MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Social Sciences

& Humanities
Department of Political
Science
A.Y 2020-2021
First Semester

GEC 108:
Science, Technology &
Society (STS)
 2

CODE: 55 23 17 9
 “
3

Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

 Explain what is Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
 Describe the five features of Science, Technology, and Society
(STS); and
 Disseminate the various fields of Science and Technology (ST) to
the people in the community.
 “
Features of
STS
 Features of STS
 STS is new subject
 History of Technology
 History and Philosophy of Science (1960s).
 Science, Technology, and Society
 Science, Engineering, and Public Policy Studies

• The study of "Science, Technology and Society" (STS) examines the

roles of science and technology in society, how science and technology
reflect social, economic and cultural values, and the human and ethical
implications of emerging technologies.
 Features of STS 7

• Science, technology and society (STS), also referred to as science and

technology studies, is a branch or offspring of science studies. It considers
how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and
technological innovation, and how these, in turn, affect society, politics and
culture.

Yager states that STS is focusing upon current problems

and issues and attempts at their resolution as the best way of
preparing students for current and future citizenship roles. This
according to him means identifying local, regional, national
and international problems with students, planning for individual
and group activities which address them. Emphasis on STS is
responsible decision making in the real world of the student.
 8

Features of STS

 The three, science, technology and society aim at increasing our

ability to comprehend and apply the concepts of scientific and
technological systems. STS can be therefore defined as the discipline that
raises a generation of citizens who understand the nature of things in the
environment; a generation of citizens who are aware of changes taking
place around them; a generation who can adjust to the changes in the
environment; a generation who is equipped to deal with forces that
influences the future, a generation who can take her future in her own
hands.
 “
Science and
Technology
Fields
 Science and Technology Fields

Life Sciences
• It is a very broad field, it encompasses numerous
specializations. It is commonly defined by
sciences that pertain to living organisms like
microorganisms, plants, animals, and most
importantly human beings. Some of the well-
known fields in the Life Sciences are zoology,
botany, biology, microbiology, biotechnology, and
biomedical technologies.
 Science and Technology Fields

Botany and Biology

 Botany and Biology. Botany and
biology are two of the highly sought-after
research topics in the Philippines, given
its rich biodiversity in flora and fauna.
Several Filipino scientist have pioneered
in the field of biology.
 Science and Technology Fields

Engineering
• It is the field of science that applies both
science and math to solve problems. It
concerns the use of technology in practical
ways that can advance the human
condition. Some of the fields of engineering
include mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, civil engineering, structural
engineering, and industrial engineering.
 Science and Technology Fields
Agriculture and Aquaculture

• Agriculture is the field in science wherein it

concerns with the different techniques of land
cultivation, crop and livestock raising, or
otherwise, farming. The Department of
Agriculture (Philippines) (DA) is a
government agency responsible for the
development of the Philippine's agriculture by
generating policies, investments, and support
services which are significant in the local and
export-oriented trade.
 Science and Technology Fields
Metal Industry

• This industry deals with the creation and

innovation of metallic and steel products. The
metal/steel industry have shown remarkable
technological dynamism over the centuries and
with the growing product innovation, there have
been a great significance on the steels'
economic and political influence.
 Science and Technology Fields
Food and Nutrition
• Food science or nutritional science is the field of science
studying the nature of foods and the natural changes in
them resulting from handling and processing. It is the
science concerned with food and nourishment and the
role of nutrients in health.
• The Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) is
the principal research arm of the Philippine
government in food and nutrition. It was first created in
1947 as the Institute of Nutrition to serve as a clearing-
house of data and information regarding nutrition. In
1949, it was authorized to conduct research in the
applied science of food, as well.
 Science and Technology Fields
HEALTH

• One aspect of healthcare is the diagnosis, treatment

and prevention of diseases; the other pertains to
provisions for medical care for people in the
community. In the Philippines, healthcare is under the
Department of Health (DOH). This government office
is responsible for organizing public healthcare and
making sure that all Filipino citizens have access to
quality health services.
 Science and Technology Fields

Forestry

• Forestry is the field of science that practice

planting, managing and taking care of trees.
The governing body for the Philippine forestry
is the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR).
 “
Historical
Antecedents in
the Course of
Science and
Technology
 “
19

