HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE
structures that would address their
COURSE OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
 Ancient Times
 Middle Ages
 Modern Times
 Philippine Invention
ANCIENT TIMES
In ancient times, people were concerned
with transportation, navigation,
communication and record keeping, mass
production, security and protection, as
well as health, aesthetics, and
architecture.
Transportation - was significant at that
time because people were trying to go
places and discover new horizons.
Communication - was also essential in
their endeavors to discover and occupy new
places.
They needed to communicate 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 armor 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 cultures and orientations.
Conflicts were common especially if
different groups struggled to control
vital resources.
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.
People ventured into what is now known as
the field of engineering. The development
in this field allowed humans to build
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. 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.
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 the 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 or their everyday life.
URUK CITY
Another important contribution of the
Sumerians 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. 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 would be planted. The plow was invented to
of the Sumerians is the Great Ziggurat of dig the earth in a faster pace. Humans
Ur. Without much building materials, the evolved from being food gatherers to farm
structure was constructed using sun baked cultivators.
bricks. The ziggurat, also called the
mountain of god, was built in the same BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATION
manner that they constructed the City of
Babylonian civilization emerged near the
Uruk. As such, even until today, people
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The
still enjoy and marvel at the preserved
Babylonians were great builders,
Great Ziggurat of Ur.
engineers, and architects.
IRRIGATION AND DIKES
HANGING GARDEN OF BABYLON
The Sumerians were challenged to mass
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon made up of
produce food items but the elements in the
layers upon layers of gardens that
environment seemed uncooperative. As a
contained several species of plants,
solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians
trees, and vines.
created dikes and irrigation canals to
bring water to farmlands and at the same According to legends, the great Babylonian
time control the flooding of the rivers. King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens
for his wife, Queen Amytis. However, no
SAILBOAT
physical evidence has been found to prove
At that time, the wheel was not yet the existence of the Hanging Gardens of
invented; the main mode of transportation Babylon. Its exact location is also
was through waterways such as rivers and unknown. Since time immemorial, people
seas. Another challenge to the Sumerians have been debating about the existence of
was transportation. Boats were used to the said mythical place.
carry large quantities of products and
were able to cover large distances.
However, they wanted to discover faraway EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION
lands to settle since the population was
getting larger, and boats were not enough Another early civilization famous for its
to accommodate more people and products. legacy is the Egyptian civilization
located in North Africa. Many stories tell
WHEEL about the engineering feats of the
In the latter part of their history, the Egyptians especially regarding the
Sumerians were able to invent the wheel infrastructures established by the
since the specialized tools needed to pharaohs.
create it were already available. The PAPER OR PAPYRUS
first wheels were not made for
transportation but for farm work and food One of the earlier contributions of
processes. With the use of the wheel and Egyptian civilization was the paper or
axle, mass production was made easier. papyrus. Before the Egyptian innovation,
Farmers were able to mill grains with less clay tablets were used. Hence, Egyptian
effort in less time. invention of the paper or papyrus was a
welcome development. Although Egypt was
The first wheels were not made for not the first to develop a system of
transportation but for farm work and food writing, they were able to make writing
processes. With the use of the wheel and easier for the world.
axle, mass production was made easier.
Farmers were able to mill grains with less INK
effort in less time.
When the Egyptians invented the papyrus or
THE PLOW the paper, engraving ceased to be used in
writing. As a result, the Egyptians
Another farm technology invented by the invented ink by combining soot with
Mesopotamians is the plow. However, different chemicals to produce inks of
farmers needed a technology which would different colors. The ink must withstand
enable them to dig the ground where seeds the elements of nature since it was used
to record history, culture, and codified
laws.
HIEROGLYPHICS
Like the Sumerians, the Egyptians also
developed a system of writing using
symbols, known as hieroglyphics. It was
adapted from the early writing system
established in Mesopotamia as a result of
trade between civilizations. They believed
that this writing system was provided to
them by their gods.
COSMETICS
In ancient Egypt, the use of cosmetics is
both for health and aesthetic reason.
What is the purpose of cosmetics in the
modern times?
Egyptian wore Kohl around the use to
prevent and even cure eye diseases.
Egyptians also believed that a person
wearing make-up was protected from evil
and beauty was a sign of holiness.
WIG
During the ancient Egyptian times, wig
were worn for health and wellness rather
than aesthetic purposes.
The wigs were used to protect the shaved
heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the
harmful rays of the sun. Moreover, it was
considered cleaner that natural hair
because it prevented the accumulation of
head lice.
GREEK CIVILIZATION
Greece is an archipelago in the
southeastern part of Europe. Known as the
birthplace of western philosophy, some of
the major achievements of the Greeks
include in-depth works on philosophy and
mathematics. More than coliseums and the
Olympics, the Greek civilization has
contributed much to 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 is
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.
WATER MILL
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 the use of watermills, the
mass production of rice, cereals, flours,
and the like became common.
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.
NEWSPAPER
One of the major contributions of the
Romans is the newspaper. The first
newspapers, known as gazettes, contained
announcements 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.
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.
ROMAN ARCHITECTURE
It is one of the visual contributions of
the Roman Empire to the world. It is said
to be the continuation of Greek
architecture. Romans were able to adapt
new building and engineering technology on
architectural designs established in the
past.
ROMAN NUMERALS
Although other number systems had already
been established before the Roman numeral,
these old systems could not keep up with After the Chinese developed woodblock
high calculation requirements due to the printing, Johann Gutenberg was able to
increasing rate of communication and trade invent the printing press, a more reliable
among nations. way of printing using a cast type.

