sts 2
Stone Age - Began at the beginning of what would become human civilization
Smelting - Allowed people to create tools made out of metal and stone became obsolete
Paleolithic Age - 2.5 million - 8000 B.C., Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons lived during this time period. Used early stone tools with single sharp edges.
Mesolithic Age - 10000 - 6000 B.C., began to use controlled fires and developed language. Early humans began to migrate from Africa to other parts of the world.
Neolithic Age - 8000 - 8000 B.C., ONLY Homo Sapiens lived during this time age. From being hunters and gatherers they became farmers and agricultures.
Stone Age Tools - were used for hunting, agriculture, and food preparation. Made out of stones.
Fire - is an example of Stone Age technology.
The Wheel - Early humans used this to move more quickly through the use of chariots and other wheeled vehicles.
Flint Knapping - is a technique that early humans used to shape stones for the creation of tools.
Atlatl - is a tool that allows humans to throw spears farther and faster.
Bow and Arrow - it allowed humans to kill their food from longer ranges, helping them to keep safe.
Clothing - humans in the stone age had to use pelts of animals and had to go through difficult processes to make skins suitable for use.
Boat - this tool allowed humans to hunt on the water but is not suitable for long distance travel.
Pottery - allowed prehistoric humans to store food for longer periods of time. Used for cooking, storing food and in burial ceremonies.
Stone Age Humans - laid the foundation for all of civilization. Without our prehistoric ancestors we would not have the civilization as we know now.
Ancient History - Time period in history between the origins of human civilization and the fall of ancient empires. The BRONZE AGE begins here. It also falls within the IRON AGE.
Fertile Crescent - is a fertile area in the Middle East that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. Shaped like a crescent moon.
Mesopotamia - is a region within the Fertile Crescent. Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Area was first settled around 3300-750 B.C.
Sumerian - 3000 B.C. - 1800 B.C
Babylonians - 1800 B.C. - 1200 B.C.
Assyrians - 1200 B.C. - 539 B.C.
Persians - 539 B.C. - 330 B.C.
Sumer - “the black headed people” Sumerians.
First known civilization now modern-day Iraq
Known for being the first astronomers
Developed a lunar calendar that became the basis for having 12 lunar months in a year
Developed their own number system that used the main base 60 and the auxiliary base 10 which they used in their conduct of trade.
Sumerians were great inventors
The plow for digging and breaking hard soil to make planting easy
The sailboat essential for transportation and trading replaced muscle power with wind power.
First writing system
Cuneiform
Clay tablets with reed for stylus
This writing was adopted by their conquerors and used for about 2000 years
Earliest Literature
World’s oldest poetry
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Religion
Sumerians constructed shrines or temples called ziggurats
The Great Ziggurat of Ur, also called the mountain of God, was a sacred place of their chief God, where only their priests were allowed to enter.
The structure was constructed using sunbaked bricks
Uruk City
First true city in the world
Built only using mud or clay from the river, which they mixed with reeds producing sun-baked bricks
Used bricks to make houses that protected them from the harsh weather
Irrigation and Dikes
Developed agricultural processes such as irrigation
Babylon
was the capital of the Babylonian Empire.
Derived from bav-il or bav-ilim meaning “Gates of the Gods”
Its ruins lie in modern-day Iraq
“Tower of Babel” basis for the bible story
The ancient City of Babylon - served as the center of Mesopotamian civilization for nearly two millennia.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Built by Nebuchadnezzar
Beautifully decorated
Roof-top tropical gardens
In the middle of the desert
1 of the 7 wonders of the world
Hammurabi of Babylon
Was king of Babylon who conquered Akkad and Sumer
Babylonia’s most powerful and memorable king ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C.E.
They took on the language and religion of the people they conquered
Hammurabi improved irrigation systems and changed the religion
Developed his own set of laws called the code of Hammurabi
Babylon became a trade center during his time
His reign is known as the Golden Age of Babylon
They also devised a lunar calendar similar to that by the Sumerians
Also invented sundials and water clocks to determine time and cuneifrom tablet containing their number system
Africa
Excel in the field of agriculture; various African plants including coffee, palm oil, cotton, African rice and sorghum were adopted for planting in different parts of the world.
