Surigao del Sur State University

Bislig Campus
Education Department
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Lesson 2 HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:

1. discuss the interactions between science, technology, ad society throughout

History;
2. explain how scientific and techological developments affect society and the
enviroment; and
3. recognize the impact of the development of science and technology to the
environment.

Introduction:
In order to understand the past, one has to look back and revisit it. In like manner,
we are going to take a look at our very rich history and study what are the big developments
in the advancements of Science and Technology that has led us to the innovation of state-
of-the-art and sophisticated technology in the present.

Activating Prior Knowledge

Identify the pictures and write the

main purpose/ function of each
item during the early times.

1. __ h __ __ l
Purpose/Function:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Source: https://rb.gy/ewww0s

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2. __ a __ __ __ __ __ t
Purpose/Function:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Source: https://rb.gy/e62efa

3. w __ __ w e __ __ o __ n s
Purpose/Function:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Source: https://rb.gy/l7ztwn

4. w __ __
Purpose/Function:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Source: https://rb.gy/6lsorc

5. t __ __ e __ c __ p __
Purpose/Function:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Source: https://rb.gy/l64ee3

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Analysis :

1. What can you say about the pictures?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. The items were inventions from the early civilizations. Are the items still
in use today?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. What do you think is the importance of these discoveries and inventions

during the past and at the present time?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Abstraction :

Science and technology indeed play significant roles in the everyday life. They make
difficult and complicated tasks easier and allow people to do more with so little effort and
time. Developments in this area are not just products of people’s imagination or a one-time
thought process; they are also brought about by gradual improvements to earlier works from
different time periods. The driving force behind this continuous progress is the desire to
improve people’s quality of life.

ANCIENT TIMES
In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation,
communication and record-keeping, mass production, security and protection, as well as
health, aesthetics, and architecture.

Transportation and navigation –it was significant because people were trying to go places
and discover new horizons. They travelled to search for food and find better locations for
their settlements.

 They also travelled to trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that they
lacked. Navigation assisted them in their journeys to unfamiliar and strange areas
in the world. It allowed them to return home after they discovered new places or
completed an important trade with another group of people.
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Communication – this was also essential in their endeavors to discover and occupy new
places. They needed a way to communicate with the natives of the areas they visited so as
to facilitate trade and prevent possible conflicts.

 Record-keeping was also important since they needed to remember the places they
had been to and document the trades they made with each other. It was also vital to
keep records of their history and culture so they could establish their identities as
they tried to relate with other cultures and civilizations.

Weapons and armors - were important as well in the discovery of new places or the
establishment of new alliances with other tribes. At that time, there was always a risk of
conflict when people met others with different culture and orientations.

 Conflicts were common especially if different groups struggled to control vital

resources. Stronger nations tended to invade weaker ones so they could take much
needed resources. As such, the development of weapons and armors for security
and protection was considered a major achievement.

 A primary challenge they faced was the conservation of life. The early people might
have been successful in harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide,
but their survival posed a great problem. Different illnesses and diseases, both
natural and man-made, hampered the full potential of a human being.

 Given the predicament, science and technology played a major role in the discovery
of cures to, if not the prevention of illnesses.

Early people ventured on the so-called Engineering to integrate their needs for better
transportation, establishments of structures for protection from personal attacks ad natural
disasters, and build bigger and stronger infrastructures. The development in this field
allowed humans to build structures that would address their specific needs and wants.
Some of the structures built during the ancient times still exist today and continually awe
people.

 Developments in engineering have also contributed to the introduction of

architecture. Others might see architecture as a mere style, but during the ancient
times, elaborate architectural designs were indications of technological
development of a specific civilization. In the future, architecture would be
considered a status symbol among nations of how advanced their technology is. It
may also create the identity of a nation.

 The people were not satisfied on beautifying only their infrastructures and
surroundings. Being able to prolong life with the mass production of food and the
development of medical technology, as well as to enhance the quality of life by
making complicated and difficult tasks easier, humans later on developed the
technology to improve how they look. They discovered that people looked more
visually presentable and appealing by adding some features and decorations to their
body.

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The following are some of the significant technological advancements during the ancient times
from early civilizations.

SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION - located on the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia

(now Southern Iraq). They are known for their high level of cooperation with one another and
their desire for great things. They are not satisfied with the basic things that life can offer,
pushing them to develop many things connected with science and technology.

Cuneiform is the first writing system that uses word pictures and triangular symbols
which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then left to dry. These allowed them
to keep records of thigs with great historical value or their everyday life.

Figure 1.1 The Sumerian Cuneiform writing system

.Source: https://rb.gy/yxqe3c

Uruk City - It is a great wonder not only because it is the first true city in the world but
also for the way it was constructed. The Sumerians used only mud or clay from the river,
mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked bricks – a true engineering achievement. They used
the bricks to make houses that protected them from the harsh weather and to create a wall
around the city that prevented the entry of wild animals and neighboring raiders.

Fig. 1.2 Uruk City

Source: https://rb.gy/zwb0dl

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The Great Ziggurat of Ur - another engineering and architectural feature, also called the
mountain of God. Built like the Uruk city and served as their chief god’s sacred place, where
only priests are allowed to enter.

Fig. 1.3 Ziggurat of Ur (reconstruction

Source: https://rb.gy/mt0icn

Irrigation and Dikes – this was made as the population increased as well as the
demand for food. The Sumerians were challenged to mass produce food items but the
environmental conditions seemed uncooperative. It was difficult to get water from the
rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands. Many people had scarce water supply, while
others had issues with flooding caused by the river. As a solution to this problem, the
Sumerians built dikes and irrigation canals to bring water to the farmlands and at the same
time regulate the flooding of the rivers. This method was considered as one of the world’s
most beneficial engineering works. Through this, they were able to enjoy year-long farming
and harvesting, which increased their food production.

Fig. 1.4 Sumerian fields

Source: https://rb.gy/ggduoc
Sailboats - Boats were used to carry large
quantities of products and were able to cover long distances since they used waterways for
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their mode of transportation. Such sailboats were made that did not require a lot of human
resources. They were also important in shipping and trading as well as promoting culture,
information, and technology.

Fig. 1.5 Mesopotamian sailboat

Source: https://rb.gy/x4gyte

Wheel - The first wheels were not made for transportation but for farm work and food
processes. With the use of the wheel and axle, mass production was made easier. Farmers
were able to mill grains with less effort in less time.

Fig. 1.6 Mesopotamian wheel

Source: https://rb.gy/ewww0s

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The Plow - Humans have evolved from being food gatherers to farm growers. Farmers
however, needed a technology which would allow them to dig the ground where seeds
would be planted. The plow was invented to dig the earth in a faster pace. When the plow
breaks the ground, the farmer will just drop the seeds and farm work be done. With this
tool, farmers could grow larger parcels of land faster, enabling them to mass produce food
without taking so much effort and time.

Fig. 1.7 Mesopotamian plow

Source: https://rb.gy/hq2jgl

Roads – were developed to make travel faster and easier. They built the roads with the
same technology that they used to make the sun-baked bricks that they laid down on the
ground. They later poured bitumen, a black sticky material similar to asphalt, to smoothen
the roads. The invention of roads was very useful particularly during the rainy season when
traveling in soft and muddy roads proved to be too difficult.

BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION - emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The
were great builders, engineers, and architects.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, but today,
people can only marvel at the beauty of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon from
stories of historians and paintings that portray the place. It was said to be a structure made
up of layers upon layers of gardens that contained several species of plants, trees, and vines.
King Nebuchadnezzar II built this for his wife, Queen Amytis. However, no physical
evidence has been found to prove the existence of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Fig. 1.8 The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Source: https://rb.gy/iocwrn 13
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EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION – they are famous for its legacy and located in North
Africa. They built infrastructures established by the pharaohs through engineering
technology. They also contributed other practical things that the world now considers as
essential.

Paper or Papyrus - though they were not the first to develop a system of writing, they were
able to make writing easier for the world. Papyrus was a plant that grew abundantly in the
Nile river in Egypt. Plants were processed to produce thin sheets on which one could write
down things. Before they used clay tablets, but they were fragile, heavy, and delicate to
handle in bringing it to one place to another. It is one of the significant accomplishments of
Egyptians’ record-keeping and communication.

