Chapter 1: Science: History, Development, Milestones in Technology

Lesson1: Definition of Science, Technology and Society

Lesson2: History and Development of Science
Lesson3: Milestones of Technology in the Philippines
Lesson4: Filipino Inventions/Inventors

Introduction
Science, technology and society are essential elements in a man’s life. These three
components are interrelated to one another bringing an effect may it be positive or negative. Science,
technology and society are not separated entities, they are interrelated with each other and thus are
inseparable.

This chapter will introduce you to what Science, Technology and Society (STS) subject is all about.
As an interdisciplinary course, this will find way in exploring the importance and highlight the impact of
science, technology and society in our everyday living. One would discover the different activities
from the groups of people in a society cause the production, distribution and utilization of scientific
knowledge and thus developing technological systems.

At the end of an independent study, you must be able to:

1. define Science, Technology and Society (STS);
2. trace the history and development of science from Pre- historic to Modern Age;
3. identify the scientific and technological developments in the Philippines; and
4. recognize the Filipino Inventors and their inventions.
.
Lesson Proper
Basic Concepts about Science

comes from the Latin word “scio” meaning “I know”, “scire” meaning to know and “scientia”
meaning knowledge.
A body of knowledge based on scientific inquiry and creative process based on observation &
experimentation.
A body of facts that has been systematically classified.
A systematic attempt to establish theories to explain observed phenomena and knowledge.
A body of knowledge based on the study of the natural world.

http://tech21stworld.blogspot.com/2014/08/science-technology-and-society.html
 Importance of Science

● Gives idea on the nature of life and things that occur around us.
a) Man observed things around them and saw a connection between certain events.
b) Man tries to understand nature so that they may be able to control it for the enrichment of human
lives.
● Tries to explain the different phenomena and eventually leads to the discovery of general truth.
● Seeks relationships among things and processes. Scientific knowledge enables us to do and
make all kinds of things.
● Part of our everyday living.
● Source of intellectual enjoyment by understanding scientific processes, one can develop and
sharpen their problem solving and critical thinking ability.
● Liberates the mind and supplants superstitious beliefs and prejudices.

SCIENCE

Social Science Natural Science

(Sociology,
Economics, Political
Science, Psychology)

Applied Science Pure Science

(Engineering, Health
Sciences)

Physical
(Physics, Astronomy, Biological
Chemistry)

LIfe Science
Earth Science
(Zoology, Anatomy, (Geology, Environmental
Environmental Biology, Science, Marine Biology,
Genetics, Pathology) Meteorology)
Types of Natural Science

Main Division of Pure Science

Branches of Pure Science

Basic Concepts about Technology
Basic Concepts about Society

“A society is a relatively independent, self

perpetuating human group which occupies a
territory, shares a culture and has ,ost of its
associations within group”. - Horton and Hunt
https://books.google.com.ph/books/abo
ut/Sociology.html?id=eiEEAgAACAAJ&
source=kp_cover&redir_esc=y

“A society is a system of usages and

procedures, authority and mutual aid,of many
groupings and divisions, of human behavior and
of liberties.” - Maclver and Page

https://www.azquotes.com/author/25919
-Robert_Morrison_MacIver

“Society is the union itself, the organization, the

sum of formal relations in which associating
individuals are bound together. - Franklin Henry
Giddings

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
GIDDINGS-FRANKLIN-HENRY-2.JPG
Nature of Society

Types of Society
1. Pre-Industrial Society

Sub-types of Pre-industrial Society

!"##Hunting and Gathering Societies

-the simplest kind of society

-the use of simple tools to hunt animals and gather vegetation is the feature of this society

$"# Horticultural and Pastoral Societies

-the use of hand tools to cultivate crops was discovered

-people turned to domestication of animals

%"#Agrarian Society

-the discovery of agriculture in which large scale cultivation using plows harnessed to animals
or more powerful energy sources.
2. Industrial Society

-A social system in which the mode of

production focuses primarily on finished
goods manufactured with the aid of
machinery

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=
-Society driven by the use of technology to
https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cusd200.org enable mass production, supporting to large
population with a high capacity for division of
labor
● Industrialization draws people away from home to factories.
● Occupation specialization has become more pronounced.
● Leads to the rise of very large cities and surrounding sub-urban areas with a high rate
of economic activity.
● Division of labor becomes over exhibited.
● Rapid change and movement from place to place also generate anonymity, cultural
diversity and numerous subculture and counter cultures.

