INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCIENCE What's in a Historical Antecedent?

 Latin word scientia" or "scire" which means
"knowledge" or "to know"  An antecedent is defined as a precursor to
 is a systematized body of knowledge. the unfolding or existence of something.
 is an organized and dynamic inquiry.  A historical antecedent in science and
 is knowledge gained through observation technology, therefore, can be defined as
and experimentation. the previous state of science and
 is a human activity technology before something more
 is a social enterprise: people, knowledge, advanced was created.
skills, facilities, apparatuses and
technologies. The Dawn of the First Civilization
 leads to formation of concepts, methods,
 Ancient humans were able to discover and
principles, theories, law and procedures
invent tools and methods as science
which seek to describe and explain nature
developed and progress.
and its phenomena.
 Mankind existed long before the written
TECHNOLOGY word, there was no historical evidences of
 Greek word tekhne which means “art, skill,
how people lived then because written
craft in work" records of any kind dated in about 5, 000
 as material products; results of scientific
BC.
inquiry; hardware produced by a scientist.  During the Ancient Age, our ancestors relied
 as the application of knowledge in solving
on protoscience, which was an era when
scientific and practical problems that will the scientific method was just unfolding.
help humans to survive and improve his life.  Oral tradition, the only means of
 as human cultural activities or endeavors.
communication.
 as a social enterprise
Ancient Times
 as modern technology based on the
advances of science since the end of WWII  Transportation was significant during that
to the present. time because people were trying to go
places and discover new horizons.
Relationship between Science and Technology
They are traveling to search for food and
Science - is the study of the natural world via
find better locations for their settlements.
research and experiment.
They also traveled to trade their surplus
Technology - is the application of science in
goods in exchange for things that they
practice.
lacked.
The Meaning of Science and Technology  Communication was also essential in their
endeavors to discover and occupy new
Science, technology and society (STS) is the study places.
of how social, political, and cultural values affect They needed a way to communicate with
scientific research and technological innovation, the natives of the areas they visited to
and how these, in turn, affect society. facilitate trade and prevent possible
conflicts.
Historical Antecedents and Inventions Across Time  The increase in size and number of nations
and Context connoted increased demand for food and
other necessities.
To understand a science, it is necessary to know its This condition also implied that the people
history. - Auguste Comte must be able to produce food at a given
 time and space since resources were getting The concept of the wheel actually grew out of
scarcer as more people struggled to share mechanical advice that the Sumerians had invented
the basic necessities. shortly about 3500 B.C. - the potter's wheel.
 Weapons and armors were important in the
discovery of new places or the This was a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay. It
establishment of new alliances with other was spun horizontally on an axis to allow the potter
tribes. to form evenly.
At that time, there was always a risk of
conflict when people met others with Sailboat was also first invented by Ancient
different culture and orientations. Mesopotamia. Five thousand years ago,
 A primary challenge they faced was the Mesopotamia started using sailing boats.
conservation of life. The early people might Since Mesopotamia was situated two famous
have been successful in harnessing the rich rivers, namely Euphrates and the Tigris, they
resources that the world could provide, but needed water transportation for travel and trade.
their survival posed a great problem.
The Sumerians were among the first astronomers,
 To integrate their needs - for better
mapping the movement of stars, planets, and
transportation, establishment of structures
moon into set of constellations, many of which
for protection from human attacks and
survived in the zodiac were also recognized by the
natural disasters, and construction of bigger
ancient Greeks.
and stronger infrastructures people
ventured into what is now known as the Sumerians were also recognized for building the
field of engineering. foundation of
 The development of engineering also  Logic
ushered in the introduction of architecture.  Mathematics
Others might see architecture as a mere  Engineering
style, but during the ancient times,  Architecture
elaborate architectural designs were signs  Agriculture
of technological advancement of a  Transportation
particular civilization.  Medicine.
Sumerian Civilization (Sumer, Mesopotamia (Iraq) Sexagesimal system of counting in units of 60
which served as the basis of 360-degree circle and
Sumer was the southernmost region of
the 60-minute hour.
Mesopotamia (modern-day) Iraq and Kuwait.
It is the cradle of the world's earliest known Developed systematized technique of farming:
civilization and was first established in the region seed plow and irrigation.
in about 3600 BC.
It is always known as the 'first cities' in the world. Uruk City - It is a great wonder not only because it
Cuneiform is the first writing system; it is a set of is considered to be the first true city in the world
word pictures depicted in symbols of triangular but also for the way it was erected.
around 3100 BC.
Pictograms or drawings representing actual things, The Great Ziggurat of Ur
were the basis for cuneiform writing. The Ziggurat, also called the mountain of God, was
built in the same manner that they constructed the
Sumerian clay tablet contains the Sumerian City of Uruk.
historical information and culture. The Ziggurat served as the sacred place of their
It began as a record-keeping for trade and evolved chief God, where the only priest was allowed to
into the use of symbols for writing down laws and enter.
stories.
Roads
To facilitate faster and easier travel, the Sumerians Egypt is located along the Nile River which
developed the first roads. With this work, the flow provided a fertile data. Many stories tell about the
of traffic became faster and more organized. engineering feats of the Egyptians, especially
regarding infrastructures established by the
They made the roads with the same technology Pharaohs.
they used in making sunbaked bricks that they laid
down on the ground. Science and Technology Development:

