Science, Technology, Society

• This section tackles how social contexts shaped and were shaped by science and technology across three historical periods
• The section explores the dynamic interactions between different societal factors and science and technology
• The section includes a discussion on important Philippine inventions and innovations
• It emphasizes the various social, cultural, economic, and political impacts of scientific and technological innovation throughout history
• One of the key interests of STS as an academic field is the history of science and technology
• The history of science and technology focuses on how science and technology have changed across time
• It explores the impacts of scientific and technological innovations on the prevailing social, cultural, political, and economic contexts throughout history
• It also pays attention to the conditions that shaped science and technology
• Antecedent


  A precursor to the unfolding or existence of something
• Historical antecedents in science and technology are factors that paved the way for the presence of advanced and sophisticated scientific and technological innovations today
• Knowledge of the history of science and technology is useful in appraising these innovations today
• By understanding how previous generations influenced and were influenced by developments in science and technology, today's generation can come up with informed decisions on the proper application of science and technology to daily life
• The rise of ancient civilizations paved the way for advances in science and technology
• These advances during the Ancient period allowed civilizations to flourish by finding better ways of communication, transportation, self-organization, and of living in general
• Ancient wheel


  Grew out of a mechanical device called the potter's wheel, which was invented by the Sumerians shortly after 3500 BC
• The invention of the ancient wheel is often credited to the Sumerians since no other ancient civilization used a similar device at the time
• The wheel was first used on carts 1000 to 1500 years later
• Papyrus


  A material similar to thick paper, invented by the ancient Egyptians around 3000 BC for writing
• Papyrus is lightweight, strong, durable, and portable, allowing for efficient documentation and record-keeping
• Shadoof


  An early tool invented and used by ancient Egyptians to irrigate land
• The shadoof introduced the idea of lifting things using counterweights, making irrigation and farming much more efficient
• Antikythera mechanism


  The ancient world's analog computer orrery, invented by Greek scientists between 150-100 BC
• The Antikythera mechanism was used to predict astronomical positions and eclipses for calendar and astrological purposes
• Aeolipile


  The ancient precursor of the steam engine, demonstrated by Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century AD
• The aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine which spun when the water container at its center was heated
• The Middle Ages saw steady increase of new inventions, introduction of innovations in traditional production, and emergence of scientific thinking and method
• Medieval universities at the time stirred scientific thinking and built infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish
• Heavy plough


  An important technological innovation during the Middle Ages that allowed for the cultivation of clay soil, leading to higher and healthier agricultural yields and more efficient agricultural practices in Northern Europe
• Gunpowder


  Invented by Chinese alchemists around 850 AD, it ushered in an unprecedented advancement in warfare and combat throughout the Middle Ages
• Paper money


  First known versions were traced back to the Chinese in the 17th century AD, as an offshoot of the invention of block printing
• Mechanical clock


  Developed during the Middle Ages, it drastically changed the way days were spent and work patterns were established
• Spinning wheel


  Invented in India between 6th and 11th century AD, it sped up the rate of fiber spinning by a factor of 10 to 100 times when introduced in Europe in the 13th century AD
• The Modern Ages saw the utmost importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication, and production, leading to industrialization
• Compound microscope


  Invented by Dutch spectacle maker Zacharias Janssen in 1590, it was an important progression from the single lens microscope and became an important instrument in many scientific studies
• Telescope


  Invented by Galileo Galilei, it drastically changed the study of astronomy by making it clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined and the Earth far smaller compared to the entire universe
• Jacquard loom


  An important technological innovation during the Industrial Revolution, it allowed for the automated production of complex patterns in textiles
• Compound microscope


  An important instrument in many scientific studies, such as in the areas of medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies, and genetics
• Telescope


  A practical invention that could magnify objects 20 times larger than the Dutch perspective glasses, allowing Galileo to make important astronomical discoveries
• Galileo's telescope


  • It became clear that the universe is far larger than previously imagined and the Earth far smaller compared to the entire universe
• Jacquard loom


  Simplified textile manufacturing by using a series of cards with punched holes to automatically create complex textile designs and enable mass production