History and Development of Science and Technology

Historical pieces of evidences in development of science and technology can be traced back only with
written records from about 5000 years ago. However, archaeological excavations of fossil remains of
a “Peking man” were confirmed to be dated about 500 million years ago through modern instruments
and techniques. These fossils were accompanied by stones of various shapes which were used as
tools for survival (Borbon, 2000).

Science and technology continued to progress with the intention to improve the society’s quality of
life. Products of science and technology allow people to do more with a little effort in a shorter period
of time (McNamara, 2012). Discovery and invention governed man’s achievements in science and
technology (Borbon, 2000). We will try to look at the progress of science and technology through the
perspective of history by identifying their significant discoveries and inventions and how these affect
the societies in their respective time periods.
 Time Period Significant Discoveries and Inventions

1. Pre-Historic ● Fire (man’s first invention)

Times ● Tools and weapons made of stones a bronze

https://historiamolim6000.wordpress.com

2. Ancient Times ● Cuneiform (world’s first writing system)

(3500 B.C. – A.D. ● Sexagesimal system of measurement which uses the number 60
1200) as base system (e.g. an hour is divided into 60 minutes of 60 seconds)
● Ziggurats
● Wheeled vehicle

2.1 Sumerian
Civilization

Cuneiform
https://www.britannica.com/place/Sumer

● Hanging Gardens of Babylon (One of Seven Wonders of the

World)
● Ishar Gate

2.2 Babylonian
Civilization

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

https://www.ancient.eu/babylon/

● Hieroglyphics (Egyptian system of writing)

● Egyptian calendar (composed of 365 days)
● Water clock to calculate time (divided the day into 24 hours)
● Pyramids (e.g. Step Pyramid of Sakkara and Great Pyramid of
Khufu or Cheofs)
● Mummification (a system of embalming their dead to preserve the
body)

2.3 Egyptian
Civilization
 Pyramid
https://www.britannica.com/place/ancient-Egypt

● Geocentric theory of the universe (postulated by Claudius

Ptolemy) became the first model of the universe for more than 1,400
years).

2.4 Greek https://courses.lumenlearning.com/sanjac-

Civilization earthscience/chapter/introduction-to-the-solar-system/

● Public buildings could accommodate as many as 300, 000 people

(e.g. Hippodrome, Colosseum, Circus Maximus, Hagia Sophia)
● Roman roads stretched for thousands of miles

2.5 Roman
Civilization
Hippodrome for Horse & Chariot Racing
https://www.crystalinks.com/circusmaximus.html

● Canon of Medicine book written and published by Ibn Sina or

Avicenna (980-1037 A.D.) was used as the basis for Arab medicinal
research.
● Arabic system of numbers
● Pseudoscience of alchemy in which they mix chemical elements to
transform base metals into gold.
● Glass lens (first to use them for magnification)
● Black powder (eventually used as gunpowder and they were the
first to create the first gun)

2.6 Arabic/Islamic
Civilization The Arabs Practice Alchemy
https://www.arabbritishcentre.org.uk/alchemy-in-the-middle-east-by-
christopher-danieli/
 ● Silk production
● Chopsticks
● Astronomical records of stars, novae, eclipses, and comets (e.g.
Halley comet was first observed in China in 240 B.C.)
● The Great Wall of China and the Great Palace of the First
Emperor (two architectural monuments of massive proportions)
● Chinese medicine (e.g. practice of acupuncture)
● Earthquake weathercock (instrument to detect earthquake
occurrence)
● Paper production
● Movable-type printing press
● Black powder used in fireworks displays and was later used in
explosive cannonballs.

