Habs History Magazine 2020

HABS HISTORY

May 2020 | Issue 02 The effect of technology on history

2020

HOW CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE CHANGED HUMAN BEINGS’ CONCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES

Writing: the most important form of technology?

Editor's Note

18

There is no doubt that technology has had an enormous effect on history. But in what ways? Has it been good or bad for us? Has it been the main shaper of events?

22

14

Welcome to the second edition of the Habs’ History Magazine. This year we have chosen to explore ‘The Effect of Technology on History’. In a world where we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology, we thought it only appropriate to explore how it has shaped history and how it continues to impact our lives today. The articles in this edition not only explore how technology has determined the outcome of wars and revolutions, but also examine the importance of technology in moulding the education system we have today. As well as a collection of fabulous articles, this magazine contains reviews and also a survey where we asked for your own opinions on technology.

Many thanks to our editorial team of Anisha Pick, Lydia Berlioz, Madison Sinclair, Tabitha Dresden, Lauren Amdor and Pari Zelin for all their work on Habs History Magazine this year.

Thanks also to the other students who have contributed fantastic articles. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did.

Mr Heyman

ANISHA PICK Editor-in-Chief Cover image by Tabitha Dresden and Lydia Berlioz HABS HISTORY

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Contents

06

How changes in technology have changed human beings’ conceptions of themselves Madison Sinclair

DEPARTMENTS 04

Aristotle to the moon

06

IdentityÂ

08

Books

010

Cold War spying

012

Berlin city guide

013

Medicine:

014

Lauren Amdor

016

Lydia Berlioz

018

What if

04

From Aristotle to the Moon Ameila Howie studies the way modern technology is built upon multiple earlier discoveries

technology fails?

020

War

022

Politics

024

Shaping events

026

Education

028

The Industrial Revolution

030

Survey 2020

ON THE COVER Yael Katz asks whether books have been the most important technology in history. 08

028 010

The Industrial Revolution Kimi Shah looks at the ways in which it has impacted upon the modern world

The Cold War Anisha Pick unearths some bizarre and incredible technologies used in espionage

HABS HISTORY

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BIG PICTURE HISTORY

FROM ARISTOTLE TO THE MOON

BY AMELIA HOWIE

In 1969 when mankind first landed on the

This model dominated science for almost 2,000

Moon, the result of almost a decade of hard

years as it was accepted by the Roman Catholic

work was celebrated. Whilst 400,000 people

Church. Aristotle’s teachings were incorporated into

worked on the technology that sent humans

their theology and therefore people accepted these

into space, this was only made possible by a seemingly unimportant invention in the 1600s which was to completely revolutionise our understanding of the universe and our place within it. Even before that, the journey

teachings as fact.

Two thousand years on, eyeglasses were in widespread use across Europe, but their lenses were neither powerful nor clear enough to allow them to be used for astronomical observations. By the early

had begun with an Ancient Greek

1600s, lens makers improved the ability to cut and

philosopher who lived over 2,300 years ago.

polish glasses and Hans Lippershey, a German-Dutch glassmaker began to experiment with lenses,

The story starts in the 4th century BC with the

resulting in the creation of the spyglass, so called

philosopher Aristotle. He created a model of the

because of its military applications, allowing people

universe using multiple crystalline spheres nested

to watch others from a distance long before they

within each other to explain the motion of the

could see you.

planets and stars. Earth was at the centre, surrounded by a sphere for each of the planets in our solar system, and one each for the Moon, the Sun, and all the stars.

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HABS HISTORY

AMELIA HOWIE

In 1609, Italian physicist and astronomer

German astronomer and mathematician Johannes

Galileo Galilei heard about the invention of

Kepler looked at the movement of Mars and

the spyglass and used his knowledge of

developed three laws of planetary motion which

mathematics and technical skills to improve

allowed astronomers to demonstrate the position of

the magnification from around three to thirty times. Later that year he became the first to view the Moon through a telescope thus making his first discovery, that the Moon was not perfectly smooth as Aristotle had

the planets in the future based on data from past records. Although Kepler's laws explained how the planets moved, they did not explain why. This was discovered by English mathematician, physicist and astronomer, Sir Isaac Newton. He developed the first reflecting telescope in 1668, using mirrors instead of

thought, but mountainous and pitted, just

lenses, and went on to develop the theory of

like the Earth. He followed this discovery by

gravitation and laws of motion, allowing

finding four moons orbiting Jupiter,

astronomers to understand the forces working

observing the phases of Venus and studying

between the Earth, Sun, planets and their moons.

the Sun. These observations convinced

Three hundred years later, it was the application of

Galileo that Aristotle was wrong and lead him

these theories which were used by NASA engineers

to theorise that the Earth and all other planets orbit around the Sun. Although this got him into considerable trouble with the Roman Catholic Church, resulting in house arrest, his observations opened up the field of

to send humans to the Moon in July 1969.

Although the Apollo space programme brought together the work of hundreds of thousands of people, who adapted military rockets to carry people, developed computers to run spacecraft

astronomy and paved the way for even

systems and even made the American flag ‘fly’ on

greater scientific advances.

the Moon without wind by hanging it from a horizontal bar at the top of the flagpole, perhaps the

Before the end of the 17th century, there were

most significant invention was the telescope.

many other discoveries as a result of the

Despite the fact that it began as something as

invention of the telescope.

simple as putting two pieces of glass together, it has allowed us to achieve a greater understanding of how the universe works and our place within it.