They also used plants for medicinal purposes such as analgesics, antidotes, antimicrobials, pain killers
Astronomy was famous in the african region; Africans used 3 types of calendars; lunar, solar, and stellar
Advancements in metallurgy and tool making were made across the entirety of ancient Africa and was used for hunting and defense by local craftsmen
Mathematics was also prominent; The Lebombo Bone from the mountains between Swaziland and South Africa, which may have been a tool for multiplication, division, and simple mathematical calculation or a six month lunar calendar, is considered to be the oldest known mathematical artifact dated from 35000 BCE
Ancient Egyptian Civilization
Is usually associated with pharaohs, mummies and pyramids, a great number of ancient Egyptian inventions are still used in our everyday lives
Was born along the Nile river which provided rich soil for agriculture
Known as “Kemet”, meaning “Black Land” because of the rich dark soil
Hieroglyphics
Among the first groups of people to write and keep records of events that happened in their lives
Earliest form of writing
Used to keep accurate record and maintain control of the empire
Their records were well-preserved since they were carved at the walls of pyramids
Papyrus
Used for record-keeping and communication since it was much lighter, less breakable, and thinner than cla tablets
Mass produced in Egypt and sold to other ancient civilizations, such as Ancient Greece, for their record keeping
Also used to make mats, baskets, rafts, ropes
Ink
Was produced by combining soot with different chemicals to produce inks of different colors
The ink must withstand the elements of nature since it was used to record history, culture, and codified laws.
Must also be tamper-proof so that people could now simply tinker with those written down by authorities
Water Clock - these were shaped like bowls and had a small hole in the bottom of them. They floated atop water and were allowed to fill up in a way so that the rising water represented a number of hours passing
Cosmetic
Invented in the use of cosmetics for both health and aesthetic reasons
They wore kohl around the eyes to prevent and even cure eye diseases
Kohl was created by mixing soot or malachite with mineral galena
They also believed that a person wearing make-up was protected from evil and that beauty was a sign of holiness
Wigs
They were worn for health and wellness rather than aesthetic purposes
They were used to protect the shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the harmful rays of the sun
Shadoof - an irrigation tool composed of a pole and a bucket used to lift water
Great Sphinx of Giza
A 20-meter high statue made of white limestone depicting a reclining sphinx with a lion’s body and a human head
Pyramids served as tombs for the kings and queens
They believed that death was not the end but a transition from one state to another thus they practice mummification to preserve the body to be recognized by the soul
Djoser, pharaoh of the third dynasty of the old kingdom
Other great pyramids of khufu, khafre, and menkaure were also constructed during the reign of djoser
Imhotep
A physician who wrote texts describing more than 200 diseases and their corresponding treatments
He designed the first step pyramid
Indus Valley Civilization
Present day Pakistan and Northwest India
Flourished in the basins of the indus river and the Ghaggar-Hakra River
In 1920 archaeologists unearthed the ruins of the 4600 year old city of Mohenjo-Daro
Introduced new techniques of metallurgy (bronze, tin, copper and lead) and handicraft (seal carving and carnelian products)
Known for having well-organized and baked brick houses, complex drainage system and sophisticated water storage system
Advanced agricultural practices; people grew crops such as barley, mustard, peas, and cotton; domesticated animals like dogs, cats, cattle, fowls, camels, and buffalos
Developed their own writing system consisting of 250 to 500 characters
Aegean or Greek Civilization
Greece
Is a small country in Europe
Is near the mediterranean sea
Main part of Greece is on a Peninsula
Rest of Greece is made up of islands
Also known as “Hellas” or “Ellada” which means “Greece” in Greek
Greek Philosophers
Greek philosophy is undeniable the most renowned contribution of the Greeks to Western Civilization
Plato, Aristotle and Socrates questioned human existence and how the world came to be
Pythagoras, was best known for the Pythagorean Theorem which was used to measure distance and space
Thales of Miletus regarded as the 1st Western philosopher and mathematicians became popular for his precise prediction of the solar eclipse on May 28, 585 B.C.; also calculated the height of pyramids, description of the position of Ursa Minor and the founding of the Milesian School
Hippocrates, considered as the “Father of Western Medicine’’ by observing wounded soldiers, the veins and arteries of the body and by determining the correlation of diet and lifestyle to diseases; after his death an oath of ethics taken by physicians and medical practitioners to promise to uphold values and ethics in the practice of medicine.
