STS Long Quiz 1 - NAMES

Jacque Fresco

Quoted: “The intelligent use of science and technology are the tools with which to achieve a new direction…”

Alessandro Volta

Invented the voltaic pile in 1800 (zinc and copper discs separated by cards); facilitated advances in electricity, telegraphs, telephones, leading to modern devices

John Heilbron (1934-2003)

Defined science as both a discovery and invention

Mark Zuckerberg (2014)

Described a technological tool as “something that takes human’s sense or ability and augment it and makes it more powerful”

Lewis Wolpert (1929-2021)

Argued that “Reliable scientific knowledge has no ethics and values”; science is inquiry while technology is influenced by many factors

Carl Sagan

American astronomer and planetary scientist; warned that society depends on science and technology but lacks understanding, which is a recipe for disaster

Newton

Example of a stereotypical scientist: clever, bright, reserved, socially clumsy, devoted to work

John Herschel

Another example of stereotypical scientist representation in culture

Charles Darwin

Example of a scientist used to illustrate stereotypes about how scientists are perceived

Sumerians

Early civilization (3500-2000 BCE) in Mesopotamia; developed cuneiform, wheel, plow, sailboats, roads, irrigation, and the Great Ziggurat of Ur

Babylonians

Ancient Mesopotamian civilization; known for engineering and architecture; associated with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Egyptian Pharaohs

Leaders of Egypt who built monumental infrastructures and advanced technologies such as papyrus, ink, hieroglyphics, and irrigation systems

Greeks

Civilization known as the birthplace of western philosophy; contributed alarm clock, water mill, and Antikythera mechanism

Hero of Alexandria

Invented the Aeolipile (“Hero’s Engine”), precursor of the steam engine

Johann Gutenberg

Invented the printing press using cast type, revolutionizing printing

Louis Pasteur

French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist; invented pasteurization to prevent spoilage in dairy products

Samuel Kier

Refined petroleum to invent kerosene (illuminating oil)

Alexander Graham Bell

Invented the telephone, enabling rapid communication

Blaise Pascal

Invented an early mechanical calculator in 1642 at age 18

Sharp (Company)

Released Sharp EL-8 in 1971, the first portable electronic calculator

Zacharias Janssen

Dutch spectacle maker; credited with inventing the first compound microscope in 1590

Galileo Galilei

Improved the telescope; magnified objects up to 20x; key figure in astronomy

Joseph Marie Jacquard

French inventor of the Jacquard loom, simplifying textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution

Orville and Wilbur Wright

Invented the first engine-powered airplane; pioneers of aviation

John Logie Baird

Scottish inventor of television; achievements included outlines (1924), faces (1925), moving objects (1926), and color images (1928)

Chinese Alchemists

Accidentally discovered gunpowder while attempting to create an elixir of life (“huoyao,” fire potion)

Chinese Civilization

Produced silk, tea, paper money, Great Wall of China; advanced trade, culture, and technology

Indian Inventors (6th-11th century)

Created the spinning wheel, a breakthrough in linen and textile production