CHAPTER 1
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE
AGES
MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars were
prevalent during this time. Great technology was needed in the fields of
weaponry ,navigation, mass food and farm production and health. The wars have resulted in
population decline but during the latter part of the period, there was significant rise in
population. Trade and commerce among nations increased, which resulted in greater
demands for transportation technology.
PRINTING PRESS
After the Chinese developed woodblock printing, Johann
Gutenberg was able to invent the printing press, a more reliable
way of printing using a cast type. He utilized wooden machines
that extracted juices from fruits, attached them a metal
impressions of the letters and press firmly the cast metal into a
piece of paper, which then made an exact impression on paper.
This general invention soon evolved to be the mechanical
printing press which was eventually used all over the world.
The printing press was invented to address the need for
publishing book that would spread information to many people
at a faster rate. This invention also made works accessible to
individuals who could not even write.
THE GUTENBERG PRESS
MICROSCOP
E
Another invention in the Middle Ages is the microscope. More
and more people transferred to polluted and populated urban
areas which resulted in more people getting sick and needing
medical attention. To develop proper medicines for illnesses,
experts must understand the sickness through an investigation.
Thus, they needed a device that could magnify things invisible to
the eye. Guided by the principles used for the invention of
eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias Janssen was able to
develop the first compound microscope. With this device, people
were able to observe organism that were normally unseen by the
naked eye.
The microscope was key in discovering new means in preventing
and curing various illnesses.
REPRODUCTION OF AN EARLY MICROSCOPE
TELESCOP
E the Middle Ages was also known as the Ages of Exploration,
Since
the need for nautical inventions was high. Considering the vast and
empty oceans that separated lands, ships captains needed to see far
and wide for them to navigate or to avoid dangers at sea. The
invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the
observation of remote objects, was a great help for navigators
during this time.
Together with the telescope, the invention of the compass, oars, and
rudders made sea travelling easier and safer.
SKETCH OF GALILEO’S REFRACTOR
WAR WEAPONS
Since wars were widespread during the Middle Ages , great
development in the weaponry technology also occurred. All
sides must develop weaponries not only as offensive tools but
also as defensive instruments. For open-area battles, people
developed cross bows and long bows so that they could attack the
enemies at long ranges, keeping themselves safe with the
protection of walls and fortresses.
Additionally, in close range hand-to-hand combat, soldiers
should wear something to protect themselves, a need addressed
by the creation of iron body armors. However, body armors were
heavy and limited their movement. The problem was eventually
solved by the invention of the chainmail.
CHAPTER 1
MODERN TIMES
MODERN TIMES
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
upgraded. Faster an easier means to communicate and compute should be developed to establish
connections between and among nations. All these needs resulted in the development of
industries. However, due to massive industrialization, the modern times again faced more
complicated problems. Food processing and medicine posed some of the bigger challenges since
health was of great concern.
PASTEURIZATION
As people were able to develop better means of production to meet the needs of the population,
food preservation and food safety became an issue. The challenge to keep manufactured food
from deteriorating was greater for diary products, especially milk, since they usually spoiled
faster. These goods needed to be consumed almost immediately after production or they would
cause illness like diphtheria, food poisoning, and typhoid fever. Since transporting these products
would also take time, it would be impossible to trade them.
PASTEURIZATION PROCESS
Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist, found a way to solve the
problem. He invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy products to kill the
harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil faster. Through this process, milk could be stored
and consumed for a longer period. It also prevented illnesses caused by harmful
bacteria( Macalester College, 2010. Other contributions of Pasteur to science, technology,
and medicine included his work on molecular asymmetry, fermentation and vaccination.
PETROLEUM REFINERY
The modern times demanded better means of powering homes and transportation. At first, people used oils for
generation light to illuminate their homes. However, the production of animal oils could not keep up with the
demand. Faced with his concern, Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining petroleum. Kerosene
was later on referred to as the “illuminating oil” because it was used at first to provide lighting to homes. After
some time, it was applied for heating purposes. The development of kerosene established the petroleum refinery
industry (Skrabec, 2010). At present, petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles factories ,and power
plans, among others.
TELEPHONE
The more people got connected by trade and
exploration, the more they needed a way to easily
maintain these connections and communicate with
each other in real time. Governments likewise needed
some kind of communication system which coud
allow them to administer their states addressed at the
fastest time possible. Thus, the development of the
telephone by Alexander Graham Bell was one of the
most important inventions at that time.