HABS HISTORY

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ANALYSIS

HOW CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE CHANGED HUMAN BEINGS’ CONCEPTIONS OF THEMSELVES

BY MADISON SINCLAIR

Throughout history technological advances

The poet John Donne wrote in 1611: ‘Galileo … who of

have changed humans perspectives of

late hath summoned the other world, the starts to

themselves and the world around them. This

come nearer to him, and give him an account of

article will focus on the telescope, the

themselves’. This showed that people, including

microscope and the computer, and examine how these inventions have shaped the way humans view themselves today.

The telescope was invented by Hans Lippershey in the early 1600s. When Galileo Galilei heard of this new invention he promptly made his own telescope, and then went on to publish a book called ‘Siderius Nuncius’ (The Starry Messenger). This work had a massive impact not only on science, but also on the way people view the world. It made people realise that the universe was so much bigger than what had previously been thought, and moreover that the earth was not the centre of the universe, in fact the earth was just a tiny planet orbiting around the sun in one of many galaxies.

Donne, saw the creation of the telescope as like discovering a new world. Furthermore the telescope was so instrumental in the 1600’s due to the large focus on religion. In the 1600’s Christianity played a very large part in peoples lives. The bible taught that humans were the most important, that they were ‘created in God’s image’ and that the world revolved around them. Ideas introduced by the bible, for example the idea of dominion, made humans think that the universe was created just for them. So the telescope, therefore, challenged the bible and made people consider their importance in ways they never had to do before. It made them realise that they were just a small and rather insignificant part of the universe. In fact Galileo’s discoveries were so threatening to the church that he was accused of heresy for beliefs that contradicted Catholic scripture.

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HABS HISTORY

MADISON SINCLAIR

He was summoned to trail and in 1633 he was found

Finally the computer was a monumental change in

guilty, forced to recant his views and sentenced to

the way humans perceived themselves. The first

house arrest until his death in 1642.

computer was the Analytical Engine created by Charles Babbage between 1833 and 1871. The

The microscope had a similar effect to the

computer is what springs to most peoples’ minds

telescope by making people realise there was so

when technology is mentioned, and it can be argued

much more in the world than was commonly

that it was one of the greatest inventions ever.Not

perceived. But instead of showing how large the

only did the computer change the way we

world was it showed that there was so much more

communicated and received information but it also

to life, beyond what humans could see, when

made humans question the fundamental nature of

looking microscopically. It is unclear who invented

humanity. For many, being human means being

the microscope but many believe it was either

able to think, feel and adapt, but this is something

Hans Lippershey or Hans and Zacharias Janssen, a

which computers are fast developing the ability to

father-son team. The microscope again made

do. In fact, a survey taken by the Guardian shows

people question the bible as why would God create

that more than 70% of Americans fear robots taking

a world just for humans but make it so humans

over their lives. People fear that robots will be able to

were unable to see so much of it. Human beings

develop human like characteristics, and become so

were forced to realise that so many intricate beings

intelligent that humans can no longer control them.

thrive, and humans can’t even see them. Humans

The Turing Test is a method of inquiry in artificial

were not as instrumental as once thought and

intelligence for determining whether or not a

whole ecosystems could live unnoticed and

computer is capable of thinking like a human being.

untouched by people. It also changed the way

With the development of robots become more

people could learn and showed that science and

apparent it calls into question what really makes

technology could go places that had not even been

humans so special.

imagined before.

HABS HISTORY

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BIG PICTURE HISTORY

BOOKS: THE MOST IMPORTANT FORM OF TECHNOLOGY?

BY YAEL KATZ

Books are undoubtably technology. They are

And then came the Egyptians. A sprawling empire of

knowledge put into practical use to solve

hot sands, and harsh winds, and reeds cradling the

problems, or invent useful tools. Boiled down,

River Nile - flooding twice a year, to soak the soil and

books are inventions of their time: from

make it fertile - which the Egyptians worshipped as

beaten hide, to crackling parchment, to butter-yellow paper to shining e-books.

We began with the simple art of story-telling. Much of our knowledge of pre-historic times comes from black, yellow and red ochre etchings on cave walls, an appeal to gods. Yet harsh winters and starvation still came, an Ice Age dawned, and by the time much of the ice had melted to spring, and great frozen cliffs had collapsed, it seems this Neolithic people had realised the futility of their appeal. So, history was shadowed from us, and these etchings disappeared (showing just how damaging a lack of visual recordings can be to our understanding of history).

a god. And, largely stoked by this worship of deities, came priests’ desire to record stories of their many gods and pharaohs. So, scrolls made from papyrus (picked from the marshy banks of the Nile, pressed and dried) and a complex system of hieroglyphics written in inks came into being. However, it is important to recognise the limitations of many of the written recordings from Ancient Egypt, as the number of hieroglyphics, which combined 1,000 distinct characters, as well as societal restrictions, meant that only highly wealthy scribes could read or write. So, books’ usefulness as a technology in this time period - both to its people, and now to us were quite limited, as they portray mostly the perspectives of this one, privileged demographic..

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HABS HISTORY

YAEL KATZ

And yet, elsewhere in both the East and West there

Suddenly, books were wrestled back from the

was a cultural explosion during this time. In

Church. And while hand-drawn calligraphy and

particular, during the Golden Age of Athens (from

jewel-bright illustrations were lost (later along with

c.500 BC), once the city state had emerged like a

their scribes, the monks, during the 1536 dissolution

victorious gladiator from its victories in the Persian

of the monasteries in Britain), this was arguably a

wars. There was a city’s worth of philosophers,

brilliant trade in exchange for greater freedom of

among them, for example, Plato, whose (rather

speech, faster communication of medical ideas and

mistranslated) theories went on to inspire

even newspapers.

philosophical thought for the first part of the Middle Ages.

