10)
REFRIGERATORS: Around 1840 a very high tech version of the icebox was
invented. Having the ability to store foods and meats for extended periods of
time has completely changed the lifestyles of people all over the world. It
also created a whole new industry for retail grocery stores and products made
specifically for fridges.
9)
CONTRACEPTIVES & FEMALE SANITARY PRODUCTS:
The
Introduction of condoms and birth control ignited a sexual revolution in the
world and allowed for individuals to practice safe sex and protect themselves
from STI’s and pregnancy. The lower rate of pregnancy has also lead to higher
standard of living for families overall. In terms of sanitary products, it
wasn’t until the 1920’s that they were introduced to America. Without ways of
controlling a woman’s menstrual cycle, like 70% of Indian woman, it leads to
reproductive diseases and can cause long lasting harm.
8)
SMARTPHONES: Yes, many people believe that smartphones are “ruining my
generation” but even they can’t deny the insane impacts these phones have on
our day-to-day life. The whole world literally at our fingertips, any question
you have can be answered in a matter of seconds. With the use of smartphones
we’ve made ourselves more efficient and accessible. Plus iPhone games are
great, lets be honest.
7)
AIRPLANE: In 1903 the Wright brothers invented the plane and I am forever
thankful for that. Aside from completely changing foreign trade and relation it
has allowed me to travel to beautiful countries all over the world and
experience cultures I wouldn’t have been able to experience before.
6) THE ENGINE: Invented by Thomas
Newcomen in 1712 he sparked the beginning of the Industrial Revolution,
which completely transformed us into the world we live in today. However, the
steam engine was the beginning of fossil fuel emission and has been insanely
impactful on our lives and has put the future health of this planet in danger.
5) PRINTING
PRESS: Gutenberg’s printing press in 1436 exponentially sped up the process of
creating books which helped the world of education catapult forward to the
place we are today. It also was a huge contributor to the spreading of religion
(most notable the bible). Nowadays it used most frequently for things like Twilight
and 50 Shades of Gray but we’ll just try and ignore that (sorry Gutenberg).
4)
VACCINES AND ANTIBIOTICS: The life expectancy nowadays compared to years ago is
a testament itself. If it wasn’t for the medicines and vaccines we have today I
would certainly be dead for sure. I’ve had appendicitis, pneumonia, chronic
asthma, and numerous other things that modern medicine has saved me from.
3)
ELECTRICITY: To put it literally, we would still be in the Dark Ages without
electricity. The world we live in today would not exist without it. We have
become more efficient due to this invention and has led to the invention of
uncountable other things that have bettered our lives.
2) THE
WHEEL: I know this is a classic but it truly is one of the greatest inventions
in history. The wheel gave us the ability to transport goods, travel, and
facilitate agriculture. Its crazy how our lives have changed due to just a
circular thing. Yes, we do use it for stupid hoverboard things today, but
please don’t let that make you appreciate the wheel any less.
1)
INTERNET: Our entire globe is connected over this non-physical entity and that
is insane to me. We get and send information instantly and everyone knows what’s
going on in the world. Knowledge can be obtained faster than every thought
imaginable. Also Netflix…
Hi Harley,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post and agree with you about the importance of all those inventions! I also appreciated your humor haha! Seriously, when the printing press is now used to print copies of Twilight and the wheel is used for hoverboards... where is the world headed...
Great post! I thought that these were really great choices. Your list made me reconsider my list as I now wish that I included airplane on my list. Why did you put the Internet as number 1 on your list? Why did you think that the internet was more important than the wheel?
ReplyDeleteOh I like Contraceptives / Female Sanitary Products! I remember reading in "Freakonomics" that the Supreme Court case Roe v Wade permitted abortions, and, as a result, unintentionally triggered a significant drop in crime 10-20 years down the line. I can't imagine the positive effect widespread use of contraceptives had on the human population. Although, widespread adoption of condoms is still an issue the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is tackling.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've noticed that many of the students in this class use the same top inventions, but many differences come out when we look at the ordering. I'm intrigued that you put "The Wheel" so high; it definitely is one of the most dynamic inventions! The logic is neat, because you advanced from "The Wheel" to later on "The Engine" to even later on "The Airplane" - modes of transportation that extend from the earliest and most basic (that had the most relative impact) to a later technology that had a large impact, but perhaps less of a relative impact compared to the wheel.
ReplyDeleteHi Harley,
ReplyDeleteI found this post to be very interesting. One of the things that caught my attention was contraceptives. I think this is one of the most overlooked inventions. Contraceptives have made sex safer for almost everyone. However, it also changed sexual culture greatly. Maybe you can go into the culture behind contraceptives?