Science+ Technology
By Will Butler and John Niiler
Zoology, evolution, and astronomy
Muslims contributed these ideas to our everyday lives relating to science:
evolution- the process by which different kinds of animals and other living things develop
astronomy- the science of the stars, planets, and other objects in the universe.
zoology- study of animals
Astrolabes, waterwheels, toothbrushes, cranks
astrolabe- an instrument used to observe and measure the position of the sun and other heavenly bodies.
During the muslim times they had waterwheels. The waterwheels scooped water from the Orontes River into aqueducts, bringing it to homes and farms.
Toothbrush-According to Hassani, the Prophet Mohammed popularized the use of the first toothbrush in around 600. Using a twig from the Meswak tree, he cleaned his teeth and freshened his breath. Substances similar to Meswak are used in modern toothpaste.
Crank- Many of the basics of modern automatics were first put to use in the Muslim world, including the crank-connecting rod system. By converting rotary motion to linear motion, the crank enables the lifting of heavy objects with relative ease. The technology, discovered by Al-Jazari in the 12th century, exploded across the globe, leading to everything from the bicycle to the combustion engine.