And then came the e-book. Once again, a crushing

means of control, but this time control by big

Then, came the Roman codex, bound with a durable

corporations such as Amazon. And carbon-neutral

wood cover and filled with vellum pages, which was

paperbacks hurt the planet far less than, say, Kindles

easy to carry and enabled early Christians to bring

manufactured with harmful materials and charged

the Gospel to distant lands. Or, take the great work

using energy from nuclear power stations. Yet,

of Virgil, his Aeneid, which was likely bound in this

there’s a growing field of readers in Britain, and the

way, helping its copies to survive throughout the

publishing industry itself is growing as slowly but

ages like a trustworthy Nokia, and go on to inspire

surely as a fruit tree. So maybe there is something

the magic that is Harry Potter. These examples show

sweet to be found in this new form of machinery.

the enduring impact of books on both history, and society today.

But are books the most important form of technology? Vaccines saved countless millions,

On our own isles, Old English - seen in the

planes and cars made it possible to cross the globe

explorations of Beowolf and his heroism in the

within hours, and phones have enraptured

monstrous face of evil - then gave way to Middle

teenagers everywhere. Yet, even Edward Jenner,

English when, sadly, instead of learning from

who favoured a hands-on approach, read books to

France’s cooking we borrowed from their language.

hone his craft, the Wright brothers spent hours

Middle English is experienced in the Canterbury

looking at cramped writing on aerodynamics, and

Tales, and their biblical lessons of morality - and

Steve Jobs often remarked of his love for learning

these tales, it could be argued, are representative of

and literature. Books shape us, and have defined

the stagnation of literature, imprisoned in the gaol of

humanity more than any other piece of technology.

total Church control. Enter Johannes Gutenberg,

Without books, humans may as well be

c.1450, with his invention of the printing press.

chimpanzees.

HABS HISTORY

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CASE STUDY

ESPIONAGE AND THE COLD WAR

BY ANISHA PICK, EDITOR IN CHIEF

During the Cold War, information gathering

This allowed spies to discreetly listen to messages

was essential to both sides, as each was

without drawing attention to themselves. Despite

planning a war against the other. This was

bone conduction having been discovered in the

done through spy rings and individuals. The

1500s, it was not put into practice until the 1940s

construction of the Berlin Wall during the Cold War meant that intelligence services had to rely on advanced technology, because travelling from East to West Berlin was made nearly impossible. Traditional methods no longer worked; technology was needed.

when hearing aids were first invented. It is obvious therefore, that the CIA were inspired by recent technological advancements when creating this device. The Soviets also utilised radio transmissions, but in a different way. As opposed to feeding radio transmissions through cryptic devices, they used burst transmissions, a system in which messages were sped up so much that they could no longer be

Many of the gadgets seen in films such as James

recognised as human speech. As well as making

Bond are inspired by the unusual and innovative

messages more cryptic, it shortened the length of

gadgets used in the Cold War, such as a tobacco

messages, making it harder for their location to be

pipe used by the CIA which, instead of allowing the

tracked. Therefore, rather than simply using radio

user to smoke, was fitted with a radio receiver.

signals to transfer messages, both sides in the Cold

When lifted to the mouth, the user was able to hear

War developed ideas to create a more advanced and

the sound being picked up via bone conduction

creative method of transferring messages.

from the jaw through to the ear canal, allowing spies to subtly listen to radio signals.

Above KGB member card of Zhirnov Sergey, a pioneer of Cold War espionage

By far the most innovative designs used by the CIA during the Cold War were seismic intruder detection devices. These were motion detecting devices which allowed the CIA to monitor activity around buildings. These devices were disguised as rocks and sticks around the building, and looked rather anti-climactic for what they truly were: new and exciting technological advancements. These small devices could detect motion up to 300 metres away, meaning they could be easily placed near an important landmark or target without needing to arise suspicion. These devices were powered by minute power cells, and data gathered by these devices were transmitted back using coded impulses through mini built-in antennae and transmitters.

Issue 2 | page 11

The CIA also invented the first small Unmanned Arial Vehicle, otherwise known as a drone.

These drones were disguised as insects as small as dragonflies and were able to fly into buildings or public places. They were equipped with a hidden camera to record conversations made between spies in the opposite side. For its size, its capabilities were impressive and without a doubt ahead of their time.

Therefore, it can be concluded that technology was essential in the Cold War in order for spies to carry out undercover operations.

From cameras hidden in drones to discreet motion detectors, the technology used in the Cold War was ahead of its time and innovative.

Many of the gadgets seen in films such as James Bond were inspired by the unusual and innovative gadgets used in the Cold War, such as a tobacco pipe used by the CIA which, instead of allowing the user to smoke, was fitted with a radio receiver.

BERLIN CITY GUIDE Berlin is famous for its rich culture and history and is sprawling with museums and monuments. Upon entering the city you are greeted with the grand Brandenburg gates, having stood for over two centuries, the gates have been the site of Nazi Rallies and were a famous entrance into East Berlin during the Cold War. A short walk from the gates is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, which is a chilling collection of thousands of concrete slabs and a stark change from the grand gates. The memorial contains a museum underneath which details the individual stories of those who suffered in the Holocaust. A short walk down Wilhelmstrasse gets you to the Jewish Museum, a unique museum which Berlin is famed for. Nearby lies the Reichstag, the German Parliament, which has been in use for over 100 years.