Fig. 1.9 Ancient Egyptian Papyrus

Source: https://rb.gy/ks0ikq

Ink - Egyptians also invented ink by mixing soot with different colors. It is a liquid
substance to write in the papyrus. It can withstand the elements of nature since it was used
to record history, culture, and codified laws. It must also be tamper-proof so that people
could not simply tinker with those written down by authorities.

Fig. 1.10 Ink

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Hieroglyphics – the writing system of Egyptians using symbols. Egyptians believed that
this writing system was provided to them by their gods. It is a language that tells the history
and the culture of the ancient Egyptians written in the pyramid.

Fig. 1.11 Egyptian hieroglyphics

Source: https://rb.gy/68fwug

Cosmetics –this was for both health and aesthetic reasons. They used Kohl and wore
around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye diseases. It was with soot or malachite with
mineral galena. They believed that when a person is wearing make-up, it is a protection
from evil and that beauty was a sign of holiness.

Fig. 1.12 Egyptian woman putting kohl

Source: https://rb.gy/wbe4fc

Wig - during the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were worn for health and wellness rather
than for aesthetic purposes. The wigs were used to protect the shaved heads of the wealthy
Egyptians from the harmful rays of the sun. Wearing a wig was better than putting on a
scarf or any other head cover because wig allowed heat to escape. Moreover, it was
considered cleaner than natural hair because it prevented the accumulation of head lice.

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Fig. 1.13 Egyptian wig

Source: https://rb.gy/bkwdj3

Water clock/Clepsydra - used for time-keeping device. It utilizes gravity that affects the
flow of water from one vessel to the other. The amount of water (or its height, depending
on the method used) remaining in the device determines how much time has passed since
it is full. In the process, time is measured.

Fig. 1.14 Egyptian water clock

Source: https://rb.gy/2evycv

GREEK CIVILIZATION - located in the southeastern part of Europe and known as the
birthplace of western philosophy. Their significant achievements include in-depth works
on philosophy and mathematics. More than the coliseums and the Olympics, the Greek
civilization has contributed much to the world particularly in the fields of science and
technology.

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The following are some of the Greek contributions:

Alarm Clock - made use of water (or sometimes small stones or sand) that dropped into
drums that sounded the alarm. Plato was believed to have used an alarm clock to announce
the start of his lecture. His version used four vertically lined water vessels. The upper vessel
supplied the water which dropped to the vessels below it, which was set to be filled in a
given time. After it was full, water was siphoned off at a faster rate into the third vessel
which would cause the expulsion of contained air, creating a whistling noise. Afterwards,
this vessel would empty towards the bottom vessel for storage and reuse.

Fig. 1.15 Alarm clock Fig. 1.16 The Greek watermill

Source:https://rb.gy/49lm4o Source: https://rb.gy/xenylt

Water Mill - considered to be one of the most important contributions of the Greek
civilization to the world. It is common in agricultural processes such as milling of grains
which was a necessary form of food processing during that period. Since the use of
watermill made milling possible, the mass production of rice, cereals, flours, and the like
became common. Watermills were considered better than mills powered by farm animals
because they required less effort and time to operate since the farmer did not have to raise
animals. They only required access to rivers or flowing water where a large wheel
mechanism with small “buckets” of water attached to it could be installed.

ROMAN CIVILIZATION - perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in

the west, and may of other civilizations looked up to them as their model I terms of
legislation ad codified laws.

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Roman Contributions:

Newspaper - It contained announcements of the Roman empire to the people. The first
newspapers were known as gazettes. Engraved in metal or stone tablets and then publicly
displayed. When paper was invented, it became easier for the Romans to “publish” matters
like announcements and pieces of information.

Fig. 1.17 Roman Newspaper Fig. 1.18 Bound books or codex

Source:https://rb.gy/l7omyy Source: https://rb.gy/oc0t9j

Bound Books or Codex – used this for record-keeping primarily documenting historical
events and newly legislated laws, same with literature. Julius Caesar started the tradition of
stacking up papyrus to form pages of a book. To protect the papyrus, they provide covers
made up of wax but later on it was replaced by animal skin.