Ancient Greek Invention
Alarm Clock - The first alarm clock was conceptualized in ancient Greece. It was thought up by Ctesibius, a Hellenistics Engineer and inventor, who developed the water clock or clepsydra. Ctesibius' water clock worked by using water droppings and clay vessels to track time. He also used bells that were supposed to be hit by dropping pebbles in order to make sounds. (Plato himself is also credited with creating a version of an alarm clock that combined water filling up a vessel and making a pebbled drop to make a sound.)
Greek Water Mill - were able to draw energy from water through water mills that were used to grind grain. It constitutes the predecessor of the water turbine.
The invention of the odometer is attributed to Archimedes of Syracuse during the First Punic war
It is used to measure the distance covered by a vehicle and paves the way for the advancement of transportation and construction of roads.
Chinese Civilization
Considered to be one of the oldest and longest lasting civilizations of the world
The Greeks & Romans called China Seres meaning “ the land where the silk comes from”
China derived from the Sanskrit Cina from the name of the Qin Dynasty
Not great amount was written about ancient China due to its distance from the other civilization
But we cannot discredit the significant contributions of Chinese civilization to the world
Abacus, Acupuncture, paper, movable printing press
Counting device sometime between 1000BC and 500BC
Acupuncture is the practice of relieving pain, healing illnesses and improving the general well-being of a person by inserting several metal needles at precise points into the skin and tissue
Invention of the paper in 105 AD greatly affected the way they recorded history and produced literature
1st movable printing press in 960 AD flourished the printed works around the world
Silk
They were the ones who developed the technology to harvest the silk from silk worm
Silk cloth was extremely valuable in ancient China because it was a status symbol
At first only members of the Royal Family were allowed to wear silk; later it was restricted to noble class; merchants and peasants were not allowed to wear it and it was used as money during some ancient Chinese dynasties
During the Han Dynasty that sericulture- the cultivation & production of silk was refined & mastered
Silk was used for other purposes than clothing such a paper, fishing lines, bowstrings, and canvas for painting.
It resulted in the creation of a product for trade
It opened China to the outside world making way for cultural, economic, and scientific exchanges
It bridged the gap between the western world and the middle kingdom
Silk was such an important product from China that the trade route from China to Europe became known as the Silk Road.
Porcelain - a type of ceramic clay pottery used to craft vases, plates, cups and decorative furniture.
Tea Production
It was developed when an unknown Chinese inventor created a machine that was able to shred tea leaves into strips
Because of this invention, the Chinese were able to increase their production of tea and trade with other nations
It also resulted in making tea as one of the most popular beverages in the world today
Great Wall of China
The largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built
It was constructed to keep out foreign invaders and control the borders of China
Made of stone, brick, wood, rice flour and other materials
The structure was so massive and strong that it divided China from the rest of the world and their nation among the powerful civilizations during the ancient times
It was the pride of their land and their crowning glory
The 5500mi length walls were built by the slaves, criminals, and peasants
It is estimated that more than millions of people worked to build it over 1000 years
Gunpowder
It was developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve immortality
They mixed charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate, but instead of creating an elixir of life, they accidentally invented a black powder that could generate large amounts of heat and gas in an instant
Instead of prolonging life, gunpowder is widely used to propel bullets from guns and cannons which cause countless deaths
But this gunpowder is also used in fireworks during important celebrations in China
Roman Civilization
Galen (Physician) - In Pergamum (present-day Turkey), he was the first to describe and diagnose symptoms of different diseases and their corresponding treatments, his medical books were considered the standard for so many years
Surgical instruments such as the forceps, rectal speculum, bone levers, surgical scissors, and cupping vessels were used by Roman physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases which are made of steel, lead, and bronze
Newspaper
The first proto-newspaper appeared as early as 131 B.C.