Perhaps the reason why Berlin is most famous is the Berlin wall which divided East from West Berlin, and a reconstruction can be found at the Berlin Maur museum, a 10 minute taxi ride from the city centre, while the East Side Gallery shows off the graffiti from the wall. A 10 minute walk away lies Checkpoint Charlie, a checkpoint and entrance from East to West Berlin, which also happens to be a great photo opportunity. It’s safe to say that Berlin is a thriving and beautiful city filled with history and culture. It is definitely worth a visit.

Words Anisha Pick Photography from creative commons

In the midst of

16

dramatic changes related to the Covid-19 pandemic, we look back at the effect of technology on medicine

HISTORY MEDICINE

2020 14 Medicine, surgery and war, by Lauren Amdor

16 Vaccines and antibiotics,

by Lydia Berlioz

14

HABS HISTORY

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FOCUS ON MEDICINE

HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY HELPED MEDICINE TO ADVANCE?

BY LAUREN AMDOR

In the modern world, medicine has become

As a result of many broken bones and infected

one of the keys areas of innovation, driven by

limbs, mobile x-rays were utilised for the first time to

the common goal of curing the world’s most

correctly identify shell-fragments and bullet

detrimental diseases and saving the lives of

wounds. The first x-ray machine was created by

adults and children alike. Unsurprisingly, technology has played a major role in the understanding of disease as well as the solutions to solving medical mysteries.

Furthermore, technology is fundamental in

Wilhelm Roentgen when he captured an image of his wife’s hand using gamma rays. Although there were some initial problems with the first x-rays, such as the long period of time the patient needed to remain motionless and the danger of being exposed to radiation, it was vital for the evolution of medicine

sharing new medical ideas and ensuring they

as the x-rays were the first use of radiation in

are widespread, to allow all physicians to

medicine. Radiation treatments and machines use

input and help one another to make their

advanced technologies to capture an image of

mark on medical history.

internal structures in the body and in 1896 Emil Grubbe, an American physician hypothesised and

While technology was developing in areas of

experimented with the use of x-rays to treat certain

warfare, medical techniques were additionally

malignant diseases. Without the discovery of x-rays,

forced to evolve due to new injuries presenting

many treatments for cancer that are common in the

themselves to doctors during a war. Specifically, in

modern world, such as radiation therapy, would be

World War One, many men were presenting with

unheard of.

gunshot and shrapnel wounds due to new weapons being made and tested in the war zone.

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HABS HISTORY

FOCUS ON MEDICINE

Moreover, a significant change to medicine

Furthermore, microsurgery and robotic surgery are

was the introduction of blood transfusions

now used frequently to perform more precise

using new technology to treat soldiers in

surgeries. Microsurgery allows transplants to occur

World War One. Previously, blood was unable

as it involves reattaching tiny nerve endings and

to be stored as it would not stay viable, so a blood transfusion would require a person to person transfusion.

Creating technology that allowed blood to be

blood vessels to new organs in order for them to become part of the body and function normally, this is a vital part of advancement in medical technology as doctors are now able to treat more severe illnesses and diseases. Moreover, robotic surgery is more precise, allowing brain surgery to be

stored for long periods of time was critical in

performed, leading to new procedures taking place

reducing deaths from shock and blood loss.

as well as new discoveries occurring in the field of

British doctor Geoffrey Keynes, designed a

neuroscience.

portable transfusion kit to regulate the flow of blood and prevent clotting. This method

Moreover, technology in medicine is not the sole

was put into action on the western front,

aspect of revolutionising the medical industry as

saving the lives of many soldiers. Therefore, it is evident that the development in technology was fundamental in transforming the way in which we approach treating disease in the modern world.

communicating ideas across the community is an essential part of advancements in the medical field.

In the Middle Ages the only way to share medical knowledge was to copy out discoveries and distribute them. On the whole, this job was performed by monks who were controlled by the Church. Therefore, until the development of the

In addition, technology has recently helped boost

printing press, all medical ideas were under religious

the techniques used in surgery and has allowed

control, meaning that little medical advancement

surgeons to reduce human error. Medical treatments

could occur as the Church was mainly opposed to

such as dialysis, which is a small machine used for

anything that would disprove the existence of God.

patients with renal failure, as it performs the job of

In the 1440s the printing press was created by

the kidney and essentially cleans the blood.

Johannesburg Gutenberg, which allowed replicas of

Moreover, a surgical technique called laparoscopic

medical discoveries to be published and distributed

surgery (otherwise known as keyhole surgery)

all over the world so physicians were able to stay

creates a narrow incision away from the area being

updated with the most recent and modern medical

operated on, large enough to fit a small camera in to

ideas and new methods were able to circulate and

perform the surgery. The advantage of this method

be improved, leading to fast medical progression

is that the body experiences less trauma and

and rapid movement towards a divide between

recovery time is consequently reduced. This advance

religion and science.

in technology has also reduced fatalities in surgery.

HABS HISTORY

PAGE 16

FOCUS ON MEDICINE

HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS REVOLUTIONISED MEDICINE

BY LYDIA BERLIOZ

In this article I will address three of the most

If broken bones weren’t set in the right position,

significant technological inventions that have

people ended up walking with limbs. During times

greatly impacted medicine as we now know

of war, the X-day could show where a bullet was

it today. These include vaccinations,

which meant the surgeon spent less time searching

antibiotics and internal imaging devices.

inside the wound, reducing the chance of infection or further damage to blood vessels. Similarly, if a soldier was injured by a shrapnel, the doctor could

One very significant invention is the X-ray. X-rays were discovered by German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895. When his wife placed her between the cathode ray tube and photographic plate he had developed, he found an image of her hand showed up. As early as 1896, many hospitals had an X-day machine installed. The X-ray is one of the most common ways to non-invasively and painlessly diagnose someone, as well as monitoring internal structures.

