NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY

A. DEFINITION, CONCEPTS AND PERSPECTIVES

Technology, the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life or, as it is sometimes
phrased, to the change and manipulation of the human environment.
The most essential terminology distinguishes between invention (discovery), innovation (first commercial
application) and diffusion (widespread replication and growth) of technologies.
Perspective on Technology is a term that can refer to different ways of understanding and analyzing the role of
technology in society. One perspective is that technology is an independent force that shapes society, another is
that technology is a human creation that reflects human values, and a third is that technology and society co-
evolve and influence each other.

B. TECHNOLOCY ACCORDING TO MCGINN

According to McGinn (1991) Technology has four meanings:
a. Technics: the most fundamental understanding
b. Technology as technology: The complex of knowledge, methods, materials, and constituent parts used in
making a certain kind of technic. Example “bicycle technology”
c. As a Form of Human Cultural Activity: a distinct form of human activity in which such knowledge is sought.
d. As a Total Societal Enterprise: the summation of knowledge, people, skills, organization, facilities techniques,
physical resources, methods and technology, which is devoted to the study and understanding of the natural
world.

C. TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT HISTORY

STONE AGE
The Stone Age is the first technological age of human history, characterized by use of stone tools.
3 PERIODS OF STONE AGE:
1. PALEOLITHIC AGE- it is the earliest period of Stone Age, which lasted from above 2.5 Million years ago to
about 10,000 BC. During this period, humans learned to make and use stone tools such as hand axes, choppers
and scrapers.
2. MESOLITHIC AGE- followed the Paleolithic Age and lasted from about 10,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE. During
this period, humans developed more advanced tools such as microliths and composite tools.
3. THE NEOLITHIC AGE- followed the Mesolithic Age and lasted from about 8,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE.
During this period, humans learned to farm and domesticate animals. They also developed more advanced tools
such as polished stone axes and pottery.

SUMERIANS
-They were known their flair for technological innovation and organizational skills.
1. MASS-PRODUCED POTTERY- the Sumerians were the first one to develop the turning wheel, a device that
allowed them to mass-produce pottery.
2. WRITING- the Sumerians developed cuneiform script, which was used on clay tablets for writing.
3. THE WHEEL- the Sumerians invented the wheel around 3500 BCE.
4. IRRIGATION SYSTEM- the Sumerians developed irrigations systems that allowed them to cultivate crops in
arid regions.
5.ARITHMETIC AND GEOMETRY- the Sumerians developed arithmetic and geometry to keep track of trade
and commerce.
BABYLONIAN
1. THE CHARIOT- the Babylonians were the first to use chariots in battle. These vehicles were pulled by
horses and were used to transport soldiers and weapons.
2. THE SAILBOAT- the Babylonians were developed the first sailboat, which was used for transportation and
trade.
3. AGRICULTURE- it is the core practice in Babylonian society, and they developed several agricultural tools
such as the plow to loosen soil for planting seeds. They also regulated water flow to irrigate their crops and dug
canals and irrigation ditches.
4. MATHEMATICS- the Babylonians developed a sexagesimal number system (base 60) that is still used today
to measure time and angles. They also developed trigonometry and used mathematical models to track Jupiter.
5. ASTRONOMY- the Babylonians were skilled astronomers who made important discoveries such as the solar
year (365 days), lunar month (29 or 30 days), and the zodiac.

