From time to time, revolutionary inventions change our world beyond recognition, and not always for the better.
For example, because of smartphones, people have stopped communicating in person, and plastic bags ruin the view when the wind blows them around.
This is especially true for third world countries and those on the path of development. In short, for half of the Earth.
However, the wheel and the World Wide Web are quite useful inventions. Everything is not so clear.
10. sailboat
Ancient Mesopotamia, 6000 BC. e.
The Age of Sail is an era that brought global trade and transport links between continents into our lives.
Another confirmation of this is the phenomenon of the archaeological culture of Ubaid. It is generally accepted that within a vast area in the Middle East there was intense interaction between Chalcolithic societies, as a result of which there is a certain similarity in the features of material culture.
Simply put, the same ceramics are found in different nations. These people were clearly trading with each other.
It is likely that the sailors of Ancient Mesopotamia sailed along the Tigris and Euphrates, connecting the peoples who inhabited the region.
9. Wheel
Like the sailboat, the wheel revolutionized transport, trade and exciting tourism. It is not known for certain where exactly it was invented, but Mesopotamia or Early Bronze Age Asia are the most likely candidates.
8. Nail
Ancient Egypt, 3400 BC. e.
The Egyptians were glorified not only by the pyramids. The ancient inhabitants of the Nile Delta also invented one of the basics of carpentry and construction - the elegant but strong nail.
Three millennia later, the Romans were the first to mass produce nails, which they forged from iron blanks.
7. Soap
Ancient Mesopotamia, 2800 BC. e.
Improving hygiene and sanitation is the merit of soap. This reduced the likelihood of an epidemic and led to an increase in the urban population.
The first domestic toilet appeared in Skara Brae, Scotland in 3000 BC.
Around the same time, “cleansing soaps” were invented in ancient Mesopotamia. And “soaps” were made from wood ash and animal fat.
6. Counting board
Ancient Mesopotamia, 2700 BC. e.
This thing is the forerunner of electronic calculators and computers. The abacus appeared in Mesopotamia about 4,700 years ago, only to disappear during the era of mechanics and electronics.
The Sumerians used the abacus for calculations based on their relatively complex numerical system.
This smart gadget played a key role in international trade and financial system ancient world.
5. Compass
China, 206 BC e.
The invention of this contraption radically changed the way sailors navigated the sea. Ultimately, it may even have brought the era of great geographical discoveries closer.
It is known for certain that it was invented as a tool for fortune telling. The Chinese did not use the compass as a navigational device until the 11th century.
4. Paper
China, 105 BC e.
The invention of paper was crucial because it made it possible to more effectively share knowledge, keep records, and store information.
Despite the fact that the ancient Egyptians made writing material from seaweed back in the 4th century BC (papyrus), the Chinese still created paper in the form that we know now.
The technology for making “classical” paper from cellulose raw materials was developed by the Minister-Adviser of the Imperial Court, Cai Lun.
3. Powder
China, 142
It may have been invented much earlier, but the first mention of it is found in a Taoist treatise written by the alchemist Wei Boyang in 142 AD.
Gunpowder had a major impact on world history, changing the way warfare was fought. Until now, black powder is the basis of many modern species weapons.
2. Mechanical watches
China, 725
Another super-know-how from the Middle Kingdom. The world's first "mechanical chronometer" was assembled by an astronomer, mathematician, inventor, engineer and Buddhist monk during the Tang Dynasty. His name was Yi Xing. Military engineer Liang Lingzan helped him.
The clock was part of a bronze celestial globe. Images of constellations and the celestial equator were engraved on the surface of the device.
This gadget is called an “armillary sphere”. It is used to determine the equatorial or ecliptic coordinates of celestial bodies relative to the Earth.
The sphere was probably created on behalf of the imperial court in order to facilitate the process of prediction solar eclipses in connection with the calendar reform.
1. Printing press
Holy Roman Empire, 1440
Johannes Gutenberg's seminal invention helped make books so cheap that they became accessible to many sections of the public, not just the elite.
Gutenberg literally ushered in an era mass media. The significance of his invention cannot be overestimated.
0° Thermometer
Republic of Venice, 1612
Modern medical diagnostics, Scientific research, production processes and much more - require precise measurement of heat levels.
