CHAPTER 1

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. explain how science and technology effected the society and environment and vise versa;
2. identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the course of history; and
3. discuss the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines.

Science and Technology indeed play major roles in the 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 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 raise the quality
of life of the people.

ANCIENT TIMES

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

Transportation was significant during that time 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.
 Communication 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. The increase in size and
number of nations connoted increased demand for food and other basic necessities. This
condition also implied that 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 without them travelling more or working harder.

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 this predicament, science and technology played a major
role in the discovery of cures to, if not the prevention of, illnesses.
Moreover, in order to integrate their needs for better transportation, establishment of
structures for protection from human attacks and natural disasters, and construction of bigger
and stronger infrastructures people ventured into what is now known as the field of engineering.
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.

The development in engineering also ushered in the introduction of architecture. Others

might see architecture as a mere style, but during the ancient times, elaborate architectural designs
were signs of technological advancements as a particular civilization. In the generations to come,
architecture would be considered a status symbol among nations of how advanced their technology
is. It may also establish the identity of a nation.

The people were not contented on beautifying only their infrastructures and surroundings.
Being able to prolong life with the mass production of food and advancement of medical
technology, as well as raise 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 in their
body.
With all these in mind, one can conclude that the developments in science and technology,
aside from affecting the lives of the 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.
The following discussions will tackle the different major technological advancements
during the ancient times, which include some of the achievements of the early civilizations such
as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. It will continue to describe the gradual application
of knowledge up to the contemporary time.

SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION

Sumeria is located on the southernmost tip of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians are known
for their high degree of cooperation with one another and their desire for great things.
They are not contented with the basic things that life can offer. This desire pushed them to develop
many things connected with science and technology.
Cuneiform
One of the major contributions of the Sumerians is the development of 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 of their everyday life.

Uruk City
Another important contribution of the Sumerian is 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 Sumerians were able to build the city using only mud or clay
from the river, which they mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked bricks-a true engineering feat.
They used the bricks to make houses that protected them from the harsh weather and to build a
wall around the city that prevented wild animals and neighboring raiders from entering.
The Great Ziggurat of Ur
Another engineering and architectural feat of the Sumerians is 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 sun-baked
bricks. The ziggurat served as the sacred place of their chief god, where only their priest were
allowed to enter. The temple showcase not only the elaborate and intricate Sumerian architecture
but also the remarkable technology used to build it. As such, even until today, people still enjoy
and marvel at the preserved Great Ziggurat of Ur.

Irrigation and Dikes

As population increased, so did the demand for food. The Sumerian were challenged to
mass produce food items but the elements in the environment seemed uncooperative.
It was difficult to get water from the river; thus, they could not maintain farmlands. Some
groups had scarce water supply, while others had problems with flooding caused by the river. As
a solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians created dikes and irrigation canals to bring water to
farmlands and at the same time control the flooding of the rivers. This method was considered as
one of the world’s most beneficial engineering works. Through the dikes and canals, the Sumerians
were able to enjoy year-long farming and harvesting, which increased their food production.

Sailboats
Another challenge to the Sumerians was transportation. At the time, the wheel was not yet
invented; the main mode of transportation was through waterways such as rivers and seas. Boat
were used to carry large quantities of products and were able to cover large distances. However,
they wanted to discover faraway lands to settle since the population was getting larger, and boats
were not enough to accommodate more people and products. They needed a mode of transportation
that did not require much human resource.
Some source attribute to the Sumerians the invention of sailboats to address their increasing
demands. Sailboats were essential in transportation and trading as well as in fostering culture,
information and technology.

Wheel
In the latter part of their history, the Sumerians were able to invent the wheel since the
specialized tools needed to create it were already available. 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.

The Plow
Another farm technology invented by the Mesopotamians is the plow. Humans evolved
from being food gatherer to farm cultivators. However, farmers needed a technology which
would enable them to dig the ground where seeds would be planted. The plow was invented to
dig the earth in a faster pace. As the plow break the ground, the farmer would just drop the seeds
and farm work would already be done. With this tool, farmers could cultivate larger parcels of land
faster, enabling them to mass produce food without taking so much effort and time.

