2006-07-10 14:24:44 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Trivia
The printing press would have to be one of the greatest inventions Without the printing press, communication would be impractical/impossible to begin formulating modern civilization. Having said that, I believe the greatest invention of all time was...
The Constitution of the United States.
2006-07-11 11:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by marnefirstinfantry 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sliced bread. Ever since then, we have tried to top this amazing display of igenuity. It's so remarkable, that every time someone invents something really good, we refer to it as the 'greatest thing since sliced bread.'
I mean, really, does anyone say 'that's the greatest invention since Tessla's AC current?' or 'since we figured out sharp sticks'? Pshaww!
Can you eat a sandwich without sliced bread? Not unless you slice it! How about toast? Impossible! In fact, toast and sandwich bread would have to rate as my number 2 and 3 inventions. And French toast is #4 - isn't it awesome? When I'm eating French toast (or freedom toast if you insist), I often wonder why we waste so much time idolizing Guttenburg and his printing press. If it's so great, how come so much crap is printed every year? When I go to the supermarket, I see lots of great bread, but the printed stuff is all junk!
So, hands down and thumbs up for sliced bread - the greatest invention OF ALL TIME!
2006-07-10 20:28:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The steam engine. It completely changed our lives and the way we lived up to that point. Without it there would never have been an Industrial revolution. It led to other machines being invented so that the whole process of manufacturing goods became quicker, more centralized and cost effective. We moved from being mostly farmers and cottage industries turning out goods piecemeal, to mass-production from factories. More people were needed to run the factories so there was a migration of people from the country to live closer to the factories - usually built by rivers. This meant towns grew up around these centers of industrialization. Roads, canals and railways were built to connect these towns and to transport the goods produced. Workers were paid well - compared to what they had been making trying to scratch a living from a little patch of land - they now had money to spend, this caused more "fancy" goods to be produced, they used the railways to go away for a day to the country or the sea side for a break-the Travel industry was invented!! And so it goes on...the steam engine changed our lives forever.
2006-07-10 16:48:53 · answer #3 · answered by Sandtone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have to agree with first_gholam. The only reason we have any technology is because our ancestors figured out how to make a good sharp edge out of smashing the right rocks. And they figured out how to make fire from the things you find in nature. And there, if you know how to make those two things, you are the master of your destiny. (We've lost the most basic of skills). If you have a sharp edge and fire you wield enormous power. Just ask airport security people. Actually, I don't know if this qualifies as an "invention" or more of an acquisition of knowledge.
2006-07-10 19:58:40 · answer #4 · answered by carolynator 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Rubber Band.
1. It is simple
2. It is versatile (you can achieve any goal imaginable with rubber bands)
3. It recycles (old socks)
4. The idea to create them was pure genius (I mean, dunking old socks in rubber sauce and then slicing them up! Brilliant!)
And finally -
5. Modern civilization would collapse without them
There you have it.
2006-07-10 14:37:31 · answer #5 · answered by tizzoseddy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not an invention, but an awesome creation - the "WOMAN". Simply because they are the best thing to ever happen and compliment to us guys.
2006-07-10 14:33:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nicolai Tesla's alternating current of electrical transmission, which he figured out in the 1880's.
without it, NOTHING of the contemporary life we have now (especially this computer business) would exist.
and before that, probably the printing press. it allowed mass transmission of ideas through the printed word for the first time. people of similar interests in vastly different places could communicate and connect...
2006-07-10 14:30:10 · answer #7 · answered by jarm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best invention of all time was writing, because if it wasnt invented you would have no way to ask that question over the internet, would u?
2006-07-10 17:06:24 · answer #8 · answered by matt D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The printing press by far and away. Without it there would be no printing press, on the elite would be educated, all information transmission would be suspect, and many other negative aspects would occur due to it never having existed.
2006-07-10 15:36:09 · answer #9 · answered by Omega_Red9 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the wheel. Untill that was invented nothing else could be invented
2006-07-10 14:28:29 · answer #10 · answered by the Traveller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