An invention is defined as a unique method, composition, or process. In the last century alone, we have witnessed many inventions that have transformed our experiences and interactions in every aspect. However, these inventions would not have been possible had it not been for the following inventions, which are the pioneers in many recent breakthroughs.
Please note: I have not placed them in order of importance.
1. WHEEL
Interesting fact: The wheel was invented in 3500 B.C, and according to studies, it was used as potter's wheel. It was not until 300 years later that people began using it in chariots.
How it changed the world:The modern applications of the wheel are immense- ranging from transportation to agriculture (and in clocks too!)
2. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
Interesting fact: The earliest evidence of a crank and connecting rod mechanism dates to the 3rd century AD in a part of the Roman Empire (now Turkey). Modern day ICE came in late 19th century, in while the combustion of a fuel releases a high-temperature gas, that expands and exerts force on a piston, thereby moving it.
How it changed the world:The invention of ICE led to the inventions of many other engines used in cars and aircrafts.
2. THE LIGHT BULB
Interesting fact: Although many credit Edison for the invention of the electric light, it was actually Humphry Davy who invented it in 1802. Edison is celebrated however as he created the first commercially practical incandescent light in 1897.
How it changed the world:The bulb has made it possible for us to continue with our activities at night through lamps and tube lights. One interesting application is in photography in the form of camera flash.
4. TELEPHONE
Interesting fact: Although several inventors did pioneering work on electronic voice transmission, Alexander Graham Bell was the first one to be awarded a patent for the electric telephone in 1876. This was the first successful bi-directional transmission of clear speech and he was assisted by Thomas Watson.
How it changed the world:The telephone revolutionized communication, and was the first step towards connecting the world.
5. PENICILLIN
Interesting fact: Fleming, the inventor of penicillin, was experimenting with the influenza virus and penicillin was accidentally invented.
How it changed the world:
The discovery of penicillin changed the course of medicine and has enabled physicians to treat formerly severe and life-threatening illnesses.
6. THE PRINTING PRESS
Interesting fact: The German Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440. The printing press became so popular that twenty million volumes had been printed in Western Europe by 1500.
How it changed the world:Printing presses exponentially increased the speed with which book copies could be made, and thus they led to the rapid and widespread dissemination of knowledge for the first time in history.
7. SPINNING WHEEL
Interesting fact:
Fleming, the inventor of penicillin, was experimenting with the influenza virus and penicillin was accidentally invented.
How it changed the world:The printing press is a culturally important invention because it helped spread literature to masses for the first time in an efficient and durable way.
8. COMPUTER
Interesting fact:
The first electronic computer ENIAC weighed more than 27 tons and took up 1800 square feet.
How it changed the world:
People were able to store and share various kinds of data in a systematic forward. Newer computers have influenced every sector in the world and how they store their data.
9. THE COMPASS
Interesting fact: The Chinese invented the first compass sometime between the 9th and 11th century; it was made of lodestone, a naturally-magnetized iron ore, the attractive properties of which they had been studying for centuries.
How it changed the world:The compass was a transformative navigation technology that helped sailors in their voyages, which eventually led them to create global networks, and finally, global trade.
10. INTERNET
Interesting fact: Countless people helped develop it, but the person most often credited with its invention is the computer scientist Lawrence Roberts. ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) built a communications network to connect the computers in the agency, called ARPANET, which was the predecessor of the Internet.
How it changed the world:Internet connected the world in more ways that one can imagine- communications, health, education, virtually all sectors of the world changed how they interacted with the world.
Here's my video:
This is my very first attempt at editing a video, so please let me know what you think!