EGYPTIAN
1. PAPER, WRITING AND LIBRARIES- The word paper comes from the Greek term for the ancient
Egyptian writing material called papyrus, which was formed from beaten strips of papyrus plants.
Egyptian hieroglyphs, a phonetic writing system, served as the basis for the Phoenician alphabet from
which later alphabets, such as Hebrew, Greek, and Latin were derived. With this ability, writing and
record-keeping, the Egyptians developed one of the – if not the – first decimal system.
The city of Alexandria retained preeminence for its records and scrolls with its library. This ancient
library was damaged by fire when it fell under Roman rule,[5] and was destroyed completely by
642 CE. With it, a vast supply of antique literature, history, and knowledge was lost.
2. MATERIAL AND TOOLS- Tools that were used included “limestone, chiseled stones, wooden mallets, and
stone hammers”, but also some more sophisticated hand tools.
3. MONUMENTS- The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids—huge structures built of brick or
stone, some of which are among the largest constructions by humans.
4.SHIP BUILDING- The ancient Egyptians had experience with building a variety of ships. Some of them
survive to this day as Khufu ship. The ships were found in many areas of Egypt as the Abydos boats and
remnants of other ships were found near the pyramids.
5. GLASSWORKING- The earliest known glass beads from Egypt were made during the New Kingdom around
1500 BC and were produced in a variety of colors. They were made by winding molten glass around a metal bar
and were highly prized as a trading commodity, especially blue beads, which were believed to have magical
powers.
6. MEDICINE- while the use of animal dung can have curative properties,[58] it is not without its risk.
Practices such as applying cow dung to wounds, ear piercing, tattooing, and chronic ear infections were
important factors in developing tetanus.

GREEK CIVILIZATION
1.WATER TECHNOLOGY- Some fields that were encompassed in the area of water resources (mainly for
urban use) included groundwater exploitation, construction of aqueducts for water supply, storm water and
wastewater sewerage systems, flood protection, and drainage. Construction and use of fountains, baths and
other sanitary and purgatory facilities, and even recreational uses of water.
2. MINING- It involved mining the ores in underground galleries, washing them, and smelting it to produce the
metal. Elaborate washing tables still exist at the site, which used rainwater held in cisterns and collected during
the winter months. Mining also helped to create currency by the conversion of the metal into coinage. Greek
mines had tunnels that were as deep as 330 feet and were worked by slaves using picks and iron hammers. The
extracted ore were lifted by small skips hauled by a rope that was sometimes guided by a wheel placed against
the rim of the mine shaft.
ROME CIVILIZATION
1.TRANSPORTATION
ROADS- Romans primarily built roads for their military.
BRIDGES- Roman bridges were built with stone and/or concrete and utilized the arch.
CARTS- For transporting building materials, such as sand or soil, the Romans used carts with high walls. Public
transportation carts were also in use with some designed with sleeping accommodations for up to six people.
2. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY
WEAPONRY- All soldiers carried two versions of this weapon: a primary spear and a backup. A solid block of
wood in the middle of the weapon provided legionaries protection for their hands while carrying the device.
ARMOUR- This segmented armour provided good protection for vital areas, but did not cover as much of the
body as lorica hamata or chainmail.
CAVALRY- The Roman cavalry saddle had four horns and is believed to have been copied from Celtic peoples.
3.SURGERY- Although various levels of medicine were practiced in the ancient world,[30] the Romans created
or pioneered many innovative surgeries and tools that are still in use today such as hemostatic tourniquets and
arterial surgical clamps.
D. AGE OF METALS
BRONZE AGE
1.Soap
2.Rope
3.Umbrella
4.Locks
5.Kites
6.Carp’s Tongue Sword
7.Socketed Axe

IRON AGE
1.CAST IRON- The earliest known cast iron dates to China in the 5th century BCE 3.
a. QUENCHING- A process of making iron harder and more brittle that became important during the Iron Ages
in Europe and Asia.
b. STEEL WEAPONS- Steel was used to make weapons during the Iron Age.
c. COINS- The first coins were minted during the Iron Age.
d. ROTARY QUERNSTONE-A tool used for grinding grain

MIDDLE AGE

 THE HEAVY PLOW

 TIDAL MILLS
 BLAST FURNACE
 THE MECHANICAL CLOCK
 THE SPINNING WHHEL
 GUN POWDER WEAPONS
 .LOW BOW
 THE PRINTING PRESS
  INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ERA

E. INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ERA

SOME OF THE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION INCLUDE:

 New materials, such as iron and steel

 New energy sources, such as coal, steam, electricity, and petroleum
 New machines, such as the spinning jenny, the water frame, the power loom, and the steam engine
 New organization of work, such as the factory system and the division of labour
 New developments in transportation and communication, such as the locomotive, the steamship, the
automobile, the airplane, the telegraph, and the radio
 New applications of science to industry, such as dynamite, the photograph, the typewriter, and the light
bulb

 POWER TECHNOLOGY: The Industrial Revolution saw a significant advance in power technology.
 TEXTILE MACHINERY: The mechanization of textile production was one of the most significant
developments of the Industrial Revolution
 IRON AND STEEL PRODUCTION: The Industrial Revolution also saw significant advancements in
iron and steel production.

 PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

1. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): AI is being used to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and make
predictions.
2. MACHINE LEARNING (ML): ML algorithms can learn from data and make predictions or decisions
without being explicitly programmed.
3. AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) AND VIRTUAL REALITY (VR): AR and VR technologies are being
explored for medical training, patient education, and surgical simulations.
4. DIGITAL APPS: Mobile applications are being developed to help patients manage their health conditions,
track medication adherence, and access healthcare services.
5. INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT): IoT devices can collect real-time data on patient health, monitor medication
adherence, and enable remote patient monitoring.
6. BLOCKCHAIN: Blockchain technology has the potential to improve supply chain transparency, enhance
data security, and streamline clinical trials1.
7. 3D PRINTING: 3D printing is used for manufacturing personalized medical devices, prosthetics, and drug
delivery systems

 FOOD PRODUCTION

1. RECISION AGRICULTURE: This involves using sensors, drones, and other technologies to monitor crops
and soil conditions.
2. VERTICAL FARMING: This is a method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers using artificial
lighting.
3. VERTICAL FARMING: This is a method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers using artificial
lighting

 CIVIL ENGINEERING

1. DRONES FOR SURVEYING LAND: Civil and geotechnical engineers have found a new use for drones by
using them to survey land.
2. DESIGNING STRUCTURES WITH CAD SOFTWARE: With state-of-the-art CAD software, civil engineers
can design structures that are more efficient and cost-effective.
3. REMOTE SENSING VIA CLOUD TECHNOLOGIES: Civil engineers can now monitor construction
progress from the comfort of their homes thanks to remote sensing technology. For example, they might use a
thermal camera to detect hot spots on underground pipes or send an unmanned aircraft system into airspace over
the site for aerial views and photographs.
4. INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)-ENABLED SENSORS: IoT-enabled sensors are being used to connect
devices in cities, which helps civil engineers monitor traffic flow, air quality, and other environmental factors.
5. BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING (BMI): BMI is a digital representation of physical and functional
characteristics of a facility. It is used to create a virtual model of the building before it is constructed, which
helps civil engineers identify potential problems before they occur.
6. BIG DATA: Civil engineers are using big data to analyze large amounts of information about infrastructure
systems and make better decisions about how to maintain them.
7. WATER CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY: Civil engineers are developing new technologies to conserve
water, such as rainwater harvesting systems and low-flow toilets.
8. 3D PRINTING SOLUTIONS: 3D printing is being used to create models of buildings and other structures
before they are constructed, which helps civil engineers identify potential problems before they occur.
9. DIGITAL MARKETING: Digital marketing is being used by civil engineering firms to promote their
services and reach new clients.

FILIPINO INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS

 Karaoke: Invented in 1975 by Roberto del Rosario.

 Medical Incubator: Invented in 1941 by Fe del Mundo.
 Moon Buggy: Invented in 1968 by Eduardo San Juan.
 Erythromycin: Invented (Discovered) by Dr. Abelardo Aguilar in 1949.
 .Yoyo: Invented as a hunting weapon by the ancient Filipinos, probably in the Visayas.
 Phone: Invented by Gregorio Zara, in 1955
 Pedro Escuro is best known for his isolation of nine rice varieties

FOREIGN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS

o Alexander Graham Bell, born in Scotland, helped develop the telephone1.

o David Lindquist, a Swede, was the chief engineer at Otis, and pioneered the electric elevator1.

o Herman Frasch, born in Germany, worked in America on a process that would become fracking1.

o Galileo, a 16th century scientist from Italy, made many discoveries2.

o Charles Darwin, an Englishman, wrote the book “The Origin of Species” which opened up the
field of evolution2.

o Pierre and Marie Curie, husband and wife scientists from France, made many discoveries during
their lifetime.