CHAPTER 1.5 AND 1.6: ANCIENT INVENTIONS AND STAGES

• Flexible Glass


  • A Substance Too Precious
  • Invented by a glassmaker during the reign of Emperor Tiberius
  • Could be hammered back into shape when dented
• Ancient Inventions Beyond Modern Understanding

  • Greek Fire
  • Flexible Glass
  • An Antidote to All Poisons
  • Heat-Ray Weapon
  • Roman Concrete
  • Damascus Steel
• Flexible Glass


  • Corning introduced its flexible “Willow Glass” in 2012, heat-resistant and flexible enough to be rolled up, useful in making solar panels
• Damascus Steel


  • Swords made from Wootz steel in the Middle East in medieval times
  • Strong and used around 300 B.C.
  • Made from Cassia auriculata bark, milkweed, vanadium, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and some rare elements
• Heat-Ray Weapon


  • Developed by Greek mathematician Archimedes
  • Used polished bronze shields to reflect the sun’s rays at enemy ships
  • Modern version unveiled in 2001 by DARPA uses microwaves to create a sensation of being on fire
• The inventor of Flexible Glass was beheaded, leading to the secret dying with him
• Greek Fire: Byzantines 7th to 12th centuries


  • Mysterious Chemical Weapon
  • Burned in water and could only be extinguished with vinegar, sand, and urine
  • Guarded the secret jealously
• An Antidote to All Poisons

  • Developed by King Mithridates VI of Pontus and perfected by Emperor Nero’s personal physician
  • Original formula lost, contained opium, chopped vipers, and a combination of small doses of poisons and their antidotes
• Roman Concrete has advantages over modern concrete, lasting thousands of years compared to degradation after 50 years
• Stages of Technology 2017

  1. Stage 1: Using Technology

  2. Stage 2: Integrating Technology

  3. Stage 3: Immersing Technology
• Stage 3: Immersing Technology


  • Smartphones used for everything including making phone calls
  • Humorous sayings related to cellphones from different countries
• Stage 2: Integrating Technology


  • Students showing PowerPoint slides to the class
  • Integration with Google Apps for Education and Microsoft OneNote & Office
  • Use of Flip Video cameras
• Stage 1: Using Technology

  • Manila paper to overhead projector to LCD to LED projector
  • Teachers using PowerPoint and interactive whiteboards
  • Learning to use Prezi
• Stage 3: Immersing Technology


  • Teachers need to be immersed in student culture to get good data
  • Smartphones becoming ubiquitous and inseparable from students
  • Smartphones used for various activities like photography, messaging, social media, etc.
• Stage 2: Integrating Technology

  • Fundamental shift to involve students in the process
  • Use of Edmodo, flipcams for paper slide videos
  • Creating accounts on various sites like VoiceThread, Voki, Blabberize, Glogster
• Stage 1: Using Technology

  • Invested in PC and laptop computers, projector, laser presenter
  • Teachers expected to use PowerPoint for teaching
  • Use of remote controls, wireless mouses, and laser presenters for advancing slides