Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Ancient Period

 

Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Ancient Period  Ancient Wheel The earliest wheels, were much different than 21st century wheels or even those used in first century battles. The concept of the wheel actually grew out of a mechanical device that the Sumerians had invented shortly after 3500 B.C. this is kno known wn as the "potter’s wheel". wheel". This was a

heavy flat disk made of hardened clay. It was spun horizontally on an axis to allow the potter to form evenly shaped jars and bowls from wet clay. clay. The Sumerians Sumerians didn’t, didn’t, how however, ever, simply turn this claysplattered wheel on its end and hook it to a wagon to mak make e a wheel. Instead, the concept of the wheel went through many stages of development before it became a practical method for moving heavy objects from one location to another.

Figure 1. The Wheel

Figure 2. Potter’s Wheel  

Paper During 3000 B.C., the ancient Egyptians began writing on papyrus, a material similar to thick paper. Papyrus was made from the pith of the papyrus plant cyperus papyrus. Some of its characteristics are strong, durable, and portable. However, writing was initially done on stones. But due to difficulty of writing in stones, this activity was reserved only for very important events. Papyrus paved the way for efficient, widespread, and vast way of documenting and record-keeping. Information dissemination became exponentially faster. Some records written in papyrus have even managed to stood the test of time. Shadoof / Shaduf The ancient Egyptians invented a tool to enhance the way they irrigate their farm land. It is a hand-operated device used for lifting water. Typically it consists of a long, tapering, nearly horizontal pole mounted like a seesaw. A skin or bucket is hung on a rope from the long end, and a counterweight is hung on the short end. The operator pulls down on a rope attached to the long end to fill the bucket and allows the counterweight to raise the bucket. To raise water to higher levels, a series of shadufs are sometimes mounted one above the other.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology

Figure 3. Shadoof / Shaduf  Antikythera mechanism More than 21 centuries ago (around 150-100 B.C.), a mechanism of fabulous ingenuity was created in Greece, a device capable of indicating exactly how the sky would look for decades to come -- the position of the moon and sun, lunar phases and even eclipses. But this incredible invention would be drowned in the sea and its secret forgotten for two thousand years. And in May 1902, Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais found a corroded chunk of metal which turned out to be part of the world's first computer and became known as the Antikythera Mechanism. Figure 4. Antikythera device

 Aeolipile The aeolipile was an ancient device, invented by Hero of Alexandria (also known as Heron), which was based on the rocket principle of action and reaction, i.e. Newton's third law, and used steam as a propulsive gas. It consisted of a specially-made sphere on top of a water kettle. A fire below the kettle turned the water into steam which traveled through pipes to the sphere. Two Lshaped tubes on opposite sides of the sphere allowed the gas to escape, and in doing so gave a thrust to the sphere that caused it to spin. No practical use for the aeolipile was found at the time, it being Prepared by: MR. ARNALDY D. FORTIN, MBA, MCS

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology an oddity similar to the clay bird of Archytas; however, it can be regarded as a precursor of the steam engine. Like many other machines of the time ti me that demonstrated basic mechanical principles, it was simply regarded as a curiosity or a toy and was not used for any practical purpose.

Figure 5. The Aeolipile Aeolipile  

Middle Ages Some of the highly impressive technological advancements of the late medieval period which defined defi ned the Middle Ages technology are as follows: Heavy plough The heavy plough was first used in the fifth century. It was a modification of already existing mouldboard plough. In the mouldboard plough, the depth of cut was used to be adjusted by lifting the runner in furrow. Because of this, the weight of the plough was used to be limited. As a result, these ploughs were fairly fragile and couldn’t be used to till and break the

heavier soils of northern Europe. Figure 6. Heavy plough

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology

In order to modify it, the runner was replaced by a wheel because of which, the weight of the plough was increased. As a result, the heavy plough led to greater food production. This heavy plough is still considered as one of the main reason of significant population growth of Europe around 600 A.D.

Figure 7. Modified heavy plough

Gunpowder Weapons Gunpowder had long been known to Chinese. However, it became a serious battle material during the fourteenth century as the people of European medieval period succeeded in developing and advancing it as corned gunpowder and they also produced canons. According to recorded history, canons were first used in Europe in 1324 during the seize of Metz. Corned gunpowder was first practiced in Western Europe. It significantly increased the power of canons, making them more lethal. During the fourteenth century, Europeans also invented the superguns and volley guns. The Mechanical Clock Another important achievement of the Middle Ages technology was the mechanical clock which was developed during the 13th century. The first mechanical clocks with proper references were large, weight-driven machines which were used to be fitted fi tted into towers. These clocks are now termed as the turret clocks. A medieval mechanical clock can be found mounted on the wall of Old Town City in Prague, in the Czech Republic. It is the oldest working, intact example of an astronomical clock. It is a masterpiece of medieval times.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology The clock’s mechanism is composed of three main components: the astronomical dial which

represents the position of the sky and the moon together with different cosmic details as well as statues of saints standing on either side of the clock; the clock is also adorned by ‘the Walk of the Apostles‘, and a calendar dial with medallions that represent the months. 