It was an ancient Roman daily gazette called Acta Diurna (Daily Acts sometimes translated as Daily Public Records).
Acta Diurna informed citizens of political and social happenings in ancient Rome.
These gazettes were engraved in metal or stone and then publicly displayed
When paper was invented, it became easier for the Romans to publish matters that needed the attention of the people
It also shorthand the minutes of the proceedings of the Roman senate, edited and published on the same day that they were recorded
Bound Books or Codex
With the invention of the paper, record-keeping was much easier so Julius Caesar started the tradition of stacking up papyrus to form pages of a book
Later on, they were able to provide covers made of wax and later on animal skin to protect the papyrus
With the papyrus pages bound together and covered by animal skin, the ancient Roman Empire was able to produce the first bound book or codex
Roman Architecture
Their architecture was considered the continuation of Greek architecture, hence, the resemblance
However, they were regarded as pioneering since they were able to adapt new building and engineering technology on architectural designs established in the past
They were to produce sturdier and stronger infrastructures, hence they were able to preserve great and elaborate architectural designs
Their development in the field of engineering and architecture were supported by their government thus they were able to construct large churches(basilicas and cathedrals), aqueducts, coliseums, amphitheaters, and even residential houses
Today, people of the world still enjoy these marvels
Pantheon - a former Roman temple
Colosseum - the largest amphitheater ever built
Appius Claudius Caecus built the first Roman aqueduct called Aqua Appia in 312 BC. It transported water to Rome from different bodies of water & was the precursor of Rome’s developed sewage system, sanitation management and public baths
Basilica - The standard type of roman public building, a colonnaded structure that became a model for early Christian churches. Rows of columns divided the interior into a central nave and side aisles, with the roof over the nave raised to admit light, creating a CLERESTORY (an upper portion of a wall containing windows for supplying natural light to a building.)
Roman Numerals
They devised their own number system specifically to address the need for a standard counting method that would meet their increasing communication and trade concerns
Although is it no longer used widely today, few enthusiasts would still use it like the clock with Roman numerals
Ballista
Rome was famous for its powerful military characterized by formidable leadership and advanced machinery
For long range artilleries, they used the ballista to penetrate enemy frontiers
Mesoamerican Civilizations
The term Mesoamerica is derived from the Greek and means "Middle America."
It refers to a geographical and cultural area which extends from northern Mexico down through Central America, including the territory which is now made up of the countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
It is therefore seen as partly in North America, and encompassing most of Central America.
The Olmecs
Existed from 1400-500 BC and was the first major Mesoamerican civilization
Developed in the tropical rainforests of the Mexico’s gulf coast
They invented a calendar and system of writing made up of carved inscriptions
Strongly devoted to religion and priests were highly respected
The Mayas
Flourished from AD 300-900
Complex agricultural society
Most of the people were farmers; men farmed while the women turned the crops into food; grew enough food to support large population; farmers paid taxes in foodstuffs to support the city state
Religion was very significant and priests were well respected
Built large pyramids and palaces
Developed a hieroglyphic system of writing; an accurate calendar; numbering system; understood the concept of zero
Mayan Decline
Around 900 AD, the Mayas abandoned their cities for unknown reasons, Historians speculate that possible causes of the decline may have been warfare, overpopulation, famine, or natural disaster.
The Aztecs
They were fierce warriors using military conquests and alliances to build a large empire
They became very wealthy from collecting taxes from conquered people
By 1500, they covered most of Mexico and included approximately 30 million people
They built large pyramids as temples to their gods and went to war to capture people so as to offer as sacrifice to their gods
Mandatory education- they put value on education that is why children were mandated to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or age
Chocolates-the Aztec in Mexico developed chocolate during their time; they valued cacao beans highly and made it as part of their tribute to their gods.
Chinampa-Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the land was divided into rectangular area and surrounded by canals
Aztec Calendar- this enabled them to plan their activities, rituals, and planting season
Invented Canoe-a light narrow boat used for traveling in water systems
The Aztec called their ruler the Tlatoani. Around 1517 the priests of the Aztecs began to see omens of doom. They felt that something bad was going to happen. They were right.
