MODULE 1

Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology

LEARNING OUTCOMES

a. Explain how science and technology affected the society and

environment and vice versa;
b. Identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the
course of history; and
c. Discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines

LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND SELF-ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Science and Technology

• Play major roles in everyday life. They make difficult and complicated tasks easier
and allow people to do more with so little effort and time.
• The developments in this field are not just products of people’s imagination or a one-
time thought process; they have also brought by gradual improvements to earlier
works from different time period.
ANCIENT TIMES
A. Transportation
➢ People were trying to go places and discover new horizons. They travelled to
search for food and find better locations for their settlements
B. Communication
➢ People needed a way to communicate with the natives of the areas to facilitate
trade and prevent possible conflict. It was also vital to keep records of people’s
history and culture so they could establish their identities as they tried to relate
with other culture.
C. Weapons and Armors
➢ At that time there was always a risk of conflict when people met others with
different culture and orientations.
➢ Stronger nations tended to invade weaker ones so they could take much needed
resources
- Conservation of life was the primary challenge because early people might have
been successful in harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide, but
their survival posted a great problem. Different illness and diseases, both natural
and man-made, hampered the full potential of a human being.
 - One can conclude that the developments in science and technology, aside from
affecting the lives of many people were the results of many prior antecedents. Out
of necessity, people in ancient times were able to discover and invent things that
would impact the lives of the modern people.
SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION
• Sumerians are known for their high degree of cooperation with one another and their
desire for great things.
Significant Contributions:
1. Cuneiform – first writing system
2. Uruk City – sumerians were able to build the city using only mud or clay from the
river which they mixed with reeds producing sunbaked bricks; considered as the first
true city in the world
3. The Great Ziggurat of Ur – Ziggurat – mountain of god was built in the same manner
that they constructed the City of Uruk
4. Irrigation and Dikes –
5. Sailboats – boats were used to carry large quantities of products and were able to
cover large distances; sailboats were essential in transportation and trading as well
as in fostering culture, information, and technology
6. Roads – work and travel became easier and faster with the construction of roads
BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
• Babylonians were great builders, engineers and architects
1. Hanging Gardens of Babylon – a structure made up of layers upon layers of
gardens that contained several species of plants, trees and vines
EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION
1. Paper or Papyrus
2. Ink
3. Hieroglyphics – writing system that uses symbols of Egyptians
4. Cosmetics
5. Wig
GREEK CIVILIZATION
• Greeks’ major achievements include in-depth works on Philosophy and mathematics
1. Alarm clock
2. Water mill
ROMAN CIVILIZATION
• Roman Empire was perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the
west. It was considered to be the cradle of politics and governance during that period.
 1. Newspaper – first newspapers are called gazettes which were engraved in metal
or stone tablets
2. Bound Books or Codex –
3. Roman Architecture
4. Roman Numerals
CHINESE CIVILIZATION
• Considered to be the oldest civilization in Asia, known as the middle kingdom and
was famous because of its silk trade
1. Silk
2. Tea Production
3. Great Wall of China
4. Gun Powder
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
• Was carried by massive invasions and migrations and war was prevalent during this
time
• Great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry, navigation, mass food and
farm production, and health
• Trade and commerce among nations have increased which resulted in greater
demands fro transportation technology
1. Printing Press - Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press which he utilized
wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits, attached to a metal impression of
the letters
2. Microscope – Zacharias Janssen developed the first compound telescope
3. Telescope – optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote objects
4. War Weapons –
MODERN TIMES
• Food processing and medicine posed some of the bigger challenges since health was
of great concern
PASTEURIZATION
• The process of heating dairy products to kill harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil
faster
• Invented by Louis Pasteur, a French Biologist and microbiologist
PETROLEUM REFINERY
• The development of kerosene established the petroleum refinery industry (Skrabec,
2010). At present, petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles, factories, and
power plants, among others.
PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS
• Many of the discoveries and inventions made by the Filipinos were therefore built
from indigenous materials or created to adapt to the harsh tropical environment
1. Salt Lamp - Aisa Mijeno was able to invent a lighting system that utilizes a material
abundant in the Philippine----saltwater. She invented the Sustainable Alternative
Lighting, an environment-friendly light source that runs on saltwater.
2. Medical Incubator – Dr, Fe del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the first Asian
woman admitted into Harvard School, devised a medical incubator made from
indigenous and cheap materials which did not run on electricity.
3. E-Jeepney -