Roads
In order to facilitate faster and easier travel, the Sumerians developed the first roads. With
this work, the flow of traffic became faster and more organized. They made the roads with the
same technology they used in making the sun-baked bricks that they laid down on the ground.
They later poured bitumen, a black sticky substance similar to asphalt, to smoothen the roads. The
invention of roads was very useful especially during the rainy season when traveling in soft and
muddy roads proved to be too difficult.
BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION

Babylonian civilization emerged near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Babylonians
were great builders, engineers, and architects. One of their major contributions is the hanging
gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON

Today, people can only marvel at the beauty of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon
from stories of historians and paintings that portrays 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.
According to legends, the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II built the garden for his wife,
Queen Amythis. However, no physical evidence has been found to prove the existence of the
Hanging Garden of Babylon. Its exact location is also unknown. Since time immemorial, people
have been debating about the existence of the said mythical place. Many said it was just a product
of the creative imagination of the great King because it lacked documentation or archaeological
evidence. On the other hand, if it really existed, it must have been destroyed by war, erosion, or an
earthquake. True or not, hearing the stories and description of the place would be enough to inspire
awe to anyone. One can imagine the thick greenery decorated by beautiful flowers coming from
different places in the garden and complicated design of the infrastructure. If the stories were true,
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon may be considered as one of the greatest engineering and
architectural achievements of the world that is almost impossible to replicate.

EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION

Another early civilization famous for its legacy is the Egyptian civilization located in North
Africa. Many stories tell about the engineering feats of the Egyptians especially regarding the
infrastructures established by the pharaohs. Aside from engineering technology, the Egyptians
have contributed other practical things that the world now considers as essential.
It is thus safe to say that the pyramids are not the only contribution of the Egyptian civilization to
the modern world.
Paper or Papyrus
One of the earlier contributions of Egyptian civilization was the paper or papyrus. Although
Egypt was not the first to develop a system of writing, they were able to make writing
easier for the world. Before the Egyptian innovation, clay tablets were used. However, safe-
keeping and transporting them were a major problem. Clay tablets were very fragile,
heavy, and delicate to handle. So, bringing them to places was a major challenge. Hence, the
Egyptian invention of the paper or papyrus was a welcome development. Papyrus was a plant
that grew abundantly along the Nile River in Egypt. They were able to process the plant in order
to produce thin sheets on which one could write down things. Since papyrus was lighter and thinner
than clay tablets, it was easy to carry and store. The sheets were also less breakable as compared
to clay tablets. This invention was a major accomplishment in Egyptian record-keeping and
communications. People then were able send letters or correspondences anywhere in the world in
the pieces of paper were very light that they could be carried and delivered by birds. Moreover,
record-keeping was no longer a problem since document would not take huge storage spaces.
Therefore, it was easier to keep them away from raiders who often destroyed records of the nations
the invaded.

Ink
When the Egyptians invented the papyrus or the paper, engraving ceased to be used in
writing. As a result, the Egyptians invented ink by combining soot with different chemicals to
produce inks of different colors. The ink must 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.
Hieroglyphics
Like the Sumerians, the Egyptian also developed a system of writing using symbols
knowns as hieroglyphics. Although some say that hieroglyphics was adapted from the early writing
system established in Mesopotamia as a result of trade between civilization, the Egyptian believed
that this writing system was provided to them by their gods. This form of writing can still be seen
today and remains to be as famous as the pyramids where they were found. Hieroglyphics was the
language that tells the modern world of the history and culture of the ancient Egyptian. Their
records were well-preserved since they were carved at the walls of pyramids and other important
Egyptian structure.

Cosmetics
The Egyptian also invented the use of cosmetics. Although cosmetics in the modern times
are used to improve and highlight the facial features of a person, their function in Egypt was for
both health and aesthetic reasons. Egyptian wore Kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure
eye diseases. Kohl was created by mixing soot or malachite with mineral galena. Egyptian also
believed that a person wearing make-up wad protected from evil and that beauty wad a sign of
holiness. At present, the cosmetics industry is a blooming multibillion industry.

Wig
Another cosmetics invention of ancient Egyptian is the wig. At present, wigs are used to
enhance the appearance of people who are balding or those who want to try new hair trends.
Meanwhile, during the Egyptian times, wigs were worn for health and wellness rather than for
aesthetic purposes. The wigs were used to prevent the shaved of the wealthy Egyptian from the
harmful rays the sun. Wearing a wig was better than putting on a scarf or any other head cover
since a wig allowed heat to escape. Moreover, it was considered cleaner than natural hair because
it prevented the accumulation of head lice.
Water Clock/Clepsydra
Another important ancient Egyptian contribution is water clock. This device utilizes
gravity that affects the flow of water from one vessel to other. The amount of water (or its height,
depending on the method used) remaining in the device determines how much time has elapsed
since it is full. In the process, time is measured. The water clock was widely used as a time keeping
devices during the ancient times.