In 1519 Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico. By 1521 the Spanish had conquered the Aztecs. They tore down much of the city of Tenochtitlan and built their own city on the site called Mexico City.
The Incas
In the 1400’s, the Incas emerged from the Andes mountains and conquered a large area that extended over 2500 miles down the Pacific Coast
They were ruled by an emperor who held absolute power and also acted as chief religious leader and the son of the Sun God
The government controlled the lives of the people within their empire; everyone had to speak the Incan language (quechua) which still spoken by the natives today and worship Incan gods
Built large and elaborate system of roads including bridges and tunnels
Terrace farming used in mountainous regions
Government officials kept records by means of a knotted, colored strings system called “quipus”
The Incan did not have the wheel, iron tools, or a writing system, but its complex government and system of roads created a society where everyone had a job, a home, and something to eat.
The Incan civilization was the largest Mesoamerican civilization.
The Inca were conquered by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1533. The empire was already severely weakened by civil war and diseases such as smallpox when Pizarro arrived.
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is generally believed to have coincided with the fall of the Roman Empire. Scholars believed that it lasted from the 6th century up to the end of the 15th century.
The Middle Ages are also known as the Dark Ages due to the invasion of the various Germanic tribes in the previous domain of the Roman Empire.
Presently many scholars discourage using the term “Dark Ages” because it implies a time devoid of progress and innovations.
There were numerous advancements that were made in the areas of farming, weaponry, navigation and health.
Also, during the Middle Ages, the Islamic Empire grew as one of the largest empires in history.
That was a great time and most of those inventions are still used today worldwide.
Medieval Period
The Byzantine Empire, after the fall of Rome, was a continuation of its empire in the East. The Byzantine Empire became a leading civilization and its capital, Constantinople, a center for trade.
The Islamic Golden Age, during the middle ages, Islam grew larger, conquering parts of the middle east. During the Golden Age, Baghad was the world’s largest city and there were impressive cultural and economic developments.
Angio-Saxon England, England was divided into various kingdoms until it was united. The Angio-Saxons were a Germanic group who migrated to England.
The Viking Age, this period marked the large-scale raiding of Britain and large parts of Europe by Scandinavian Norsemen. Voyaging as far as North America, Vikings settled in Britain and other parts of Europe, co-existing with the Angio-Saxons.
HANDHELD TREBUCHET – a type of catapult that uses a siege engine in its mechanism to throw a projectile and was well-regarded because of its efficiency in warfare
TIDAL MILL – used to improve agriculture, it uses running water to grind grains; it derives its power from the rise and fall of the tides
DANE AXE – used by the Vikings, cruel warriors, pillagers and skillful navigators
MAGNETIC COMPASS – developed also by the Vikings which uses the sun to help them navigate the seas
CROSSBOW – an essential weapon in the battle used by the Crusades(series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church) to curb the spread of the Islamic faith in Europe
SPECTACLES – a precursor to modern eyeglasses
ASTROLABES – used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies
SPINNING WHEEL – appear to have their origin in India
WHEELBARROW - invented during the Middle Age though they have been similar devices in China and Ancient Greece
Golden Age of Islamic Science
Ibn Al-Haytham or Alhazen – “Father of Modern Optics” because he laid the foundation for modern optics, his book, Book of Optics had a great influence on Western science
Abu Ali al-Hussein Ibn Sina or Avicenna – physician and philosopher who wrote “The Canon of Medicine”; this medical encyclopedia was the first to describe the anatomy of the human eye and recognize the contagious nature of tuberculosis and meningitis.
Abu Qasim Khalaf ibn Abbas Al Zahrawi or Al Zahrawi – recognized as the “Father of Surgery” and considered the greatest surgeon of the Middle Ages.