MICROSCOPE

Another invention in the Middle Ages is

the microscope. Growing populations caused
massive migration and urbanization during
the period. More and more people
CHINESE CIVILIZATION
transferred to polluted and populated
The Chinese civilization is considered the urban areas which resulted in more people
oldest civilization in Asia, if not the getting sick and needing medical
world. It was famous among other ancient attention.
civilizations because of its silk trade.
TELESCOPE
SILK
The invention of the telescope, an optical
Silk production resulted in the creation instrument that helps in the observation
of a product for trade. The silk trade of remote objects, was a great help for
opened China to the outside world, making navigators during this time. Together with
way for cultural, economic, and scientific the telescope, the invention of the
exchanges. It bridged the gap between the compass, oars, and rudders made sea
western world and the middle kingdom. travelling easier and safer.

TEA PRODUCTION WAR WEAPONS

Tea is a beverage produce by pouring hot Since wars were widespread during the
or boiling water over crush or shredded Middle Ages, great development in the
dried tea leaves. It was believed that the weaponry technology also occurred. All
first tea was drunk by a Chinese emperors. sides must develop weaponries not only for
offensive tools but also as defensive
GREAT WALL OF CHINA instruments.
Once considered the only man-made
structure that could be seen from outer
space, the Great Wall of China is said to MODERN TIMES
be the largest and most extensive
infrastructure that the nation built. Faster and easier means to communicate and
compute should be developed to establish
GUN POWDER connections between and among nations. All
these needs resulted in the development of
They mixed charcoal, sulfur, and potassium industries. However, due to massive
nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir industrialization, the modern times again
of life, they accidentally invented a faced more complicated problems. Food
black powder that could actually generate processing and medicine posed some of the
large amounts of heat and gas in an bigger challenges since health was of
instant. great concern.

PASTEURIZATION
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES As people were able to develop better
means of production to meet the needs of
The start of the middle ages was marred by
the population, food preservation and food
massive invasions and migrations. Wars
safety became an issue. The challenge to
were prevalent during this time. As such,
keep manufactured food from deteriorating
great technology was needed in the fields
was greater for dairy products, especially
of weaponry, navigation, mass food and
milk, since they usually spoiled faster.
farm production, and health.
TELEPHONE
PRINTING PRESS
The more people got connected by trade and Trap. This trap system is made of natural
exploration, the more they needed a way to ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos
easily maintain these connections and but safe for humans and the environment.
communicate with each other in real time.
E-JEEPNEY
CALCULATOR
This modern type of transportation
The creation of modern calculators did not utilizes electricity instead of the more
only pave the way for easier arithmetic expensive diesel. It is environment-
calculations, but also resulted in the friendly since it does not emit any smoke
development of more complex processing and noise. The items discussed in this
machines like the computer. chapter are only some of the great
inventions and developments during the
different time periods.
PHILIPPINE INVENTIONS
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. Another Filipino innovation
is the addition of a sidecar to a
motorcycle transforming it into a tricycle
to accommodate more passengers.

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 the
country, activities would cease when it
gets dark. It also becomes more dangerous
to travel.

MEDICAL INCUBATOR

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.

MOSQUITO OVICIDAL/LARCIDAL TRAP SYSTEM

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