"HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY"

Prepared By: GROUP 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this presentation, the students will be able to:
1. Understand key inventions in ancient, middle ages, and modern times.
2. Know how these inventions helped improve life and science.
3. Learn about important inventors and their contributions.
4. Recognize how past inventions influence today's technology.

Antecedent
-​ It is defined as a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something.
-​ In science and technology, it refers to past events or ideas that made today’s
inventions possible. Knowing this history helps us understand, appreciate,
and use science and technology wisely.

●​ Ancient Period
●​ Middle Ages
●​ Modern Ages
●​ Inventions by Filipino Scientists

ANCIENT PERIOD
1. Ancient Wheel
The ancient wheel is believed to have developed from the potter’s wheel, a
heavy flat clay disk spun horizontally on an axis. The Sumerians invented the
potter’s wheel shortly after 3500 BC and are credited with inventing the ancient
wheel, as no other civilization at the time used a similar device. It is thought that a
potter may have tilted the potter’s wheel 90 degrees to adapt it for transportation, or
the wheel was reinvented for this purpose. However, wheels were not used on carts
until 1000 to 1500 years later.
2. Papyrus (Ancient Paper)
Around 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians began writing on papyrus, a material
made from the pith of the papyrus plant (Cyperus papyrus). Papyrus was
lightweight, strong, durable, and portable. Before the invention of papyrus, writing
was done on stone, which was difficult and reserved only for very important
occasions. The introduction of papyrus made documentation and record-keeping
more efficient, widespread, and faster. This helped information spread more quickly
and allowed records to last over time.

3. Shadoof (also spelled as shaduf)

The shadoof is an early irrigation tool invented and used by the ancient
Egyptians. It is a hand-operated device designed to lift water from rivers or canals.
The invention of the shadoof introduced the concept of using counterweights to
make lifting easier. This innovation greatly improved irrigation and farming efficiency.
The shadoof is considered an ancient precursor to more advanced irrigation
systems.

4. Antikythera Mechanism
The Antikythera mechanism is an ancient Greek analog computer and one of
the oldest known precursors of modern clockwork. It was invented by Greek
scientists between 150 and 100 BC. Discovered in 1902 in the waters of Antikythera,
Greece, the mechanism was found in fragments with bits of wood, indicating it was
housed in a wooden case. The device resembled a mantel clock, featuring a circular
face and rotating hands.
 A knob on the side could be wound forward or backward, allowing the
mechanism to display celestial time. It is believed to have been used to predict
astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological purposes.

5. Aeolipile (Hero’s Engine)

Also known as the Hero’s engine, the aeolipile is widely believed to be the
ancient precursor of the steam engine. The Hero of Alexandria demonstrated its use
during the 1st century AD. The aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine that spins when
the water container at its center is heated, making it the first rudimentary steam
engine. It is unclear if it had any practical uses, but it was considered one of the
“temple wonders” of the time.

Vitruvius
-​ a Roman author, architect, and civil engineer.
-​ He described Aeolipile as a scientific invention that helped understand and
explain the laws of the heavens and the nature of winds.
MIDDLE AGES
1. Heavy Plough
The heavy plough is one of the most important technological inventions of the
Middle Ages. Although clay soil is more fertile than lighter types of soil, it was difficult
to cultivate because of its heavy weight. The invention of the heavy plough made it
possible to farm clay soil effectively.

Professor Thomas Bernebeck Andersen of the University of Southern

Denmark described its impact by saying, “The heavy plough turned European
agriculture and economy on its head. Suddenly, the fields with heavy, fatty, and moist
clay soils became those that gave the greatest yields.” Because of this innovation,
Northern Europe experienced rapid economic growth.

2. Gunpowder
Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemists accidentally invented black powder, also
known as gunpowder. It is believed to have been an unintended byproduct of their
attempts to create the elixir of life, which is why the Chinese called it huoyao,
meaning "fire potion." Before the invention of gunpowder, battles were fought using
swords and spears. By the end of the 13th century, gunpowder had spread to most
parts of Europe and Asia, changing the way wars were fought.

Since its invention, gunpowder has enabled more advanced forms of warfare. It
was used in fiery arrows, cannons, and grenades, laying the foundation for nearly
every new weapon developed in wars afterward. This explosive invention ushered in
unprecedented advancements in warfare and combat throughout the Middle Ages.
3. Paper Money
The first known versions of paper money can be traced back to the Chinese in
the 17th century AD, as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which is
similar to stamping. Although banknotes did not begin to be widely used in Europe
until the 17th century, the concept of paper money had existed much earlier.

Before paper money, precious metals like gold and silver were used as
currency. However, the idea of assigning value to marked paper did not become
popular right away. For example, when the Mongols tried to introduce paper money
to the Middle East market in the 13th century, it was not immediately successful.
Despite this, traders and merchants eventually recognized the great advantage of
paper money because it was much easier to carry compared to coins and precious
metals.

4. Mechanical Clock
People have used tools to tell time since ancient times, like the Antikythera
mechanism. But mechanical clocks were first made in the Middle Ages. These clocks
helped people measure time more accurately than before. Because of mechanical
clocks, people changed how they planned their day and work, especially in growing
cities during the Middle Ages. This invention was important for how we manage time
today.