Before the invention of any internal imaging devices, it was much harder to see internal structures like bones and tissues, as well as identifying any tissues as being broken or fractured.

ensure he had removed every part from the soldier’s body. Throughout World War One the X-day was very common to diagnose tuberculosis and pneumonia and they were not just used for diagnosis but also in the treatment of cancer.

However, because radiologists and patients didn’t receive proper protection, many died in the early 20th century from overexposure.

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HABS HISTORY

FOCUS ON MEDICINE

If broken bones weren’t set in the right

He knew of infections like gangrene and

position, people ended up walking with

septicaemia, and also knew that the current

limbs. During times of war, the X-day could

antiseptics were not effective against these

show where a bullet was which meant the

infections. He realised there was a need for a new

surgeon spent less time searching inside the wound, reducing the chance of infection or further damage to blood vessels. Similarly, if a soldier was injured by a shrapnel, the doctor could ensure he had removed every

treatment to fight the microorganisms that were causing infections. In 1928, Fleming became Professor of Bacteriology at St. Mary’s hospital Medical School. He had been studying staphylococcus cultures and when he returned from his holiday he found the cultures piled on the

part from the soldier’s body. Throughout

corners of his laboratory. The cultures had been

World War One the X-day was very common

contaminated with a mould and and this mould had

to diagnose tuberculosis and pneumonia and

destroyed the cultures. Fleming, therefore, grew the

they were not just used for diagnosis but also

mould and found it could be used to kill

in the treatment of cancer. However, because

microorganisms that caused disease- this was the

radiologists and patients didn’t receive

first antibiotic. In 1941, the first patient was treated,

proper protection, many died in the early 20th century from overexposure.).

Albert Alexander, a local policeman who had developed septicaemia after a scratch. Although he was getting better, the team ran out of penicillin and

Similarly, before vaccinations became widespread,

unfortunately Alexander didn’t survive, however, this

measles killed 2.6 million people per year. In

discovery showed that penicillin had the potential to

addition, with the current spread of the coronavirus,

save lives.

scientists are working around the clock to find a vaccine against the virus, demonstrating that vaccines are essential parts of medicine and are still used all the time today.

Antibiotics are crucial in medicine and their creation has had a profound impact on saving many lives.

Penicillin was invented by Alexander Fleming, a First World War doctor.

"Scientists are working around the clock to find a vaccine against the Coronavirus, demonstrating that vaccines are an essential part of medicine and are still used all the time."

HABS HISTORY

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PAST AND FUTURE

WHAT CAN HISTORY TELL US ABOUT A FUTURE WHERE OUR TECHNOLOGY HAS FAILED US?

BY HANNAH KEANE

What do you do when the WiFi goes down for

A key example is the Dark Ages, also commonly

an hour at home? You panic, wondering what

known as the Middle Ages. This was a period in time

to do with yourself now that the internet is

after the fall of the Roman Empire, which collapsed

down. But what would you do if that lasted a

in 476AD. In the aftermath, there was a distinct loss

day, a month, a year?

of many technologies which were invented and created by the Romans. Although the technology

We all rely on technology to live our daily lives. We

was different, its failure would have had similar

need technology for communication, work, school,

consequences to what may happen to us. Some

travel, research and so much more. Technology has

Roman technology included roads, currency and

helped make life-saving discoveries and find ways to

aqueducts, most of which we still use today. The

improve our lives. There are more than 4 billion

whole western world took a step backwards in

global users of the internet - over half of the world’s

technological advancement, returning to rural

population. This just shows how prominent and

economies. The knowledge of science and literature

crucial technology is to the world. How therefore

the Romans had brought was gone and was

would the world react to a catastrophic failure of

replaced with a devout belief in Christianity and

technology?

superstition.

 Scientists can tell us what could happen from a

The absence of the Romans caused the world to

technical perspective, but we could actually learn a

yearn for a sense of support, which they found

lot more from history.

largely in religion. A branch of Christianity, Catholicism, was preached and soon became widely followed.

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HABS HISTORY

HANNAH KEANE

Monasteries and churches were built and

The recovery from this devastating period of time

increased power went to abbots, bishops and

took nearly 1000 years and was not achieved until

priests. Although religion did give people

the Renaissance. The Renaissance was literally a

support, it caused society to regress.

rebirth, a period of rapid advancement in arts and

Religious remedies, that did not work, were used (such as the royal touch). These remedies were used instead of more successful and modern healing methods that the Romans brought, such as medicine and

science, calling on the memories of the Roman Empire. It led on to the Enlightenment, a movement where ideas, education and literature were spread across the globe. Inventions still used today were created that revolutionised the world. It had seemed that the world had finally recovered from the Dark

hygiene. This may be a key reason why one of

Ages.

the world’s largest pandemics, the Black

Death, was not easily controlled and spread

Overall, from History we can notice trends that can

very quickly.

help us decipher what could happen in the future.

