Sumerian Civilization

● MASS-PRODUCED POTTERY
Other ancient people made pottery by hand, but the Sumerians were the first to
develop the turning wheel, a device which allowed them to mass-produce it.

● CUNEIFORM
Form of writing that wrote by using a reed stylus cut to make a wedge-shaped
mark on a clay tablet.

● HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
The Sumerians figured out how to collect and channel the overflow of the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers—and the rich silt that it contained—and then use it to water and
fertilize their farm fields. They designed complex systems of canals, with dams
constructed of reeds, palm trunks and mud whose gates could be opened or closed to
regulate the flow of water.

● THE CHARIOT
The Sumerians didn’t invent wheeled vehicles, but they probably developed the
first two-wheeled chariot in which a driver drove a team of animals

● THE PLOW
Sumerians invented the plow, a vital technology in farming.

● TEXTILE MILLS
Women were the producers of the textiles. They spun the wool and wove the
cloth, while Sumerian men dyed the finished cloth.

● MASS-PRODUCED BRICKS
To make up for a shortage of stones and timber for building houses and temples,
the Sumerians created molds for making bricks out of clay.

● METALLURGY
The Sumerians were some of the earliest people to use copper to make useful
items, ranging from spearheads to chisels and razors. They also made art with
copper, including dramatic panels depicting fantastical animals such as an eagle
with a lion’s head

● URUK CITY
Uruk was one of the most important cities. Uruk is best known as the
birthplace of writing.

● GREAT ZIGGURAT OF UR
The most distinctive architectural invention of the Ancient Near East.
Has four sides and rises up to the realm of the gods.

● SAILBOAT
The Sumerians had invented sailboats in order to more efficiently trade with
neighboring civilizations. However, after navigating the waterways successfully
with the sailboat, the Sumerians realized that it would be useful in wartime too.

Babylonian Civilization

● The First Map (2,300 BC)

An ancient Babylonian cartographer created the world’s first map on a clay tablet in
2300 BC. The map covers a small region of Babylonia during the Akkadian Empire. It
shows trade routes and was used as a reference during military campaigns, hunting,
and exploration.

● Cuneiform (3,400 BC)

Originating in 3400 BC, cuneiform is the first-known form of written communication.
It cannot be regarded as a language as it comprised less than 1,000 characters, and
these characters were used for accounting, administrative and business purposes.

● Agriculture (3,000 B.C.)

Babylonians cultivated crops like emmer, wheat, and barley, and flax clothing was
standard during this time.
The Babylonians regulated the flow of water to irrigate their crops and dug canals and
irrigation ditches which, along with the plow, led the way for a new era of agricultural
revolution.

● Urbanization (4,300-3,100 B.C.)

As a result of agriculture and other employment factors, the Babylonians gradually
moved from rural areas to more developed regions.
Urbanization began around 8,000 years ago in Babylonia as people moved to cities to
seek educational and employment opportunities. This, in turn, helped them to earn more
and improve their lifestyle.
With the dawn of the agricultural revolution, more and more people began to live in one
region, resulting in urbanization.
People chose areas which were favorable for agriculture, and as trading developed, the
idea of taxes was introduced.

● Astrology and Horoscopy (1,800-1,200 B.C.)

Astrology is the science of studying the position of celestial bodies and reading how
their movements can influence our lives, and this belief is widely practiced even in the
modern world.
In ancient Babylon, it was thought that the celestial bodies had divine powers which
directed people’s lives.
Constellations were used to determine the weather, climate, and the seasons, and to
help people decide which crops should be sown when. The moon, the stars, and the
sun were studied to predict future events like thunder or an eclipse.
Ancient Babylonian astronomists closely studied the sun and the moon cycles in order
to predict this.
The concept of the horoscope was introduced by the Babylonians as they believed in
the divinity of the celestial bodies. They mapped the position of astronomical bodies so
that they could foretell their daily lives and those of their kings.

● The Study of Mathematics (5,000-3,000 B.C.

Mathematics has always been a part of human life, and the Babylonians developed
many advanced mathematical theories which are still in use today. As the Babylonian
civilization flourished and began to trade, an accurate counting system was necessary
to measure the value of goods exchanged. The Babylonians created the concept of
counting and the sexagesimal number system also originated in Babylonia.
They had an advanced decimal structure with a base of 60. It was the Babylonians who
brought about the concept of 24 hours in a day with each hour consisting of 60 minutes,
and each minute 60 seconds. The number 60 was chosen as it had multiple divisors.
Evidence of mathematics has been found on old clay slabs from the period on which the
Babylonians practiced fractions, algebra, and Pythagoras theorem.
Mathematics developed in reaction to the needs of the people. It played an essential
part in daily life for the purposes of measuring land and working out a uniform tax
system. They also made use of geometric shapes as a foundation for their architecture.

