Science and Technology in Questions

1. Inventions of the past

In the pre-historic times, people’s lives were very simple – people hunted for food and made
primitive tools from stones and simple clothes to protect them from the cold. The only tool which they had
was the human hand. People wanted to make their lives easier and more comfortable so they invented the
wheel. They also built windmills to use the wind energy.
Important discoveries and inventions came in 15th and 16th centuries – new continents /America,
Asia, Africa/ were discovered and sciences such as astronomy, philosophy, medicine and biology were
developed. At that time also the printing press was invented in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg.
Many important inventions came in the 18th and 19th century – it was the time of the Industrial
Revolution: the steam engine (James Watt), the electric light bulb (T. A. Edison), the electric motor
(Michael Faraday), the 1st petrol driven car (G. Daimler, K. Benz), the electricity.
Thanks to these inventions, large factories were built and everything started to be produced by
machines => the mass production started and many goods became cheaper and so more people could buy
them. Also the technologies improved and new and cheaper materials were used: rubber, glass, leather,
paper, plastics or synthetic materials.
Nowadays the development still continues. Inventions like mobile phones, computer or Internet are
changing the world. There are new possibilities of communication, more information is available.
Computers are used in science. They help people to invent and improve things for example in medicine by
finding new vaccines and pills. This is very important for us because we want to be fit, healthy and live
longer. Women can be inseminated artificially, we can fight against cancer, tumours and we can replace
missing parts of our body by artificial limb and so on.
The history of computers started actually in 1960s when the first electronic computer was
developed. From that time computers have undergone dramatic changes in size, speed, software and
prize. From the big computers that took a whole basket field and many people were needed to operate it,
gradually appeared smaller and smaller ones and noticeably more powerful. We know that computers have
already revolutionized the way how we live and work. They help us work faster and more effectively. For
example, in business, computers are used to store, process and retrieve data at a speed that is thousand
times faster than formerly. On PC we can write text, paint pictures, play games or of course do other
different activities. Today everyone works with a computer.
Use of computer can be better if you have an access to the information highway - the Internet. It
was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and it enables people to get information from world libraries,
museums and other institutions including business and finance offices.
The internet is the newest kind of mass media. It brings us a lot of information, a lot of ways how to
spend our free time. Optic cables and wireless connection changed the possibilities of using the Internet.
The Internet is a global worldwide net of computers, where anyone can access anyone’s presented
information (pictures, videos, programs, etc.), in very short time. Internet provides revolution-mailing
system, called the e-mail (electronic mail). E-mails are short or long messages that you can send to
anyone. E-mail is the fastest solution of conventional kind of ending information, because an e-mail can
reach it’s addressee on the other part of the world in seconds.
 We can also see some changes in transport. At the beginning of the 20th century most people
travelled on foot or by horse-drawn vehicles. Nowadays there is public transport in most towns, high-speed
trains and supersonic planes to travel long distances and cars to get to work, to shops or to go for a
weekend break.
Modern human realizes that we should protect our nature as much as possible. Nowadays we can
use alternative fuel cars which use electricity, solar panels, hydrogen or biodiesel. We can also buy hybrid
vehicle which combines electricity and gas.
The network of phones is pretty developed. It is divided into two parts. The first one means
permanent (fixed) lines which are becoming less and less popular and quite expensive in the Czech
Republic. As to mobiles (the second part of the network of phones), they are the real explosion. Nearly
everyone has one in our country. They are handy if you use it in the right occasions. They enable the
communication; they are useful for leaving messages or even for banking purposes. Otherwise mobiles are
considered to be very annoying as many occasions are concerned (school, restaurant, transport in
common, theatres, hospitals, ..) and scientists are not still sure about their side effects.
Another very useful branch of science is nuclear physics (branch of physics concerned with the
nucleus of the atom). The main use of nuclear physics is in nuclear power. Nuclear power stations
produce a huge amount of electricity. The problem is that it becomes very dangerous in case of an accident
and there are also problems with nuclear waste which is radioactive. Another usage is in X-ray (form of
electromagnetic radiation) which is widely used for diagnostic medical imaging. Many people suffering from
cancer were cured by a treatment with usage of irradiation.
In 20th century a huge interest in universe came. First man in the universe was Yuri Gagarin from
Russia (1961) and the first men on the moon were Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin (1969) from USA.
From that time many space stations have been built, thousands of satellites are orbiting our planet for
communication purposes, weather forecast etc. Communications satellites can pick up signals from a point
on the Earth and relay them to the other side of the Earth by amplifying them and then beaming down to a
ground station. Some satellites carry cameras which take pictures of the Earth’s surface to help
meteorologists forecast. Other satellites carry cameras and telescopes which are pointed out into space so
that astronauts can get more information about distant stars and planets.

