HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS

OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

ANGELICA R. ABIS, RRT, LPT

LEARNING TARGET(s):

• Discuss the historical antecedents of science and technology across time;

• Explain how Philippine Scientific and Technological Inventions shaped

and were shaped by various social contexts
TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03

ANCIENT PERIOD MIDDLE AGES MODERN AGES

04

INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO
SCIENTISTS
ANCIENT
PERIOD
The following are the
inventions in science and technology during the Ancient period:

1. Ancient Wheel
2. Paper
3. Shadoof
4. Antikythera Mechanism
5. Aeolipile
1. Ancient Wheel

The invention of the ancient wheel is often

credited to the Sumerians since no other ancient
civilization used a similar device at the time. It
could be that a potter thought of shifting the
potter’s wheel to a 90-degree angle for
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.
2. Paper

Roughly around 3000 BC, the ancient Egyptians

began writing on papyrus, a material imilar to
thick paper.

Papyrus is 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 and dissemination became
exponentially faster.
3. Shadoof

The shadoof was an early tool invented and used

by ancient Egyptians to irrigate 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.
 4. Antikythera mechanism

Even before the invention of the antecedents of

the modern computer, the Greeks had already
invented the ancient world’s analog computer
orrery.

Discovered in 1902 and retrieved from the

waters of Antikythera, Greece, the Antikythera is
similar to a mantel clock. It is widely believed
that it was used to predict astronomical positions
and eclipses for calendar and astrological
purposes.

It is also believed that the Antikythera

mechanism was invented by Greek scientists
between 150-100 BC.
 5. Aeolipile

Also known as Hero’s Engine, the aeolipile is

widely believed to be the ancient precursor of
the steam engine.

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.
MIDDLE
AGES
1.Heavy Plough
2.Gunpowder
3.Paper Money
4.Mechanical Clock
5.Spinning Wheel
1. Heavy Plough

The invention of the heavy plough, it became

possible to harness clay soil.

Professor Thomas Bernebeck Andersen of the

University of Southern Denmark, describes the
impact of the invention of heavy plough.

The fields with the heavy, fatty and moist clay

soils became those that gave the greatest yields.
Because of this, Europe, particularly its
northern territories, saw rapid economic
prosperity.
2. Gunpowder

 Around 850 AD, Chinese alchemist accidentally invented black powder or

gunpowder. Chinese called it “huoyao”, roughly translated as fire potion.

 Prior to the invention of the gunpowder, swords and spears were used in battles and
wars. Towards the end the 13th century, the explosive invention crept into most
parts of Europe and Asia. Since it 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.
3. Paper Money

 The first known version of paper money could be traced back to the Chinese in 17 TH
Century AD as an offshoot of the invention of block printing, which is similar to
stamping.

 Traders and merchants eventually realized the huge advantage of using paper money
because it was easier to transport around to the precious forms of currencies.
4. Mechanical Clock

 The first mechanical clock was made in 723 A.D. by a monk and mathematician I-
Hsing. It was an astronomical clock and he called it the "Water Driven Spherical
Birds-Eye-View Map of The Heavens".

 In 976 A.D. Chang Su Hsiin built the same clock except he used mercury instead of
water, but few details of this clock survive. This was the first successful clock that
didn't have serious defects.
5. Spinning Wheel

 A machine used for transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually woven
into cloth on a loom.

 It is theorized that the Indians invented the spinning wheel between 6 th and 11th
century AD.

 According to White (1974), the invention of the spinning wheel sped up the rate at
which fiber could be spun by a factor of 10 to 100 times.
MODERN
PERIOD
1.Compound Microscope
2.Telescope
3.Engine-Powered Airplane
4.Television
1. Compound Microscope

 a Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Janssen is credited for the invention
of the first compound microscope in 1950. Together with his father Hans,
Zacharias began experimenting with lenses by putting 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.
2. Telescope

 The most important technological invention in the study of astronomy during

the Modern Ages was the practical telescope invented by Galileo Galilei.

 Early telescopes were primarily used for making Earth-bound observations,

such as surveying and military tactics.

 His demonstration of the telescope earned him a lifetime lectureship. After his
initial success, Galileo focused on refining the instrument.
3. Television

 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.
4. Engine-Powered Airplane

 Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright are credited for designing and successfully
operating the first engine-powered aircraft. The Wright brothers approached
the design of powered aircraft and flight significantly. Orville and Wilbur
proved that aircraft could fly without airfoil-shaped wings.
INVENTIONS
BY FILIPINO
SCIENTISTS
1.Electronic Jeepney (e-jeepney)
2.Erythromycin
3.Medical incubator
4.Mole remover
5.Banana Ketchup
1. Electronic Jeepney

 As demand for more responsive transportation technology arose, the e-jeepney

was introduced in Metro Manila and Bacolod City.

The e-jeepney is the inventive response to criticisms to the traditional jeepney the
belched smoke, directly causing air pollution which made it unsustainable and
uneconomical.

E-jeepneys are designed to be environment-friendly, eliminating noise and air

pollution as they run on electricity. They are far cheaper than ordinary diesel,
allowing jeepney drivers to earn more profit.
2. Erythromycin

 The Ilonggo scientist 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 the discovery by Eli Lilli Co., Aguilar’s US employer, to whom he
sent the strain for separation. The UA company eventually owned the merits of
this discovery.
3. Medical Incubator

World-renowned Filipino pediatrician and national scientist, Fe del Mundo, is

credited for the invention of the incubator and jaundice-relieving device.

Her original improvised incubator consisted of two native laundry baskets of

different sizes that were 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.
4. Mole Remover

Rolando Dela Cruz is credited for the invention of a local mole remover that
made use of extracts of cashew nuts (Annacardium occidentale), which are very
common in the Philippines.
5. Banana Ketchup

Filipino food Technologist, Mari Orosa, is credited for the invention of banana
ketchup, a variety of ketchup different from commonly known tomato ketchup.
ACTIVITY NO. 2
Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology
1.In this task, you will address this question:
“If you were an inventor, what would you invent?” In thinking about an invention,
make sure that you come up with one that has NOT BEEN INVENTED YET but is
possible to be invented shortly. Sketch a draft of your invention then
answer the following questions: (SHORT BOND PAPER)

1. What is your invention? What does it do?

2. How is your invention similar to or different from existing tools or technologies in
terms of function?
3. Why is there a need for this invention? How will this invention make the world a
better place to live in?

Criteria for Scoring:

Illustration (Invention): 15 pts;
Answers to questions: 15 points
Total: 30 points
THANKS!
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