STS Module 1, Lesson 2

SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
MARILYN D. ABULUYAN
INSTRUCTOR
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
ANTECEDENT - a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENT in STS - factors that paved the way for the presence
of advanced and sophisticated scientific and technological innovations today
IMPORTANCE
 By understanding how previous generations influenced and were influenced
by developments in science and technology, today's generation can come up
with informed decisions on the proper applications of science and technology
to daily life.
TECHNOLOGY
The rise of ancient civilizations
paved the way for advances in
science and technology. These
ANCIENT advances during the Ancient period
allowed civilizations to flourish by
PERIOD finding better ways of
communication, transportation,
self-organization, and living in
general.
TECHNOLOGY
ANCIENT
WHEEL
TECHNOLOGY
People from ancient civilizations used animals for transportation long before
the invention of the wheel. No one knows exactly who invented the wheel and when.
There is, however, a general agreement that the ancient wheel grew out of a
mechanical device called the potter's wheel - a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay
which was spun horizontally on axis. It is believed that the Sumerians invented the
potter's wheel shortly after 3,500 BC. The invention of the ancient wheel is often
credited to the Sumerian since no other ancient civilization used a simitar device at
the time. It could be that a potter thought of shifting the potter's wheel to a 90-
degree angle for the purpose of transportation or the wheel was reinvented for this
purpose. Nonetheless, it would not be until 1000 to 1500 years later that the wheel
was first used on carts.
TECHNOLOGY
PAPER
TECHNOLOGY
Papyrus - a material similar to thick

paper, made from the pith of the
papyrus plant Cyperus papyrus.
- It is lightweight, strong,
durable, and most importantly,
portable.
 With the advent of the papyrus,

documentation and record-keeping
became efficient, widespread, and
vast. Through its use, information
dissemination became exponentially
faster. Records were kept and stood
the test of time.
TECHNOLOGY
SHADOOF
TECHNOLOGY
The shadoof was an early tool invented and used
by ancient Egyptians to irrigate the land. Among
Egyptians who lived near the Nile River, irrigation
was necessary to water their crops. The shadoof,
also spelled as shaduf, is a hand-operated device
used for lifting water. Its invention introduced the
idea of Lifting things using counterweights.
Because of this invention, irrigation and farming
became much more efficient. The shadoof is also
believed to be an ancient precursor of more
sophisticated irrigation tools.
TECHNOLOGY
ANTIKYTHERA
MECHANISM
TECHNOLOGY • Even before the invention of the antecedents of the modern
computer, the Greeks had already invented the ancient
word's analog computer orrery. Discovered in 1902 and
retrieved from the waters of Antikythera, Greece, the
Antikythera mechanism is similar to a mantel clock. Upon
its discovery, the bits of wood seen on its fragments
suggest that it must have been housed in a wooden case. it
is akin to a clock in the way that the case has a circular
face and rotating hands. A knob on the side makes it
possible for it to be wound forward or backward. As this
knob moves forward or backward, its mechanism allows it
to display celestial time. Thus, it is widely believed that the
Antikythera mechanism was used to predict astronomical
positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological
purposes. It is also believed that the Antikythera
mechanism, which is one of the oldest known antecedents
of modern clockwork, was invented by Greek scientists
between 1 50-1 008C.
TECHNOLOGY
AEOLIPILE
TECHNOLOGY
 Also known as the Hero's engine, the aeolipile is widely
believed to be the ancient precursor of the steam engine.
 Hero of Alexandria is credited for the demonstration of the use
of the aeolipile during the 1st century AD.
 The aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine which spun when the
water container at its center was heated, thus making it
practically the first rudimentary steam engine.
 It is not clear whether the aeolipile served any practical
purpose, but it is believed to be one of many "temple wonders"
at the time. Nonetheless, Vitruvius, a Roman author, architect,
and civil engineer described the aeolipile as a scientific
invention through which "the mighty and wonderful laws of the
heavens and the nature of winds" may be understood and
judged.
TECHNOLOGY
GUN POWDER
TECHNOLOGY
 Gunpowder was invented in China sometime
during the first millennium AD. The earliest
possible reference to gunpowder appeared in
142 AD during the Eastern Han dynasty when
the alchemist Wei Boyang, also known as the
"father of alchemy", wrote about a substance
with gunpowder-like properties.
 Since its invention, the gunpowder has allowed
for more advanced warfare. From fiery arrows
to cannons and grenades, the gunpowder has
prompted foundation for the functionality of
almost every new weapon used in war since its
invention. It ushered in an unprecedented
advancement in warfare and combat
throughout the Middle Ages.
TECHNOLOGY
PAPER MONEY
TECHNOLOGY Although it was not until the 17s century that bank
notes began to be used in Europe, the first known
versions of paper money could be traced back to the
Chinese in 'l7th century AD as an offshoot of the
invention of block printing, which is similar to
stamping. Before the introduction of paper money,
precious metals, such as gold and silver were used
as currency. However, the idea of assigning value to
a marked piece of paper did not immediately become
popular. ln fact, when the Mongols attempted to
introduce paper money into the Middle East market in
the 13th century, it did not gain immediate success.
Nonetheless, traders and merchants eventually
realized the huge advantage of using paper money
because it was easier to transport around compared
to the previous forms of currencies.
TECHNOLOGY
MECHANICAL
CLOCK
TECHNOLOGY
 Although devices for timekeeping and recording