2. Inventions and technology that we use every day

Today we cannot imagine our lives without technology. We use it every day at home, at work, at
school and in many other parts of our lives. They are very important to us. There are many inventions that
we use every day.
For example at home we use these inventions: electric appliances, fridge, a washing machine,
a computer, a TV, an electric kettle, a mobile phone, an answering machine, dishwasher, plug and socket,
microwave oven or vacuum cleaner (a hoover). At work we can use: a telephone, a fax machine,
a computer, a laptop /a notebook/ ...
Equipment of houses has changed completely. In the kitchen you can find microwave which is
completely electronic or a washing machine which perfectly wash and dry used dishes for you. To other
useful appliances in house belongs vacuum cleaner, fridge, razor, flat-iron…
3. Inventions that are important to you – why and how you use them
I think that the most important inventions for me are the electricity, the television and the mobile
phone (the computer, a microwave…). I think electricity is very important because it makes our lives much
easier and comfortable – many things that I use every day are powered by electricity – TV, radio,
computer, a fridge. I can’t imagine my life without electricity. Other inventions that are very important to me
are the TV, the mobile phone and the computer because I like watching TV and playing computer games. I
think that the mobile phone is also very important because I can call my friends and family when I have a
problem, when I need help, to arrange a meeting or just when I want to talk to somebody.

4. The advantages and disadvantages that the science and technology brought to mankind
The development of science and technology brought to people many advantages but also many
disadvantages.
Advantages:
• it made our lives easier and more comfortable
• sometimes science can help to make a human life longer – for example new medicine /penicillin/ and
medical technology was developed /X-ray/ => many people can be cured
• science and technology help us to learn new information about our life, the life of animals, our world and
the space – people can travel to space, search the oceans and the jungle because we have the
technology for it – we can measure, weigh very precisely
• science and technology helps us to overcome the distance - for example the telephone – we can talk to
and see people who are far away from us, even on the other side of the world
• it helps us to make transactions easier – we use credit cards, phone cards…
• it can help us to protect our environment – to find some alternative sources of energy – for example the
wind/solar power
Disadvantages:
• the science has brought some ethical problems – for example the cloning of animals and people – some
people think that it is right, some people think it is wrong
• science and technology can endanger people – we can be destroyed by the new inventions – ballistic
missiles, laser and nuclear weapons, H-bomb
• pollution of the environment – on the one hand the science can help us to protect it, on the other hand,
we can destroy it by fertilizers, pesticides…
• we spend less time talking to our family and friends – we prefer sending messages, using mobiles and
we communicate with computer, not with real people.
• we should use the technology wisely so that we can improve our lives and don’t destroy it.

5. Older people and technology:

Many older people don’t like using computers, mobile phones or credit cards. The technology and many
new inventions, such as computers, microwaves or dishwashers didn’t exist when they were young and
they don’t know how to use it. They are afraid of technology and they don’t trust it. They think that
technological inventions are expensive and difficult to use.

6. Misuse of science and technology

Everything has its own pros and cons. This phrase belongs also to science and technology. It’s very
satisfying how science has influenced our lives from positive side of view, but it has influenced our lives
also from a negative side - science can be misused.
The best example how the science can be abused is weapon - at first, meant as a defend tool used
only in a case of danger. But we all know that it isn’t like that. Weapon that influenced the world most was a
nuclear weapon. It is a weapon that derives its energy from nuclear reactions and has enormous
destructive power — a single nuclear weapon is capable of destroying a city. Nuclear weapons have been
used twice for war, by the United States against the Japanese cities of Hiroshima (Little Boy) and Nagasaki
(Fat Man) during World War II with dreadful results. Little Boy had a force of 12,000 tons of TNT, it levelled
all buildings and 100,000 people died. Very dangerous are also chemical and biological weapons.
In a house you have a dishwasher making your dishes clean for you; you have a car which you use
for transport; you can buy things on-line so goods will be delivered right to your house. As science
develops, people become lazier; simply they are living easier and easier life but they are getting more and
more stressed, they are in rush. People don’t do any sports because they simply don’t have any time. They
eat hamburgers, drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes to cope the stress. That’s why the civilization
diseases came to existence.
The steep development of industry in the last 50 years is a great danger for life on the Earth. There
are two problems with the atmosphere of our planet which are caused by emitting polluting materials into
the air. They are a) constant damaging of the ozone layer in the stratosphere and b) the green-house effect
which is caused by a great number of CO2 in the air. The increase of temperature can cause extreme
weather conditions in a period of 50 years.