Spinning Wheel The origins of spinning wheel are obscure. However, it is believed that the spinning wheel was invented in India. During the European Middle Ages, the Indian spinning wheel reached to Europe. It was improved and advanced by Europeans as it replaced the older methods of hand spinning. The first step for mechanizing the process of spindling was to horizontally mound the spindle in bearings. As a result, the mount could be rotated by a cord encircling a hand-driven large wheel. The spinning wheel significantly reduced the time consumed in transforming fiber into thread or yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a loom. This invention i nvention ushered in a breakthrough in linen production in Europe in 13th Century AD. The Printing Press Both the movable type and the paper printing machines were first used in China. However, the printing press was actually advanced and mechanized by the Europeans during the Middle Ages. The earliest mention of printing press was done in a lawsuit in 1439, in Strasburg. This lawsuit revealed the history of construction of press for Johannes Gutenberg and his associates. The printing press changed the society. Printing press at that time was similarly great technological advancement as the internet is in current times. Apart from all these significant and important examples of middle ages technology and advancements, there were many more other technological success stories of medieval period. For example, the hourglass was first used in 9th century in Europe and in 1268 A.D.; Roger Bacon mentioned the earliest recorded use of lenses for optical benefits.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Modern Ages The era known as the industrial revolution is a period in which fundamental changes occurred in agriculture, textile and metal manufacture, transportation transportation and communication, as well as economic policy. Factories and industries were incorporated into daily life and cities across the world. This time period left many positive and negative lasting effects on the modern world, some of which are still seen today, as well as the advances of different inventions from the era. Compound Microscope

Most scholars agree that the invention of the compound microscope can be credited to Zacharias Janssen in the late sixteenth century. At that time eyeglasses were beginning to enjoy widespread use and this focused a great deal of attention on optics and lenses. The microscope illustrated above was built by Zacharias Janssen, probably with the help of his father Hans, in the year 1595. Janssen's microscope consists of three draw tubes with lenses inserted into the ends of the flanking tubes. The eyepiece lens was bi-convex and the objective lens was plano-convex, a very advanced compound design for this time period. Focusing of this hand-held microscope was achieved by sliding the draw tube in or out while observing the sample. The Janssen microscope was capable of magnifying images approximately three times when fully closed and up to ten times when extended to the maximum. Nowadays, the compound microscope is an important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the areas of medicine forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies and genetics.

Telescope In 1609 an Italian physicist and astronomer named Galileo Galilei became the first person to point a telescope skyward. Although that telescope was small and the images fuzzy, Galileo was able to make out mountains and craters on the moon, as well as a ribbon of diffuse light arching across the sky -- which would later be identified as our Milky Way galaxy. Galileo's remarkable technological contribution drastically changed the study of astronomy. It became clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined and the Earth is far smaller as compared with the entire universe.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology  Jacquard Loom

Invented by Joseph Jacquard and demonstrated in 1801, the Jacquard Loom is an attachment for powered fabric looms. It I t uses a chain of punch cards to instruct the loom on how to make intricate textiles. For example, a loom could have hundreds of cards with holes in each of them that correspond to hooks that can be raised or lowered to make a textile brocade. Below is an illustration of the Jacquard Loom attachment on top of a textile loom. The Jacquard Loom is important to the history of computers because it is the first machine to use interchangeable interchangeable punch cards to instruct a machine to perform automated tasks. Having a machine that could perform various tasks is similar to today's computer programs that can be programmed to perform different tasks. The Jacquard Loom was also an inspiration to Charles Babbage planning to use perforated cards in his analytical engine. Herman Hollerith also used the idea of punch cards to not only store information but be used to input information into a computing device and is what help create the company IBM.

Engine-Powered Airplane The Wright brothers, Orville (August 19, 1871  –  January 30, 1948) and Wilbur (April 16, 1867  –  May 30, 1912), were two American aviation pioneers generally credited with inventing, building, and flying the world's first successful airplane. The brothers' breakthrough was their creation of a three-axis control system, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method remains standard on fixedwing aircraft of all kinds. The Wright Brothers were able to prove that slightly-tilted wings were the key features of a powered aircraft which they called "aeroplane". This invention paved the way for modern aircraft technology.  technology. 

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Television

If one regards the definition of “television” to

be the live transmission of images with continuing variation in tone, the credit to who invented the television belongs to Scottish engineer John Logie Baird. He built and

demonstrated

the

world’s

first

mechanical television. Baird also invented and demonstrated the first color television in public as well as the first electronic color television pi picture cture tube. But Baird's TV was criticized for its fuzzy and flickering images, mainly due to its composition being mechanical unlike its successors which are electronic. The first functional, all electronic TV was credited to Philo Taylor Farnsworth successfully demonstrated the first television signal transmission on September 7, 1927 with his own scanning tube.