In 1592, Galileo Galilei developed the thermoscope, the ancestor of all modern thermometers.
However, the first thermometer familiar to our eyes was created by the Venetian physician Santorio in 1612.
Humanity has come an incredibly long, sometimes dangerous journey to reach the top modern development. Today it is difficult to surprise us with technical innovations. We rarely think about what preceded the development of modern high technology, allowed man to soar like a bird in the sky, create rockets, explore outer space, and look confidently into the future. However, we should not forget that without past successes in our lives there would be no Internet, computer, favorite TV, car and a host of other equipment, without which we cannot imagine our lives today. Let's not forget that we owe today's achievements and those yet to come the greatest minds human - scientists, inventors, workers who helped bring to life seemingly the most incredible, fantastic ideas. Let's remember the ten most significant inventions that contributed to revolutionary technical breakthroughs in the history of human development.
List of inventions:
Electricity - greatest invention, without which there would not have been many successes and achievements in all areas of human activity. Today it’s impossible to believe, but without electricity we could be “stuck” in the early Middle Ages, where instead of the usual lamps, light bulbs, televisions, telephones, there would be candles, smoky torch heads and the mournful singing of the wind for a long time winter evenings. There would be no computer, Internet and many other unique achievements from the world of high technology. Electricity was first described in detail in 1600 by the Englishman William Gilbert, although attempts were made to study this phenomenon back in Ancient Greece. Two centuries later, Alessandro Volta demonstrates to the world the first galvanic cell, the prototype of a modern battery, Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, at the end of the 19th century Edison invented the first light bulb with a long service life, and the first power plant serving the population began operating in Germany. With each century, man moves further along the path of knowledge and progress, expanding the horizons of civilization thanks to great discoveries and inventions, among which electricity occupies one of the leading places.
I wanted to know last news, listen good music- and now, out of habit, my hand reaches out to the radio receiver that is familiar to everyone. And few people thought about who was credited with inventing the radio. In the post-Soviet countries, A. Popov is considered the inventor of radiotelegraphy, and May 7 has become an annual holiday. It was on this day, 1895, that the scientist demonstrated his invention and carried out a communication session for the first time. Scientists from other countries, including Nikola Tesla and G. Marconi, also dispute the right to be called the creator of such a device. It should be noted that the invention is based on the discoveries of other great predecessors. Thus, M. Faraday discovered the electromagnetic field in 1845. Availability electromagnetic waves demonstrated in 1885 by G. Hertz. In 1885, T. Edison patented a method for transmitting electrical signals. The beginning of the 20th century was marked by the emergence large number broadcast stations, radio becomes the leader among mass media. Radio communications continue to develop, new frequencies are being mastered, and data is being transmitted over the Internet.
The book is known to be a source of knowledge. It is capable of storing the most valuable information accumulated by humanity over thousands of years. The first books were written by hand on papyrus. Later, the Chinese invented paper; the technology of printing books from printing boards was the first to be invented in the 9th century. also Chinese. In the 11th century, the method of printing from type was invented in China. This process was later improved. In Korea, bronze letters began to be used instead of clay letters. In the XIV - early XV centuries. the process of book printing spread rapidly in Europe. The German I. Gutenberg proposed a new process for printing books from movable type. Around 1445, Gutenberg began printing books in a manner that was used until the end of the 18th century. The manual printing press was invented, and later printing houses began to appear. Gutenberg's invention accelerated the process of printing books tenfold, made it possible to produce books of any size, and they became available to all segments of the population. With the invention of printing, the era of enlightenment began.
Over the past few centuries, we have made countless discoveries that have helped to significantly improve the quality of our Everyday life and understand how the world around us works. Assessing the full importance of these discoveries is very difficult, if not almost impossible. But one thing is for sure - some of them literally changed our lives once and for all. From penicillin and the screw pump to x-rays and electricity, here is a list of 25 of mankind's greatest discoveries and inventions.
25. Penicillin
If Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming had not discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928, we would still be dying from diseases such as stomach ulcers, abscesses, streptococcal infections, scarlet fever, leptospirosis, Lyme disease and many others.