The Great Wall of China

https://www.china-roads.com/travel/great-wall-of-china/

● Indian surgeons successfully performed various operations like

2.7 Chinese repair of broken limbs, complicated bone setting, amputation, plastic
surgery, and Caesarean section.
Civilization
● Hindu-Arabic numerals
● Mathematical concepts (known as the Indian art) such as the
negative and positive quantities; square and cube roots; quadratic
equations; mathematical implications of zero and infinity; value of pi up to
nine decimal places; important steps in trigonometry, sine functions,
spherical geometry, and calculus.

https://www.basic-mathematics.com/hindu-arabic-numeration-system.html

● Mayan hieroglyphics
● Calendar containing 365 days and divided into 18 months of 20
days each
● Calendar stone (represented the Aztec’s universe)
● Rubber products
● Mathematical system with 20 as the base number instead of 10.
They used dots and dashes to represent numbers and a special symbol
that signified zero.
● Farming techniques such as slash-and-burn farming, terraces to
prevent erosion, chinampas (artificial islands which serve as their
cropland)
 ● Chocolates made out of cacao beans
● Tacos and tortilla chips made from corn
2.8 Indus-Hindu
Civilization

Chinampas or Artificial Islands

https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/157414949449830116/

3. Pre-Columbian
Mesoamerican
Civilization
4. The Middle ● Known as the Medieval Times in the Western World between
Ages (400-1300 A.D. Ancient Times and Modern Times
in the Western World) ● Time devoted by the scholars to the study of theology which
somehow left little interest for scientific pursuits.
● However, as the original works were translated and copied by hand,
errors were inadvertently committed and multiplied.

5. Modern Times Renaissance Period is known as the period of rebirth or revival in Europe.
● Movable-type printing press invented in the 1440’s by Johann
5.1 Renaissance
Gutenberg in Germany.
Period (1300-1600
● Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), one of the greatest artists of his
A.D.)
time, left behind the plans that anticipated such inventions as the
helicopter, the submarine, the machine gun, and the motor car.
 Gutenberg’s Printing press
http://davincid.weebly.com/gutenberg-printing-press.html

The rebirth of science in Europe known as Scientific Revolution began in

1543 with the publication of two books:
On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres written by Nicolaus
Copernicus (1473-1543), challenged the centuries-old geocentric
universe of Claudius Ptolemy; and
On the Fabric of the Human Body written by Andreas Vesalius
(1514-1640), who presented the first scientifically accurate description of
human anatomy which eventually replaced those earlier written by Galen
(100’s A.D. Greek physician) and Avicenna (early 1000’s A.D. Arab
physician).

Significant inventions during this period include:

5.2 Scientific ● Telescope which was devised by Galileo Galilei (1564-1662) to
Revolution (1600- study the heavens. It was also invented in Holland by Hans Lippershey
1700 A.D.) (1570-1619).
● Optics. Isaac Newton discovered that visible light is composed of
different colors when separated by prism which was written in his book,
The Optiks, that was published in 1704. Newton also transformed the
underlying principles in physical science with his three laws of motion and
the law of universal gravitation.
● Cell. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) studied the
appearance of protozoa and bacteria while he looked at them under the
optical instrument he made. Robert Hooke (1635-1703) discovered in
1665 the “cell,” the term he used to describe what he saw while looking at
the very thin layers of cork under his microscope.
● Barometer. Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) invented the
barometer while Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) demonstrated how air
pressure diminished with altitude by using the barometer.

Galileo’s Telescope
https://history.amazingspace.org/resources/explorations/groundup/lesson/
scopes/galileo/index.php)
 Until the nineteenth century, all physical labor was accomplished either
directly by human hands or with the aid of tools. Gradually, the power for
production was reinforced by simple machines, coal, petroleum, and was
soon replaced by electricity. The phenomenal transforming process
ushered by the transfer of work from human hands to machines was aptly
called “The Industrial Revolution.”

5.3 Industrializatio
n in the Modern World Significant discoveries and inventions during this period include:
(1703-1930 A.D.)
● Steam engine – James Watt invented the first satisfactory efficient
condensing steam engine in 1765 with his friend, Joseph Black who
discovered latent heat.
● Electricity - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) proved that lightning
is electricity. It led him to invent the lightning rod to prevent houses from
getting burned when struck by lightning.

