Science, Technology and Society UNIT 1

1. General Concept in Science, Technology
and Society
Unit 1
LYKA D.L SAN PEDRO | STS 23'24

2. Historical Antecedents
in the Course of Science
and Technology
Chapter 1

3. 1. explain how science and technology affected the society and
environment and vice versa;
2. identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world
over the course of history; and
3. discuss the scientific and technological developments in the
Philippines.
Learning Outcomes

4. Ancient Times
In the ancient times, people were
concerned with transportation and
navigation, communication and record-
keeping, mass production, security and
protection, as well as health,
aesthetics, and architecture.

5. Transportation was significant during that time because
people were trying to go places and discover new
horizons. They travelled to search for food and find better
locations for their settlements. They also travelled to
trade their surplus goods in exchange for things that they
lacked. Navigation assisted them in their journeys to
unfamiliar and strange areas in the world. It allowed them
to return home after they discovered new places or
completed an important trade with another group of
people.

6. Communication was also essential in their endeavors to
discover and occupy new places. They needed a way to
communicate with the natives of the areas they visited so
as to facilitate trade and prevent possible conflicts.
Record-keeping was also important since they needed to
remember the places they had been to and document the
trades they made with each other. It was also vital to keep
records of their history and culture so they could
establish their identities as they tried to relate with other
cultures and civilizations.

7. Weapons and Armors were important as well in the
discovery of new places or the establishment of new
alliances with other tribes. At that time, there was always
a risk of conflict when people met others with different
culture and orientations. Conflicts were common
especially if different groups struggled to control vital
resources. Stronger nations tended to invade weaker
ones so they could take much needed resources. As such,
the development of weapons and armors for security and
protection was considered a major achievement.

8. A primary challenge they faced was the conservation of life. The early people might have been successful
in harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide, but their survival posed a great problem.
Different illnesses and diseases, both natural and man-made, hampered the full potential of a human
being. Given this predicament, science and technology played a major role in the discovery of cures to, if
not the prevention of, illnesses.
Moreover, in order to integrate their needs-for better transportation, establishment of structures for
protection from human attacks and natural disasters, and construction of bigger and stronger
infrastructures-people ventured into what is now known as the field of engineering. The development in
this field allowed humans to build structures that would address their specific needs and wants. Some of
the structures built during the ancient times still exist today and continually awe people.
The development in engineering also ushered in the introduction of architecture. Others might see
architecture as a mere style, but during the ancient times, elaborate architectural designs were signs of
technological advancement of a particular civilization. In the generations to come, architecture would be
considered a status symbol among nations of how advanced their technology is. It may also establish the
identity of a nation.

9. Sumerian Civilization
Sumeria is located on the southernmost
tip of ancient Mesopotamia. Sumerians
are known for their high degree of
cooperation with one another and their
desire for great things. They are not
contented with the basic things that life
can offer. This desire pushed them to
develop many things connected with
science and technology.

10. Cuneiform
One of the major contributions of the
Sumerians is the development of the of
the first writing system known as
cuneiform. It is a system that utilizes
word, pictures and triangular symbols
which are carved on clay using wedge
instruments and then left to dry.
Cuneiform allowed the Sumerians to
keep records of things with great
historical value or their everyday life.

11. Uruk City
Another important contribution of the Sumerians is
the City of Uruk. It is a great wonder not only
because it is considered to be the first true city in
the world but also for the way it was erected. There
were no building stones in the location of this city
and lumber was limited, making the construction a
big challenge. The Sumerians were able to build the
city using only mud or clay from the river, which
they mixed with reeds, producing sun-baked bricks-
a true engineering feat. They used the bricks to
make houses that protected them from the harsh
weather and to build a wall around the city that
prevented wild animals and neighboring raiders
from entering.