24. Mechanical watch
Photo: pixabay
There are conflicting theories about what the first ones actually looked like. mechanical watches, but most often researchers adhere to the version that they were created in 723 AD by the Chinese monk and mathematician Ai Xing (I-Hsing). It was this seminal invention that allowed us to measure time.
23. Copernican heliocentrism
Photo: WP/wikimedia
In 1543, almost on his deathbed, Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus unveiled his landmark theory. According to the works of Copernicus, it became known that the Sun is our planetary system, and all its planets revolve around our star, each in its own orbit. Until 1543, astronomers believed that the Earth was the center of the Universe.
22. Blood circulation
Photo: Bryan Brandenburg
One of the most important discoveries in medicine was the discovery of the circulatory system, which was announced in 1628 by the English physician William Harvey. He became the first person to describe the entire circulatory system and properties of the blood that the heart pumps throughout our body from the brain to the tips of the fingers.
21. Screw pump
Photo: David Hawgood / geographic.org.uk
One of the most famous ancient Greek scientists, Archimedes, is considered the author of one of the world's first water pumps. His device was a rotating corkscrew that pushed water up a pipe. This invention took irrigation systems to the next level and is still used in many wastewater treatment plants today.
20. Gravity
Photo: wikimedia
Everyone knows this story - Isaac Newton, the famous English mathematician and physicist, discovered gravity after an apple fell on his head in 1664. Thanks to this event, we learned for the first time why objects fall down and why planets revolve around the Sun.
19. Pasteurization
Photo: wikimedia
Pasteurization was discovered in the 1860s by French scientist Louis Pasteur. It is a heat treatment process during which certain foods and drinks (wine, milk, beer) are destroyed. pathogenic microorganisms. This discovery has had a significant impact on public health and development. Food Industry worldwide.
18. Steam engine
Photo: pixabay
Everyone knows that modern civilization was forged in factories built during the Industrial Revolution, and that it all happened using steam engines. The steam engine was created a long time ago, but over the last century it has been significantly improved by three British inventors: Thomas Savery, Thomas Newcomen, and the most famous of them, James Watt.
17. Air conditioning
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev / wikimedia
Primitive climate control systems have existed since ancient times, but they changed significantly when the first modern electric air conditioner was introduced in 1902. It was invented by a young engineer named Willis Carrier, a native of Buffalo, New York.
16. Electricity
Photo: pixabay
The fateful discovery of electricity is attributed to the English scientist Michael Faraday. Among his key discoveries, it is worth noting the principles of action electromagnetic induction, diamagnetism and electrolysis. Faraday's experiments also led to the creation of the first generator, which became the forerunner of the huge generators that today produce the electricity we know in everyday life.
15. DNA
Photo: pixabay
Many believe that it was the American biologist James Watson and the English physicist Francis Crick who discovered it in the 1950s, but in fact this macromolecule was first identified in the late 1860s by the Swiss chemist Friedrich Maischer Miescher). Then, several decades after Maischer's discovery, other scientists conducted a series of studies that finally helped us clarify how an organism passes its genes to the next generation and how the work of its cells is coordinated.
14. Anesthesia
Photo: Wikimedia
Simple forms of anesthesia, such as opium, mandrake and alcohol, have been used by people for a long time, and the first mention of them dates back to 70 AD. But pain management moved to a new level in 1847, when American surgeon Henry Bigelow pioneered the introduction of ether and chloroform into his practice, making extremely painful invasive procedures much more tolerable.
13. Theory of relativity
Photo: Wikimedia
Including two related theories of Albert Einstein, special and general theory relativity, the theory of relativity, published in 1905, transformed the entire theoretical physics and astronomy of the 20th century and eclipsed the 200-year-old theory of mechanics proposed by Newton. Einstein's theory of relativity became the basis for much of scientific works modernity.
12. X-rays
Photo: Nevit Dilmen / wikimedia
German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen accidentally discovered X-rays in 1895 when he observed fluorescence produced by a cathode ray tube. For this pivotal discovery, the scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1901, the first of its kind in the physical sciences.
11. Telegraph
Photo: wikipedia
Since 1753, many researchers have experimented with establishing long-distance communication using electricity, but a significant breakthrough did not come until several decades later, when Joseph Henry and Edward Davy invented the electrical relay in 1835. Using this device they created the first telegraph 2 years later.