Roman Architecture – it was considered as the continuation of Greek architecture due to its
resemblance. This development in the field of engineering and architecture was completely
supported and funded by the Roman government so they were able to implement major
projects such as large churches (cathedrals and basilicas), aqueducts, coliseums,
amphitheaters, and even residential houses. The quality of these majestic Roman structures
can be seen by the way they withstood time and harsh elements of the environment. Today,
people of the world still enjoy these marvels. These structures are evidence of ancient
Roman technology.

Fig. 1.19 Roman forum in Italy

Source: https://rb.gy/jltbiy

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Roman Numerals - the Romans devised their own number system to address the need for
a standard counting method that would meet their increasing communication and trade
concerns.

Fig. 1.20 The Roman Numerals

https://rb.gy/szv77z

CHINESE CIVILIZATION - is considered to be the oldest civilization in Asia, if not the

world. Also known as the middle kingdom, China is located on the far east of Asia.

Chinese contributions:

Silk - was naturally produced by silk worms and processed to produce paper and clothing.
Silk production resulted in the creation of a product for trade. The silk trade opened China
to the outside world, making way for cultural, economic, and scientific exchanges. It
bridged the gap between the western world and the middle kingdom.

Fig. 1.21 Silk weaving in china

Source: https://rb.gy/pjnsvd

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Tea Production - Tea is a drink created by pouring hot or boiling water over crushed or
shredded dried tea leaves. Tea production was developed when an unknown Chinese
inventor created a machine capable of shredding tea leaves into strips. This machine was
made by using a wheel-based mechanism with sharp edges attached to a wooden or ceramic
pot.

Fig. 1.22 Chinese tea

Source: https://rb.gy/b2yirj

Great Wall of China - Once considered the only man-made structure that could be seen
from outer space, the Great Wall of China is said to be the nation’s largest and most
expensive infrastructure. It was constructed to keep foreign invaders out and control the
borders of China.

Fig. 1.23 The great wall of china

Source: https://rb.gy/ihzqa2

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Gunpowder - it was developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve immortality.

It is a mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir of
life, they accidently invented a black powder that could actually generate large amounts of
heat and gas in an instant. Ironically, instead of prolonging life, gunpowder is widely used
to propel bullets from guns and cannons which cause countless deaths. Gunpowder is also
used in fireworks during important celebrations in China.

Fig. 1.24 Earliest known gunpowder formula

Source: https://rb.gy/skpu0d

MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES - massive invasions and migrations have occurred

during this time of war. Great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry, navigation,
mass food and farm production, and health. The wars have resulted in decrease in
population but during the latter part of the period, there was a significant increase in
population. Trade and commerce among nations increased, which resulted in greater
demands for transportation technology. Some of the most innovative minds came from this
period and also known as the age of exploration.

The following are their contributions:

PRINTING PRESS- is a more reliable way of printing using a cast type invented by
Johannes Gutenberg. He utilized wooden machines that extracted juices from fruits,
attached to them a metal impression of the letters, and pressed firmly the cast metal into a
piece of paper, which then made an exact impression on paper. This general invention soon
evolved to be mechanical printing press which eventually used all over the world. The
printing press was invented to address the need for publishing books that would spread
information to many people at a faster rate.

Fig. 1.25 The Gutenberg press

Source: https://rb.gy/pyquek
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MICROSCOPE – Zacharias Janssen invented the first compound microscope, a device used
to magnify things invisible to the eye. Experts were able to understand the sickness through
an investigation leading them to develop the proper medicines for illnesses and diseases.

Fig. 1.26 Early microscope

Source: https://rb.gy/ghes2x

TELESCOPE - Because the Middle Ages was regarded as the Age of Discovery, there was
a great need for maritime innovations. Given the vast and empty oceans that separated the
land, ship captains had to see far and wide for them to navigate or to avoid marine hazards.
The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps to observe distant objects,
was a great help to navigators during this period. Along with the telescope, the invention
of the compass, the oars and the rudders made sea travel simpler and safer.

Fig. 1.27 Sketch of Galileo’s refractor

Source: https://rb.gy/v1j3rh

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WAR WEAPONS – developed not only for offensive tools but for defensive instruments.
For open-area battles, they designed crossbows and longbows. In close-range hand-to-hand
combat, they wore iron body armors.

