and control China's borders. The wall was constructed using stone, brick, wood, earth, and other materials, showcasing Chinese engineering technology. Today, some sections of the Great Wall are in ruins, but it remains a world attraction due to its historical significance and architectural grandeur.  The gunpowder is one of the most interesting inventions in China. Gunpowder Originally developed by Chinese alchemists aiming for immortality. Ingredients: charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate. Accidentally invented a black powder with heat and gas generation. Ironically, used to propel bullets from guns and cannons, causing deaths. Preferred by raiders for long-range attacks and defense against invasion. Also used in fireworks during important celebrations in China.  Medieval/Middle Ages The start of the Middle Ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were prevalent during this time. The wars have resulted in population decline, but during the latter part of the period, there was a significant rise in population. Trade and commerce among nations increased, which resulted in greater demands for transportation technology.  Printing Press Johann Gutenberg was able to invent the printing press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type. He utilized wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits, attached to them a metal impression of the letters, and pressed firmly the cast metal into a piece of paper, which then made an exact impression on paper. This general invention soon evolved to be the mechanical printing press which was eventually used all over the world. The printing press was invented to address the need for publishing books that would spread information to many people at a faster rate. This invention also made works accessible to individuals who could not even write (Streissguth, 1997). Microscope Guided the principles used for the invention of eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first compound microscope. With this device, people were able to observe organisms that were normally unseen by the naked eye. The microscope was key in discovering new means in preventing and curing various illnesses (Davidson, 2015).  Telescope The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote objects, was a great help for navigators during this time. Together with the telescope, the invention of the compass, oars, and rudders made sea travelling easier and safer (Helden, 1989).  War Weapons Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages, great development in the weaponry technology also occurred. All sides must develop weaponries not only as offensive tools but also as defensive instruments. For open-area battles, people developed cross bows and long bows so that they could attack the enemies at long ranges, keeping themselves safe with the protection of walls and fortresses. In close- range hand-to-hand combat, soldiers should wear something to protect themselves, a need addressed by the creation of iron body armors. However, body armors were heavy and limited their movements. The problem was eventually solved by the invention of the chainmail.  Modern Times The booming population during the 19th century requires onwards demanded that more goods be produced at a faster rate. People need efficient transportation to trade more goods and cover a larger distance. Faster machinery, means to communicate, and compute should be developed to establish connections between and among nations, However, massive industrialization causes more complicated problems.  Pasteurization Invented by Louis Pasteur, pasteurization is the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil faster. Through this, the milk could be stored and consumed for a longer period. It prevents illnesses caused by harmful bacteria. His other contributions include his works on molecular asymmetry, fermentation, and vaccination. Petroleum Refinery Samuel M. Kier invented kerosene by refining petroleum. Kerosene is often referred to as the “Illuminating Oil” because it is used to provide lighting at home and then later used for heating purposes. The development of kerosene established the petroleum refinery industry. At present, petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles, factories, and power plants, among others. Telephone Invented by Alexander Graham Bell Invented to maintain connections and communication. Used by the government to administer their state well. Utilize because of important day-to- day decisions that must be discussed and addressed at the fastest time possible.  Calculator Invented for a faster way to compute more complicated equations. Easy to carry and can be utilized on a day-to-day basis. It paved the way for easier arithmetic calculations and the development of more complex processing machines like computers.  Philippine Inventions Jeepney Tricycle Converted from the Military Jeeps used in Addition of a sidecar to a motorcycle to World War II accommodate more passengers.  Salamander Amphibious Tricycle An amphibious tricycle that can cross not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes, It may also be utilized to travel from island to island considering that the Philippines is an archipelago.  Invented by Aisa Mijeno utilizing Salt Lamp saltwater. Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) lamp, an environment- friendly light source that runs on saltwater. Safer as it poses no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases. Beneficial for coastal areas and far- flung barrios. Medical Incubator Invented by Dr. Fe del Mundo, its main purpose was to maintain conditions suitable for a newborn, usually a pre-term baby. She uses indigenous and cheap materials which did not run electricity. Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System Introduced by the Department of Science And Technology-- Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) Also known as OL Trap Made out of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans and environment.  Ejeepney Counter the disadvantages of traditional jeeps that uses diesel and produce large quantities of black smoke, and usually major contributor of noise pollution due to its primitive exhaust system. Utilizes electricity and environment- friendly  The items discussed in this chapter are only some of the great intentions and developments during the different time periods. There are still more innovations and discoveries that were made in the course of history that change the world. Can you name other great discoveries? Thank You for listening!