5. Spinning Wheel
The spinning wheel is an important invention from the Middle Ages used to
turn fiber into thread or yarn, which could then be woven into cloth on a loom. While
there is no clear agreement on where the spinning wheel was first invented, it is
believed that the Indians created it sometime between the 6th and 11th centuries
AD.
 Before the spinning wheel, weaving was done mostly by hand spinning, a slow
and tiring process. According to White (1974), the spinning wheel increased the
speed of spinning fiber by 10 to 100 times. This invention led to a major
improvement in linen production when it reached Europe in the 13th century AD.

MODERN AGES
1. Compound Microscope
The first compound microscope was invented in 1590 by Zacharias Janssen, a
Dutch spectacle maker, who worked with his father Hans. They experimented by
combining several lenses in a tube, discovering that objects placed near the end of
the tube could be magnified much more than with a single lens.

Janssen’s compound microscope was an important improvement over the

simple magnifying lens. It could magnify objects three times their size when closed
and up to ten times when fully extended. Today, compound microscopes are
essential tools in many scientific fields, including medicine, forensic studies, tissue
analysis, atomic research, and genetics.

2. Telescope
One of the most important inventions for astronomy during the Modern
Ages was the practical telescope made by Galileo Galilei. This telescope could
magnify objects 20 times more than the earlier Dutch perspective glasses. Galileo
was the first to point the telescope at the sky, making important discoveries such as
craters and mountains on the moon. His invention changed astronomy by showing
that the universe is much bigger than people thought and that Earth is much smaller
in comparison.
3. Jacquard Loom
During the Industrial Revolution, the Jacquard loom became one of the most
important inventions. It was created by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard and
made textile manufacturing easier. Before the Jacquard loom, a drawloom was used,
which needed two people to operate—one weaver and one “drawboy” to make
patterned designs. This required a lot of manual labor and effort, especially for
complex designs.

In 1801, Jacquard showed his improved loom that used cards with punched
holes to automatically create complex textile patterns. This invention made mass
production faster and easier. The Jacquard loom is also a key ancestor of modern
computers because it used punched cards to control a machine’s work.

4. Engine-Powered Airplane
Orville and Wilbur Wright are credited with designing and successfully flying
the first engine-powered airplane. They used scientific methods to create their
aircraft. In their original Flying Machine patent (US Patent No. #821393), the
Wright brothers showed that airplanes could fly without traditional airfoil-shaped
wings. Instead, they used slightly tilted wings, which they called aeroplanes, as the
key feature of powered flight. Their invention marked the beginning of powered
flights.
5. Television
John Logie Baird, a Scottish engineer, is widely credited with inventing the
modern television. He successfully transmitted outlined images in 1924,
recognizable human faces in 1925, moving objects in 1926, and even projected
colored images by 1928.

Baird’s television technology quickly gained attention. The British Broadcasting

Corporation (BBC) used his invention for its earliest television programs in 1929.
However, Baird’s mechanical television was later criticized for its fuzzy and flickering
images, especially compared to the electronic televisions that were developed later.
INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
●​ The Philippines has a long tradition of creative inventions inspired by the
needs of its people. Filipinos have made important innovations in areas like
navigation, shipbuilding, textiles, food, and culture.

Below are some notable inventions by Filipino scientists:

1. Electronic Jeepney (e-jeepney)
The jeepney is a well-known symbol of the Philippines and a popular way to get
around. Originally made by modifying military jeeps left after World War II, jeepneys
show Filipino creativity. To address problems with traditional jeepneys, like air
pollution from smoke, the e-jeepney was introduced in Metro Manila and Bacolod
City. The e-jeepney runs on electricity, making it quieter and cleaner. It also costs
less to operate because electricity is cheaper than diesel, helping drivers earn more
money.

2. Erythromycin
Erythromycin is an important antibiotic invented by Filipino scientist Abelardo
Aguilar from Iloilo. He discovered it using a type of bacteria called Streptomyces
erythreus, which is where the drug gets its name. Unfortunately, Aguilar was not
credited for his discovery by his employer, Eli Lilly Co. in the US, who took the credit
for the invention after receiving the bacterial strain from him.

3. Medical Incubator
Filipino pediatrician and national scientist Fe del Mundo invented an incubator
and a device to help babies with jaundice. She was the first woman pediatrician
admitted to Harvard Medical School and founded the first pediatric hospital in the
Philippines.

Her improvised incubator used two native laundry baskets, one inside the other,
with warm water bottles around them to keep babies warm. A makeshift hood
allowed oxygen to flow inside. This design was perfect for rural areas without
electricity, helping regulate newborns’ body temperature. Del Mundo’s invention was
an important breakthrough in caring for infants in the Philippines.
4. Mole Remover
In 2000, Rolando dela Cruz invented a local mole remover that could easily
remove moles and warts without surgery. This invention uses extracts from cashew
nuts (Anacardium occidentale), which are common in the Philippines. The mole
remover became popular because it is easy to use, affordable, and causes no pain
or scars. Dela Cruz won a gold medal for this invention at the 2000 International
Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design, and Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

5. Banana Ketchup
Filipino food technologist Maria Orosa invented banana ketchup, a type of
ketchup made from bananas instead of tomatoes. She created it during World War II
when there was a shortage of tomatoes. The natural color of banana ketchup is
brownish-yellow, but it is dyed red to look like regular tomato ketchup, which many
Filipinos love.