sprung the ancient times, such as the Antikythera
mechanism, it was not until the Middle Ages that
clockwork technology was developed.
 The development of mechanical clocks paved the way
for accurately keeping track of time.
 The sophistication of clockwork technology of the
mechanical clock drastically changed the way days
were spent and work patterns were established,
particularly in the more advanced Middle Age cities.
TECHNOLOGY
SPINNING
WHEEL
TECHNOLOGY
 Another important invention of the Middle Ages is the

spinning wheel, a machine used for transforming fiber into
thread or yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a loom
 Although no consensus could be made regarding the origin

of the spinning wheel, it is theorized that the Indians
invented the spinning wheel between 6h and 11th century
AD. Prior to the invention of the spinning wheel, weaving
was done predominantly through the more time-consuming
and tedious process of hand spinning
 According to White (1974), the spinning wheel speed up the

rate at which fiber could be spun by a factor of 10 to 100
times. Thus, White argued that this invention ushered in a
breakthrough in linen production when it was introduced in
Europe in the 13th century AD.
TECHNOLOGY
 As the world population steadily
increased, people of modern Ages
realized the utmost importance of
MODERN increasing the efficiency
transportation, communication, and
of
AGES production. Industrialization took

place with a greater risk in human
heath, food safety, and environment
which had to be addressed as
scientific and technological progress
unfolded at an unimaginable speed.
TECHNOLOGY
COMPOUND
MICROSCOPE
TECHNOLOGY
 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 outing together several lenses on a tube.
 This led to an amazing discovery that an object, when placed near

the end of the tube, can be magnified far larger than what a simple
magnifying lens can do. Janssen's compound microscope was an
important progression from the single lens microscope.
 It was capable of magnifying objects three times their size when

fully closed and up to ten times when extended to the maximum.
 The compound microscope is an important instrument in many

scientific studies, such as in the areas of medicine, forensic studies,
tissue analysis, atomic studies, and genetics
TECHNOLOGY
TELESCOPE
TECHNOLOGY
 Perhaps the single, most important technological invention
in the study of astronomy during the Modern Ages was the
practical telescope invented by Galileo Galilei.
 This invention could magnify objects 20 times larger than

the Dutch perspective glasses.
 It was Galileo who first used the telescope skyward and

made important astronomical discoveries, and identified the
presence of craters and mountains on the moon.
 Galileo’s remarkable technological contribution drastically

changed the study of astronomy. For the first time, it
became clear that the universe is far larger than previously
imagined and the Earth for smaller compared to the entire
universe.
TECHNOLOGY
JACQUARD
LOOM
TECHNOLOGY
 Built by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard, the

Jacquard loom simplifies textile manufacturing
 was considered as one of the most critical drivers of

the revolution
 important antecedent of modern computer

technology as it demonstrated the use of punched
cards to instruct a machine to carry out complex tasks,
i.e., making different textile patterns
TECHNOLOGY
ENGINE-
POWERED
AIRPLANE
TECHNOLOGY
Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright are credited for designing and
successfully operating the first engine-powered aircraft.
Orville and Wilbur proved that aircraft could fly without airfoil-
shaped wings. They demonstrated this in their original Flying
Machine Patent (Us patent #821393), showing that slightly-
tilted wings, which-they referred to as airplanes, were the key
features of a powered aircraft
Their pioneering success marked an age of power flights. Sans

modern knowledge on aerodynamics and a comprehensive
understanding of the working of aircraft wings, the Wright
brothers were brilliant scientists who paved the way for
modern aircraft technology.
TECHNOLOGY
TELEVISION
TECHNOLOGY
 The Scottish engineer John Logie Baird is largely