● The Primitive Plow

The plow is an essential agricultural tool which is used to turn the soil.
The invention of the plow was a revolutionary agrarian development first discovered by
the Babylonians. This early plow was called the ard. It was made of wood and was not
very effective on grass.

● Hanging Gardens of Babylon (605-562 B.C.)

 ● The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were the fabled gardens which beautified the
capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, built by its greatest king Nebuchadnezzar
II (r. 605-562 BCE). One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, they are
the only wonder whose existence is disputed amongst historians.

The invention of the plow brought about great societal changes in the hunter-gatherer
groups of Babylonia, enabling them to stay in one place and rely on agriculture instead
of hunting.

● Art and Architecture

The Babylonians built gigantic stone structures which resembled huge towers and were
known as ziggurats. Etemenanki was a famous Babylonian ziggurat measuring around
299 feet (91 meters) which possibly inspired the story of the Tower of Babel. It is now in
ruins
The Babylonians were prolific artists, and even the most mundane household objects
were beautifully decorated with images of human or animal forms.
Babylonian artifacts can be found in many museums today, often depicting scenes from
everyday Babylonian life.

Egyptian Civilization

● Toothpaste (5000 BC)

The ancient Egyptians (particularly the pharaohs and wealthy) valued cleanliness and
oral health and experimented with the first iteration of toothpaste. Their toothpaste
consisted of rock salt, dried iris flowers, pepper and mint crushed into a fine paste with a
bit of water.

● Cosmetics (4000 B.C)

They combined soot with a lead mineral called galena to create a black ointment known
as kohl. They also made green eye makeup by combining malachite with galena to tint
the ointment. Both men and women wore eye makup; believing it could cure eye
diseases and keep them from falling victim to the evil eye.

● Wigs (3400 BC)

During the hot summers many Egyptians shaved their heads to keep them clean and
prevent pests such as lice. Although priests remained bald as part of their purification
rituals, those that could afford it had wigs made in various styles and set with perfumed
beeswax.
 ● The Sickle (3100–2650 B.C.)
Grain was a staple of the economy, as bread and beer made from grain were consumed
daily. They also formed the foundation of eternal sustenance, as funerary offerings.
Ancient Egyptians used sickles made from flint and wood to reap grain.

● Calendar (3,000 B.C.)

The lunar calendar was then used for their religious festivals and rituals, but for their
daily lives, the ancient Egyptians used a solar calendar which contained 365 days per
year. Each year was comprised of three, four-month seasons, which were named after
significant events related to their agrarian lifestyle.

● Papyrus and Ink (2900 B.C.)

The papyrus is apiece or material used in writing in Ancient Egypt. It was made from
Cyperus Papyrus or Paper Plant. In addition to its function as a material for writing,
papyrus was used in rope, basketry, sandals, and other everyday items.
The Egyptians mixed vegetable gum, soot and bee wax to make black ink. They
replaced soot with other materials such as ochre to make various colors.

● Pyramids (2780 BCE)

King Djoser's architect, Imhotep, built the first pyramid by placing six mastabas, each
smaller than the one beneath, in a stack to form a pyramid rising in steps. This Step
Pyramid stands on the west bank of the Nile River at Sakkara near Memphis. Like later
pyramids, it contains various rooms and passages, including the burial chamber of the
king.

● Mummification (2600 BCE)

Using special processes, the Egyptians removed all moisture from the body, leaving
only a dried form that would not easily decay. It was important in their religion to
preserve the dead body in as life-like a manner as possible.

● Hieroglyph (3100 B.C)

The Egyptian hieroglyphic script was one of the writing systems used by ancient
Egyptians to represent their language.

● Egyptian Water Clock (1417-1379 BC)

These simple water clocks, which were of the outflow type, were stone vessels with
sloping sides that allowed water to drip at a nearly constant rate from a small hole near
the bottom.

● Surgical Instruments (180–47 BC)

It includes a list of instruments used during surgeries with instructions for the suturing of
wounds using a needle and thread. This list includes lint, swabs, bandage, adhesive
plaster, surgical stitches and cauterization. It is also the earliest document to make a
study of the brain.

Greek Civilization

● The Water Mill (300 B.C.)