Objectives:

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:

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.
 20
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and
Technology
• Science comes from the Latin word scienctia, meaning ‘knowledge.’
It refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and
organizing knowledge about how the universe behaves through
observation, experimentation or both.
• Technology, for its part, is the application of scientific knowledge, laws,
and principles to produce services, materials, tools, and machines
aimed at solving real-world problems. It comes from the Greek root word
techne, meaning ‘art, skill, or cunning of hand.’
 “
Sumerian
Civilizatio
n
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Sumerian Civilization 22

• In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and

navigation, communication, and recordkeeping, mass production, security
and protection, as well as health, aesthetics, and architecture.
• Transportation was significant during that time because people were
trying to go places and discover new horizons. They are travelling 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.
• 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.
• The increase in size and number of nations connoted increased demand
for food and other basic necessities, this condition also implied that the
people must be able to produce food at a given time and space since
resources were getting scarcer as more people struggled to share the basic
necessities. The people thus needed a form of technology that would enable
them to increase food supplies and other survival needs.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Sumerian Civilization 23
• Sumerian Civilization is located on the southernmost tip of ancient
Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the area
later became Babylonia, 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.
• CUNIEFORM
• One of the major contributions of the Sumerians is the
development 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. It is also one way of
passing their traditions, cultures, and their legacy.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and
24
Technology: Sumerian Civilization
• 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 we re able to build the city using
only mud or clay from the river, which they mixed
with reeds, producing sunbaked 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.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 25

Sumerian Civilization

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 sunbaked bricks. The Ziggurat served as the
sacred place of their chief god, where only priest was
allowed to enter.
 26

THE GREAT ZIGGURAT OF UR

 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 27

Sumerian Civilization

IRRIGATION AND DIKES

• As population increase, so did the demand for food. The

Sumerians were challenged to mass produce items but the
elements in the environment seemed uncooperative. It was
difficult to get water form 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.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 28

Sumerian Civilization
SAIL BOATS
• Another challenge to the Sumerians was transportation. At
that time, the wheel was not yet invented; the main mode of
transportation was trough 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 resources 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.
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 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 31

Sumerian Civilization

THE PLOW
• Another farm technology invented by
the Mesopotamians is the plow. The
plow was invented to dig the earth in a
faster pace. As the plow beaks the
ground, the farmer would just drop the
seeds and farm work would already be
done .
32
 “
Egyptian
Civilizatio
n
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 34

Egyptian Civilization

EGYPITAN CIVILIZATION
• Another early civilization famous for it legacy is the
Egyptian civilization located in North Africa. Many
stories tell about the engineering feats of the Egyptian
especially regarding infrastructures established by the
Pharaohs.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 35

Egyptian Civilization
PAPER OR PAPYRUS
• Aside from the Sumerians, Egyptians
also developed a system of writing, they
were able to make writing easier for the
world. Before, they are using tables made
from clay tablets but they find it fragile,
heavy, and delicate to handle. Hence, the
Egyptian invention of paper or papyrus
was a welcome development. They were
able to process the plant in order to
produce thin sheets on which one could
write down things
36
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 37

Egyptian Civilization

INK
When 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
38
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 39

HEIROGLYPHICS Egyptian Civilization

• Like 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 systems was provided to them by their
gods.
• Their way of writing is also the root cause why many
scientists are confused about their history. Hieroglyphics is
not just an ordinary writing of text, but it is also consisting
of many different symbols and illustrations that may lead
the scientist to misinterpretation of data or meaning.
• Hieroglyphics was the language that tells the modern world
of the history and culture of the ancient
• Egyptians. Their records were well-preserved since they
were carved at the walls of pyramids and other important
Egyptian structures.
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 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 41

Egyptian Civilization

Cosmetics
 nowadays are essentials in building your self confidence but did you know that the
cosmetics that we are using right now is invented by the Egyptians? 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.