GREEK CIVILIZATION

Greece is an archipelago in the southeastern part of Europe. Known as birthplace of western

philosophy. Some of the major achievements if the Greek included in-depth works on philosophy
and mathematics. More than coliseums and the Olympics, the Greek civilization has contributed
much the world especially in the fields of science and technology.

Alarm clock
One of the most utilized gadgets today that was invented by the ancient Greeks id the alarm
clock. Although the alarm clock during that time did not resemble the present-day alarm clock, the
purpose was just the same- to tell an individual when to stop or when to start. The ancient Greeks
alarm clocks used large complicated mechanism to time the alarm. They used made of water (or
sometimes small stones or sand) that dropped into drums which sounded the alarm. Plato was
believed to have utilized the alarm clock to signal the start of his lecture. His version used four
water vessels lined up vertically. 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.

Water Mill
Watermills were also considered as one of the most important contributions of the Greek
civilization to the world. They were commonly used in agricultural processes like milling of grains
which was a necessary form of food processing during that time. Because milling was made
possible by use of watermills, the mass production of rice, cereals, flours, and the like became
common. Watermills were considered better than mills powered by farms 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 of flowing water where a mechanism of large wheel with small “buckets”
of water attached to it could be installed.
ROMAN CIVILIZATION
The 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. Because the
Roman Empire was so large, other civilizations looked up to it as their model in terms of legislation
and codified laws. Aside from their contributions in politics, a lot of discoveries and inventions
still relevant today can be attributed to the Roman Empire.

Newspaper
One of the major contributions of the Romans is the newspaper. The first newspaper,
known as gazettes, contained announcement of the Roman Empire to the people. Made before the
invention of paper, these gazettes were engraved in metal or stone tablets and then publicly
displayed. When paper was invented, it became easier for the Romans to “publish” matters that
needed the attention of the Roman citizens. In fact, with the advent of paper, minutes of the
proceedings of the Roman senate were done in shorthand. These documents were edited and
published on the same day that they were recorded. This way, the Roman enjoyed easy access to
government information the same way we benefit from present-day newspaper.
Bound Books or Codex
With the invention of paper, it became easier for civilization to write down everything that
happened in their time. Record-keeping was much easier since paper did not easily break, was
lightweight, and did not occupy much space. As a result, civilizations became fond of record-
keeping, especially documenting historical events and newly legislated laws. Aside from Romans
writing down information about history and politics, literature also changed form from clay tablets
to parchments of paper. According to sources, Julius Caesar started the tradition of stacking up
papyrus to form pages of a book. Later on, they were able to provide covers to protect the papyrus.
The earlier covers were made of wax but were later on replaced by animal skin which proved to
be stronger and stronger-lasting. With the papyrus pages bound together and covered by animal
skin, the ancient Roman Empire was able to produce the first books or codex.

Roman Architecture
Roman architecture is one of the most visual contributions of the ancient Roman Empire
to the world. Roman architecture was considered a continuation of Greek architecture, hence, the
resemblance. However, Roman architecture was still regarded as pioneering since the Romans
were able to adapt new building and engineering technology on architectural designs established
in the past. In this manner, they were able to preserve great and elaborate architectural designs
because they could produce sturdier and stronger infrastructures. The Roman were also able to
creatively redesign old architectural patterns to adapt to the new trends at the time. This
development in the field of engineering and architecture was fully supported and funded by the
Roman government so they were able to implement major projects such as large churches
(cathedral 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 the
harsh elements of the environment. Today, people of the world still enjoy these marvels. These
structures are proofs of ancient Roman technology.

Roman Numerals
Although other number systems, had already been established before the Roman numeral,
these old systems could not keep up with high calculation requirements due to the increasing rate
of communication and trade among nations. Since the Roman Empire was expanding, it had to
deal with many nations to maintain its power. For this reason, the Romans devised their own
number system specifically to address the need for a standard counting method that would meet
their increasing communication and trade concerns. Although the Roman numeral is no longer
widely used today due to its inherent limitations, quite a number of enthusiasts would still use it
over other more popular number systems, like the Hindu-Arabic system, due to its aesthetic and
historical value.

CHINESE CIVILIZATION
 The 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. It was famous among
other ancient civilizations because of its silk trade. Not a great amount was written about ancient
China partly due to its distance from the other civilizations. Despite its less popular status among
the early civilizations, one cannot discredit the significant contributions of Chinese civilization to
the world.

