Science, Technology & Society – Core Facts & Timeline

STS Overview

• Science, Technology and Society (STS): studies reciprocal influence between scientific/technological change and social, political, cultural values.

• Roots in multiple disciplines: anthropology, history, political science, sociology.

Key Historical Works

• Ludwig Fleck – “Genesis and Development of a Scientific Fact” $(1925)$: introduced core STS themes.

• Thomas Kuhn – “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” $(1962)$: paradigm‐shift model of scientific change; spurred university STS programs (e.g., University of California).

Definitions

• Science: systematic, organized body of knowledge; methodology distinguishes it from other forms of understanding.

• Technology: applied science; reservoir of skills, systems, processes, and devices that modify the world.

Ancient Civilizations & Major Contributions

• Sumerian ($\approx 3500\ \text{B.C.E.}$): cuneiform writing, irrigation (dikes/canals), sailboat.

• Babylonian ($3500$–$500\ \text{B.C.E.}$): Code of Hammurabi, Hanging Gardens.

• Egyptian ($3150\ \text{B.C.}$ onward): pyramids, surveying, mathematics, medicine, irrigation, faience, glass, early peace treaty.

• Greek: Archimedes (lever principle, approximation of $\pi$, mechanics), Pythagoras (Pythagorean Theorem, Pythagoreanism), devices—astrolabe (navigation), compressed-air cannon, crane, levers, gears, water pumps.

• Persian: algebra, chemistry, wind-power machine, first water distillation, early battery (Baghdad Battery), proposals on heliocentrism, finite light speed, gravity.

• Roman: advanced engineering—arch, mechanical reaper, overshot water wheel, improved wagons.

Selected Technology Milestones

• $1023$: First paper money (China)

• $1045$: Movable-type printing (Bi Sheng, China)

• $\text{c.}1050$: Crossbow (France)

• $1182$: Magnetic compass

• $\text{c.}1200$: Button fasteners (clothing)

• $1202$: Hindu-Arabic numerals introduced to West (Fibonacci)

• $1249$: Gunpowder formulated (Roger Bacon)

• $\text{c.}1250$: Gun (China)

• $1268$–$1289$: Eyeglasses

• $\text{c.}1280$: Mechanical clocks

• $1285$–$1290$: Windmills

• $1295$: Modern glassmaking (Italy)

• $1328$: First sawmill

Quick True/False Corrections

• Pythagorean Theorem NOT Egyptian (Greek).

• Astrolabe determines location and longitude → TRUE.

• X-ray discovered $8$ Nov $1895$ by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen → TRUE.

• First battery attributed to Persians, not Roman Empire.

• DOST = Department of Science and Technology, not Terminology.