Unit 1: General Concepts in Science, Technology, and Society

Chapter 1: Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology

Ancient Times

 People were concerned with transportation and navigation, communication and

record-keeping, mass production, security protection and also health, aesthetics, and
architecture.
Transportation – during ancient times, the vast world was not fully discovered hence
people venture out in search for food and better environments.
Communication – history, mapping, and documentation of trade was important as
well as
establishing a way of communication.
Weapons and armors – used as means of security and protection and as offense to
fight off
invaders or conquer lands.
Conservation of life – discovering of cures and the prevention of illness help conserve
the
population of the community.
Engineering and Architecture – were developed to improve transportation, fortify
defences from invaders and natural disasters, and a symbol of technological
advancement.

 Sumerian Civilization
- Located on the southernmost tip of Mesopotamia; desire continuous
advancement
- Cuneiform: first writing system; word pictures and triangular symbols carved
on clay using wedged instruments and dried.
- Uruk City: considered to be the first true city; made of only mud and clay
- The Great Ziggurat of Ur: constructed similarly to Uruk City; serves as the
sacred place
of the Sumerian’s chief God.
- Irrigation and Dikes: canals used to water farmlands and control flooding of
rivers
- Sailboats: used as transportation of goods and as means to travel and discover
lands
- Wheel: used to improve farm work but was later used for transportation
- The Plow: used to efficiently plant seeds
 - Roads: built using sun-baked bricks and bitumen for easier travel and
smoother flow of traffic
 Babylonian Civilization
- Located near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; great builders, engineers and
architects.
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Is said to be a mythical place due to its lack of
archaeological documentation, the garden is made of layers upon layers of
different
species of plant life, which is said to be made by the great Babylonian King
Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Queen Amytis.
 Egyptian Civilization
- Located in North Africa; great engineering feats that makes it well known for
its legacy.
- Paper or Papyrus: Egyptians revolutionized writing through paper created
from the plant papyrus, processed in order to produce thin sheets where one
can write on. Ink was also invented which is used to write and is tamper-proof
so people could not erase or replace the words written.
- Hieroglyphics: the language used to convey the rich history of the Egyptians;
well-preserved because it is carved on walls of the pyramids and other
structures.
- Cosmetics: Invented by Egyptians not to improve facial features, but to
prevent diseases and symbolize beauty as holiness.
- Wig: were worn for health and wellness
- Water Clock/Clepsydra: used to track time by the amount or height of the
water from
one vessel to the other.
 Greek Civilization
- located in the southeastern part of Europe; birthplace of western philosopy;
contributed greatly on the field of science and technology.
- Alarm Clock: used to tell when to start or stop by a mechanism created from
either water, small stones or sand contained in drums.
- Water Mill: considered as one of the most important contributions of the
Greek civilization to the world; used in agricultural processes like milling of
grains; a mechanism built in rivers or flowing water with a large wheel with
small buckets.
 Roman Civilization
- Strongest political and social entity in the west; specializes on politics and
governance.
- Newspaper: the first newspapers were known as gazettes, which is engraved
in metal
or stone tablets before the creation of paper, which made it more efficient;
gazettes
are used as public announcements and are displayed for the public to see.
- Bound Books or Codex: Julius Caesar was the one who started the tradition of
 stacking paper to form books; people later included book covers made from
clay,
eventually from dead animal skin, to cover and protect the pages.
- Roman Architecture: resembles Greek architecture, but pioneered new
building and engineering technology on architectural designs established from
the past. More advance equipment, designs and knowledge paved way to
greater and more sturdier infrastructures like churches, aqueducts, coliseums,
amphitheaters, and even residential houses.
- Roman Numerals: The Romans own number system used to address the need
for communication and trade.
 Chinese Civilization
- Considered as the oldest civilization in Asia; located in the far east of Asia;
famous for
its silk trade.
- Silk: although naturally produced by silkworms, Chinese developed a way to
harvest it and use for paper and clothing production.
- Tea Production: created from hot water and dried tea leaves; Chinese
inventors created a wheel-based machine that shreds tea leaves into strips.
- Great Wall of China: is said to be the largest and most extensive infrastructure
that the nation built; Made with stone, brick, wood, earth, and other
materials.
- Gunpowder: was initially planned to be an elixir of life, but instead accidentally
invented as a black power that generates heat and gas if ignited; commonly
used in weaponry to defend or to conquer lands, but also used as a
component of fireworks.
Medieval/Middle Ages

 Printing Press – a more reliable way of printing through the use of attaching metal
to extracted juices of fruits, and pressed on pieces of paper.
 Microscope – a device that magnifies things that is not visible to the naked eye;
used as a tool to help identify the illnesses and create a proper cure or medicine.
 Telescope – an instrument that helps in navigation primarily in exploration
through the sea; inventions such as compass, oars, and rudders were also of great
help to navigators.
 War Weapons – developed cross bows and long bows for long range attacks
during war; developed chainmail as a lighter alternative to body armors.
Modern Times

 Pasteurization – Louis Pasteur, French biologist invented pasteurization or the

process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacterias that gives illness
and allowed for milk to be traded.
 Petroleum Refinery – Samuel M. Kier refined petroleum to invent kerosene, which
is then first used to provide lighting, and later used for heating purposes.
  Telephone – Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, which revolutionized
the way of communicating from far places, and aid the connections of trade.
 Calculator – used to calculate equations in a much more quicker time, and later
served as the stepping stone for the invention of computers.
Philippine Inventions

 Salamander Amphibious Tricycle – an amphibious tricycle that can cross certain

bodies of water to solve the problem of venturing through flooded streets.
 SALt Lamp – Aisa Mijeno invented a lighting material that uses saltwater as its
resource; has no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases.
 Medical Incubator – Dr. Fe del Mundo, invented an incubator made from
indigenous and cheap materials that does not need electricity; other works by her
are the immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet for curing
diarrhea.
 Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System – The Department of Science and
Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute(DOST-ITDI) introduced
the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System, known as OL Trap made of natural
ingredients that kills mosquitos and are safe for humans and the environment.
 Ejeepney – created to counter the noise and air pollution caused by jeepneys;
utilizes electricity instead of diesel.