10. Periodic table of chemical elements
Photo: sandbh/wikimedia
In 1869, Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev noticed that if you arrange chemical elements Based on their atomic mass, they are conditionally arranged into groups with similar properties. Based on this information, he created the first periodic table, one of the greatest discoveries in chemistry, which was later nicknamed the periodic table in his honor.
9. Infrared rays
Photo: AIRS/flickr
Infrared radiation was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1800 when he studied the heating effect of different colors of light, using a prism to separate the light into a spectrum, and measuring the changes with thermometers. Today, infrared radiation is used in many areas of our lives, including meteorology, heating systems, astronomy, tracking heat-intensive objects and many other areas.
8. Nuclear magnetic resonance
Photo: Mj-bird / wikimedia
Today, nuclear magnetic resonance is continually used as an extremely accurate and effective diagnostic tool in the medical field. This phenomenon was first described and calculated by American physicist Isidor Rabi in 1938 while observing molecular beams. In 1944, for this discovery, the American scientist was awarded Nobel Prize in physics.
7. Moldboard plow
Photo: wikimedia
Invented in the 18th century, the moldboard plow was the first plow that not only dug up the soil, but also stirred it, making it possible to cultivate even very stubborn and rocky soil for agricultural purposes. Without this tool, agriculture as we know it today would be northern Europe or in Central America would not exist.
6. Camera obscura
Photo: wikimedia
The predecessor of modern cameras and video cameras was the camera obscura (translated as dark room), which was an optical device used by artists of creation quick sketches during trips outside of their workshops. A hole in one of the walls of the device served to create an inverted image of what was happening outside the chamber. The picture was displayed on the screen (on the wall of the dark box opposite the hole). These principles have been known for centuries, but in 1568 the Venetian Daniel Barbaro modified the camera obscura by adding converging lenses.
5. Paper
Photo: pixabay
The first examples of modern paper are often considered to be papyrus and amate, which were used by ancient Mediterranean peoples and pre-Columbian Americans. But it would not be entirely correct to consider them real paper. References to the first production of writing paper date back to China during the reign of the Eastern Han Empire (25-220 AD). The first paper is mentioned in chronicles dedicated to the activities of the judicial dignitary Cai Lun.
4. Teflon
Photo: pixabay
The material that keeps your pan from burning was actually invented completely by accident by American chemist Roy Plunkett when he was looking for a replacement refrigerant to make household life safer. During one of his experiments, the scientist discovered a strange, slippery resin, which later became better known as Teflon.
3. Theory of evolution and natural selection
Photo: wikimedia
Inspired by his observations during his second voyage of exploration in 1831-1836, Charles Darwin began writing his famous theory of evolution and natural selection, which, according to scientists around the world, became a key description of the mechanism of development of all life on Earth
2. Liquid crystals
Photo: William Hook / flickr
If the Austrian botanist and physiologist Friedrich Reinitzer had not discovered liquid crystals during testing physical and chemical properties various cholesterol derivatives in 1888, today you would not know what LCD televisions or flat panel LCD monitors are.
1. Polio vaccine
Photo: GDC Global / flickr
On March 26, 1953, American medical researcher Jonas Salk announced that he had successfully tested a vaccine against polio, a virus that causes a severe chronic disease. In 1952, an epidemic of the disease diagnosed 58,000 people in the United States and claimed 3,000 innocent lives. This spurred Salk on a quest for salvation, and now the civilized world is safe at least from this disaster.
Great discoveries of mankind- This is a reflection of the evolution of people. Over thousands of years of existence, many useful things have been created. You can learn more in the article about the most important inventions, but this time we will look at the discoveries that contributed to the emergence and development of progress. From origins to today. From West to East. From the beginning of evolution to the 21st century. Ready? In this case, we bring to your attention the Top 10 discoveries thanks to which the modern world exists.
10 Most Important and Greatest Inventions of Humanity!
Opens the ranking of the most important discoveries of humanity - Language. The most ancient and important achievement of people. Used to convey information. Without language there would be nothing, including communication, communications, professions and systems. Just like many thousands of years ago, people simply could not understand each other. It is difficult to imagine what society would look like, if it would exist at all, without the existence of language. Currently, the world knows several thousand languages and dozens of dialects. Only through this discovery did civilization emerge.
