HISTORICAL

ANTECEDENTS
OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
 Introduction
This section tackles how social contexts shaped and were shaped by science and
technology across three historical periods. By introducing the historical
antecedents of science and technology, the section explores the dynamic
interactions between different societal factors and science and technology. Along
with the discussion of these antecedents during the ancient period, middle ages,
and modern ages, this section also includes a discussion on important Philippine
inventions and innovations. It emphasizes the various social, cultural, economic,
and political impacts of scientific and technological innovation throughout history.
 Learning Objectives
At the end of this section, the students should be able to:

1. Discuss the historical antecedents of science and

technology across time; and
2. Explain how Philippine scientific and technological
inventions shaped and were shaped by various social
contexts.
 Learning Content

Antecedent is defined as a precursor to the

unfolding or existence of something.
 Ancient Period
The rise of ancient civilization paved by the way for advances in
science and technology. These advance during the ancient
period allowed civilizations to flourish by finding better ways of
communication, transportation, self-organization, and of living in
general. It starts after the Iron Age or 4000 BC and ends before
the fall of Roman Empire.
Potter's Wheel
Potter's wheel is a heavy flat disk
made of hardened clay which was
spun horizontally on an axis. It is
believed that the Sumerians
Invented it shortly after 3500 BC.
Paper
Roughly around 3000 BC, paper
comes from papyrus. Papyrus is
made from the pith of the papyrus
plant cyperus papyrus. It is a
lighweight, strong, durable, and most
importantly, portable.
Shadoof
The shadoof (also spelled as
shaduf) is a hand-operated
devise used for lifting water. It
was an early tool invented and
used by ancient Egyptian to
irrigate land.
 Middle Ages
Between the collapse of the Roman Empire in 5th century AD and the
colonial expansion of Western Europe in late 15th century AD, major
advances in scientific and technological development took place.
These include steady increase of new inventions, introduction of
innovations in traditional production, and emergency of scientific
thinking and method. The Middle Age was not as stagnant as alternate
terms such as the 'Medieval Period' or 'Dark Ages' suggest. In fact,
many medieval universities at the stirred scientific thinking and built
infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish. As such some of
humanity's most important present-day technologies could be traced
back to their historical antecedents in the Middle Ages.
 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 the Chinese called
it huoyao, roughly translated as "fire
potion".
Paper Money
Although it was not until the 17th
century that bank notes began to
be used in Europe, the first known
version of paper money could be
traced back to the Chinese in 17th
century
 Modern Ages
As the world population steadily increased, people of the
Modern Ages realized the utmost importance of
increasing the efficiency of transportation,
communication, and production. Industrialization took
place with greater risks in human health, food safety,
and environment which had to be addressed as
scientific and technological progress unfolded at an
unimaginable speed.
Compound Microscope
A Dutch spectacle maker named
Zacharias Janssen is credited for
the invention of the first compound
microscope in 1590. Together with
his father Hans, Zacharias began
experimenting with lenses by putting
together several lenses on a tube.
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.
Invention by the Filipino Scientists
The Philippines boasts of its own history and tradition of scientific
and technological Innovations. Filipinos have long been known for
their ingenuity. As with all other inventions, necessity has always
been the mother of Philippine inventions. Most of these inventions
appealed to the unique social and cultural context of the
archipelagic nation. Throughout Philippine history, Filipinos are
responsible for developing many scientific and technological
innovations focused on navigation, traditional shipbuilding,
textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and
even cultural Inventions.
Electronic Jeepney
The jeepney is perhaps one of the mostly
recognizable national symbols of the
Philippines and the most popular mode of
public transportation in the country. It is also
perhaps one of the most enduring symbols of
Filipino ingenuity. Jeepneys were designed
and Improvised from scratch out of military
jeeps that the Americans left in the country
after World War II.
Erythromycin
Perhaps one of the most important medical
inventions is he Erythromycin. The llonggo
scientist Abelardo Aguilar invented this
antibiotic out of a strain of bacterium called
Streptomyces, from which this drug derived
its name.
Erythromycin is used to treat certain
infections caused by bacteria, such as
infections of the respiratory tract, including
bronchitis, pneumonia, Legionnaires'
disease
(a type of lung infection)
Incubator
World-renowned Filipino pediatrician
and national scientist, Fe del Mundo,
is credited for the invention of the
incubator and jaundice relieving
device. Del Mundo was the first
woman pediatrician to be admitted
to the prestigious Harvard
University's School of Medicine.
Banana Ketchup
Filipino food technologist, Maria
Orasa, is credited to for the invention
of banana ketchup, a variety of
ketchup different from the
commonly known tomato ketchup
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