Babylonian Civilization Paper or Papyrus

It is one of the earlier contributions of Egyptian
Babylonian was the ancient region bordering the Civilization
Tigris and Euphrates river (Iraq).
Babylon is the capital and served as a commercial Papyrus was a plant that grew abundantly along
and religious center in the Tigris-Euphrates valley. the Nile River in Egypt. They were able to process
the plant in order to produce thin sheets on which
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon - It is one of the one could write down things. This invention was a
seven wonders of the ancient world. It was said to major accomplishment in Egyptian record-keeping
be a structure made up of layers upon layers of and communications
gardens that contained several species of plants,
trees, and vines. Ink
When the Egyptians invented the papyrus or paper,
Science and Technology Development: engraving ceased to be used in writing.
As a result, the Egyptians invented ink by
Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.), the first leader of combining soot with different chemicals to produce
the old Babylonian Empire, promulgated the inks of different colors.
famous law code that served as rule and standards
which helped maintain a period of stability in this Hieroglyphics
region, as well as the establishment of science and Like Sumerians, the Egyptians also developed a
technology. system of writing using symbols, known as
hieroglyphics. This form of writing can still be seen
Nebuchadnezzar II was the Neo Babylonian today and remains to be as famous as the pyramids
Emperor who ordered the construction of the where they found. Hieroglyphics was the language
famous "hanging Garden of Babylons" (one of the that tells the modern world of the history and
seven wonders of the world) and the Ishtar Gate. culture of the ancient Egyptians.
Contributed to the development of science and Cosmetics
technology such as:
Although cosmetics in modern times are used to
 irrigation system of canals flanked by improve and highlight the facial features of a
earthen dikes; person, their function in ancient Egypt was for both
 system of bookkeeping, double entry, health and aesthetics.
 accounting, multiplication, and division
tables and calculations using geometry. Egyptians wore kohl around the eyes to prevent
and even cure eye diseases.
Adopted the Sumerian sexagesimal system of
counting in units of 60; made accurate predictions Egyptians also believed that a person wearing
of solar and lunar eclipses and other astronomical makeup was protected from evil and that beauty
phenomena. was a sign of holiness.

Egyptian Civilization Wigs

Another cosmetic invention of ancient Egyptians is Many historians and archaeologists believe that the
the wig. Minoans were involved in Bronze Age's important
tin trade: tin, alloyed with copper apparently was
During the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were used from Cyprus.
for health and wellness rather than for aesthetic Science and Technology Development:
purposes. The wigs were used to protect the
shaved heads of the wealth Egyptians from the Crete became the central exporter of wine, oil,
harmful rays of the sun. jewelry, and highly crafted works; in turn, they
became importers of raw materials and food.
Water Clock/Clepsydra
In the process they built the first major navy ship in
Another important ancient Egyptian contribution is the world. Its primary purpose, however, was trade,
not war or conquest.
the water clock.
Minoans made sophisticated carved statues,
This device utilizes gravity that affects the flow of ceramics, frescoes, jewels, and inscriptions on
water from one vessel to another. The water clock these showed their knowledge of mathematics,
was widely. used as a time keeping device during engineering, and architecture which were applied
the ancient times. scientifically and artistically.

This invention also leads to our modern-day clock They constructed well drainage system, public
halls, courtyards, religious shrines. They were
through a series of improvements done by the
skilled in ship building.
succeeding civilization.
The Minoan cities were connected with stone-
Pyramids still stand today as the monumental paved roads, formed from blocks cut with bronzed
evidence of the scientific expertise and technical saws. Streets were with good drainage and water
skills of the ancient Egyptians in geometry, and sewer facilities were available to the upper
engineering, architecture and labor management. class, through clay pipes.

Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis, and The Minoans raised cattle, sheep, and goats and
grew wheat, barley, lettuce, celery, asparagus,
its Great Sphinx, as well as the Ruin of Memphis, carrots, peas, grapes, pears, figs, olives, and
and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and poppies for poppy seed and perhaps opium. The
remain a significant focus of archeological study. Minoans also domesticated bees.