7. Man and science in the (pessimistic) future

Developments in science and technology will have dramatic effects on the future of work. Postmen,
clerks and secretaries will vanish in a paper-free society. All the routine tasks they perform will be carried
by computers. In education teachers will be largely replaced by teaching machines which will provide far
more knowledge than any human being. Moreover, most learning will take place at home via video
conferencing. However, children will still go to school, until another place is created where they can make
friends and develop social skills through games. Even people in traditional professions, where the
knowledge was the most important, will lose their jobs. They can be easily substituted by computer with all
the most up-to-date legal information. You might meet the computer judge.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INVENTIONS

PAPER – before it was invented people wrote on e.g. clay, tablets, silk, palm leaves, later papyrus.
Paper was invented in China in 105 AD. The first Chinese paper was made of silk, then hemp and the bark
of mulberry trees. Today most paper is produced by the chemical treatment of wood pulp.
GUNPOWDER - the recipe for making gunpowder appeared in a book in Europe in 1242. Roger
Bacon (1214 – 1294), an English friar and philosopher, was the first to describe its formula. Guns soon
followed.
PRINTING – spreading knowledge and information was a very slow process before the invention of
typography. Johannes Gutenberg (1398 – 1468) developed the first mechanical printing machine in the
1440s. The first printed book was the Bible in 1456 with a run of 150 copies. Each Bible previously took
three years to make by hand.
TELESCOPE – the telescope was invented by Dutchman Hans Lippershey (1570 – 1619). In 1610,
using his improved design, Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642) was able to prove that the Earth revolved around
the Sun. This confirmed the ideas of the Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 – 1543) but it
angered the Catholic Church who had adopted the idea that the Earth was at the centre of everything.
LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR – In 1752, Benjamin Franklin (1706 –1790), the American statesman,
philosopher and scientist proved that lightning was a form of electricity when he flew a kite in a
thunderstorm. Around 1754, Franklin and the Czech scientist, Prokop Diviš (1698 - 1765) independently
developed the lighting conductor to protect buildings from being hit and damaged by lighting.
STEAM POWER – this era saw the development of steam engines to power factory machinery.
Heating water in a boiler to make steam to power a vehicle was a major technological advance. James
Watt (1736 – 1819) is recognised as the inventor of the steam engine in 1765. Water could be pumped out
of mines and industrial processes speeded up. George Stephenson’s (1781 - 1848) Rocket was the first
locomotive to pull heavy loads a long distance. This led to the rapid expansion of railways throughout
Britain and the world.
ELECTRICITY – we cannot imagine our life without electricity; we use it for lighting, heating, radio,
TV, etc. It all started in about 600 BC when the Greek philosopher Thales noticed that amber rubbed with
wool attracts light objects (as feather, straw). It was started to use in 17th century. Electricity which is used
as a form of energy is in fact electric current. It is produced in power stations by generators and comes into
our houses via cables.
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT – After many refinements, Thomas Edison’s (1847 – 1931) electric light
bulbs were the best and by 1879 they would last for hundreds of hours, much longer than any of their
rivals. They were also cheap. To sell bulbs, energy was needed, so Edison’s Electric Illumination Company
built their own power station in New York. After many decades he successfully persuaded the public to
opt for clean, convenient electric light rather than gas lights.
TELEPHONE – it enables us to communicate with others both in everyday life and in business. It
dates back to 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell, physicist and inventor, developed his “speaking box“.
Another important name in the field of communication is Gugliemo Marconi, an Italian electric engineer,
who began radio experiments in 1894, and 4 years later he carried out the first international (England –
France) wireless transmission.
MOVIES – it has been only just over one hundred years since the first movie, or film, was shown by
the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière (1862 - 1954 and 1864 - 1948) in 1895 at the Grand Café in Paris.
The terrifying film was entitled The Arrival of a Train at Ciotat Station. Surprisingly, the brothers decided
that films didn’t have much of a future and went back to photography. In 1889, George Eastman (1854 -
1932) pioneered celluloid film with holes punched in the side so that the movie camera could show the
film precisely frame by frame.
FLIGHT – at the turn of the century, in 1903, two bicycle repairmen from Ohio, Wilbur and Orville
Wright (1867 – 1912 and 1871 – 1948) built and flew the first really successful aeroplane near Kitty Hawk,
North Carolina. From that time progress was rapid and the military advantages of flight were realised in
WWI.
X–RAYS – science is impressive when something is discovered that cannot be seen. German
physicist Wilhelm Rontgen (1845 – 1923) working with electrical discharges in glass tubes noticed in
1895 that there was a faint glow on a nearby screen. These rays were invisible and could pass through
most materials. He also recorded them on photographic paper and thus the first X-ray image was
developed. He quickly realised the medical potential of his discovery. Henri Becquerel (1852 – 1908)
discovered radioactivity in 1896 while trying to find more out about X-rays. Marie Curie (1867 – 1934), a
Polish born French chemist and physicist and two times Nobel Prize winner, is best remembered for her
research into radioactivity and new radioactive elements.
ROCKETS AND SPACE FLIGHTS – The earliest rockets were used in China in the 11th century
but by the 19th century speed and accuracy were much improved. Knowledge of astronomy meant that
scientists knew the relative movements of the planets in relation to the Earth. A Russian mathematics
teacher, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857 – 1935), was the first person to draw up plans for space stations
and air locks to allow space walks. He correctly calculated that a rocket would have to travel at 8 km per
second to leave the atmosphere and that liquid rocket fuel would be essential. American scientist Robert
Goddard (1882 – 1945) not knowing of Tsiolkovsky’s ideas, independently developed liquid fuelled rockets
from 1926. Ultimately, NASA took up the challenge but the Russians eventually won the race to put a
man into orbit. Yuri Gagarin (1934 – 1968) orbited the earth in 1961. In the US, NASA scientists
redressed the balance in the space race with their moon landing in 1969.
THE ATOMIC BOMB – Science and technological advances can be seen as good or bad. The
invention of gunpowder must have seemed like that. In 1932, physicists John Cockcroft (1897 – 1967) and
Earnest Walton (1903 – 1995) did the impossible. They split the atom. They proved Albert Einstein’s (1879
– 1955) theory of relativity (E=mc²) and unlocked the secrets of the atomic nucleus. Splitting the atom was
a brilliant scientific achievement. However, having that knowledge allowed scientists to develop the atomic
bomb. The use of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan to end the WWII in 1945 was a
political decision that was highly controversial. We now know that there is no turning back once scientific
and technological discoveries have been made.
THREE GREATEST INVENTIONS
The motor car
The motor car is probably the most important invention in the history of transportation since the
wheel as it made transport faster and more comfortable and it significantly shortened travel time.
1885, the first car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, was developed by Karl Benz (1844 - 1929). It was
a long time before cars became common. Only a few motor cars were manufactured in Europe and the
United States before 1900. Petrol, a cleaning fluid, was only available from the chemist. Famous names
such as Rolls Royce and Henry Ford developed the technology; Rolls Royce for the rich and Henry Ford for
the man in the street.
In 1889, in Germany, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach built a car with a two-cylinder petrol
engine which travelled at 10 mph. In 1901, The Curved Dash Oldsmobile was the first automobile to be
produced in large numbers, but Henry Ford of Detroit is said to have introduced the modern method of
mass production using assembly lines. He began making his Model-T in 1908, and by 1927, when Ford
stopped making it, over 18 million had been produced. The model-T Ford opened the way to affordable
motorized transport, and is considered to be the father of today's family car.