After the emergence of language, the next stage of evolution in the field of information transmission was writing. The value of this discovery lies in the opportunity to leave knowledge to the ancestors. With the help of this achievement, we can find out how our predecessors lived, learn, and gain new knowledge. Today it is impossible to do without writing in any enterprise. Every country has educational institutions who exploit this method transfer of information. If there were no written language, there would have to be one teacher for each student.
Many may not understand why wheels are one of the most important discoveries, but this is the beginning of all beginnings in the field of geometry and other sciences. It is thanks to the advent of the wheel that today there is a colossal amount of technology, machines, and professions. Without this device, people would never have learned to build trains, cars, and electrical installations. After the appearance of this product, they began to build bridges, roads, carts, and airplanes. All of these objects are closely related to the first wheel, which was presented to the world in ancient times.
Of course, one of the most important discoveries is electricity. With the advent of the first electric light bulb, life changed dramatically. With the help of this invention, people were able to enjoy light even in the dark. There is no longer any need to use candles. In this way, many were freed from the dangers that fire appliances entailed. Today it is impossible to imagine life without electricity modern man. All enterprises, devices, and equipment operate on this energy source.
A means of communication that contributed to a real breakthrough in the field of information transfer. Thanks to the advent of the fax, people were able to transmit information over a distance. As a result, we learned to communicate through letters by mail. Naturally, the fax did not arise without the existence of the first two discoveries in this rating. Thus, the relationship between the main achievements of people is clearly visible. Later, thanks to the fax, landline phones appeared. Thanks to them, they were able to not only exchange letters, but also talk in real time.
Antibiotics are the most serious discovery of humanity in the field of medicine. Before the invention of these drugs, there were many incurable diseases that claimed millions of lives every year. With the advent of antibiotics, the number of deaths was reduced several times. At the end of the 19th century, humanity managed to defeat a colossal number of diseases that were considered “invincible.” These include:
- sepsis;
- pneumonia;
- plague;
- other.
Medicine does not stop there. Today in Israel they are testing drugs that are likely to help defeat AIDS.
Among the best discoveries of mankind in the field of entertainment is the emergence of the film industry. It’s unlikely that anyone today remembers how difficult it was for directors to make the first films with black and white images. But it was their works that served as the start for the emergence of the current variety of films, cartoons, series and television programs. Today, thanks to cinema, we can not only have a good time, but also develop and learn a lot of new things.
With the advent of computers, the life of mankind has changed dramatically. With the help of modern PCs you can manage production, cars, write books, and obtain any information. Computerized technology has reduced the need for human resources to a minimum. With their help, a huge number of discoveries were created that humanity had no idea about. Various research, testing and production of unique materials. All this is possible thanks to the availability of computers. At the same time, many scientists have already announced the possibility of exploring the boundless expanses of space. Without computing technology we would not have such an opportunity.
The history of inventions includes everything that has been created by man over thousands of years of existence, but we want to highlight the most important inventions of mankind. Along with human physiology, his intellect has also evolved. Of course, from the huge number and variety of human inventions it is very difficult to choose the most important and necessary ones, but we still compiled our rating of the 12 most important inventions in the history of mankind.
12
There are numerous strong opinions that gunpowder was invented in China. Its appearance led to the invention of fireworks and early firearms. Since the beginning of time, people have divided up territories and defended them, and to do this they have always needed some kind of weapon. First there were sticks, then axes, then bows, and after the advent of gunpowder, firearms. Now many types of weapons have been created for military purposes, from simple pistols to the latest intercontinental missiles that are launched from a submarine. In addition to the army, weapons are also used by civilians both for their own protection and protection of anything, and for hunting.
11
It is difficult to imagine the modern world without cars. People drive them to work, to the countryside, on vacation, for groceries, to the movies and restaurants. Different types Cars are used to deliver goods, build structures, and for many other purposes. The first cars resembled carriages without horses and did not move at very high speed. Now they exist as simple cars for the middle class, and those that cost as much as a house, accelerating up to 300 kilometers per hour. Modern world It’s simply impossible to imagine without a car.