Silk
One of the things that connected Far East China to the world is silk. Although silk is
naturally produced by silk worms, the Chinese were the ones who develop the technology to
harvest the silk and process it to produce 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.

Tea Production
Tea is a beverage produced by pouring hot or boiling water over crushed or shredded dried
tea leaves. It was believed that the first tea was drunk by a Chinese emperor. Tea production was
developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred tea leaves
into strips. This machine was done using a wheel-based mechanism with sharp edges attached to
a wooden or ceramic pot. Because of this invention, the Chinese were able to increase their
production of tea and trade with other nations. China thus became known for its tea exports aside
from its silk products. Tea production developed by the ancient Chinese may have resulted in
making tea as one of the most popular beverages in the world today.

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 largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built.
It was constructed to keep out foreign invaders and control the borders of China. Made with stone,
brick, wood, earth, and other materials, it showcased the extent of Chinese engineering technology
at that time. The structure was so massive and strong that it was said to have literally divided China
from the rest of the world. The wall's construction put the nation among the powerful civilizations
during the ancient times. It was the pride of their land and their crowning glory. Today, with some
sections already in ruins, the Great Wall still continues to be a world attraction due to its historical
significance and architectural grandeur.
Gunpowder
The gunpowder is one of the most interesting inventions in China. Originally, it was
developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve immortality. They mixed charcoal,
sulfur, and potassium nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir of life, they accidentally 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. In fact, gunpowder-propelled weapons are preferred by
raiders who plan to attack at a distance. The same weapons are also used to dissipate any attempts
of invasion. On the other hand, gunpowder is also used in fireworks during important celebrations
in China.

MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were
prevalent during this time. As such, great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry,
navigation, mass food and farm production, and health. The wars have resulted in population
decline, but during the latter part of the period, there was a significant rise 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.
PRINTING PRESS
After the Chinese developed woodblock printing, Johann Gutenberg was able to invent the
printing press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type. 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 the mechanical printing press which was
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. This invention
also made works accessible to individuals who could not even write (Streissguth, 1997).

MICROSCOPE

Another invention in the Middle Ages is the microscope. Growing populations caused
massive migration and urbanization during the period. More and more people transferred to
polluted and populated urban areas which resulted in more people getting sick and needing medical
attention. To develop the proper medicines for illnesses, experts must understand the sickness
through an investigation. Thus, they needed a device that could magnify things
invisible to the eye. Guided by the principles used for the invention of eyeglasses in earlier years,
Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first compound microscope. With this device, people
were able to observe organisms that were normally unseen by the naked eye. The microscope was
key in discovering new means in preventing and curing various illnesses (Davidson, 2015).

TELESCOPE
Since the Middle Ages was also known as the Age of Exploration, the need for nautical
inventions was high. Considering the vast and empty oceans that separated lands, ship captains
needed to see far and wide for them to navigate or to avoid dangers at sea. The invention of the
telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote objects, was a great help
for navigators during this time. Together with the telescope, the invention of the compass, oars,
and rudders made sea travelling easier and safer (Helden, 1989).

WAR WEAPONS
Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages, great development in the weaponry
technology also occurred. All sides must develop weaponries not only as offensive tools but also
as defensive instruments. For open-area battles, people developed cross bows and longs bows so
that they could attack the enemies at long ranges, keeping themselves safe with the protection of
walls and fortresses. Additionally, in close-range hand-to-hand combat, soldiers should wear
something to protect themselves, a need addressed by the creation of iron body armors. However,
body armors were heavy and limited their movements. The problem was eventually solved by the
invention of the chainmail.
MODERN TIMES
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 a larger distance. Machines that required animals to operate must
thus 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. However, due to massive industrialization, the modern times again faced more
complicated problems. Food processing and medicine posed some of the bigger challenges
since health was of great concern.

PASTEURIZATION
As people were able to develop better means of production to meet the needs of the
population, food preservation and food safety became an issue. The challenge to keep
manufactured food from deteriorating was greater for dairy products, needed to be consumed
almost immediately after production or they would cause illness like diphtheria, food poisoning,
and typhoid fever. Since transporting these products would also take time, it would be impossible
to trade them.
Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, found a way to solve the
problem. He invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful
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 (Macalester College,
2010). Other contributions of Pasteur to science, technology, and medicine included his works on
molecular asymmetry, fermentation, and vaccination.
PETROLEUM REFINERY
The modern times demanded better means of powering homes and transportation. At first,
people used animal oils for generating light to illuminate their homes. However, the
production of animal oils could· not keep up with the demand. Faced with this concern, Samuel
M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining petroleum. Kerosene was later on referred
to as the "illuminating oil" because it was used at first to provide lighting to homes. After some
time, it was applied for heating purposes. 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.

