2. ANTECEDENT DEFINED
Though it is important to study scientific and technological innovations that had important societal impacts,
there would not be enough time to study them all. What we would focus on are the historical antecedents,
which, according to Quinto, et al (2019), are “factors that paved the way for the presence of advanced and
sophisticated scientific and ethnological innovations today.” The study of these historical antecedents is
important because they help us better understand how to develop new scientific and technological innovations
and help us make better decisions based from our experiences.
In our study of these historical antecedents, we will be dividing them into three distinct but interrelated
periods. This relationship of different historical antecedents of science and technology across time can be seen
in Figure 2.1.
3. ANCIENT PERIOD
In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation, communication and record keeping,
mass production, power and energy, security and protection, as well as health, observation, and measurement,
aesthetics, engineering, and architecture. A primary challenge they faced was the conservation of life. The early people
might have been successful in harnessing the rich resources that the world could provide but their survival posed a
great problem. Different illnesses and diseases, both natural and man-made, hampered the full potential of a human
being. Given this predicament, science and technology played a major role in the discovery of cures, if not the
prevention of illness. Moreover, in order to integrate their needs for better transportation, establishment of structures for
protection from human attacks and natural disasters, and construction of bigger and stronger infrastructure.
Furthermore, the people were not contented on beautifying their infrastructures and surrounding but more on being able
to prolong life with the mass production of food and advancement of medical technology, as well as raising the quality of
life.
The rise of ancient civilizations such as Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese
paved the way for advances in science and technology. Their contributions not only allowed these ancient civilizations to
flourish, but also paved the way for the developments of many other science and technology innovations.
Some of the important historical antecedents of much more modern science and technology innovations which were
discovered in the ancient times include the ancient wheel, paper, shadoof, Antikythera mechanism, and aeolipile. To
learn more about these technologies, you may consult Quinto (2019) and read pages 18 – 19 of this textbook.
However, you are free to look for any material that discusses these pieces of scientific and technological innovations.
Make sure that when you read about these technological innovations, you are mindful of their impact to modern times.
However, it should be noted that many more scientific and technological innovations were developed during ancient
times.
4. MEDIEVAL/MIDDLE AGES
The Middle Ages, which occurred between the collapse of the Roman Empire in 5th century AD and the
colonial expansion of Western Europe in late 15th century AD, was an age of which started with wars,
migrations, and population rise and fall. These events led to new technologies needed in the fields of
weaponry, transportation and navigation, mass food and farm production, and health. This is also the period
of the emergence of scientific thinking and scientific method. Because of this, many of our technologies can
actually be traced back in this time period.
According to Quinto (2019), the heavy plough, gunpowder, paper money, mechanical clock and spinning
wheel were the important technologies which emerged in this time period. Read pages 20 – 22 of this
textbook to learn about these, but you may use any material that you wish discussing these innovations.
Just like in the ancient period, be mindful of their impacts to society and that they are not the only
technologies that are developed during this time.
5. MODERN AGES
According to Quinto, et al (2019), the Modern Ages was marked with a steady increase in
population that emphasizes the “importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation,
communication, and production”. During the Modern ages, more complicated problems were
created that needed more solutions and greater risks for many aspects of human life were needed
to be addressed.
Read pages 22 – 25 of Quinto (2019) to have a brief background on important historical
antecedents of science and technology that started in the Modern Ages. These include, but are not
limited to, compound microscope, telescope, Jacquard loom, engine-powered airplane, and
television. You may also consult any resource that you wish regarding the said technologies.
.
6. INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTIST
The Philippines, despite being considered a developing country, have their own contributions to science and technology
and have a culture of developing scientific and technological innovations. Known for original, clever, and inventive ideas,
Filipino scientists and inventors have used the needs and necessities of our nation in their innovations using resources that are
indigenous to the country. Areas where Filipinos focus include adaptation to natural disasters, navigation, textiles, food, and
culture.