 For example, Egyptians wore kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye
diseases. Kohl was created by mixing soon or malachite with mineral galena.
 Another cosmetic invention of ancient Egyptian is the wig. Nowadays, 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, they were used for
health and wellness rather than for aesthetic purposes. They used it to cover their
head from the harmful rays of the sun.
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 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 43

Egyptian Civilization

WATER CLOCK/CLEPSYDRA
• Another important ancient Egyptian
contribution is the water clock. This
device utilizes gravity that affects the flow
of water from on vessel to another. This
invention also leads to our modern-day
clock through series of improvement
done by the succeeding civilization.
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 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: 45

Egyptian Civilization

• The methods of embalming, or treating the dead

body, that the ancient Egyptians used is called
mummification. 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.
• So successful were they that today we can view the
mummified body of an Egyptian and have a good
idea of what he or she looked like in life, 3000
years ago.
46
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 MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Social Sciences
& Humanities
Department of Political
Science
A.Y 2020-2021
First Semester

GEC 108:
Science, Technology &
Society (STS)
 “
Greek
Civilizatio
n
 50

• Unlike many of these other civilizations, the Greek civilization did not

develop in a river valley, but it was surrounded by water. Ancient Greece had
the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Ionian Sea to the west, and the
Aegean Sea to the east. Greece is actually a series of islands or archipelagos
and peninsulas.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
51

Civilization

• The Ancient Greeks were extremely interested in

learning about the world around them. Philosophers
developed theories about astronomy, mathematics,
biology, geography, and much more.
• Greece is an archipelago in the southeastern part of
Europe. This makes their country difficult to conquer
since it is an archipelago, they can hide or ambush the
enemy from various island. Europe is known as the birth
place of western philosophy, some of the major
achievements of the
• Greeks include in-depth works on philosophy and
mathematics
• The discoveries and inventions of the Ancient Greeks laid
the foundation for modern science and technology.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
52

Civilization

• Anaxagoras figured out

what causes an eclipse: the
moon coming between the
Sun and Earth or the Earth
between the Sun and moon.
He also figured out that the
planets are spheres and that
they move.
• The Ancient Greeks also
created a device to calculate
the movement of the planets.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
53

Civilization

• One of the most utilized gadgets today was

invented by ancient Greeks is the alarm clock.
Although the alarm clock during that time
does not resembles the present-day clocks,
the purpose was just the same- to tell an
individual when to stop or when to start.
• This invention according to the scientist
resembles that of the Egyptians but this is
more complex but more accurate.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
54

Civilization

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 is necessary form of food
processing during that time. Mass production of
rice, cereals, flours and the like became common with
the help of watermills. Modern-day watermills also
help for converting mechanical energy into
electricity which also leads to invention of windmill
and turbine.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
55

Civilization

MATHEMATICS

• Thales, set up many mathematical rules based on

reasoning. These were called mathematical truths.
They included theories about circles, triangles,
lines, and angles.
• Pythagoras discovered the Pythagorean
Theorem. It is still taught in schools today and
used to calculate the sides of a right triangle.
• Thales and Pythagoras were important, but the
most famous Ancient Greek mathematician is
probably Euclid. Euclid wrote multiple textbooks
about geometry called Elements.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
56

Civilization

Cartography
• The study and practice of making maps is called
cartography. Anaximander was one of the first
people to create a map of the world.
• Anaximander was the first of the ancient Greeks to
draw a map of the known world, and, as such, he is
considered to be one of the first cartographers.
Hecataeus, Herodotus, Eratosthenes, and
Ptolemy were other well-known Greek map
makers.
• His map reflected all the places that were known to
Ancient Greeks at the time. The map was made on
a tablet and was a fantastic achievement of the
time period.
57
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
58

Civilization

Medicine
• In ancient times, people believed that illnesses were
punishments from the gods. For this reason, illnesses
weren’t usually treated. And if they were treated, they
weren’t treated well.
• The Ancient Greek Hippocrates changed everything.
He collected data and conducted experiments. He
discovered that disease is a natural process and he is
known as the Father of Western Medicine.
• Hippocrates and others found ways to treat and cure
some diseases. Hippocrates also made the Hippocratic
Oath, which created ethical standards for doctors like
patient-doctor confidentiality.
• Medical students still take the Hippocratic Oath today.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
59

Greek Civilization

• Hippocrates, the Father of Modern Medicine,

was born. He is generally considered the author
of the Edwin Smith Papyrus, an Egyptian
medical text, which contains almost 100
anatomical terms and describes 48 injuries and
their treatment.