Water mills were a revolutionary invention and have been used all over the world for the
purpose of metal shaping, agriculture and, most importantly, milling. To mill means to
grind, and that invariably means to grind grain. This in turn led to the production of
edible food staples like rice, cereals, pulses, flour, and so on.
Ever since its invention, the water mill has seen a number of adaptations, which have
enabled people to use it to mill different raw materials. These mills are still used in many
parts of the world and serve a similar function.
This useful invention takes its origins from the earliest known Perachora wheel, created
way back in the third century BC in Greece, most likely invented by the contemporary
Greek engineer Philo of Byzantium. Earlier, the portions of the mechanical treatise on
this particular water mill written by Philo himself were regarded to have Arab origination.
However, recent research by British historian M.J.T. Lewis has proved that the water mill
was an ancient Greek invention.

● The Odometer (264-27 BC)

One of the most widely used instruments in the present day, the odometer, measures
the distance traveled by a vehicle such as a bicycle or automobile. Even though modern
odometers are digital, not so long ago they were more mechanical, slowly evolving into
electro-mechanical with the rise of technology. This omnipresent instrument was also
being used in ancient Greece.
Vitruvius first described the odometer as being used for measuring distance around 27
BC, but evidence points towards Archimedes of Syracuse as its inventor sometime
around the First Punic War. Some historians also attribute its invention to Heron of
Alexandria. Regardless of who invented it, the odometer was widely used in the late
Hellenistic period and by the Romans for indicating the distance traveled by a vehicle. It
helped revolutionize the building of roads by accurately measuring distance. The
Romans were then able to carefully mark distances with

● The Alarm Clock (428–348 BC)

One of the most commonly used gadgets these days is the alarm clock, and it too had
its origins in ancient Greece. Over time, the alarm clock has undergone a number of
changes and improvements from the mechanical alarm to modern gadgets like cell
phones, which come with an inbuilt alarm.
But the first alarms used by the ancient Greeks were nothing like today. The Hellenistic
engineer and inventor Ctesibius (285–222 BC) fitted his clepsydras or water clock with a
dial and pointer to indicate the time, and added an elaborate alarm system which
involved pebbles dropping on to a gong, or the blowing of a trumpet by forcing bell jars
down into water and taking the compressed air through a beating reed at pre-set times.

● Cartography (611_546 B.c)

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. It has played an important role in
travel and navigation since ancient times. Even though the earliest known evidence of
cartography points towards ancient Babylon as early as the ninth century BC, the
Greeks took what they had at their disposal and brought cartography into a new light.
Anaximander was one of the first pioneer cartographers to create a map of the world.
Born between 611 and 610 BC, he made important contributions to the science of
astronomy and geography.
Anaximander is mentioned in Aristotle’s work, who categorized him as a pupil of the
physical school of thought, propounded by Thales. Anaximander included all inhabited
areas of the world in his map. The map appeared in tablet form and featured Ionia in the
center. It was bounded on the east by the Caspian Sea and stretched to the Pillars of
Hercules in the west. Middle Europe borders the map in the north while Ethiopia and the
Nile feature at the southern end.
Anaximander made immense contributions in the fields of cartography and geography
and his map of the world was indeed a marvelous achievement of that time.

● Olympics (776 BC.)

The modern Olympics are one of the greatest sporting spectacles of the modern age.
But when Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the international Olympic committee,
started the first modern Olympics in 1896, he was inspired by the ancient Olympics that
were held in Greece more than 2,700 years ago.
According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to
776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the plains of
Olympia.
The Isthmian Games was staged every two years at the Isthmus of Corinth. The Pythian
Games took place every four years near Delphi. The most famous games held at
Olympia in the southwest of Greece took place every four years.
People from all over the Greek world came to witness the spectacle. The victors were
given olive leaf wreaths or crowns as prizes.

● Basis of Geometry (600 BC)

 The first, and one of the greatest names, is Thales of Miletus, a mathematician
living in the 6th century BCE. He is regarded as the father of geometry and
began the process of using deduction from first principles.
Geometry is doubtless one of the oldest branches of mathematics, possibly older than
arithmetic itself. And its practical necessity demanded the use of various geometric
techniques way before any of these were recorded in history.
The Egyptians, Babylonians, and the Indus were among the first to incorporate and use
many such techniques but they never worked out the rules and axioms governing
geometry. The Babylonians assumed value of Pi to be 3 and never challenged its
accuracy.
Then came the age of Greek geometry and everything changed. The Greeks insisted
that geometric facts must be established by deductive reasoning, much as it is done
today. Thales of Miletus, regarded as the father of geometry, proposed a number of
axioms and rules that were truly based on reasoning (called mathematical truths) in the
sixth century BC. Then came the likes of Pythagoras, Euclid, and Archimedes whose
geometrical axioms and rules are still taught in schools today.
There were many more Greek mathematicians and geometers who contributed to the
history of geometry, but these names are the true giants, the ones who developed
geometry as we know it today.