TELEPHONE
The more people got connected by trade and exploration, the more they needed a way to
easily maintain these connections and communicate with each other in real time. Governments
likewise needed some kind of communication system which would allow them to administer their
states well. Important day-to-day decisions must be discussed and addressed at the fastest time
possible. Thus, the development of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell was one of the most
important inventions at that time.
CALCULATOR
Although an earlier version of the calculator had already been developed, circumstances in
the modern times required a faster way to compute more complicated equations. Computing
devices must also be easy to carry since they would be utilized on a day-to-day basis. The creation
of modern calculators did not only pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, but also resulted
in the development of more complex processing machines like the computer.

PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS
Despite being considered a developing country, the Philippines also contributes 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 Philippines 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

It has become ordinary for Filipinos to convert transport vehicles into something more
useful. An example is the conversion of American military jeeps used in World War II into
jeepneys. Another Filipino innovation is the addition of a sidecar to a motorcycle, transforming it
into a tricycle to accommodate more passengers.
 During the rainy season, flooding is a common occurrence in many areas in the country.
Tricycles find it very difficult to traverse the streets. To remedy the issue, H20 Technologies
headed by Dominic N. Chung and Lamberto Armada, together with Chief Designer Victor “Atoy”
Llave, was able to invent the Salamander, an amphibious tricycle that can cross not only flooded
streets but also rivers and lakes. It may also be utilized to travel from island to island. Since the
Philippines is an archipelago, the Salamander is a useful invention that has a lot of potential.

SALt lamp
One of the major needs in the Philippines, as a developing nation, is electrification.
Electricity powers various types of machines, including light sources. In many rural areas in
to using candles and kerosene lamps but they carry certain risks as they are fire hazards. Solar
power is also a welcome development but like rechargeable batteries, solar panels are too
expensive for ordinary Filipinos. Fortunately, a young Filipina inventor named Aisa Mijeno was
able to invent a lighting system that utilizes a material abundant in the Philippines-saltwater. She
invented the Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) lamp, an environment-friendly light source
that runs on saltwater. The SALt lamp is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emits no toxic gases.
Aside from people who live in coastal areas, it may also benefit those from far-flung barrios
because they can make their own saltwater by mixing two tablespoons of salt and a glass of tap
water.

MEDICAL INCUBATOR
 A common problem in the Philippines is the high mortality rate of newborn babies. One
reason for this problem in the 20th century was the lack of available incubators especially in
far-flung rural areas due to lack of resources and electricity. Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Filipino
pediatrician and the first Asian woman admitted into Harvard Medical School, devised a
medical incubator made from indigenous and cheap materials which did not run on electricity. Dr.
del Mundo's incubator was made by placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one.
Hot water bottles were inserted between the baskets to provide warmth and a makeshift hood to
allow oxygen circulation. Its main purpose was to maintain conditions suitable for a newborn,
usually a pre-term baby. Other breakthroughs in Philippine medicine attributed to Dr. del Mundo
include her works on the immunization and treatment of Jaundice and the BRAT diet for curing
diarrhea.

MOSQUITO OVICIDAL/LARVICIDAL TRAP SYSTEM

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas,
including the Philippines. This virus is usually transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito, rampant
during the rainy season. Insecticides were previously used to kill the species. However, recent
studies show that insecticide resistance has evolved in some mosquito populations. Likewise,
using insecticides is harmful not only to humans but also to the environment. In 2010, the
Department of Science and Technology Industrial Technology Development Institute
(DOST-ITDI) was able to introduce the 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.
EJEEPNEY

A major innovation that changed the transportation industry in the Philippines was the
development of the jeepney. This iconic public utility vehicle was built using the military jeeps
left by the Americans after World War II. The chassis and the body of the military jeeps were
extended to accommodate more load and passengers. Because of its usefulness, the jeepney
dominated Philippines streets and is considered as the primary mode of transportation of most
Filipinos. However, the diesel-powered jeepney produces large quantities of black smoke, and is
usually a major contribution of noise pollution due to its primitive exhaust system. To counter
these disadvantages, the electric jeepney (ejeepney) was developed. This modern type of
transportation utilizes electricity instead of the more expensive diesel. It is environment-friendly
since it does not emit any smoke and noise.
The items 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 changed the world. Can you name other great discoveries?