• Hippocratic Oath: Modern Version

• I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and

judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-
won scientific gains of those physicians in whose
steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as
is mine with those who are to follow
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
60

Greek Civilization

• Archimedes invented a device

used to collect water and move it
up a hill.
• An Archimedes screw was used in
the successful 2001 stabilization of
the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Small
amounts of subsoil saturated by
groundwater were removed from
far below the north side of the
tower, and the weight of the tower
itself corrected the lean.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology: Greek
61

Civilization
• The Ancient Greeks also invented aqueducts, cranes, flamethrowers, portable sundials, and
the anemoscope to measure wind direction.
 MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Social Sciences
& Humanities
Department of Political
Science
A.Y 2020-2021
First Semester

GEC 108:
Science, Technology &
Society (STS)
 “
Roman
Civilizatio
n
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
64

Roman Civilization

 The Roman Empire was perceived to be the

strongest political and social entity in the west.
Political because of its huge population and territory
and social because of religion. It was considered to
be the cradle of politics and governance during the
period. Because the Roman Empire was so large,
other civilizations looked up to it as their model in
terms of legislation and codified law. That is why
many other civilizations were conquered by the
Roman Empire because of its existing laws which
make it more complex and more stable compared to
the other civilizations or empire.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
65

Roman Civilization

Aqueducts
 The Romans enjoyed many amenities for their day,
including public toilets, underground sewage systems,
fountains and ornate public baths. None of these
aquatic innovations would have been possible without
the Roman aqueduct.
 First developed around 312 B.C., these engineering
marvels used gravity to transport water along stone,
lead and concrete pipelines and into city centers.
Aqueducts liberated Roman cities from a reliance on
nearby water supplies and proved priceless in
promoting public health and sanitation.
 66

Hundreds of aqueducts eventually sprang up throughout the empire, some

of which transported water as far as 60 miles. Perhaps most impressive of
all, Roman aqueducts were so well built that some are still in use to this
day. Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain, for instance, is supplied by a
restored version of the Aqua Virgo, one of ancient Rome’s 11 aqueducts.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 67

CONCRETE
 Many ancient Roman structures like the Pantheon, the
Colosseum and the Roman Forum are still standing today
thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete.
 Roman concrete was considerably weaker than its modern
counterpart, but it has proved remarkably durable thanks
to its unique recipe, which used slaked lime and a
volcanic ash known as pozzolana to create a sticky paste.
Combined with volcanic rocks called tuff, this ancient
cement formed a concrete that could effectively endure
chemical decay. Pozzolana helped Roman concrete set
quickly even when submerged in seawater, enabling the
construction of elaborate baths, piers and harbors.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 68

 The Romans were known to contribute to public discourse

through the use of official texts detailing military, legal and civil
issues. Known as Acta Diurna, or “daily acts,” these early
newspapers were written on metal or stone and then posted in
heavily trafficked areas like the Roman Forum.
 Acta are believed to have first appeared around 131 B.C. and
typically included details of Roman military victories, lists of
games and gladiatorial bouts, birth and death notices and even
human interest stories.
 There was also an Acta Senatus, which detailed the
proceedings of the Roman senate. These were traditionally
withheld from public view until 59 B.C., when Julius Caesar
ordered their publication as part of the many populist reforms
he instituted during his first consulship.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 69

• For most of human history, literature took the form of

unwieldy clay tablets and scrolls. The Romans
streamlined the medium by creating the codex, a
stack of bound pages that is recognized as the earliest
incarnation of the book. The first codices were made
of bound wax tablets, but these were later replaced by
animal skin parchment that more clearly resembled
pages.
• Ancient historians note that Julius Caesar created an
early version of a codex by stacking pages of papyrus
to form a primitive notebook, but bound codices did
not become popular in Rome until the first century or
thereabouts. Early Christians became some of the
first to adopt the new technology, using it
extensively to produce copies of the Bible.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 70