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi – laid the foundations of current principles of Algebra
Al-Biruni, mathematician, astronomer, and geographer devised a method of determining the radius of the earth by observing the height of a mountain in Nandana (now in Pakistan); proposed the theory of the earth rotating on its own axis and made precise calculations of the specific gravity of 18 stones and minerals
Jabir ibn Hayyan, known as the “Father of Chemistry” have authored a multitude of books on cosmology, alchemy, astrology, medicine, and philosophy
Established the pillars of Christian scholasticism – a method of critical thought that integrated religious theology with scientific truth
Two main religious orders spearheaded the methodology of scholasticism throughout Europe, namely the Franciscans founded by St. Francis of Assisi (1209), and the Dominicans founded by St. Dominic (1215).
Francis Bacon contributed to the development of modern-day science‘s greatest tool-the scientific method.
Two fields of study outside the boundaries of hard science rose to popularity by the end of the High Middle Ages - alchemy and astrology.
Modern Ages
The Renaissance is a period from the 14th – 17th century marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity
It was the “rebirth” of Greek and Roman interests in the sciences and arts.
Discoveries/Inventions (14th - 17th century) transition from the Middle Ages to modernity
Johannes Gutenberg
1st movable printing press
Dante
Father of Italian Poetry
Francesco Petrarca
Father of Humanism
Leonardo da Vinci
Painter, sculptor & scientist known for his works Mona Lisa, Vitruvian Man, The Last Supper
Michelangelo
Painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican
Raphael
Painted the School of Athens & The Sistine Madonna
Nicolaus Copernicus
Proponent of the Heliocentric Theory
Galileo Galilei
Proved Copernicus’s theory to be correct
Sir Isaac Newton
Discovered the Law of Universal Gravitation & validated the Heliocentric Theory through mathematical description of the motion of the earth & other celestial bodies around the sun
Use of fuel due to demand for mass production, lessening the use of animals & humans for mechanical work and employment of machines for various purposes; invention of the blast furnace to produce industrial metals
Agricultural techniques were developed
Sheep farming became popular, use of scythe for cutting crops & b grasses
Jethro Tull
Seed drill – spaced seed evenly embedded in the soil reducing the seed required
Late Modern Period
1750 -1945; also known as the age of revolution
The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th century) Developments in manufacturing, including machinery and factory systems across Europe and the United States began around 1760. This revolutionized the industry, the economy and increased the population significantly.
Victorian Era (1837 - 1912). Under Queen Victoria, Britain experienced industrial progress, the first railroad line and significant changes to politics and society
World War I (1914 - 1918). The first global war in history, the allied powers fought against Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. This led to the fall of dynasties and further destruction and war.
World War II (1939 - 1945), The second global war was fought between allies and the axis. This resulted in millions of deaths due to the conflict and the Holocaust. The war resulted in the fall of Nazi Germany, the creation of the United Nations and the beginning of the Cold War.
Transportation Industry
Thomas Newcomen
1st developed the steam engine that would prevent flooding in the Cornwall mines
James Watt
Truly developed the steam engine w/ separate condenser
Richard Trevithick
1st locomotive, an engine or rail transport vehicle
George Stephenson
Father of Railways, designed an effective locomotive used to tow coal in Northumberland (England)
Robert Fulton
Clermont steam boat
Iron and Steel Industry
Tobern Bergman
Discovered the importance of carbon in steel
Henry Bessemer & William Kelly
Improved the methods of manufacturing steel from iron
Robert Mushet
Discovered an alloy of iron that combined carbon & manganese with the formed iron
Textile Industry
John Kay
Flying shuttle – increase the output for yarn
James Hargreaves
Spinning jenny (saxon wheel) – able to spin more than one spindle at a time
Richard Arkwright
water frame – textile machine powered by water not by hand
Samuel Crompton
spinning mule – combine the features of the spinning jenny & water frame
Edmund Cartwright
power loom for spinning & weaving
Eli Whitney
cotton gin – a machine that multiplied the amount of cotton that could be cleaned
Thomas Saint
submitted a patent for a mechanized sewing machine
Barthelemy Thimonnier
Invented the chain stitch
The technological advancements significantly affected the socio economic and political consciousness of many nations.