12. The Great Ziggurat of Ur
Another engineering and architectural feat of the
Sumerians is the Great Ziggurat of Ur. The ziggurat,
also called the mountain of god, was built in the
same manner that they constructed the City of
Uruk. Without much building materials, the
structure was constructed using sun-baked bricks.
The ziggurat served as the sacred place of their
chief god, where only their priests were allowed to
enter. The temple showcases not only the elaborate
and intricate Sumerian architecture but also the
remarkable technology used to build it. As such,
even until today, people still enjoy and marvel at
the preserved Great Ziggurat of Ur.

13. Irrigation and Dikes
As population increased, so did the demand for food.
The Sumerians were challenged to mass produce food
items but the elements in the environment seemed
uncooperative. It was difficult to get water from the
rivers, thus they could not maintain farmlands. Some
groups had scarce water supply, while others had
problems with flooding caused by the river. As a
solution to this dilemma, the Sumerians created dikes
and irrigation canals to bring water to farmlands and
at the same time control the flooding of the rivers.
This method was considered as one of the world's
most beneficial engineering works. Through the dikes
and canals, the Sumerians were able to enjoy year-
long farming and harvesting, which increased their
food production.

14. Sail Boats
Another challenge to the Sumerians was
transportation. At that time, the wheel was not yet
invented; the main mode of transportation was
through waterways such as rivers and seas. Boats
were used to carry large quantities of products and
were able to cover large distances. However, they
wanted to discover faraway lands to settle since the
population was getting larger, and boats were not
enough to accommodate more people and products.
They needed a mode of transportation that did not
require much human resource. Some sources
attribute to the Sumerians the invention of sailboats
to address their increasing demands. Sailboats were
essential in transportation and trading as well as in
fostering culture, information, and technology.

15. Wheel
In the latter part of their history, the
Sumerians were able to invent the wheel since
the specialized tools needed to create it were
already available. The first wheels were not
made for transportation but for farm work
and food processes. With the use of the wheel
and axle, mass production was made easier.
Farmers were able to mill grains with less
effort in less time.

16. The Plow
Another farm technology invented by the
Mesopotamians is the plow. Humans evolved
from being food gatherers to farm cultivators.
However, farmers needed a technology which
would enable them to dig the ground where
seeds would be planted. The plow was invented
to dig the earth in a faster pace. As the plow
breaks the ground, the farmer would just drop
the seeds and farm work would already be
done. With this tool, farmers could cultivate
larger parcels of land faster, enabling them to
mass produce food without taking so much
effort and time.

17. Roads
In order to facilitate faster and easier travel,
the Sumerians developed the first roads. With
this work, the flow of traffic became faster and
more organized. They made the roads with
the same technology they used in making the
sun-baked bricks that they laid down on the
ground. They later poured bitumen, a black
sticky substance similar to asphalt, to
smoothen the roads. The invention of roads
was very useful especially during the rainy
season when traveling in soft and muddy
roads proved to be too difficult

18. Babylonian
Civilization
Babylonian civilization emerged near the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Babylonians
were great builders, engineers, and architects.
One of their major contributions is the
hanging gardens of Babylon, one of the seven
wonders of the ancient world.

19. Hanging Gardens of
Babylon
Today, people can only marvel at the beauty of the
famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon from stories of
historians and paintings that portray the place. It was
said to be a structure made up of layers upon layers of
gardens that contained several species of plants, trees,
and vines. According to legends, the great Babylonian
King Nebuchadnezzar II built the gardens for his wife,
Queen Amytis. However, no physical evidence has been
found to prove the existence of the Hanging Gardens
of Babylon. Its exact location is also unknown. Since
time immemorial, people have been debating about
the existence of the said mythical place.

20. Egyptian Civilization
Another early civilization famous for its
legacy is the Egyptian civilization located in
North Africa. Many stories tell about the
engineering feats of the Egyptians especially
regarding the infrastructures established by
the pharaohs. Aside from engineering
technology, the Egyptians have contributed
other practical things that the world now
considers as essential. It is thus safe to say
that the pyramids are not the only
contribution of the Egyptian civilization to the
modern world.