● Earliest Practice of Medicine (700 BC)

The ancient world did not fare too well when it came to the curing of disease. Back then,
diseases were supposed to be the gods’ way of punishing humans and all possible
remedies were surrounded by superstition.
That all changed when Hippocrates of Cos started to collect data and conduct
experiments to show that disease was a natural process; that the signs and symptoms
of a disease were caused by the natural reactions of the body to the disease process.
Born in 460 BC, Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician of the Classical age and
was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He was
referred to as the father of Western medicine in recognition of his lasting contributions to
the field and was the founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine.
The most famous of his contributions is the Hippocratic Oath, which bears his name. It
was this document that first proposed an ethical standard among doctors. It covers
many important concepts which are still used today such as doctor–patient
confidentiality.

Roman Civilization

Chinese Civilization
1. Paper Making 105 A.C
---The invention of paper greatly affects human history. Paper already existed
in China since 105 A.C, however, a eunuch named Cai Lun (ca. 50 AD –
121) made significant innovation and helped drive its widespread adoption.
His advanced paper-making technology then spread to central Asia and the
world through the Silk Road.

3. Gunpowder 1000 A.D

--- Gunpowder was invented by Chinese Taoist alchemists
about 1000 A.D. when they tried to find a potion to gain human immortality by mixing
elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter.

4. Compass 1100 A.D.

--- The oldest picture of a magnetic compass, from 200 BC, was using a small spoon as
the needle that was thrown down upon a table that was engraved with the compass
points.

5. Alcohol 2000 BC－1600 BC

--- Alcohol is known as Jiu in
Chinese and is often used as a spiritual offerings to Heaven and the Earth or ancestors
in ancient China.

6. Mechanical Clock 725 A.D.

--- The world’s first mechanical clock -Water-driven Spherical Birds
– was invented by Yi Xing, a Buddhist monk in 725 A.D.. It was operated by dripping
water which powered a wheel that made one revolution in 24 hours.

7. Tea Production 2,737 BC

--- According to old Chinese legend, tea was first discovered by Shennong, Chinese
Father of Agriculture, around 2,737 BC. In the Tang Dynasty (618－907) tea became a
popular drink enjoyed by all social classes. Cha Jing (or The Book of Tea), written by Lu
Yu in the Tang Dynasty, explicated ways to cultivate tea, tea drinking and different
classifications of tea in details. The book is considered as the world’s first monograph
about tea. And the world’s oldest and
largest living tea tree can be found in Lin Cang, China, about 3,200 years old.

8. Silk 4,000 B.C

--- Chinese people mastered sophisticated silk weaving tech and closely guarded
secret, and the West had to pay gold of the same weight for the silks. In ancient times
the silk was a very important item made in China and for many centuries businessmen
transported this precious item from China to the West, forming the famous Silk Road.

9. Umbrella 300 A.D

--- The inventions of umbrella can be traced back as early as
3500 years ago in China. Legend has it, Lu Ban, a Chinese carpenter and inventor
created the first umbrella. Inspired by children using lotus leaves as rain shelter, he
created umbrella by making a flexible framework covered by a cloth.

10. Acupuncture 200 BC

--- The oldest Chinese medicine book “Neijing”,
also known as “The Classic of Internal Medicine of the Yellow Emperor”, shows that
acupuncture was widely used as a therapy in China much before the time it was written.

11. Iron smelting 1050 BC－256 BC

--- Archaeological evidence revealed that iron smelting
technology was developed in China as early as 5th
century BC in the Zhou Dynasty (1050 BC－256 BC).
During The Spring & Autumn and Warring States periods (776-221 BC) China went into
a flourishing period for iron smelting. In the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) central
government monopolized the iron smelting, seeing remarkable development.

12. Porcelain 581 – 618 AD

--- Porcelain is a great invention of ancient China. During the Song Dynasty (960–1279),
porcelain
production technology reached an unprecedented height due to its focus on shape and
the tactile experiences of
the glaze. Chinese porcelain was highly prized in the world and many artworks had
been introduced to the West through the Silk Road.