The Giza Necropolis is the oldest of the ancient They developed Mediterranean polyculture, the
wonders and the only one still in existence. practice of growing more than one crop at a time.

Cretan (Minoan) Civilization Medieval/Middle Age

Minoan civilization was an Aegean Bronze Age Printing Press

civilization, ruled by King Minos.
Johann Gutenberg was able to invent the printing
Knossos was the capital of Crete, the grandest site press, a more reliable way of printing using a cast type.
of Bronze age palaces, built between 2100 and
1575 B.C. This general invention soon evolved to be the
mechanieal printing press which was eventually used all
Crete is a mountainous island with natural harbors over the world. The printing press was invented to
located midway between Turkey, Egypt, and address the need for publishing books that would
Greece spread information to many people at a faster rate.
Science and Technology Development: Microscope:
The Minoans were primarily a mercantile people
engaged in overseas trade.
Guided by the principles used for the invention of Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, and it
eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias Janssen was able was one of the most important inventions at that time.
to develop the first compound microscope. But before, the connection is very limited, the
commoners cannot afford to buy one, and it is not that
With this device, people were able to observe reliable in terms of stability and consistency. Nowadays,
organisms that were normally unseen by the naked eye. telephones are one of the necessities in this fast-
The microscope was key in discovering new means in changing world. Millennials can no longer live without
preventing and curing various illnesses (Davidson, it, according to time magazine.
2015).
Calculator
Telescope
Although an earlier version of the calculator had already
Since the Middle Ages was also known as the Age of been developed, circumstances in modern times
Exploration, the need for nautical inventions was high. required a faster way to compute more complicated
equations.
The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument
that helps in the observation of remote objects, was a The creation of the modern-day calculator did not only
great help for navigators during this time." pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations but also
resulted in the development of more complex,
Together with the telescope, the invention of the processing machines like a computer.
compass, oars, and rudders made sea travelling easier
and safer (Hedden 1989). Philippine Inventions

War Weapon Salamander Amphibious Tricycle

Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages, During the rainy season, flooding is common occurrence
great development weaponry technology also occurred. in many areas in the country. Tricycles find it difficult to
traverse the streets.
One of the keys to gaining victory during this time is
well-crafted bows, spears, even armors which are used To remedy the issue, H2O Technologies headed by
in close-range hand-to-hand combat and for open-area Dominic N. Chung and Lamberto Armada, together with
battles. Chief Designer Victor "Atoy" Llave, was able to invent
the Salamander, an amphibious tricycle that can cross
Modern Age not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.

Pasteurization Salt Lamp

Louise Pasture, a French biologist, microbiologist, and A young Filipina inventor named Aisa Mijeno was able
chemist, found a way to solve the problem. He invented to invent a lighting system that utilizes a material
pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to abundant in the Philippines - saltwater.
kill the harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil faster.
Through this process, milk could be stored and She invented the Sustainable Alternative Lightning (Salt)
consumed for a longer period. lamp, an environment-friendly light source that runs on
saltwater. The Salt lamp is safer as it poses no risk of fire
Petroleum Refinery and emits no toxic gases.

Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining Medical Incubator

petroleum. Kerosene was later referred to as the
"illuminating oil" because it was used at first to provide Dr. Fe Del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the first
lighting to homes. After some time, it was applied for Asian woman admitted into Harvard Medical School,
heating purposes. Nowadays, kerosene is still present as devised medical incubator made from indigenous and
still used by many people for powering automobiles, cheap materials which did not run electricity.
factories, and power plants, among others.
Mosquito Ovicidal/ Larvicidal Trap System Dengue,
Telephone
a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical and COPERNICAN REVOLUTION
subtropical areas, including the Philippines. In 2010, the
Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Claudius Ptolemy®
Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) was able
to introduce the Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap • Stated that the planets, as well as the sun and the
System, also known as OL Trap. This trap system is moon, moved in a circular motion around the Earth
made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos
but safe for humans and the environment. • Believed that the Earth was at the center. - a concept
known as "Geocentrism" or "Geocentric model"
eJeepney
• Polish mathematician and astronomer proposed a
A major innovation that changed the transportation heliocentric model (Sun-centered cosmos) which is
industry in the Philippines was the development of the contradictory with the dominant "truth" that time
jeepney. which is the geocentric cosmos (Earth-centered
universe) as proposed by Ptolemy of Alexandria
eJeepney is a modern type of transportation which
utilizes electricity instead of the more expensive diesel. "Heliocentrism" or "Heliocentric model"
It is environment-friendly since it does not emit any "Father of Modern Astronomy"
smoke or noise.