21. Paper or Papyrus
One of the earlier contributions of Egyptian civilization
was the paper or papyrus. Although Egypt was not the
first to develop a system of writing, they were able to
make writing easier for the world. Before the Egyptian
innovation, clay tablets were used. However, safe-
keeping and transporting them were a major problem.
Clay tablets were very fragile, heavy, and delicate to
handle. So, bringing them to places was a major
challenge. Hence, the Egyptian invention of the paper
or papyrus was a welcome development. Papyrus was
a plant that grew abundantly along the Nile River in
Egypt.

22. Ink
When the Egyptians invented the papyrus or
the paper, engraving ceased to be used in
writing. As a result, the Egyptians invented
ink by combining soot with different
chemicals to produce inks of different colors.
The ink must withstand the elements of
nature since it was used to record history,
culture, and codified laws. It must also be
tamper-proof so that people could not simply
tinker with those written down by authorities.

23. Hieroglyphics

Like the Sumerians, the Egyptians also
developed a system of writing using symbols,
known as hieroglyphics. Although some say
that hieroglyphics was adapted from the
early writing system established in
Mesopotamia as a result of trade between
civilizations, the Egyptians believed that this
writing system was provided to them by their
gods. This form of writing can still be seen
today and remains to be as famous as the
pyramids where they were found.

24. Cosmetics
The Egyptians also invented the use of cosmetics.
Although cosmetics in the modern times are used
to improve and highlight the facial features of a
person, their function in ancient Egypt was for
both health and aesthetic reasons. Egyptians wore
Kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye
diseases. Kohl was created by mixing soot or
malachite with mineral galena. Egyptians also
believed that a person wearing make-up was
protected from evil and that beauty was a sign of
holiness. At present, the cosmetic industry is a
booming multibillion industry.

25. Wig
Another cosmetic invention of ancient Egyptians is
the wig. At present, wigs are used to enhance the
appearance of people who are balding or those
who want to try new hair trends. Meanwhile,
during the ancient Egyptian times, wigs were worn
for health and wellness rather than for aesthetic
purposes. The wigs were used to protect the
shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the
harmful rays of the sun. Wearing a wig was better
than putting on a scarf or any other head cover
since a wig allowed heat to escape. Moreover, it
was considered cleaner than natural hair because
it prevented the accumulation of head lice.

26. Water Clock/Clepsydra
Another important ancient Egyptian
contribution is the water clock. This device
utilizes gravity that affects the flow of water
from one vessel to the other. The amount
of water (or its height, depending on the
method used) remaining in the device
determines how much time has elapsed
since it is full. In the process, time is
measured. The water clock was widely used
as a timekeeping device during the
ancient times.

27. Greek Civilization
Greece is an archipelago in the
southeastern part of Europe. Known as
the birthplace of western philosophy,
some of the major achievements of the
Greeks include in-depth works on
philosophy and mathematics. More than
coliseums and the Olympics, the Greek
civilization has contributed much to the
world especially in the fields of science
and technology.

28. Alarm Clock
One of the most utilized gadgets today that
was invented by the ancient Greeks is the
alarm clock. Although the alarm clock
during that time did not resemble the
present-day alarm clock, the purpose was
just the same to tell an individual when to
stop or when to start. The ancient Greek's
alarm clocks used large complicated
mechanisms to time the alarm.

29. Water Mill
Watermills were also considered as one of the
most important contributions of the Greek
civilization to the world. They were commonly used
in agricultural processes like milling of grains
which was a necessary form of food processing
during that time. Because milling was made
possible by the use of watermills, the mass
production of rice, cereals, flours, and the like
became common. Watermills were considered
better than mills powered by farm animals
because they required less effort and time to
operate since the farmer did not have to raise
animals.

30. Roman Civilization

The Roman Empire was perceived to be the
strongest political and social entity in the
west. It was considered to be the cradle of
politics and governance during that period.
Because the Roman Empire was so large,
other civilizations looked up to it as their
model in terms of legislation and codified
laws. Aside from their contributions in
politics, a lot of discoveries and inventions
still relevant today can be attributed to the
Roman Empire.

