History of Engineering Flashcards
What are some early technology developments during the Stone Age period?
- Made tools from wood and stone for survival purposes
- Developed the controlled use of fire which is used as means of light and security at night
- Fashioning of clothing and utensils for domestic use
How did technology develop as humanity evolved into an Agrarian Society?
Fertile river valleys allowed humans to settle down in one area and sustain themselves by growing crops and domesticating animals. This led to the need for trading and exchanging of crops, which required transportation and measurement tools. The necessity of water management also spurred the invention of hydraulic systems, for agricultural and living purposes.
What are some examples of technology used by the Agrarian Society?
- Balance beam for weighing (Egypts)
- Potter’s wheel
- Chariots (Mesopotamia)
- Smelting & working of metals like iron
- Architectural structures like pyramids
What are features of the age of the Classical Antiquity?
The Greeks laid the foundations for philosophical and scientific knowledge, which was mainly the exploration of mathematics during this era.
What is the chronological order of eras covered in class?
- Stone Age
- Agrarian Society
- Classical Antiquity
- Roman Empire
- Post-Roman Empire a.k.a. Medieval Period
- Renaissance Period
- The Industrial Revolution
- Modern Industrial Era
How did the Romans contribute to the development of technology?
The Romans inherited Greek philosophy and mathematics and imbued the knowledge with a sense of pragmatism.
The application of the knowledge manifested as engineering practices, such as:
- building of road systems
- military technology
- aqueducts
What is the difference between technology, science and engineering?
Technology - solving problems and meeting needs
Science - understanding how the physical world works
Engineering - for the use and convenience of man
How did the Roman empire fall from the perspective of technology?
- Technologically stagnant, due to economic resources being used for military purposes, as well as the unstable leadership (emperor keeps changing)
- Overreliance on slaves to work their fields and do crafting led to a complacent attitude towards technological advancement to improve productivity and labor efficiency
- Corruption in the governing institutes (senate, emperor) meant little support for scientific talents
After the fall of the Roman Empire, what were some effects on technology development?
- Expanding population > cultivation of forested lowlands needed to increase food yield > development of agricultural technology to till heavy soils
- Feudalism system > serfs are paid according to the results of their harvest > motivated to develop means to raise productivity and save labor
- Commodity production > craft guilds were formed to train and supervise craftsmen, and produce craft work
How did technology and other factors contribute to the shift from feudalism to the establishment of monarchies?
- The bubonic plague caused labor shortages, which reduced the worth of the lands owned by feudal lords > power shifted to the peasants and the monarchies
- The developments in military technology strengthened the monarchies’ power
- The development of printing allowed monarchies to impose laws, taxation and aid in administration of their kingdoms > unified markets > merchant capitalism
What is the Renaissance period known for?
- Rediscovery of ancient Greek & Roman culture
- New ideas & knowledge from America
- Poets, artists & sculptors moved away from medieval religious symbolism towards humanistic perspectives
- Establishment of centers for learning
- Marriage of Science and Art
- The Scientific Revolution
- The Reformation
How did Science change during the Renaissance period?
- Inductive and deductive reasoning
- Use of models, mechanical and mathematical to prove a theory
- Separation of knowledge and religion (also due to the reformation)
What are examples of Renaissance discoveries?
- Galileo Galilee predicted that the Earth revolves around the Sun
- Francis Bacon devised the scientific method for testing hypothesis (inductive approach)
- Rene Descartes invented deductive reasoning
What was the Agricultural revolution, how did it come about?
Before the revolution, monopolies in mining, manufacturing and foreign trade were granted by monarchs. Then the British parliament reduced royal power and abolished land holding. The land were sold off.
Rich merchants then began implementing efficient large-scale scientific farming practices that increased yield and served the expanding markets.
What led to the Industrial Revolution?
Rising capitalism
- urban merchants gained control of commodity production
- capitalists challenged religious and aristocratic authorities, freely invested and traded
- colonial resources fueled the industrial revolution
- population growth
Interest in rapid mass productions of goods to serve the market’s needs