 Arches have existed for roughly 4,000 years, but

the ancient Romans were the first to effectively
harness their power in the construction of bridges,
monuments and buildings. The ingenious design of
the arch allowed the weight of buildings to be
evenly distributed along various supports,
preventing massive Roman structures like the
Colosseum from crumbling under their own
weight.
 Roman engineers improved on arches by flattening
their shape to create what is known as a segmental
arch and repeating them at various intervals to
build stronger supports that could span large gaps
when used in bridges and aqueducts. Along with
columns, domes and vaulted ceilings, the arch
became one of the defining characteristics of the
Roman architectural style.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 71

 The Romans invented many surgical tools and pioneered the use of the cesarean
section, but their most valuable contributions to medicine came on the battlefield. Under
the leadership of Augustus, they established a military medical corps that was one of
the first dedicated field surgery units. These specially trained medics saved countless
lives through the use of Roman medical innovations like hemostatic tourniquets and
arterial surgical clamps to curb blood loss.
 Roman field doctors also performed physicals on new recruits and helped stem the
spread of disease by overseeing sanitation in military camps. They were even known to
disinfect instruments in hot water before use, pioneering a form of antiseptic surgery
that was not fully embraced until the 19th century. Roman military medicine proved so
advanced at treating wounds and promoting wellness that soldiers tended to live longer
than the average citizen despite constantly facing the hazards of combat.
72
 “
Chinese
Civilizatio
n
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Chinese Civilization 74

• The Chinese civilization is considered 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 very famous among the
other ancient civilization because of its silk trade.
The following are contributions of Chinese civilization to the world
Silk industry
Tea production
Worlds Famous Great wall of China
Gun powder
• China even until know controls the production of almost
everything. Most of the things like gadget, furniture, weapon,
medicine, basic necessities, any many other are made in China.
That is why Chinese economy is getting bigger and its control
over the international politics is indeed very impressive.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 75

 Arches have existed for roughly 4,000 years, but

the ancient Romans were the first to effectively
harness their power in the construction of bridges,
monuments and buildings. The ingenious design of
the arch allowed the weight of buildings to be
evenly distributed along various supports,
preventing massive Roman structures like the
Colosseum from crumbling under their own
weight.
 Roman engineers improved on arches by flattening
their shape to create what is known as a segmental
arch and repeating them at various intervals to
build stronger supports that could span large gaps
when used in bridges and aqueducts. Along with
columns, domes and vaulted ceilings, the arch
became one of the defining characteristics of the
Roman architectural style.
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
76
Chinese Civilization
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Roman Civilization 77

 There is not doubt that the Chinese invented

gunpowder. The ways in which they used it and how
their use of gunpowder differed from the West has been
debated.  The first known recipe
for saltpetre, the principal ingredient of gunpowder, can
be found in a Chinese military manual written by
Wu Ching Tsung Yao from 1044 (Burke, 1978). 
 This military manual also gave directions for making a
bomb using gunpowder so most historians believe that
bombs or grenades were used by Chinese troops from
before the 11th century.  And, although the Chinese did
use gunpowder in fireworks for religious purposes, they
also used gunpowder in cannons, rockets, and guns.
Rocket arrows were used in 1126 to defend the city of
Kaifeng which was the capital of the Sung empire. 
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
78
Chinese Civilization
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
79
Chinese Civilization
Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
80
Chinese Civilization
81
 “
Medieval/
Middle
Ages
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 83

 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 field of weaponry, navigation,
mass food and farm production, and health. Most
innovative minds came from this period to control
the increase of trade and commerce among nations
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 84

 The printing press is probably the most

important invention of the Middle Ages. It
wrenched control of information distribution
from The State and The Church and laid the
path for Protestant Reformation, The
Renaissance, and The Enlightenment.
 Although Johannes Guttenberg's famous
press was developed in the 15th Century it
can trace its history back to 3rd Century
China. Without the modern world would be
a very different place indeed.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 85

Verge escapement/mechanical clocks replaced

hourglasses

 The development of the verge escapement would

lead to the creation of the first mechanical clocks in
around 1300 AD. By the 15th Century, they became
widespread around Europe.