Benjamin Franklin’s Wired Kite Flying in a Thunderstorm

http://www.benjamin-franklin-history.org/experiments-with-electricity/
● Electric battery - Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) invented electric
battery in 1800. In his honor, a unit of electromotive force which drives
current was called the volt.
● Electromagnetism - Michael Faraday (1791-1867) carried out
several experiments which greatly enlightened our understanding of
electromagnetism.
● Electric motor - Hans Oersted (1777-1851) invented electric
motor, a device for converting electricity to mechanical motion.
● Electric current - Andre Ampere (1775-1836) explained the
observed magnetic effects in terms of electric currents flowing in small
loops.
● Telegraph - Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) produced the first
practical telegraph known as the Morse Code, a system of signals
composed of dots and dashes combined to represent letters of the
alphabet.
● Telephone – invented by Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)
who carried out the world’s first successful telephone conversation in
1876.
● Electric bulb – invented by Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)
which brought electrical illumination into the world in the 1880’s. Among
his other outstanding inventions are the phonograph and the motion
picture equipment.
 Thomas Alva Edison
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was deaf, claiming that his deafness enabled him to
concentrate. He held a world record of 1,093 patents for his inventions
including incandescent electric light which brought electrical illumination
into the world.
● Radio waves - Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) was the first to
broadcast and receive radio waves. Hertz established the fact that light
and heat are electromagnetic waves.
● Radiotelegraphy – a system of mass communication which was
invented by Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937). He patented wireless
telegraphy apparatus in 1900.
● Motor car – Nicolas Otto (1832-1891) created an improved
combustion engine and this is still the way cars work today.
● X-rays – Wilhelm Roentgen (1845-1923) recorded the first X-ray
image and realized the medical potential of x-rays.
● Airplane – Wilbur and Orville Wright built and flew the first really
successful airplane.
● Rockets and space flights – Konstantin Tsiokovsky (1857-1935)
was the first person to draw up plans for space stations and calculated the
rocket’s travel and consumption of rocket fuel. Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968)
was the first man to orbit the earth in 1961.
● Atomic bomb - John Cockcroft (1897-1967) and Earnest Walton
(1903-1995) were able to split the atom. This proved Albert Einstein’s
(1879-1955) theory of relativity. This unlocked the secrets of the atomic
nucleus, which later allowed scientists to develop the atomic bomb.
Milestones of Technology in the Philippines

Time Period Status of Philippine Science and Technology

1. The Pre-Spanish
Colonial Period
Before the coming of the Spaniards, Filipinos already had:
● Own writing system, Baybayin
● Own method of counting
● System of weights and measurements
● Calendar
● Cultivated their fields
● Built ships or bancas out of logs
● Engaged in extensive fishing and some mining, particularly
gold
● Been weaving cloth from abaca, cotton, and fine pineapple
fibres (pina).
● Treated wounds and diseases using some medical herbs

Baybayin, an Ancient Filipino Writing System

https://narrastudio.com/blogs/journal/baybayin-the-ancient-filipino-
script-lives-on

2. The Spanish Colonial The Spaniards introduced the following:

Period
● Roads and stone bridges were built to connect provinces and
towns.
● Stone churches, many of which still stand today.
● Use of concrete materials and the manufacture of lime,
cement, and bricks.
● Built hospitals such as the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila,
considered the oldest in the Far East, which still exists today.
● Printing from movable types and the Roman alphabet was
introduced and books in Spanish, Tagalog, and some other dialects
were printed in small numbers.
● Establishment of academic institutions beyond the primary
grades which influenced the beginning and progress of science
through the introduction of scientific subjects in formal education.
 University of Santo Tomas, Manila
https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/510736413973957507/

3. American Colonial ● The first state university, the University of the Philippines,
Period was established.
● Several members of the U.P. faculty were sent to the United
States and Europe to advance their training and to obtain higher
degrees for a Master’s or Doctorate’s Degree in the sciences
specialized in agriculture, chemistry, biology, medicine, physics,
engineering, and mathematics.
● Science bureaus were created.
● Scientific periodicals were established with the increase of
scientific activities.
● Scientific societies were organized.
4. Japanese Colonial ● There was not much scientific activity, apart from
Period development of the production of basic necessities such as soap
and coconut oil.
● Produced native substitute for quinine which was much in
demand because of the rampant spread of malaria.

