2007-12-20 13:29:13 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The number one invention of the second millennium, according to the top 100 listed by Newsweek, (I think it was Newsweek), was the electric light bulb.
Some might dispute that by saying the invention of movable type in the 15th century.
The plow has to rank right up there. It ushered in the age of agriculture. But also, a major impetus to the industrial age was the steam engine. That, along with electricity, changed the world forever.
Of course, the most important discovery, I would think, was the use of fire, and especially, how to make it. It is believed that humans (homo erectus), used fire as long as 600,000 years ago.
If I may add another thing along the same lines: the most stunning scientific achievement. In my opinion, that happened only a few years ago and hardly got any press at all. It was the completion of the Human Genome Project. It was also "big" in the sense that it took thousands of scientists from all over the world, working cooperatively, to achieve it.
But for the sheer majesty, wonder, and audacity of it all, walking on the moon usually takes the cake.
2007-12-20 13:43:59 · answer #1 · answered by Brant 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are lots and it would be hard to choose. I'd have to vote for ones that save lives such as penicillin.
However I tend to marvel at the hardware behind television. It required the discovery of electromagnetism, mastery of radio waves, valves, electronic theory, and much hardware development. Too many developments to list here.
Pity that what comes out of television these days is mostly rubbish. What a waste of technology!
2007-12-20 19:31:22 · answer #2 · answered by Quadrillian 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the biggest discovery is the discovery of what a passionate and determined human mind can achieve!
2007-12-20 14:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by liberating spirit 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the greatest invention in all human history just might be sanitary sewage systems.
After all, what has contributed more to the overall health of mankind than the knowledge that one should not poop in one's own drinking water?
2007-12-21 03:30:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A really big one is the discovery that everything is made of just a few unique types of atoms in a wide variety of combinations.
2007-12-20 14:46:28 · answer #5 · answered by Steve H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For invention, i % the wheel. without it there may be no gears, and so on. For discovery, permit's flow with the recent international. think of of ways crowded Europe, Asia and Africa may be without it.
2016-11-23 18:46:40 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind's most important invention is language.
2007-12-20 15:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by John B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind's biggest invention so far is its endless pursuit of inventing.
2007-12-20 14:50:40 · answer #8 · answered by vicky 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Time
2007-12-20 15:37:38 · answer #9 · answered by Andrew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most important discovery is fire.
The most important invention is the wheel.
Everything we have today is because of these.
2007-12-20 14:59:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