 Their invention would quickly challenge the

popularity of hourglasses and ultimately changed
everyone's perception of time itself.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 86

 The hourglass first appeared in Europe in the 8th

Century AD but seem to have become common
around the early 14th Century. They would quickly
replace older means of timekeeping like sundials and
were especially useful on long voyages by sea.
 By the 15th Century, they were common sights on
ships, in churches, and in industries. They were the
first dependable, reusable and fairly accurate means
of measuring time and would only be superseded
with the invention of the mechanical clock.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 87

 Spinning wheels appear to have their origin in India

sometime between the 5th and 10th Century AD.
 They would eventually reach Europe later in the
Middle Ages thanks to the silk road.
 They would quickly replace the more traditional
method of hand spinning and were a pre-requisite to
the later innovations made during the Industrial
Revolution like the Spinning Jenny and spinning
frame.
 The spinning wheel can, therefore, be argued to have
helped lay the foundations for the modern world - as
unlikely as that might seem at first.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 88

 Roger Bacon made the first definitive

reference to eyeglasses in the 13th
Century. They appear to have first been
developed in Italy by one Alessandro di
Spina of Florence.
 This is supported by a sermon given by a
Dominican Friar called Giordana da Pisa
in the late 13th Century.
 He wrote: "It is not yet twenty years since
there was found the art of making
eyeglasses, which make for good vision...
".
 This invention would significantly
improve the quality of life for the visually
impaired to this day - as the writer will
attest.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Middle Ages 89

The telescope was first patented in

1608

 Dutch eyeglass maker Hans Lippershey (or

Lipperhey) is widely credited as the first person
to patent a telescope in 1608. His device,
called a kijker ("looker"), was, according to
Hans, able to magnify an image up to three
times.
 After the groundbreaking work of Hans
Lippershey and Galileo Galilei other scientists
around Europe began to design and build their
own telescopes. Chief amongst the early
pioneers was the one and only Johannes
Kepler.
 “
Modern
Period
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 91

 The booming world population during the nineteenth century onwards

demanded that more goods be produced at a faster rate. People needed
efficient means of transportation to trade more goods and cover a larger
distance. Machines that required animals to operate must thus be upgrade.
Faster and easier means to communicate and compute should be
developed to establish connections between and among nations. Because of
these, the birth of various industries takes place. However, due to massive
industrialization, the modern times again faced more complicated problems.
 In the past 200 years, the world has been transformed by a succession of
innovative new machines, inventions and gadgets. Great modern
inventions include electric motor, telephones, computers, plastic and
airplanes.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 92

 The Electric Dynamo – 1831

The invention of the electric dynamo by 
Michael Faraday opened up the practical
use of electricity – from transport to
power tools and home appliances.

 Computer – 1860s – Charles Babbage’s analytic

engine is often seen as the forerunner of the modern
computer. It had the ability to be programmed and
calculate mathematical equations From these early
experimental machines, we saw the development of
later electronic versions. Although the electronic
computer wasn’t really developed until after the
1940s.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 93

 Pasteurization – 1864 Developed by

Louis Pasteur. This provided a way
to prevent the growth of bacteria in
substances such as wine, beer and
milk. It made milk safer to drink.

 Plastic – 1869 Developed by John Wesley Hyatt. Hyatt

was an American printer and inventor. He was looking
for a cheap substitute to ivory billiard balls. Hyatt
combined cellulose nitrate and camphor to produce a
mouldable versatile material – celluloid. Plastic has
transformed the world and has become ubiquitous in
packaging, homes and even clothes. Its ubiquity is
causing the world to be more concerned about the
effects of plastic pollution because it doesn’t
biodegrade.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 94

 Phonograph – 1877 Thomas Edison found that

sound could be captured and replayed using a
rotating cylinder covered with paraffin paper and a
stylus. In December 1888, Edison applied for a
patent and over the next few years helped to
develop the modern gramophone based on the
wax-cylinder model.

 Telephone – 1876 The telephone was invented in 1876 by 

Alexander Graham Bell. Scottish born Bell was a teacher
for the deaf at Boston University. In researching ways to
teach the deaf, he experimented with transmitting sound
via electricity. Teaching by day, he spent many hours of his
spare time, developing a form of telephone. He applied for
a form of patent on March 7, 1876. Within five years,
private telephone exchanges were in place in most US
cities. It was an invention that caught on very quickly.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 95

 Bicycle 1885 – Velocipedes were invented early in the

nineteenth century. The most popular at the time was
the Penny Farthing, with its huge big wheel. But, the big
advancement in bike technology came with the
introduction of a chain to link pedals to back wheel. This
enabled a higher speed without relying on a huge
wheel. The key model in the chain bike was the Rover
Safety bike developed by John Kemp Starley.