credited for the invention of the modern television
 Baird successfully televised objects in outline in 1924,
recognizable human faces in 1925, and moving
objects in 1926, and projected colored images in
1928. Baird's television technology caught on really
swiftly
 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) used this for

its earliest television Programming in 1929
TECHNOLOGY
Electronic Jeepney (e-jeepney)
 The jeepney is perhaps one of the most recognizable national
symbols of the Philippines and the most popular mode of public
transportation in the country.
 The e-jeepney is the inventive response to criticisms to the
traditional jeepney that belched smoke, directly causing air
pollution which made it unsustainable and uneconomical
 Jeepneys are designed to be environment-friendly, eliminating

noise and air pollution as they run on electricity.
 They are also more economical for electricity is far cheaper than
INVENTIONS BY
ordinary diesel, allowing jeepney drivers to earn more profit. FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
Erythromycin
 Perhaps one of the most important medical
inventions is the Erythromycin.
 The llonggo scientists Abelardo Aguilar invented this
antibiotic out of a strain of bacterium called
Streptomyces erythreus, from which this drug derived
its name.
 As with the case of several other local scientists,
however, Aguilar was not credited for this discovery
by Eli Lilli Co, Aguilar's US employer, to whom he sent
the strain for separation. The US company eventually
INVENTIONS BY
owned the merits for this delivery. FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
Medical 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.
 She is also the founder of the first pediatric hospital in the country.
 Her pioneering work in pediatrics that spanned a total of eight decades won her the
1977 Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize granted to outstanding individuals
whose selfless service remarkably contributed to the betterment of society.
 Her original incubator consisted of two native laundry baskets of different sizes that
are placed one inside the other. Warmth is generated by bottles with hot water placed
around the baskets. A makeshift hood over the baskets allows oxygen to circulate
inside the incubator.
 Del Mundo's incubator was particularly outstanding as it addressed the state of
Philippine rural communities that had no electricity to aid the regulation of body
temperature of newborn babies. For this purpose, del Mundo's invention was truly
ingenious. INVENTIONS BY
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
Mole Remover
 ln 2000, a local invention that had the ability to easily
remove moles and warts on the skin without the need for
any surgical procedure shot to fame.
 Rolando dela Cruz is credited for the invention of a local
mole remover that made use of extracts of cashew nuts
(Anacardium occidentale), which are very common in the
Philippines.
 The indigenous formula easily caught on for its accessibility,
affordability, and painless and scarless procedure.
 Dela Cruz won a gold medal for this invention in the
International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design, and
Technology Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000. INVENTIONS BY
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
Banana Ketchup
 Filipino food technologist, Maria Orosa, is credited for the
invention of banana ketchup, a variety of ketchup different
from the commonly known tomato ketchup.
 Her invention appeals particularly to Filipinos who love using
condiments to go along with their food. Historical accounts
posit that Orosa invented the banana ketchup at the
backdrop of World War II when there was a huge shortage of
tomatoes.
 As a result, Orosa developed a variety of ketchup that made
use of mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices, which
were all readily available.
 Orosa's banana ketchup is brownish-yellow in natural color
but is dyed red to resemble the color of the most loved INVENTIONS BY
tomato ketchup.
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
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 ll 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, H2O 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 potentials.
INVENTIONS BY
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
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. ln many rural areas in the country, activities would cease
when it gets dark. It also becomes more dangerous to travel. Filipinos
have resorted 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 their own saltwater by mixing two tablespoons of salt and a glass of INVENTIONS BY
tap water.
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS
TECHNOLOGY
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. Ln
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 the OL Trap. This trap system is made of natural
ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans and
the environment.
INVENTIONS BY
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS

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STS Module 1, Lesson 2

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SCIENCE,

ANTECEDENT - a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something

Papyrus - a material similar to thick

 With the advent of the papyrus,

 Although devices for timekeeping and recording

 Another important invention of the Middle Ages is the

 Although no consensus could be made regarding the origin

 According to White (1974), the spinning wheel speed up the

AGES production. Industrialization took

 This led to an amazing discovery that an object, when placed near

 It was capable of magnifying objects three times their size when

 The compound microscope is an important instrument in many

 This invention could magnify objects 20 times larger than

 It was Galileo who first used the telescope skyward and

 Galileo’s remarkable technological contribution drastically

 Built by French weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard, the

 was considered as one of the most critical drivers of

 important antecedent of modern computer

Their pioneering success marked an age of power flights. Sans

 The Scottish engineer John Logie Baird is largely

 British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) used this for

 Jeepneys are designed to be environment-friendly, eliminating

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