Fig. 1.28 War weapons

Source: https://tinyurl.com/y57aaksw

MODERN TIMES – Massive industrialization started and the booming population in

the nineteenth century onwards. There were demands for the production of more goods,
efficient transportation to trade more products and to cover larger distances, and faster and
easier way to communicate. But food processing and medicine posed some of the bigger
challenges since health was of great concern.

Some of the major contributions of modern times:

PASTUERIZATION – was invented by Louis Pasteur, a process of heating dairy products

to kill the presence of bacteria that allow them to spoil faster. Through this process, milk
could be stored and consumed for a longer period. It also prevented illnesses caused by
harmful bacteria.

Fig. 1.29 Pasteurization process

Source: https://rb.gy/eup92t

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PETROLEUM REFINERY – it is used for better means of powering homes and

transportation. At present, petroleum is used to power automobiles, factories, and power
plants.

TELEPHONES - Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone. As more people got
connected by trade and exploration, they needed to maintain connections and communicate
in real time as well as for government communications.

Fig. 1.30 Recreation of alexander Graham Bell’s invention

of the telephone
Source: https://rb.gy/dr1eft

CALCULATOR – invented for a faster way to compute more complicated equations.

Fig. 1.31 Mechanical calculator

Source: https://rb.gy/pfwuef

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PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS - the Philippines also contributes to the global

advancement of science and technology. It is remarkable to note the ingenuity of the
Filipinos since many of these inventions were built or made from indigenous materials.

SALAMANDER AMPHIBIOUS TRICYCLE – developed to be utilized during a flood or

rainy season that can cross not only in the flooded streets but also rivers and lakes. Invented
by Dominic N. Chung, Lamberto Amada, and Victor “Atoy” Llave.

Fig. 1.32 Amphibious salamander

Source: https://rb.gy/zlmnko

SALT LAMP (Sustainable Alternative Lighting) – Aisa Mejino invented this lighting
system. It is an environment-friendly light source that runs on saltwater. It poses no risk of
fire and does not emit toxic gases. It benefits those from far flung barrios by mixing two
tablespoons of salt and a glass of tap water.

Fig. 1.33 Salt lamp

Source: https://rb.gy/78qrey
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MEDICAL INCUBATOR – it is made from indigenous and cheap materials that did not
run on electricity. Dr. Fe del Mundo, a pediatrician, devised this medical incubator to
maintain condition suitable for newborns, usually a pre-term baby. Dr. del Mundo’s
incubator was made by placing a native laundry basket into a bigger one. Hot water bottles
were inserted between the baskets to provide warmth and a makeshift hood to allow oxygen
circulation.

MOSQUITO OVICIDAL/LARVICIDAL TRAP SYSTEM - also known as OL Trap. This

trap system is made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans
and the environment.

Fig. 1.34 DOST-ITDI OL Trap

Source: https://rb.gy/8bwrd2

EJEEPNEY – it is an environment-friendly vehicle since it does not emit smoke and noise.
It utilizes electricity instead of expensive diesel that produces large quantities of black
smoke.

Fig. 1.35 Ejeepney

Source: https://rb.gy/iiedju

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The inventions discussed in this chapter are only some of the great inventions and
developments during the different time periods. There are still more innovations and
discoveries that were made in the course of history that change the world

Source: Mcnamara, D.J. et.al. (2018) Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon City: C&E
Publishing, Inc.

Application :
Fill in the table with the advantages and disadvantages of scientific and
Task 1.
technological developments to our society and the environment.

Advantages Disadvantages

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

Task 2. Give 3 inventions in the past that you think gave way to the modern
technologies of the present time. Explain each briefly.

1.

2.

3.

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Create a poster about the impact of science and technology to the

Task 3.
environment. You will be graded according to the rubric below.

Source: https://rb.gy/3naxo1

Good job! You have just finished the Lesson 2 of this module. If you need
clarification on some parts of the lesson, please feel free to contact your instructor.

Now if you are ready, please proceed to Lesson 3 of this module which will discuss
about Intellectual revolutions that defined society.

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