David Wildes

Dr. Rood

ENV 250

10 September 2014

Timeline of Resource Development

While figure1.1 of the Ashby text outlines the development of technology and discovery of different elements, the timeline lacks any sort of historical context to provide a background/impetus for the development of technology. The chapter asserts that technological development is often spurred by crises such and natural disaster or conflict, but provides very few historical examples to support that assertion. The timeline that I have included should hopefully serve in conjunction with the original timeline to explain the historical context of several scientific advances.

The timeline itself is difficult to read, but I had difficulties scanning and editing the file. (Full disclosure, "Ancient Greece" is misspelled on the timeline) 

The left side delineates some particular scientific advances related to historical eras and events as shown on the right side of the timeline. The advances on the left side were meant to be varied in nature and reflect some of the particular advances in human understanding as well as some of the destructive effects of science. The juxtaposition of events such as the invention of a Smallpox vaccine and the nuclear meltdown of the Chernobyl reactor reveal both how scientific progression over time has improved the human condition and created new problems for life on Earth.

Video of world civilizations (Incomplete, but still useful)

http://youtu.be/pkV7XPh20ng