Topic 2 Prelim

• Science, technology, and society refer to the study of how people interact with scientific knowledge and technology, shaping social, economic, cultural, and political structures
• This study also includes how scientific knowledge and technological advances impact individual and collective behavior, how technology can benefit society and its citizens, and how technology can be used responsibly to sustain the environment and society
• Ancient Sumerian Civilization:

  • Known for high cooperation and desire for progress
  • Invented cuneiform, the first writing system using clay wedge instruments
  • Constructed the City of Uruk using only mud or clay from the river, a true engineering feat
  • Built the Great Ziggurat of Ur using sunbaked bricks, a sacred place for their chief god
• Sumerians invented the wheel for farm work and food processes, enabling easier mass production
• They also invented the plow for faster digging of the earth for planting seeds, leading to faster cultivation of larger parcels of land
• Sumerians developed the first roads for faster and more organized travel, using the same technology as sunbaked bricks
• Egyptian Civilization:

  • Invented papyrus paper for easier writing and transportation compared to fragile clay tablets
  • Invented ink by combining soot with chemicals for writing
  • Developed hieroglyphics as a system of writing using symbols
• Egyptians also invented cosmetics for health and aesthetic reasons, using Kohl around the eyes to prevent and cure eye diseases
• They used wigs to protect shaved heads from the sun's rays, considering them cleaner than natural hair
• Egyptians invented the water clock or clepsydra to measure time using gravity and water flow between vessels
• Greek Civilization:

  • Birthplace of western philosophy
  • Invented the alarm clock using water or small stones dropping into drums to sound the alarm
  • Contributed watermills for agricultural processes like milling grains
• Roman Civilization:

  • Known for being the cradle of politics and governance
  • Introduced the first newspapers, engraved in metal or stone tablets, known as gazettes
• The first newspapers, known as gazettes, contained announcements of the Roman Empire to the people, engraved in metal or stone tablets and publicly displayed before the invention of paper
• Julius Caesar started the tradition of stacking up papyrus to form pages of a book, later providing covers to protect the papyrus, leading to the creation of bound books or codex
• Roman architecture, a visual contribution of the ancient Roman Empire, was considered a continuation of Greek architecture, showcasing resemblance between the two
• Roman numerals were devised by the Romans to meet their increasing communication and trade concerns
• The Great Wall of China, constructed to keep out foreign invaders and control the borders of China, is considered the largest and most extensive infrastructure built by the nation
• Gunpowder, an interesting invention in China, was accidentally created by Chinese Alchemists mixing charcoal, sulphur, and potassium nitrate in their pursuit of immortality
• During the Middle Ages, wars led to the development of advanced weaponry technology, including crossbows and longbows for long-range attacks and defense
• Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press, utilizing wooden machines with metal impressions of letters to make exact impressions on paper, revolutionizing the printing process
• Zacharias Janssen developed the first compound microscope, guided by principles used for the invention of eyeglasses, to magnify things invisible to the naked eye
• The telescope, an optical instrument aiding in the observation of remote objects, was invented during the Middle Ages, enhancing navigation for sea travelers
• Louis Pasteur invented pasteurization, a process of heating dairy products to kill harmful bacteria, allowing for longer storage and consumption of milk
• Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone revolutionized communication by enabling fast discussions and decisions
• The creation of modern calculators paved the way for easier arithmetic calculations and the development of more complex processing machines like computers
• The Philippines contributed to global science and technology advancements with inventions like the Salamander amphibious tricycle, Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) lamp, and a medical incubator made from indigenous materials
• The Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) introduced the Mosquito Ovicidal Larvicidal Trap System, a trap made of natural ingredients lethal to mosquitoes but safe for humans and the environment
• The electric jeepney (eJeepney) was developed in the Philippines as an environment-friendly alternative to the diesel-powered jeepney, reducing smoke and noise pollution
• References for further reading and research on Science, Technology, and Society are provided in the text