The economic shifts due to industrialization divided people between capitalists and laborers
Industrial capitalists & businessmen lobbied for the passage of laws & provisions that would provide protection for their businesses, which would increase their profit
While industrialization provided development, it caused suffering for the working class because of the harsh working conditions, such as being forced to work long hours without proper compensation, skilled workers were displaced as most of their work could be done faster by machines
As a result, many urban cities grew rapidly without proper sanitation, adequate housing, and development plans
Diseases became widespread due to poor waste management and lack of health care services; the life expectancy of urban residents was lower compared to people living in the rural areas.
Eventually these technology-driven societies led to the formation of ideologies such as liberalism, socialism, constitutionalism, and individualism.
Singularity
A term coined by John Von Neuman, a major figure in the history of computer science
The concept refers to a hypothetical time when computers become more intelligent than humans and can improve themselves without our inout. Eventually, humans will no longer be able to compete.
When technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization.
The development of artificial intelligence will make human civilization obsolete
Contemporary History
1945 - Present: beginning post-World War II up until present day.
The Cold War (1945 - 1991) Refers to the increasing tension between the USA and the Soviet Union. This involved no fighting between the two, but the two remained opposed due to the uS being democratic and the Soviet Union being communist
The Space Age (1937-) the competition between the United Stated and the Soviet Union to see who could achieve spaceflight and reach the moon first. After this, the space exploration continued to progress and develop
The Digital Information Age (1970s-) is defined by the significant development of computer, informational and digital technology and the shift this caused within the economy.
Science and Technology in the 18th and 20th century
Charles-Augustin de Coulomb - Coulomb’s Law
Joseph Priestley - Discovered oxygen gas by collecting colorless gas from heated mercury
Antoine Lavoisier - Named the colorless gas oxygen, explained the reaction of substances that contained carbon with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water , published his research on the law of Conservation of Mass that dubbed him as the “Father of Modern Chemistry”
John Dalton - Proposed the Atomic Theory
Hans Christian Oersted - Discovered that electric current produces magnetic field
Michael Faraday - Constructed his 1st crude electric motor
James Clerk Maxwell - Formulated a theory on electromagnetic radiation
George Johnstone Stoney - Proposed the theory that electrons have fundamental quantities of electricity
William Crookes - Discovered the cathode rays
Heinrich Geissler - Created the vacuum tube utilized by William Crookes
Ernest Rutherford - Discovered the positive particles called protons
Wilhelm Roentgen - Discovered x-rays
J.J. Thompson - Discovered the electrons
Henri Bequerel - Discovered Radioactivity
Marie Curie and Pierre Curie - Discovered radioactive elements uranium, thorium, radium, polonium
Alexander Graham Bell - Filed a patent for the telephone
Carolus Linnaeus - Father of Taxonomy
James Hutton - Proposed that there are gradual mechanisms on earth that explains the variability of fossils
Georges Cuvier - Pioneer in the field of Paleontology
Charles Lyell - Proposed the Principle of Uniformitarianism
Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck - Proposed the Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
Charles Darwin - Published the “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection”
Gregor Mendel - Father of Genetics
Max Planck - Originator of the discovery of quantum theory
Albert Einstein - Established the theory of Relativity; explained the photoelectric effect
Erwin Schrodinger - Proposed the equation on quantum mechanics
Robert Goddard - Launched the first rocket
James Chadwick - Discovered the neutron
Oswald Avery - Discovered that genes & chromosomes are carried by DNA cells
Francis Crick and James Wattson - Proposed the double helix DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
Alexander Fleming - Discovered Penicillin
Howard Florey and Ernst Chain - Developed the first antibiotic that could be mass produced
Niels Jerne - Expounded the anti-body formation process
Jonas Salk - Developed the first polio vaccine
Albert Sabin - Improved on Salk’s & produced the oral polio vaccine
Luc Montagnier and Robert Gallo - Discovered the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
Dolly - First cloned animal (sheep)
Apollo 11 - Spacecraft that landed on the moon in 1969
Orville & Wilbur Wright - Launched the first manned engine-powered aircraft (1903)
Henry Ford - Launched the first model of the automobile (1908)
Sputnik - First Artificial Satellite (1957)