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Historical Antecedents

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INTRODUCTION
Science
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Latin word scienctia, meaning ‘knowledge.’ refers to a systematic and methodical activity of
building and organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through observation,
experimentation or both.
Technology
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the application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce services, materials, tools,
and machines aimed at solving real-world problems.
from the Greek root word techne, meaning ‘art, skill, or cunning of hand.’
Albert Einstein, “it is not knowledge if you only derived it from books but if you can derive it on
numbers, it is considered knowledge.” Because numbers are the application of knowledge and
technology is the application of numbers and science.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology
Ancient times
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people were concerned with transportation and navigation, communication, and recordkeeping,
mass production, security and protection, as well as health, aesthetics, and architecture.
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Transportation
people crafted simple boats out of logs, walked, rode animals and, later, devised
wheeled vehicles to move from place to place. They used existing waterways or simple
roads for transportation.
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Communication
methods of communication were cave paintings, smoke signals, symbols, carrier
pigeons, and telegraph.
The increase in size and number of nations connoted increased demand for food and other basic
necessities, this condition also implied that the people must be able to produce food at a given time and
space since resources were getting scarcer as more people struggled to share the basic necessities. The
people thus needed a form of technology that would enable them to increase food supplies and other
survival needs.
SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION
Located on the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the
area later became Babylonia, Sumerians. Known for their high degree of cooperation with one another
and their desire for great things. Not contented with the basic things that life can offer which pushed
them to develop many things connected with science and technology.
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CUNIEFORM, first writing system known as cuneiform. It is a system that utilizes word pictures
and triangular symbols which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then left to dry.
Cuneiform allowed the Sumerians to keep records of things with great historical value or their
everyday life. It is also one way of passing their traditions, cultures, and their legacy
the City of Uruk. It is a great wonder not only because it is considered to be the first true city in
the world but also for the way it was erected. There were no building stones in the location of
this city and lumber was limited, making the construction a big challenge.
the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat, also called the mountain of God, was built in the same
manner that they constructed the City of Uruk. Without much building materials, the structure
was constructed using sunbaked bricks. The Ziggurat served as the sacred place of their chief
god, where only priest was allowed to enter.
BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
Emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates river. The Babylonians were great builders, engineers, and
architects. Water is one of their basic necessities. Water brings food for them, brings energy and beauty,
and it also enable them to travel from one place to another. With the use of river, they are able to
exchange their goods to other places and they can also use it to conquer and also to escape.
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major contributions: the hanging garden of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient
world.
EGYPITAN CIVILIZATION
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Developed a system of writing, they were able to make writing easier for the world. Used tables
made from clay tablets but they find it fragile, heavy, and delicate to handle.
Invention of paper or papyrus was a welcome development. They were able to process the plant
in order to produce thin sheets on which one could write down things
Hieroglyphics, a system of writing using symbols. Although some say that hieroglyphics was
adapted from the early writing system established in Mesopotamia as a result of trade between
civilizations the Egyptians believed that this writing systems was provided to them by their gods.
GREEK CIVILIZATION
First proponents of an atomic theory were the Greek philosophers Leucippus and Democritus in the field
of science and on the field of math they have Pythagoras who was perhaps the first to realize that a
complete system of mathematics could be constructed and later called Pythagorean Theorem
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Alarm clock, One of the most utilized gadgets today. Although the alarm clock during that time
does not resembles the present-day clocks, the purpose was just the same- to tell an individual
when to stop or when to start
Watermills, commonly used in agricultural processes like milling of grains which is necessary
form of food processing during that time.
ROMAN CIVILIZATION
Perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the west. Political because of its huge
population and territory and social because of religion. Considered to be the cradle of politics and
governance during the period The following are the inventions and innovations of the Roman Empire.
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 Newspaper
 Bound Books or Codex
 Roman Architecture
 Roman numerals
All of the above-mentioned inventions are still existing in this present-day civilization and are
used in the entire world. The most famous is the newspaper which is globally used by different
races.
CHINESE CIVILIZATION
Considered the oldest civilization in Asia, if not the world. Also known as the middle kingdom. Very
famous among the other ancient civilization because of its silk trade.
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The following are contributions of Chinese civilization to the world
 Silk industry
 Tea production
 Worlds Famous Great wall of China
 Gun powder
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
Marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were prevalent during this time. As such, great
technology was needed in the field of weaponry, navigation, mass food and farm production, and
health. Most innovative minds came from this period to control the increase of trade and commerce
among nations.
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PRINTING PRESS, invented by Johann Gutenberg, a more reliable way of printing using a cast
type.
TELESCOPE
WAR WEAPON, well-crafted bows, spears, even armors which are used in close range hand-tohand combat and for open-area battles.
MODERN TIMES
Nineteenth century onwards demanded that more goods be produced at a faster rate. Efficient means
of transportation to trade more goods and cover a larger distance. Machines that required animals to
operate must thus be upgrade. Faster and easier means to communicate and compute should be
developed to establish connections between and among nations.
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PASTEURIZATION, invented by Louise Pasture, French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, it is
a process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria that allow the milk to spoil faster.
PETROLEUM REFINERY, invented by Samuel M. Kier by means of refining petroleum. The
Kerosene, later referred to as the “illuminating oil” as first used to provide lighting to homes.
TELEPHONE, invented by Alexander Graham Bell, connection is very limited, the commoners
cannot afford to buy one, not reliable in terms of stability and consistency
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MODERN-DAY CALCULATOR, pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, also resulted in the
development of more complex processing machines like computer.
PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS
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Yoyo, used by the Philippine natives 400 years ago as a combat weapon against the Spaniards
and intruders. Original version was large and had sharp edges as well as studs, attached to
sturdy and thick 20-feet long ropes that would be used to fling at the enemies or prey.
Medical Incubator, Fe del Mundo, first Asian to enter the prestigious Harvard University’s School
of Medicine. Credited for her studies that led to the creation and development of the incubator
and jaundice relieving device.
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16-Bit Microchip, designed by Diosdado Banatao , first single chip 16-bit microprocessor-based
calculator.
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