31. Newspaper
One of the major contributions of the Romans is the
newspaper. The first newspapers, known as gazettes,
contained announcements of the Roman Empire to
the people. Made before the invention of paper,
these gazettes were engraved in metal or stone
tablets and then publicly displayed. When paper was
invented, it became easier for the Romans to
"publish" matters that needed the attention of the
Roman citizens. In fact, with the advent of paper,
minutes of the proceedings of the Roman senate
were done in shorthand. These documents were
edited and published on the same day that they
were recorded. This way, the Romans enjoyed easy
access to government information the same way we
benefit from present-day newspapers.

32. Bound Books or Codex
With the invention of paper, it became easier for
civilizations to write down everything that
happened in their time. Record-keeping was much
easier since paper did not easily break, was
lightweight, and did not occupy much space. As a
result, civilizations became fond of record-keeping,
especially documenting historical events and newly
legislated laws.

33. Roman Architecture
Roman architecture is one of the most visual
contributions of the ancient Roman Empire to the
world. Roman architecture was considered a
continuation of Greek architecture, hence, the
resemblance. However, Roman architecture was
still regarded as pioneering since the Romans were
able to adapt new building and engineering
technology on architectural designs established in
the past.

34. Roman Numerals
Although other number systems had already been
established before the Roman numeral, these old
systems could not keep up with high calculation
requirements due to the increasing rate of
communication and trade among nations. Since
the Roman Empire was expanding, it had to deal
with many nations to maintain its power.

35. Chinese Civilization
The Chinese civilization is considered to be
the oldest civilization in Asia, if not the world.
Also known as the middle kingdom, China is
located on the far east of Asia. It was famous
among other ancient civilizations because of
its silk trade. Not a great amount was written
about ancient China partly due to its distance
from the other civilizations. Despite its less
popular status among the early civilizations,
one cannot discredit the significant
contributions of Chinese civilization to the
world.

36. Silk
One of the things that connected Far East China to
the world is silk. Although silk is naturally
produced by silk worms, the Chinese were the
ones who developed the technology to harvest the
silk and process it to produce paper and clothing.
Silk production resulted in the creation of a
product for trade. The silk trade opened China to
the outside world, making way for cultural,
economic, and scientific exchanges. It bridged the
gap between the western world and the middle
kingdom.

37. Tea Production
Tea is a beverage produced by pouring hot or
boiling water over crushed or shredded dried tea
leaves. It was believed that the first tea was drunk
by a Chinese emperor. Tea production was
developed when an unknown Chinese inventor
created a machine that was able to sherd tea
leaves into strips.

38. Great Wall of China
Once considered the only man-made structure
that could be seen from outer space, the Great
Wall of China is said to be the largest and most
extensive infrastructure that the nation built. It
was constructed to keep out foreign invaders and
control the borders of China. Made with stone,
brick, wood, earth, and other materials, it
showcased the extent of Chinese engineering
technology at this time.

39. Gunpowder
The gunpowder is one of the most interesting
inventions in China. Originally, it was developed by
Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve
immortality. They mixed charcoal, sulfur, and
potassium nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir
of life, they accidentally invented a black powder
that could actually generate large amounts of heat
and gas in an instant.

40. Medieval/Middle
Ages
The start of the middle ages was marred by massive
invasions and migrations. Wars were prevalent during this
time. As such, great technology was needed in the fields of
weaponry, navigation, mass food and farm production,
and health. The wars have resulted in population decline,
but during the latter part of the period, there was a
significant rise in population. Trade and commerce among
nations increased, which resulted in greater demands for
transportation technology. Some of the most innovative
minds came from this period.

41. Printing Press
This general invention soon evolved to be the
mechanical printing press which was eventually
used all over the world. The printing press was
invented to address the need for publishing books
that would spread information to many people at a
faster rate.

42. Microscope
Another invention in the Middle Ages is the
microscope. Growing populations caused massive
migration and urbanization during the period.
More and more people transferred to polluted and
populated urban areas which resulted in more
people getting sick and needing medical
attention.To develop the proper medicines for
illnesses, experts must understand the sickness
through an investigation.