14. Rocket 228 AD

--- China is hometown of rockets, ancient Chinese inventors created rockets by applying
counter-force produced by ignited gunpowder. A paper tube stuffed with gunpowder was
attached to an arrow which can be launched by a bow.

15. Bronze 1700 BC

--- Bronze was mainly used to make
weapons, bronze tools and ritual vessels at that time. Compared to counterparts in
other regions of the world, the Chinese bronze wares stand out for their inscriptions and
delicate decorative patterns.
16. The Kite 900 B.C
--- The kite was developed around 3,000 years ago by
ancient Chinese. The earliest kites were made of wood, called Muyuan (wooden kite). In
early times kites were mainly used for military purposes such as sending a message,
measuring distances, testing the wind and signaling. Over time kite flying developed into
playthings and kite flying is now enjoyed worldwide.

17. The Seed Drill 1,400 BC

--- The seed drill is a device that plants the seed into soil at a uniform depth and covers
it. If without this device farmers had to plant the seeds by hand, resulting in waste and
uneven growth. The device made farmers’ job easier and highly improved the
agricultural output in China.

20. Paper Money 900 AD

--- folding money at the end of the 8th or beginning of the 9th century AD. Paper bills
were originally used as privately issued bills of credit or exchange notes. A merchant
could deposit his cash in the capital, receiving a paper “exchange certificate” which he
could exchange for metal coins in other cities.

22. Cast Iron: China, 400 BCE

--- Having good refractory clays for the construction of blast furnace walls, and the
discovery of how to reduce the temperature at which iron melts by using phosphorus,
the Chinese were able cast iron into ornamental and functional shapes.

23. The Helicopter Rotor and the Propeller: China, 400 CE.
--- A common toy in China was the helicopter top, called the 'bamboo dragonfly'. The
top was an axis with a cord wound round it, and with blades sticking out from the axis
and set at an angle. One pulled the cord, and the top went climbing in the air. Sir
George Cayley, the father of modern aeronautics, studied the Chinese helicopter top in
1809.

25. Brandy and Whiskey: China, 700 CE.

--- The tribal people of Central Asia discovered 'frozen-out wine' in their frigid climate in
the third century CE. In wine that had frozen was a remaining liquid (pure alcohol).
Freezing became a test for alcohol content. Distilled wine was known in China by the
seventh century.

Medieval Era
Modern Philippine Era

● Year: 2012- E-Trike.

The E-Trike is an electric tricycle designed to be an eco-friendly alternative to traditional
gas-powered tricycles, which are a common form of transportation in the Philippines.
The E-Trike is powered by a lithium-ion battery and can travel up to 50 km on a single
charge.

● In 2012 - SALT Lamp

Aisa Mijeno, a young professor and researcher at the La Salle University (Philippines),
designed the first prototype of the SALTt Lamp - Sustainable Alternative Lighting
powered by water and salt.

● Year: 2015- Salamander Firetruck.

The Salamander Firetruck is an amphibious vehicle designed by Filipino engineer
Reynaldo Nacianceno. The vehicle can be used for firefighting and rescue operations in
both land and water environments.

● Year: 2016- IV Fluid Monitoring System.

Developed by Filipino engineer Jerrold Ancheta, the IV Fluid Monitoring System is a
device that helps ensure the proper administration of intravenous (IV) fluids to patients
in hospitals. The system uses sensors to monitor the flow of IV fluids and alerts
healthcare providers if there are any irregularities.

● Year: 2017- Gatas Hybrid.

The Gatas Hybrid is a rice-hulling machine designed by Filipino inventor Rodolfo
Biescas. The machine can be powered by both electricity and a bicycle, making it an
affordable and eco-friendly option for farmers.

● Year: 2018- Biodegradable Plastics.

Researchers at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology have
developed biodegradable plastics made from cassava starch, which is a readily
available crop in the Philippines. These plastics are a sustainable alternative to
traditional petroleum-based plastics and can break down naturally in the environment.

● Year: 2018- Mabu Robot.

The Mabu Robot is a healthcare companion designed to help patients manage their
chronic conditions. Developed by the Filipino-American startup Catalia Health, the robot
uses artificial intelligence to engage with patients and provide support and guidance.

● Year: 2019- Dialysis PH.

Dialysis PH is a mobile application developed by Filipino startup MedGrocer. The app
helps patients with kidney disease find and book dialysis appointments at nearby clinics,
making it easier for them to manage their treatment.