Historical development of scientific method - timeline

Historical Development of Scientific Method

PREHISTORY

ANTIQUITY

Spans from 2.5 million years ago, to 3000 BC

Spans around 3000 BC, to the 5th century

During Antiquity, civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans, developed great advances in mathematics, astronomy, medicine and arquitecture

Origin of the scientific method

Main discoveries

Advances

Advances

The first humans developed skills and knowledge to survive in a hostile environment.

Historical Development of Scientific Method

MIDDLE AGES

Spans from the 5th century AD to the 15th century

Main advances and discoveries

Arab world

India

China

8th - 13th centuries

Major discoveries and characters

Persia

5th century

(618 - 907)

Main Characters

Advances

Historical Development of Scientific Method

MODERN AGE

CONTEMPORARY AGE

Spans form the 15th century to the 18th century

Spans form the 18th century to the present day

19th century

Important discoveries

The Renaissance

Main discoveries

Key scientists

Important changes

Science and technology have advanced at a grownly faster pace

Cell Theory

Advances

Evolution

In 1859

In 1838

Historical Development of Scientific Method

Important scientists

Laws of Thermodynamics

Electricity and Magnetism

Michael Faraday

Thomas Edison

Louis Pasteur

Robert Koch

Radioactivity

In the second half of 19th century

(1847 - 1931)

(1791 - 1867)

(1822 - 1895)

(1843 - 1910)

In 1820

In 1896

Historical Development of Scientific Method

20th CENTURY

21th CENTURY

Advances

Discoveries

Advances

Discoveries

Advances

During Antiquity important advances were made in fields such as mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, medicine and architecture

Michael Faraday

Made important contributions to physics and chemistry. He discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction, which led to the development of electric motors and generators of electric energy. He established the Faraday's law of electrolysis.

Advances in understanding the environment and survival

Major Discoveries of Prehistory

• Stone tools
• The control of fire
• Hunting and gathering
• The domestication of animals and plants

Discoveries of the 20th century

Thomas Edison

• Made importat contributions to electrical technology.
• He invented the electric light bulb, which made electric lightning possible at home and in industry.
• He developed the direct current electrical distribution system, which permitted the electrification of cities and urban areas.

Main scientific and technological advances and discoveries of the Middle Age

The main discoveries of Antiquity

• Geometry
• The heliocentric theory of Aristarchus of Samos
• The classification of plants and animals of Aristotle

Advances

In the 20th century science and technology experienced unprecedented advances.

• Quantum physiscs
• Relativity
• Einsten's theory of general relativity transformed our understanding of the universe

There were also important advances:

• In biology, with the identification of the DNA structure by Watson and Crick
• In medicine, with the development of penicillin and other antibiotics

Key scientists in the development of the scientific method during the Renaissance

• Francis Bacon: Promoted empirical observation and experimentation, and emphasized the importance of induction in scientific research.
• Galileo Galilei: Was one of the first to use empirical observation and experimentation to change preconceptions about physics and astronomy

Discoveries of the 21st century

The scientific method

The origin of the scientific method is located in Ancient Greece, where the first systematic observations of nature were carried out and the first hypothesis were raised.Aristotle established observations as the first step for the acquision of knowledge and was the precusor of the scientific method.

Louis Pasteur

A french microbiologist who made important contributions to the field of microbiology and chemistry. He proved that microorganisms are the cause of fermentation; developed the pasteurization process to kill harmful bacteria in food and beverages, as well as the rabies vaccine.

Advances

Important advances where made in fields such as:

• Astronomy
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Medicine

Science began to evolve increasingly fast pace.Leonardo Da Vinci was one of the greatest exponents of the time.

Major discoveries and characters:

During the time of the Abbasid dynasty, there were major advances in philosophy, literature, medicine, and science.

• Al-Khwarizmi: Developed algebra and algorithms
• Al-Razi: Made important advances in medicine and pharmacology.

Advances

Although it is often considered a time of obscurantism, major advances were made in fields such as:

• Philosophy
• Theology
• Medicine
• Astronomy

The century was marked by important advances in physics and chemistry. Including:

• The Law of conservation of energy by Hermann ven Helmholtz
• The identification of chemical elements by Dmitri Mendeleev

Robert Koch

He discovered the tuberculosis bacillus, which led to the identification of the disease and the development of a vaccine against it. He also discovered the cholera bacillus, which helped explain the cause of the cholera epidemic of 1883.

However, in other parts of the world, such as Islamic world and China, there were major advances in:

• Mathematics
• Astronomy
• Medicine