43. Telescope
Since the Middle Ages was also known as the Age
of Exploration, the need for nautical inventions
was high. Considering the vast and empty oceans
that separated lands, ship captains needed to see
far and wide for them to navigate or to avoid
dangers at sea. The invention of the telescope, an
optical instrument that helps in the observation of
remote objects, was a great help for navigators
during this time. Together with the telescope, the
invention of the compass, oars, and rudders made
sea travelling easier and safer.

44. War Weapons
Since wars were widespread during the Middle
Ages, great development in the weaponry
technology also occurred. All sides must develop
weaponries not only as offensive tools but also as
defensive instruments. For open-area battles,
people developed cross bows and long bows so
that they could attack the enemies at long ranges,
keeping themselves safe with the protection of
walls and fortresses

45. The 19th century onward witnessed a population
boom, prompting a surge in the demand for faster
and more efficient goods production.
Transportation needed an upgrade to handle larger
volumes over greater distances, animal-powered
machines required modernization, and
communication and computation demanded
innovation to connect nations. This birthed the era
of industries, but with it came new challenges. Food
processing and medicine became pressing concerns
as the focus shifted towards public health.
Modern Times

46. Pasteurization
Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist,
and chemist, found a way to solve the problem.
He invented pasteurization, the process of
heating dairy products to kill the harmful
bacteria that allow them to spoil faster. Through
this process, milk could be stored and consumed
for a longer period. It also prevented illnesses
caused by harmful bacteria (Macalester College,
2010). Other contributions of Pasteur to science,
technology, and medicine included his works on
molecular asymmetry, fermentation, and
vaccination.

47. Petroleum Refinery
The modern times demanded better means of
powering homes and transportation. At first, people
used animal oils for generating light to illuminate
their homes. However, the production of animal oils
could not keep up with the demand. Faced with this
concern, Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene
by refining petroleum. Kerosene was later on
referred to as the "illuminating oil" because it was
used at first to provide lighting to homes. After some
time, it was applied for heating purposes. The
development of kerosene established the petroleum
refinery industry (Skrabec, 2010). At present,
petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles,
factories, and power plants, among others.

48. Telephone
The more people got connected by trade and
exploration, the more they needed a way to
easily maintain these connections and
communicate with each other in real time.
Governments likewise needed some kind of
communication system which would allow them
to administer their states well. Important day-to-
day decisions must be discussed and addressed
at the fastest time possible. Thus, the
development of the telephone by Alexander
Graham Bell was one of the most important
inventions at that time.

49. Despite being considered a developing country,
the Philippines also contributes to the global
advancement of science and technology. It is quite
remarkable to note the ingenuity of the Filipinos
despite the lack in resources. The Philippines is
known to be one of the most vulnerable countries
in terms of natural disasters. Many of the
discoveries and inventions made by the Filipinos
were therefore built from indigenous materials or
created to adapt to the harsh tropical environment.
Philippine
Inventions

50. Salamander
Amphimious 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 II into jeepneys.
Another Filipino innovation is the addition of a
sidecar to a motorcycle, transforming it into a
tricycle to accommodate more passengers.

51. Salt Lamp
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 also benefit those from far-flung barrios
because they can make their own saltwater by
mixing two tablespoons of salt and a glass of tap
water.

52. Medical Incubator
Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the
first Asian woman admitted into Harvard Medical
School, devised a medical incubator made from
indigenous and cheap materials which did not
run on electricity. Dr. del Mundo's incubator was
made by placing a native laundry basket inside a
bigger one. Hot water bottles were inserted
between the baskets to provide warmth and a
makeshift hood to allow oxygen circulation. Its
main purpose was to maintain conditions
suitable for a newborn, usually a pre-term baby.

53. Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal
Trap System
Using insecticides is harmful not only to humans
but also to the environment. In 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
OL Trap. This trap system is made of natural
ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe
for humans and the environment.

54. Ejeepney
The electric jeepney (eJeepney) was
developed. This modern type of
transportation utilizes electricity instead
of the more expensive diesel. It is
environment-friendly since it does not
emit any smoke and noise.