single-chip set for PC and Windows Graphics,

Accelerator chip

He is the "Bill Gates of the Philippines," He is a Filipino

entrepreneur, engineer, and inventor of two
fundamental components in every personal computer
today: the first-ever single-chip set for PC and the
Windows Graphics Accelerator chip, which are
indispensable tools for work, education, and
• Copernicus's theory had important consequences for
communications.
later thinkers of the Scientific Revolution, including such
major figures as Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, and Newton.
It helped people in researching and processing data
faster with the use of very little space. It can be used by
• Printed a few manuscripts called Commentariolus
the teachers and students in e-learning also.
(Little Commentary, 1510) which discuss his ideas about
the universe; influenced by the work of German author
INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS
Johannes Mueller (Epitome, 1496)
Our world today is flooded with a lot of personalities to
7 Axioms describing an aspect of the heliocentric solar
adore or idolize with especially when it comes to
system (Commentariolus, 1510):
entertainment and social media. Relating this to the
scientific community, there are many intellectuals as
1. Planets do not revolve around one fixed point;
well that are truly commendable and worth of
2. The Earth is not at the center of the universe;
appreciation.
3. The sun is at the center of the universe;
4. The distance between the Earth and the Sun is only a
Scientific Revolution
fraction of stars' distance from the Earth and Sun;
• It was the period of enlightenment when 5. Stars do not move, and if they after to, it is only
developments in the fields of mathematics, physics, because the Earth itself is moving;
astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed the 6. Earth moves in a sphere around the Sun, causing the
views of society and nature. Sun's perceived yearly movement; and
• It explained the emergence or birth of modern science 7. Earth's own movement causes other planets to
as a result of these developments. appear to move in the opposite direction.
• The idea of the scientific revolution is claimed to have
• Published his book entitled, De revolutionibus orbium
started in the early 16th century up to the 18th century
coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly
in Europe
Spheres, 1543) which discusses in detail his heliocentric sexual selection to explain impractical and animal
model in multiple chapters; considered as one of the features such as the peacock's plumage as well as
major events in the history of science, triggering the human evolution of culture, differences between sexes,
Copernican Revolution and making a pioneering and physical and cultural racial classification, while
contribution to the Scientific Revolution emphasizing that humans are all one species.

• A detail from Darwin’s notebook, drawn in 1837,

showing his first sketch of a tree depicting phylogenic
Darwinian Revolution relationships among species

Charles Darwin Common descent. In evolutionary biology describes

• An English naturalist, geologist, and biologist: how a group of organisms share a most recent common
•Best known for his contributions to science of ancestor.
evolution and the process of natural selection;
•Proposed that all species of life descended over time
from a common ancestor; the branching pattern of
evolution is driven by a natural process of natural
selection;
• Published his book The Origin of Species by Means of
Natural Selection, 1859

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not

the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is
the most adaptable to change.

Theory of Evolution by Charles Darwin

Darwin's theory of evolution declared that species The theory of evolution
survived through a process called "natural selection,"
where those that successfully adapted, or evolved, to Microevolution change in frequency
meet the changing requirements of their natural habitat Macroevolution not a formation of species
thrived, while those that failed to evolve and reproduce
died off. Freudian Revolution

Through his observations and studies of birds, plants, Sigmund Freud

and fossils, Darwin noticed similarities among species all Austrian neurologist;
over the globe, along with variations based on specific • Developed an important observational method called
locations, leading him to believe that the species we psychoanalysis; a method for treating mental illness
know today had gradually evolved from common and also a theory which explains human behavior;
ancestors. Darwin's theory of evolution and the process • His method was unorthodox - focusing on human
of natural selection later became known simply as sexuality and the evil nature of man;
"Darwinism." • Freud believed that events in our childhood have a
great influence on our adult lives, shaping our
• His book The Descent of Man, and Selection in personality. For example, anxiety originating from
Relation to Sex (1871) was so impressive yet very traumatic experiences in a person's past is hidden from
controversial; he introduced the idea of all organic life, consciousness and may cause problems during
including human beings, under the realm of adulthood (in the form of neuroses).
evolutionary thinking; this replaced the dominant views • Freudian ideas and theories paved the way to examine
of a religious or biblical design that places human beings the human mind and behavior in a more scientifically
in a privileged position of having been created by God; accepted way.
• Freud developed a topographical method of the mind,
• The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex whereby he described the features of the mind's
(1871) wherein Darwin set out evidence from numerous structure and function. Freud used the analogy of an
sources that humans are animals, showing continuity of iceberg to describe the three levels of the mind.
physical and mental attributes, and presented the