CALCULATOR
Although an earlier version of the calculator had already
been developed, circumstances in the modern times
required a faster way to compute more complicated
equations. Computing devices must also be easy to
carry since they would be utilized on a day- to- day
basis. The creation of modern calculators did not only
pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, but also
resulted in the development of more complex
processing machines like the computer.
PHILIPPINE INVENTORIES
Despite being considered a developing country,the Philippines also
contributes to the global advancement of science and technology. It is
quite remarkable to note the ingenuity of the Filipinos despite the lack
in resources. The Philippines is known to be one of the most vulnerable
countries in terms of natural disasters. Many of the discoveries and
inventions made by the Filipinos were therefore built from indigenous
materials created to adapt to the harsh tropical environment.
SALAMANDER AMPHIIBIOUS TRICYCLE
It has become ordinary for Filipinos to convert transport
vehicle into something more useful. An example is the
conversion of American military jeeps used in World War
II into jeepneys. Another Filipino innovation is the
addition of a sidecar to a motorcycle, transforming it into
a tricycle to accomodate more passengers.
During the rainy season, flooding is a common
occurrence in many areas in the country. Tricycles find it
very difficult traverse the streets. To remedy the issue,
Victor Llave and his team at H2O Technologies were able
to invent the Salamander,an amphibious tricycle that can
cross not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes. It
may also be utilized to travel from island to island. Since
the Philippines is a useful invention that has a lot of
potential.
SALT LAMP
One of the major needs in the Phillipines, as a developing nation is electrification. Electricity powers various
types of machine including light sources. In many rural areas in the country, activities would cease when it gets
dark. It also becomes more dangerous to travel. Filipinos have resorted to using candles and kerosene lamps but
they carry certain risks as they are fire hazards. Solar power is also a welcome development but like rechargable
batteries, solar panels are too expensive for ordinary Filipinos.
Fortunately, a young Filipina inventor named Aisa Mijeno was able to
invent a lighting system that utilizes a material abundant in the
Philippines - saltwater. She invented the Sustainable Alternative
Lightning ( SALt ) lamp, an environment - friendly light source that
runs on saltwater. The SALt lamp is safer as it poses no risk of fire and
emits no toxic gases. Aside from people who lived in coastal areas, it
may also benefit those from far-flung barrios because they can make
their own saltwater by mixing two tablespoon of salt and a glass of tap
water.
MEDICAL INCUBATOR
A common problem in the Phillipines is the high mortality rate of newborn babies. One reason for
this problem in the 20th Century was the lack of available incubators especially in far-flung rural
areas due to lack of resources and electricity. Dr. Fe del Mundo, a Filipino pediatrician and the
First Asian women admitted to Harvard Medical School, devised a medical incubator made from
indigenous and cheap materials which did not run on electricity. Dr del Mundo’s incubator was
made by placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one. Hot water bottles were inserted
between the bakets to provide warmth and a makeshift hood to allow oxygen circulation. Its
main purpose was to maintain conditions suitable for a newborn,usually a pre - term baby. Other
breakthroughs in Philippine medicine attributed to Dr. del Mundo include her words on the
immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet for curing diarrhea.
MOSQUITO OVICIDAL / LARVICIDAL TRAP SYSTEM
Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, including
the Philippines. This virus is usually transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquito,rampant during the
rainy season. Insecticides were previously used to kill the species. However, recent studies
show that insecticides resistance has evolved in some mosquito populations. Likewise, using
insecticides is harmful not only to humans but also to environment. In 2010, the Department of
Science and Technology- Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) was able
to introduce the Mosquito Ovicidal / Larvicidal Trap System, also known as OL Trap. This trap
system thal is made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but safe for humans and
the environment.
EJEEPNEY
A major innovation that changed the transportation industry in
the Philippines was the development of the jeepney. This
iconic public utility vehicle was built using the military jeeps
left by the Americans after World War II. The chassis and the
body of the military jeeps were extended to accomodate more
load and passengers. Because of its usefulness, the jeepney
dominated Philippines streets and is considered as the primary
mode of transportation of most Filipinos. However, the diesel-
powered jeppney produces large quantities of black smoke,
and is usually a major contributor of noise pollution due to its
primitive exhaust system. To counter these disadvantages, the
electric jeepney (eJeepney) was developed. This modern type
of transportation utilizes electricity instead of the more
expensive diesel. It is environment - friendly since it does not
emit any smoke and noise.
