Valenzona, Maria Erika D.

BEED 2 STS 101 4:30-5:30 MWF

Antecedents of science and technology

(Antecedents- defined as a precursor to the unfolding or the existence of something.)

These are factors that paved way for the presence of advanced and sophisticated scientific and
technological innovations which we are enjoying today. We can use the historical developments of
science and technology come up with proper decisions and application of science and technology to
daily life.

Science - Is an idea, an intellectual activity, a body of knowledge, and a personal and social activity.
Technology - is a body of knowledge devoted to creating tools, processing actions and the extracting of
materials.
Society - a group of individuals involved in persistent social interaction, or a large social group sharing the
same spatial territory subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations.
Science & Technology intersect with Society

Today we are so used to living with technology. Most of us are surrounded by smart devices, travel in
futuristic vehicles. We read every day about the latest breakthrough of science and share our opinions
over social media…

We rarely stop to think how we became this way. Do we affect science and technology or do they affect
us?

● Just thirty years ago if anyone had seen a person holding a device with the features of
today’s latest iPhone, they could easily be mistaken for a magician or… an alien.
● Technology used to be mainly in the hands of the governments and it was used to benefit the
lives of people, in a way much different than it does today. And to a way lesser extent.
● Society and culture create science and science affects society in return.

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT IN ANCIENT PERIOD

Ancient period (estimated 3000 BC to 500 AD) is the start of early civilization that also gave rise
to the major advancement of science and technology. These advances also allowed the civilization to
flourish through establishing better ways of communication, transportation, self- organization, and of
living in general. Here are some of the important inventions during Ancient period.

Ancient Wheel
People from ancient civilizations used animals for transportation long before the
invention of the wheel. No one knows the exactly who invented the wheel and when.
There is, however a general agreement that the ancient wheel grew out of a mechanical
device called the “potter’s wheel” a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay which was
spun horizontally on an axis. It is believed that the Sumerians invented the potter wheel
shortly after 3500 BC. The invention of the ancient wheel is often credited to the
Sumerian since no other ancient civilization since no other ancient civilization use a
similar device at the time. Nonetheless, it would not be until 100 to 1500 years later that the wheel was
first use on carts.

Paper
Roughly around 3000 BC., the ancient Egyptian began writing on papyrus, a material
similar to thick paper. Papyrus is made from the pith of the papyrus plant. Before the
Egyptian invented the papyrus, writing was done on stone. Writing was reserved only
on the important occasions. With the advent of the papyrus, documentation and
bookkeeping became efficient, widespread, and vast. Through use, information
dissemination became exponentially faster.

Shadoof
The shadoff was an early tool invented and used by ancient Egyptians to irrigate land.
Among Egyptian who lived near the Nile River, irrigation was necessary to water their
crops. The shadoof, also spelled as shaduf, is a hand – operated device used for lifting
water because of this invention, irrigation and farming became much more efficient.
The shadoof is also believed to be an ancient precursor of more sophisticated irrigation
tools.

Antikythera Mechanism
Even before the invention of the antecedents of the modern computer, the Greeks
had already invented the ancient world’s analog computer orrery. Discovered in
1902 and retrieved from the waters of antikythera, Greece, the antikythera
mechanisms is similar to a mantel clock. Antikythera mechanism was used to predict
astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological purposes. It is also
believed that the antikythera mechanism, which is one of the oldest known
antecedents of modern clockwork, was invented by Greek scientist between 150-
100 BC.

Aeolipile
Also known as Hero’s engine, aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine which spun when the
water container at its center was heated. It is not clear whether aeolipile served any
practical purpose but it is considered as the ancient precursor for steam engine.

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT IN MEDIEVAL PERIOD

Medieval period (5thcentury AD to 15th century AD) started between the collapse of Roman
empire and colonial expansion of Western Europe. Another successful development also occurred this
time to science and technology. Steady increase of new inventions, introduction of innovation in
traditional production, and emergence of scientific thinking and method take place. Middle ages is not as
suggested by its alternate names such as “Middle Ages” or “Dark Period”. In fact, numerous universities
at the time inspired scientific thinking and built infrastructures for scientific communities to grow. Some
of the humanity’s important technologies were shaped by and can be traced back to the historical
antecedents in the Middle ages.
Heavy plough
One of the most important technological innovations during the middle
ages is the invented of the heavy plough. Clay soil, despite of being more
fertile than lighter types of soil, was not cultivated because of its heavy
weight. However, through the invention of the heavy plough, it became
possible of harness clay soil. The heavy plough stirred an agricultural
revolution in Northern Europe marked by higher and healthier agricultural
yields and more efficient agricultural practices.

Gunpowder
Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemists accidentally invented black powder or
gunpowder. Multiple accounts suggest that the gunpowder might have been an
unintended by product of attempts made by the Chinese to invent the elixir of
life, which is why Chinese called it "huoyao”, roughly translate as fire potion.

Paper Money
The first known version of paper money could be traced back to Chinese in
17thcentury AD is an offshoot of the invention of black printing, which is similar
to stumping. Before the introduction of paper money, precious metal, such as
gold and silver were used as currency.

Mechanical clock
Although device for timekeeping and recording sprung from the ancient times,
such as the antikythera mechanism, it was not until the Middle Ages that
clockwork technology was developed the sophistication of clockwork technology
of the mechanical clock drastically change the way days were spent and work
patterns were established, particularly in the more advanced Middle Ages.

Spinning Wheel
Another important invention of the Middle Ages is the spinning wheel, a machine used
for transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a loom.
Although no consensus could be made regarding the origin of the spinning wheel, it is
theorized that the Indians invented the spinning wheel between 6thand 11thcentury
AD

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT IN MODERN PERIOD

The booming world population during the nineteenth century onwards demanded that more
goods be produced at a faster rate. People needed efficient means of transportation to trade more goods
and cover larger distance. Machines that required animals to operate must be upgraded. Faster and easier
means to communicate and compute should be developed to establish connections between and among
nations. All these needs resulted in the development of industries.
Telescope
Perhaps the single, most important technological invention in the study of astronomy
during the Modern Ages was the practical telescope invented by Galileo Galilei.

Compound Microscope
Invented by a Dutch Zacharias Janssen in 1590’s. Nowadays, microscope is used in
many scientific studies in the area of medicine, forensics and genetics.

Jacquard Loom
Built by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard which simplifies textile manufacturing.
Prior to this invention, a draw loom is used which requires two persons to operate.

Engine-Powered Airplane
Invented by Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright. They demonstrated that slightly
tilted wings are the key features of a flying aircraft.

Television
British Broadcasting Corporation used this for its earliest television
programming in 1929. This first television is mechanical and not the same as the
television we have nowadays.

PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS

Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributed to the global
advancement of science and technology. It is quite remarkable to note the ingenuity of the Filipinos
despite the lack in resources. The Philippine is known to be one of the most vulnerable countries in terms
of natural disasters. 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.

SALAMANDER AMPHIBIOUS TRICYCLE

The development of EJEEPNEY