 Lightbulb – 1879 Throughout the nineteenth century,

inventors produced simple electric lights. For example,
Joseph Swan produced a simple electric light, but, he
struggled to maintain a power source and the filament
soon burned out when the vacuum was exhausted. It was
Thomas Edison who made the lightbulb into a practical
low current version. He used a filament based on a
burned sewing thread.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 96

 Aluminium 1886 Until the 1890s, Aluminium was

considered a precious metal because it was so hard to
isolate. However, Ohio chemist, Charles Martin Hall
discovered how to isolate Aluminium, through a process
of electrolysis. This simple method enabled high quantities
of aluminium to be produced. Its price fell from $18 a
pound to 18 cents. Aluminium has become one of the most
popular and versatile metals in industry.

 Motor Car – 1898 By 1898 the German engineer Karl

Benz produced the first modern automobile using a
patented internal combustion engine. The car used
electrical ignition, a water-cooled internal combustion
engine and different gears. With a few decades,
motor cars were within reach of many ordinary
people, transforming society, where we live and how
we spent vacations.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 97

 X-Ray Machines (1914) The X-Ray was first

discovered by W. Roentgen in 1895. 
Marie Curie developed this discovery and
through her work by 1914 and been able to
successfully create an X-ray machine which
could be used to take images of the human
skeleton.

 Aeroplane 1903 – The Wright brothers piloted the

first successful heavier than air aeroplane on Dec
17th, 1903. Within a few years, aeroplanes were
successfully navigating long distances and soon
began to transform both wartime and global travel.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 98

 Email 1972 – The first true email system

was MIT’s CTSS MAIL, in 1965. But, it
only worked for those logged into the
system. Email networks included the first
ARPANET email sent in 1972 developed
by Ray Tomlinson.

 Internet – 1973 – Early forms of networking

computers developed in the late 1960s. In 1973, Vint
Cerf and Bob Kahn developed Control Protocol (TCP)
and Internet Protocol (IP) which was an important
landmark in creating a global network of
interconnected computers which could share
information.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 99

 GPS – Global Positioning

System (1973) GPS was developed by
the US military in 1973, it enables a user
to know the precise location of an object or
person. In the 1980s, use was opened to
civilians and has led to effective sat-nav
systems and combined with the internet
has led to very precise Apps, like Google
Maps.

 The Personal computer 1980s – In the 1980s, the

microchip enabled households to have their own
personal computer. This enabled people to print
letters, use for relaxation and multiple other uses,
such as working from home.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 100

The Mobile Phone 1980s – The mobile

phone enabled people to take calls on the
move, rather than be tied to a landline.
Mobile phones also enabled text messages
to be sent.

 World Wide Web 1990 – Tim Berners Lee wrote

software for the World Wide Web (WWW) in 1990.
This helped to revolutionize the internet and provide a
permanent store for information on webpages which
were easily accessible. Berners-Lee also wished to
make his invention freely available to the world.
 Historical Antecedents in the Course of Science and Technology:
Modern Period 101

 WiFi 1990s – Wifi or wireless fidelity is a

technology which allows users to access
the internet without a cable. It is also
known as WLAN – wireless local area
network. It involves a router connected to
internet by cable and then an adapter to
pick up a signal from the router. In 1997,
Vic Hayes established many protocols
which made WiFi technology popular.

 The Smartphone (2007) The Smartphone

combined many technologies in one. The
modern smartphone has enabled calls,
texts, internet access, camera and a variety
of apps. Steve Jobs played a key role in
developing the first smartphones.
 102

References:
 Scribd. (n.d.). Science, Technology and Society Module | Psychoanalysis | Science. 
https://www.scribd.com/document/429431394/Science-Technology-and-Society-Module.
 Issuu. (n.d.). Science, Technology and Society by Dr. David Cababaro Bueno - issuu.
https://issuu.com/davidcababarobueno/docs/sts_book_2_doc_dave_2018.
 https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Science-Technology-and-Society.pdf
 “
103

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