Science and Technology in Asia, Africa and Middle East

Summary

The script discusses the significant contributions of Asian civilizations to science and technology, highlighting India's numeric system and China's advancements in various fields. It also covers Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan's technological progress. Historically, Asia was a pioneer in inventions like papermaking and gunpowder. Africa's rich scientific history, including tool-making and astronomy, is noted, along with its mathematical concepts and medical practices. The Middle East's scientific flourishing during the Islamic Golden Age and the impact of trade and colonization on technological development are also explored.

Takeaways

• 🌏 Asia has historically been a significant contributor to science and technology, with notable advancements in various fields.
• 🇮🇳 India has given the world its numeric system, including the number zero, as well as advancements in plastic surgery, cell production, and urban planning.
• 🇨🇳 China is a superpower in technology, investing heavily in science and research, including robotics, supercomputers, transportation, and genetics.
• 🗼 Countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are known for their rapid technological advancements.
• 📈 Asia manufactures over 50% of the world's automobiles and produces 75% of its robots, contributing significantly to global technology.
• 📚 Historically, Asia created technologies such as papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass.
• 🛠️ Inventions like the leather saddle and stirrups from Asia changed the technology of warfare in Western Europe.
• 🌍 Africa has the world's oldest record of human technological achievement, with the oldest stone tools found in Eastern Africa.
• 🔭 Ancient African cultures made significant discoveries in astronomy, which form the foundations of our current understanding.
• 🏛️ African societies created sophisticated built environments, including the engineering feats of the Egyptians and the great cities of Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
• 🚢 Ancient Africans were advanced in navigation, with evidence suggesting they sailed to South America and Asia before Europeans.
• 📚 The Islamic world flourished in science and technology, contributing to the knowledge that helped Europe emerge from the Dark Ages into the Renaissance.

Q & A

What significant contributions did ancient India make to the field of science and technology?

Ancient India contributed significantly to the field of science and technology by giving the world its numeric system, including the number zero, plastic surgery, cell production, and urban planning with sewage systems.

In what areas is China investing heavily in science and technology?

China is investing heavily in science and technology in various fields such as robotics, supercomputers, transportation like train cars, genetics, and many more.

Which Asian countries are known for their advancements in technology?

Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are recently known for their advancements in technology.

What is the historical contribution of Asia to the field of science and technology?

Historically, Asia created various technologies indigenously such as paper making, printing, gunpowder, and the compass. Asia also manufactures more than 50% of the world's automobiles, produces 75% of its robots, and provides 50% of global high technology experts.

What were two inventions from Asia that changed the technology of warfare in Western Europe?

Two inventions from Asia that changed the technology of warfare in Western Europe were the leather saddles and stirrups. The saddle kept the warrior firmly in place, and the stirrups enabled him to wield and handle heavier weapons.

What is the oldest record of human technological achievement found in Africa?

The oldest Stone tools in the world, which are the oldest record of human technological achievement, have been found in Eastern Africa.

What are some of the notable developments in the field of mathematics in ancient Africa?

Ancient African developments in mathematics include the creation of a numeration system and Egyptian script textbooks about math that included division and multiplication of fractions and geometric formulas to calculate area and volume of shapes, distances, and angles.

How did ancient African cultures contribute to the field of astronomy?

Ancient African cultures contributed to astronomy by starting the movement of the Sun and constellation, the cycle of the moon, and developing a year-long calendar system. They also made clocks with moving water and used solar-like clocks.

What are some examples of technological advances in ancient African societies?

Ancient African societies made advances in areas such as steam engines, metal chisels and saws, copper and iron tools and weapons, nails, glue, carbon steel, and bronze weapons and art.

What were some of the impressive architectural achievements of ancient African societies?

Ancient African societies created sophisticated built environments such as the engineering feats of the Egyptians with their raised Obelisks and more than 80 pyramids. The largest of the pyramids covers 13 acres and is made of 2.25 billion blocks of stone.

How did ancient African cultures contribute to the field of medicine?

Ancient African cultures contributed to medicine by using plants with salicylic acid for pain, choline for diarrhea, and extracts that were confirmed in the 20th century to kill gram-positive bacteria. They also discovered various medicinal plants with anti-cancer properties and performed medical procedures such as vaccination, autopsy, limb traction, and broken bone setting before they were performed in Europe.