Inventions by Filipino Scientists Throughout the Philippine history, Filipinos are responsible for developing many scientific and technological innovations focused on navigation, traditional shipbuilding, textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and even cultural inventions. The following are some of the most important inventions by Filipino Scientists:

Electronic Jeepney (e-jeepney). (e-jeepney). Electric Jeepneys (eJeepneys ), the first public transport of its kind in Southeast Asia, were launched on July 1, 2008 in a historic drive along Ayala Avenue in Makati. The eJeepney runs on pure electricity supplied by rechargeable automotive batteries. It can be charged overnight for about eight hours on an ordinary wall outlet, much like charging a cellphone and run the next day for a minimum of 65 kms. Since electric powered it does not consume either gasoline or diesel to operate. It therefore has no noise, no fumes, and no harmful emissions.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Erythromycin

Abelardo Aguilar, a doctor from Iloilo, and worked for the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company   as a researcher. Then in 1949, he submitted samples of his work to the company’s

research team who in 1952 declared the discovery of a new kind of antibiotic. The research team confirmed that the new drug was capable of treating several kinds of infections minus the common side-effects of antibiotics. What’s more, the drug was available to those who were allergic to penicillin. Generically named erythromycin, the company christened it Ilosone (it was also called Ilotycin) to commemorate its origin in Iloilo and marketed it under that name worldwide. As can be expected, Eli Lilly and Company raked in billions of dollars. Abelardo Aguilar made his employer filthy rich yet was never duly compensated nor recognized for his efforts.

Medical Incubator  

Doctor Fe Del Mundo  dedicated her life to the cause of paediatrics in the Philippines. She was credited with studies that led to the invention of an improved incubator and a jaundice relieving device. Fe Del Mundo’s medical career started after she joined the medical

school of the University of the Philippines. She joined the school in 1926. She earned her medical degree in 1933, and graduated as a valedictorian. She was then awarded an unexpected scholarship offer under President Manuel Quezon and was accepted to Harvard University Medical school for postgraduate work. Doctor Fe Del Mundo was the first woman to attend Harvard Medical school. She joined Harvard Medical school in the year 1936, that was still when Harvard was a men’s only institution. It was until 1945 when women were accepted into

Harvard.

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology Mole Remover

Rolando dela Cruz, a Filipino inventor, who was able to formulate a cream from raw cashew nut to remove warts and moles on the skin. Later, the cream was certified as a viable treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of skin cancer.  cancer.  Dela Cruz's Cruz's invention earned for DeBCC, DeBCC, a gold medal award as an Outstanding Invention from World Intellectual Property Office. Dela Cruz and his family started marketing his products in 1997 as DeWart, a cream to remove warts, and DeMole, a cream to remove moles. In 2003, Dela Cruz reformulated DeMole by adding other ingredients and increased the strength of the cashew extract. He renamed the cream DeBCC. Doctors from Philippine General Hospital (PGH) have certified the DeBCC cream as a possible treatment for Basal Cell Carcinoma or skin cancer after completing clinical trials and studies on patients. It was documented in the study, “Anacardium Occidentale (Linn, Cashew Nut Extract, DeBCC in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma or Skin Cancer” by the University of the Philippines

doctors Eric Talens, Orlando Ocampo, Daniel de la paz, Horacio Estrada and Porfirio Tica.

Banana Ketchup Filipina food technologist, pharmaceutical chemist, humanitarian and war heroine, Maria Y. Orosa (1893 –1945) is credited with inventing a banana ketchup recipe. She was born on 29 November 1893, in Taal, Batangas, the fifth child of Simplicio Orosa and the former Juliana Ylagan. In 1915, she studied at the University of the Philippines’ College of

Pharmacy. A year later, she left the country to study at the University of Seattle as a government scholar. There, she first earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 1917, following this up one year later with a degree in Food Chemistry. In 1942, Maria Y. Orosa formulated the banana ketchup or banana sauce. It is a popular Philippine fruit ketchup condiment made from mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Its natural color is brownish-yellow, but it is often dyed red to

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Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology resemble tomato ketchup. Banana ketchup was made when there was a shortage of tomato ketchup during World War II, due to lack of tomatoes and a comparatively high production of bananas. Francisco, On the same year, banana ketchup was first mass-produced commercially by Magdalo V. Francisco, Sr. who founded the brand name Mafran Mafran (a  (a portmanteau of his given name) which he registered  Jufran,, another famous banana ketchup brand, was taken from the with the Bureau of Patents.  Jufran nickname of Francisco’s son, Magdalo Jr. or “Jun”. Francisco so ught funding from Tirso T. Reyes to Corporation (UFC) was formed 1960. expand his business and thus, the Universal Food Corporation (

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