Quinto (2019), lists some of our many Filipino scientists, inventors, and innovators, along with their contributions
to society. These include:
Some of our Filipino scientists and inventors are the following:
1. Manuel Guerrero. Studied beriberi in infants in the Philippines during Spanish era.
2. Leon Ma Guerrero. First licensed pharmacist in the Philippines, and one of the most eminent botanists in
the country in his time.
3. Anaclento del Rosario. Leading chemist in the Philippines during the Spanish era, regarded as the "Father
of Philippine Science and Laboratory", and invented the formula for producing a pure kind of alcohol from tuba in a
nipa palm.
4. Abelardo Aguilar. Invented Erythromycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces erythreus.
5. Aisa Mijeno. Invention of Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp (SALt lamp), an environment friendly light
source that runs on saltwater. It is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emit no toxic gases and it benefits those from
far-flung barrios.
7. INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTIST
The Philippines, despite being considered a developing country, have their own contributions to science and technology
and have a culture of developing scientific and technological innovations. Known for original, clever, and inventive ideas,
Filipino scientists and inventors have used the needs and necessities of our nation in their innovations using resources that are
indigenous to the country. Areas where Filipinos focus include adaptation to natural disasters, navigation, textiles, food, and
culture.
Quinto (2019), lists some of our many Filipino scientists, inventors, and innovators, along with their contributions
to society. These include:
Some of our Filipino scientists and inventors are the following:
1. Manuel Guerrero. Studied beriberi in infants in the Philippines during Spanish era.
2. Leon Ma Guerrero. First licensed pharmacist in the Philippines, and one of the most eminent botanists in
the country in his time.
3. Anaclento del Rosario. Leading chemist in the Philippines during the Spanish era, regarded as the "Father
of Philippine Science and Laboratory", and invented the formula for producing a pure kind of alcohol from tuba in a
nipa palm.
4. Abelardo Aguilar. Invented Erythromycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces erythreus.
5. Aisa Mijeno. Invention of Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp (SALt lamp), an environment friendly light
source that runs on saltwater. It is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emit no toxic gases and it benefits those from
far-flung barrios.
8. INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTIST
6. Rolando dela Cruz. Invented a local mole remover from extracts of cashew nuts.
7. Maria Orosa. Invented the banana ketchup.
8. Fe del Mundo. Invention of medical incubator from indigenous and cheap materials which did not run on electricity by
placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one abd inserting hot water bottles between the baskets to provide warmth and
makeshift hood to allow oxygen circulation. She was the first Asian woman who admitted into Harvard Medical School. Other
breakthroughs in Philippine medicine attributed to Del Mundo include her works on the immunization and treatment of jaundice
and the BRAT diet (includes banana and rice) for curing diarrhea.
9. Dominic Chung, Lamberto Andrada, and Antonio Llave. Invention of the Salamander, an amphibious tricycle that can cross
not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.
10. Enrique Ostrea, Jr. Invention of the meconium drug testing
11. Angel Alcala. Outstanding contributions to marine science
12. Caesar Saloma. Outstanding contributions to physics
13. Edgardo Gomez. Outstanding contributions to marine science
14. Fabian Dayrit. Outstanding contributions to herbal medicine
15. Gregory Tangonan. Outstanding contributions to communications technology
9. INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTIST
16. Jose Cruz, Jr. Outstanding contributions to electrical engineering
17. Josefino Comiso. Outstanding contributions to Antarctica satellite imaging
18. Lilian Patena. Outstanding contributions to plant biotechnology
19. Lourdes Cruz. Outstanding contributions to sea snail venom
20. Mari-Jo Ruiz. Outstanding contributions to education and graph theory in mathematics
21. Rafael Guerrero III. Outstanding contributions to tilapia culture
22. Ramon Barba. Outstanding contributions to tissue culture in Philippine mangoes
23. William Padolina. Outstanding contributions to chemistry