As a Mark Twain famously said, ‘History does not

The absence of technology created room for more

repeat itself, it rhymes.’ This shows that if technology

than just religion. Superstitions arose and were

fails us now, we may end up in a situation similar to

taken very seriously. One superstition that was

the Middle Ages. Just remember, whenever your

responsible for many deaths was witchcraft and

WiFi next goes out at home, think of the Dark Ages!.

dark magic. Witch hunts were carried out and caused many innocent people to lose their lives in the least pleasant ways possible. From the failure of the Romans, we can see the increase in barbarity and decrease in scientific knowledge and advancements..

"The absence of Roman technology caused the world to yearn for a sense of support, which they found largely in religion."

HABS HISTORY

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BIG PICTURE HISTORY

DOES WAR INCREASE THE RATE OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS?

BY HELENA MCCONNELL

War places an enormous strain on a country’s

Consequently, both countries, dedicated a

resources as well as a burden on the citizens

substantial amount of resources to research into

within that country, due to the fact that all

new technologies. On 4th October 1957 the first

efforts appear to go towards a war that

man-made satellite, called Sputnik, was launched

brings significant negative effects for all involved. However, war can be seen as having beneficial effects for science as the development of technology is required to solve specific military needs, which evolve into non-military technological devices.

into Earth’s orbit by the Soviet Union. As a consequence of this major historical milestone, this era became one dedicated to innovation. Numerous scientific and technological advances in both the Soviet Union and the USA were achieved, which can be seen as a direct impact of war. This included Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, becoming the first person to orbit Earth, in April 1961, and the USA

The Space Race between the USA and Soviet Union

creating the National Aeronautics Space

is one example of how the possibility of war aided

Administration (NASA) and the Apollo Programme

technological advancements. The origins of the

which was started in 1961. These space programmes

space race were due to the nuclear arms race

commenced with their main purpose being military

between these two nations following World War II,

defence, as the idea was to fight the Cold War by

the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the conflict in

simply displaying power without engaging in

Southeast Asia beginning in 1947. It was seen as a

traditional warfare. However, the technology created

necessity for both of these nations to be

proved extremely beneficial to the progress of

technologically superior, or at least equal to the

science, for example these events planted the seed

other in order to maintain national security and for

for further development of satellite technology such

political superiority.

as GPS and satellite TV..

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HABS HISTORY

HELENA MCCONNELL

It could also be argued that the Internet itself

Overall, war fast tracks technological advancements

began as a military project. In the 1960s the

because each nation wants to have access to the

US Defence Department started a project

most advanced technology when entering a war, to

called the Advanced Research Projects

ensure they are sufficiently equipped to secure

Agency Network (ARPANET). This project was established to enable multiple computers to connect directly to one another in order to benefit national security. By creating a reliable and flexible network, the USA could

victory. Military rivalry between nations increases research investment from governments and stimulates scientific and engineering development, which therefore causes an increase in the frequency and speed of the development of such technologies.

ensure that even during war, access to the

This isn’t to say that there aren’t scientific reasons for

nation’s computers could remain intact. Not

research into new technologies and that scientists

only this but information could now travel

aren’t motivated out of intellectual curiosity and the

along different routes so that if something

desire to discover something new. The threat of war,

happened to one pathway, which stopped it

hand in hand with a state’s primary duty, which is to

from working, the information could take an

protect and defend its citizens, increases the

alternative one to reach the same destination. The foundation for the internet, and ultimately Google, Amazon, social media etc, was all within the designs and protocols build by ARPANET. Even though war directly played no part in its development, the threat of future conflict with the Soviet Union did.

necessity for better technology for military defence.

However, after the conflict has subsided this technology, by nature is continued to be developed and goes on to benefit society.

How Technology has altered politics FROM WATERGATE TO 'HASHTAG ACTIVISM'

Article by Tabitha Dresden photo showing President Richard Nixon meeting celebrities, including Elvis Presley, 1970 (creative commons)

Politics undoubtedly influences our lives extensively.

Wherever there is conflict there has to be politics to resolve these conflicts. When we think about politics today it is easy to feel considerably disillusioned, but we are arguably more in touch with politicians and the workings of government than we have ever been and a lot of this is down to the development of technology.

While politicians’ attempts to use technology and social media is often cringe worthy, it is now easier to access information about current events and easier to directly influence politics from the comfort of our homes.

Furthermore, technology has made politics an almost exact science with campaign efforts constantly trying to find new ways to improve their chances of election.

Involvement of the public in politics has been massively influenced by the expansion and accessibility of technology.

In today’s world 45.12% of the population own a smart phone and this has only made politics more widespread with those who would have been switched off to their political climate becoming more aware due to the technology available. This has led to a greater involvement and investment in today’s politics.

The development of social media has put politics online and given people a voice which previously they did not have.

This has been seen with the rise of ‘Hashtag activism’ which is the act of showing support for a cause through a like or a share, with hashtags like “black lives matter” and “me too” becoming central to modern politics.

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HABS HISTORY

TABITHA DRESDEN

The rise of online petitions has also given

It was revealed that Nixon was connected with a

people a more influential voice in today’s

burglary of the Democratic National Committee

politics with sites like 38 degrees and the UK

building in Washington, to steal documents and tap

government petition websites giving people

the phones in the buildings. This was uncovered by

the opportunity to voice their opinion from anywhere in the world. The power of social media should not be underestimated in politics today, while the use of activism through social media is often referred to as

reporters in the Washington Post and once Nixon’s involvement became clear, he resigned in 1974..After this scandal confidence in the President and other leaders has diminished, and people look more to the media now to be the whistle blowers on politicians.