10
Humanity was moving towards the creation of the Internet long years, inventing new and new means of communication. Just 20 years ago, just over 100,000 people had the Internet, but now it is available in almost all more or less large populated areas. Through the Internet you can communicate both by letter and visually, you can find almost any information on the Internet, you can work through the Internet, order products, things and services. The Internet is a window to the world through which you can not only receive information, communicate and play, but also earn money, make purchases and read this site. ;)
9
Just 15 years ago, in order to communicate with someone at a distance, you had to go home and call a landline phone or look for the nearest telephone booth and coins or tokens for the call. If you were on the street and you urgently needed to call an ambulance or firefighters, you had to shout in the hope that someone from the nearby houses would hear and call the right person, or quickly run and look for a phone to call. Even children always had to go around to friends and personally find out whether they would go for a walk or not, since many did not even have a telephone at home. Now you can call anywhere from almost anywhere. A mobile phone means freedom to communicate wherever you are.
8
The computer today has replaced for many such items as a TV, video or DVD player, telephone, books and even a ballpoint pen. Nowadays, using a computer, you can write books, communicate with people, watch films, listen to music, and find the information you need. What am I telling you, you know everything yourself! In addition to domestic use, computers are used for various research and development, facilitating and improving the operation of many enterprises and mechanisms. The modern world is simply impossible to imagine without computers.
7
The invention of cinema was the beginning of the cinema and television we have today. The first were in black and white and without sound, appearing just a few decades after photography. Today cinema is an incredible spectacle. Thanks to hundreds of people working on it, computer graphics, scenery, makeup and many other methods and technologies, cinema can now look like a fairy tale. Television, portable video cameras, surveillance cameras and in general everything related to video exists thanks to the invention of cinema.
6
A simple landline telephone is higher than a mobile phone in our rating because for the time when the telephone was invented, it was a huge breakthrough. Before the telephone, communication was possible only by letters by mail, telegraph or carrier pigeons. :) Thanks to the telephone, people no longer had to wait several weeks for a response to a letter; they no longer had to go or go somewhere to say or find out something. Creating a telephone not only saved time, but also energy.
5
Before the invention of the electric light bulb, people sat in the dark in the evenings or lit candles, oil lamps or some kind of torches, just like in ancient times. The invention of the light bulb made it possible to get rid of the danger posed by lighting “devices” that used fire. Thanks to the electric light bulb, the rooms began to be illuminated well and evenly. Now we understand what great importance has a light bulb only when our electricity is cut off.
4
Before the invention of antibiotics, some diseases that are now treated at home could kill a person. The development and production of antibiotics began actively in late XIX century. The invention of antibiotics has helped people overcome many diseases that were previously considered incurable. Back in the 30s of the 20th century, dysentery killed tens of thousands every year. human lives. There was also no cure for pneumonia, sepsis, or typhus. Man could not defeat the pneumonic plague; it always led to death. With the invention of antibiotics, many serious illnesses We are no longer afraid.
3
At first glance, you cannot say that the wheel is a very important invention, but thanks to this particular device, many other inventions, such as a car or a train, were created. The wheel significantly reduces the energy required to move the load. Thanks to the invention of the wheel, not only transport was improved. Man began to build roads, and the first bridges appeared. Everything from carts to cars moves thanks to the wheel. Even elevators and mills work thanks to the wheel. If you think about it a little, you can understand the full scale of the use of this simple ancient invention and all its importance.
2
In second place in our rating is the second oldest and most frequently used method of transmitting information. Thanks to writing, we can learn history, read books, write SMS, learn new information and learn. Ancient writings found in Egyptian and Mexican pyramids provide insight into the way of life of ancient civilizations. Nowadays we need writing for almost everything. Office work, relaxation an interesting book, entertainment on the computer, learning - all this is possible thanks to writing.
1
The first place is occupied by the most ancient and frequently used method of transmitting information. Without language there would be nothing. People simply could not understand each other, as it was many thousands of years ago, when humanity was still in the first stages of its development. Today there are dozens of dialects in each. Most of them are no longer used; many are used in distant corners of the world by various tribes. Thanks to language we understand each other, thanks to it we develop as a civilization and thanks to it you can learn about the 12 most important inventions of man! ;)