Television
The television is a relatively recent achievement, at least for the public, because it did not appear in
people’s houses until the 1950s. The Scottish electrical engineer John Logie Baird invented a mechanical
television system.
This television pioneer created the first televised pictures of moving objects in 1924. Then, in 1928,
he succeeded in transmitting an image of a human face across the Atlantic and demonstrated a colour
television.
He persuaded the BBC to start broadcasting television on the Baird 30-line system in 1929.
Simultaneous sound and vision was first broadcast in 1930. In July 1930, the first British television play was
transmitted.
But in 1936, the BBC adopted the electronic television technology of Marconi-EMI. This technology
had 405 lines per picture, compared to Baird´s 30. The quality of the picture was much better.
Although Baird lost his early advantage, many people think he was the founder of the modern
television which is enjoyed throughout the world today.

Penicillin
In1928, a scientist named Alexander Fleming was doing research at St Mary's Hospital in London.
He was looking for something to fight bacterial infections.
When Fleming went on holiday, he did not wash his culture plates. To his surprise, when he came
back a few weeks later he noticed that a mould had grown on one of them. The exciting part was that there
were no bacteria growing around it. The mould prevented the bacteria from growing by producing some
type of substance. Fleming named the substance 'penicillin'.
Fleming published his findings in 1929. After his discovery, much research began into finding out
more about this incredible substance.
 Although Fleming carried out many experiments with penicillin, he was not able to use its potential
as a treatment against infections. Nevertheless, he is still known as the scientist who discovered penicillin.
Howard Florey, Ernst Chain, and Norman Heatley further developed Fleming´s work in 1938 at
Oxford University. They were able to make enough penicillin to establish it as a valuable drug.
The world now had a valuable treatment that would save the lives of many millions.