The growth in communication technologies has

‘slacktivism’, it has becoming increasingly

meant that information reaches people far quicker

apparent that the advancement of

and events like Watergate can have worldwide

technology and social media has brought

implications on the day they happen. This has now

about significant political change by allowing

been furthered with the development of social

people to becoming more aware of issues

media and now there is very little politicians can do

ranging from climate change to women’s

without the scrutiny of the media.

rights.

The development of technology has increased the influence of the media and thus changed the way we view politicians dramatically. The expansion of the media through the use of technology has been astronomical with the increase in usage of televisions, radios and more recently social media.

Before the technology used by the media was developed, politicians were seen as very separate characters and were very rarely confronted by the media as it was much easier to control what was made public knowledge. Now it has become much harder for politicians to cover up any information released about current events. The media has become much more powerful, and can now easily gather their own information and inform the public within hours, where as previously the government could more easily control what information was released and when. The most prominent example of this is the ‘Watergate’ scandal which ultimately lead to the end of Richard Nixon’s presidency.

While technology has influenced those on the outside of politics greatly it has also changed the way that political insiders campaign and function.

Technology has been used in political campaigning to develop targeted adverts. With advancements in technology surrounding data storage, it is now far easier for online companies to know your location and your political standpoint, and therefore it is easier for politicians to create “microtargeted” political adverts which may be sent to a very small number of people with the minimum currently being 100. Previously there was no way to know the political standpoint of the person that you were advertising to so you could not target them as easily.

Ultimately, this means politicians can adapt their messages to different people and this shows how far technology has changed the way that political campaigning works.

Overall, it is clear to see how the development of technology has had a profound effect on politics from increasing engagement, the increased power of the media and the new and slightly more concealed ways in which politicians can campaign using technology.

HABS HISTORY

PAGE 24

BIG PICTURE HISTORY

IS TECHNOLOGY THE MOST IMPORTANT SHAPER OF HISTORICAL EVENTS?

BY GAVRIELLA EPSTEIN-LIGHTMAN

The development from agriculture-based to

Planes were mass produced and developed,

industrial economies was a major step

becoming drastically more popular throughout the

towards a more efficient society. Factories

war. Initially, France had just 140 planes but by 1918,

and mass production helped make the world

France had a staggering 4500. As war continued,

as we know it today. The world has changed drastically as a result of the industrial revolution; the worldwide phenomenon that brought countries from farming and agricultural economies to tertiary and

countries were forced to develop new machinery and weapons in response to their enemies. U-boats were invented to detect German submarines and protect the British navy. Poisonous gases were also developed, with 4600 tanks of gas produced by the end of the war. While there were many

quaternary industries. Many historical events

technological advances during the First World War,

since 1700 have been shaped by technology,

there were also social consequences of that war.

the development of machines, or early

After the war, many old traditions were overturned.

models of objects used today.

Women finally got the vote and the rigid English class system started to fade away.

The First World War was greatly shaped by technology as many of the weapons used were very modern and new at the time. An example of this is airplanes, which had never previously been used in war, as they had only been invented eleven years earlier.

The Second World War is another important example of a significant event that changed History.

The war was predominantly shaped by technological advances. The Second World War, unlike the First, was fought not in the trenches but was largely in the skies. By this time, planes had been in use much longer and were more common.

Bombs were a new, lethal weapon used frequently throughout the war.

Without the development of bombs, hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians’ lives would not have been lost. Radio navigation was also an important discovery made in the Second World War. Navigation systems were used to help bombers hit their target. In order to keep their communications secret, both the Germans and the British developed complex codes.

The German enigma machine made a new code every twenty-four hours, so it was a supposedly foolproof way of communicating. In response, code breakers for the British created a machine called the Bombe to decipher the German messages. Without new technology, the Second World War would have turned out very differently, and it’s impact on the world would have been different - and less significant.

Whether technology is the most important shaper of History is extremely dependent on many factors, such as what time period the event was in, the circumstances that led to the event, where the event occurred and the type of event. An example of this is the American Civil War, which was less shaped by changes in technology than 20th century wars, despite being fought in an era of new inventions. The Civil War was greatly shaped by conflicts over slavery. On the whole, however, technology has certainly been an important shaper of historical events.

France had just 140 planes in 1914 but by 1918, they had a staggering 4500. As war continued, countries were forced to develop new machinery and weapons in response to their enemies.

Photos show the British Bombe machine from World War 2 (left) and a cross-section of a pilot inside a WW2 Spitfire (right); both creative Commons

HABS HISTORY

Technology | 24

HABS HISTORY

PAGE 26

EDUCATION

HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS SHAPED EDUCATION

BY PARI ZELIN

There is no doubt that technology has had a

In the Ancient World, bones, pebbles and the abacus

massive impact on modern society, affecting

were used as arithmetic tools. The idea of aiding

all areas of life. One such area is education,

mathematical calculations eventually culminated in

something that is very important to all of us.

the invention of the first mechanical calculator in

When we think of technology in education, iPads, laptops and Smartboards spring to mind, but technology has impacted education in more ways than we can imagine.

1642 by Blaise Pascal. Pascal’s calculator was able to add and subtract two numbers with little human effort. However, it was not until the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century that digital mechanical calculators were mass produced and

The first modern technological invention that

bought. From then on, calculators have developed

heavily impacted education was that of the printing

and become more advanced, allowing us to carry

press in Germany in 1440. It was able to quickly

out more complex functions. The calculator has

mass-produce religious and scientific texts that

hugely impacted education and the way that

would previously have been very slow and expensive

students can study mathematics. There are so many

to make. This gave people a reason to become

examples of technology that has advanced in a

literate. Production of texts like the Bible, both in

similar way throughout History, and the importance

Latin and other spoken languages, gave many

of these can be seen today.