5. Period of the Republic
of the Philippines
● Many agencies in science and technology were established
and strengthened, including the Philippine Atmospheric
Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),
the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), and the
National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA).
● NSTA was reorganized into the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST). DOST is the central agency mandated to
provide direction, leadership, and coordination of all scientific and
technological activities in the Philippines.
● Science schools were established to develop gifted students
in science and mathematics, such as the Philippine Science High
School System (PSHSS), Manila Science High School, Quezon City
Regional Science High School, and the Special Science Elementary
Schools Project to promote science education.
Filipino Inventions/Inventors
Filipino scientists’ discoveries and inventions were built from indigenous materials or created to adapt
to the harsh tropical environment in the Philippines (McNamara, 2012). Some of Filipino-made
inventions include:

Inventions Inventor Description and Photos

1. Salamander Victor Llave and his An amphibious tricycle that can cross not only
Amphibious team at H2O flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.
Tricycle Technologies

Salamander Amphibious Tricycle

https://startsomegood.com/H2OSalamander

2. Sustainable Aisa Mijeno A lighting system that utilizes saltwater, a material

Alternative Lighting abundant in the Philippines. Alternative to saltwater
lamp may be done by mixing two tablespoons of salt and a
glass of tap water.

SALt Lamp
https://inhabitat.com/filipino-salt-lamp-runs-8-hours-
on-just-1-glass-of-salty-water/

3. Medical Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Made from indigenous and cheap materials which did
Incubator Filipino pediatrician not run on electricity.
and the first Asian
woman admitted into
Harvard Medical
School
 Bamboo-Made Medical Incubator
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-
reads/features/amazing-inventions-by-filipinos-
a00204-20200529

4. Mosquito Department of Also known as OL Trap. This trap system is made of

Ovicidal/Larvicidal Science and natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but
Trap System Kit Technology – safe for humans and the environment.
Industrial
Technology
Development
Institute (DOST-
ITDI)

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/DOST-Mosquito-
Ovicidal-Larvicidal-OL-Trap-5_fig1_272361932
This modern type of transportation utilizes electricity.
5. Electric It is environment-friendly since it does not emit any
Jeepney or e- Leonardo Sarao smoke and noise.
Jeepney

Sarao Motors e-Jeepney

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/industry-
news/sarao-e-jeepneys-features-a00188-20180425)
 Activity
Give five Filipino inventors (2 national, 2 regional, and 1 Antiqueño) and their inventions.

Grading Rubrics:
Content 10 points
Presentation (Format and Style) 10 points
Time of Accomplishment 5 points
TOTAL 25 points

Upgrading Competence and Expanding Insights

To further understand this module, you may click the link to watch the following videos:
https://youtu.be/M0p6NKANE08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzrGaoD142k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbUlm4TUZ3A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd7hpur-G1Y
REFERENCES:
A. BOOKS
Ariola, Mariano M. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Unlimited Books Library Services &
Publishing, Inc. Manila, Philippines
Borbon, Veronica L., et al (2000). College Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Book Store, Inc.
Manila, Philippines
Bueno, David C. (2019). Science, Technology and Society. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Doria, Benjamin D., et al (2018). Science, Technology and Society. Jimczyville Publications. Malabon
City, Philippines
Gribbin, J. (2003). Science: A History. London, UK: Penguin Books.
Iaccarino, M. (2003). Science and Culture. EMBO Reports, 4, 220-223.
McNamara, Daniel Joseph, et al (2012). Science, Technology, and Society. C & E Publishing, Inc.
Quezon City, Philippines
Serafica, Janice Patria J., et al (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Printing Company, Inc.
Quezon City, Philippines
B. ONLINE REFERENCES
https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/cartoon-community-world-people-society-vector-
14855193
https://www.facebook.com/priyaisas/
https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom/Economy
https://blog.nationalgeographic.org/2012/03/20/a-practical-vision-simple-technology-that-transforms-
lives/
https://www.google. marketbusinessnews.com
https://www.google.hopeinterculturalcomm.weebly.com
https://www.google. superstition-inquisition
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/political-cartoons-in-the-age-of-memes/article30525504.ece
https://reviste.in/careers/liberation-of-knowledge/