Christians in the Renaissance period incentive to learn to read. Printing meant that information could

It is widely believed that the use of technology in

reach many people around the world, without the

classrooms has many benefits. For example, the use

risk of misinformation being passed around as a

of computers and iPads encourages independent

result of oral or transcription errors. Today, printers

research, where students can explore millions of

are used in educational institutions on a daily basis,

valuable resources quickly and easily, without the

clearly highlighting the importance of this invention

need to spend hours flicking through books in order

made by Johannes Gutenberg almost 600 years ago.

to find necessary information.

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HABS HISTORY

PARI ZELIN

Technology has also paved the way for a

Having said this, the general consensus amongst

more interactive way of learning, for example

students and teachers alike is that the use of

through online courses (and, of course, games

technology in schools is a hugely positive thing,

such as Kahoot!). The use of technology in

helping students in countless ways that no one

classrooms also teaches students skills that will be useful later in life. In the 21st century, dependence on technology is growing, and being exposed to it from a young age increases understanding of IT,

would have dreamt of previously.

Technology has massively influenced the way we see education today. Through revolutionary inventions such as the printing press and the calculator, as well as the use of online resources and modern devices in

communication, research and presentation

classrooms, education has come a long way thanks

skills, all of which are extremely important in

to technology. Â Advancements made throughout

the working world. It is also important to

History have led us to where we are today, so who

remember that technology such as cars also

knows how education will be different in the future.

allow students to travel to school, increasing their chances of receiving an education in the first place.

However, it must be said that there is some controversy in terms of the need for technology in classrooms. It could be argued that technology distracts students from their studies, for example through social media; or that technology disconnects students from social interaction.Furthermore, technology is not readily available to all students, due to the cost of devices like laptops and iPads. This, and the fact that not all students have easy access to the internet, means that though technology can cause major educational advancements for some, others would be left behind..

FINANCE REVIEW

PAGE 28

REVOLUTION

HOW HAS THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AFFECTED MODERN SOCIETY?

BY KIMI SHAH

The Industrial Revolution’s beginning and

As more young people moved into the big cities,

end is still debated among modern historians

they met more people, and, freed from the

but it is believed to have started around 1760

controlling influence of their landlords, could marry

and terminated around 1830. The Industrial

younger. This created an increase in the number of

Revolution impacted many different areas of human life, for example: working and living standards.

births, therefore increasing the population.

This enormous population increase led to an increase in quality of life and a need for more supplies, which in turn led to a depletion of natural

In the mid-18th century the human population was

resources. This means that today there isn’t as many

roughly 700 million. By 1900 it had already reached

natural resources as there would have had if the

1.6 billion and it hit 2 billion in 1927. The world’s

Industrial Revolution hadn’t occurred. Coal is what

population had increased by 400 million people in

began the Industrial Revolution: it transformed the

less than 30 years, which at that point in time was an

way humans would live, and use energy. Coal was

astronomical feat. This huge increase occurred,

very important during the Industrial Revolution. It

because of the advances in medicine and the

was used to power steam engines, heat buildings

improvement in living standards. These advances in

and create electricity. Coal replaced other fuels like

medicine and improvements in healthcare ensured

wood because it was bountiful and needed less

more children survived (many children right before

labour to mine, than to cut wood. This constant use

the Industrial Revolution didn’t survive because of

of coal disrupted the environment massively and in

lack of food and proper healthcare) and allowed an

1750 5.2 million tonnes of coal was produced in

increase in the number of births..

Britain. Burning fossil fuels pollutes the air, adds carbon to the atmosphere contributing to global warming, and creates acid rain.

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HABS HISTORY

KIMI SHAH

This mass use of coal during the Industrial

London is a huge part of the British economy and is

Revolution left our air and environment

a centre of rich culture; 300 different languages are

extremely polluted which is a problem that

spoken in London. London is of central importance

remains to this day.

to Britain and it’s safe to say Britain’s economy

rThe Industrial Revolution impacted the British

Industrial Revolution enabled Britain to be able to

economy massively. Job opportunities increased,

trade and transport goods more easily because of

cities grew bigger, Britain became less agricultural,

the installation of steam power and the

and there was an increase in production and

development made in the layout of trading ships,

consumption. London is one of the world’s most

made water transport quicker and more reliable.

successful cities and is home to 8 million

The Industrial Revolution has most definitely

inhabitants, during the Industrial Revolution London

impacted modern society today in both positive and

grew and grew to become a hub of business and

negative aspects. From its economic to

opportunities as we know it today.

environmental affects, it’s fair to say that the 21st

would not be the same without London. The

century would not be the same without the Industrial Revolution..

HABSHISTORY

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

SURVEY RESULTS Madison Sinclair asked Habs Girls their views on history and technology

Most harmful technology?

Interestingly, phones and social media were the most popular answer. This is surprising because the first question asks ‘Which technology has most improved your life’ to which most people answered either the internet or phones. This shows that technology has both advantages and disadvantages. Therefore showing that there is a fine line between technology being helpful or detrimental.

HABSHISTORY SUMMER 2020|Â ISSUE NO. 2

THIS POLL CREATED THE LARGEST VARIETY OF ANSWERS, WITH NO INVENTOR GETTING MORE THAN FOUR VOTES EACH. PROVING THAT IS IT IS NOT JUST ONE PERSON WHO HAS SHAPED THE WORLD WE LIVE IN TODAY, BUT INSTEAD MANY.

HABS HISTORY

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