113 replies to this topic

[spacemunkee]

And not a one has said....the telescope.. 

[Stellar1]

It's all relative. I live in Florida, so for me... air conditioning.

Seriously, though... electricity (I mean, my A/C wouldn't work without it).

Lol I hear ya!

[bobhen]

Not an invention pre se but I think the Scientific Method ranks high on the list…

 

Scientific Method: a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

 

The Scientific Method is what separates fact-based reasoning from superstition. The Covid Vaccine is but one result.

 

Honorable mention goes to the birth control pill.

 

Bob

[Mister T]

Beer

that or Bacon.

without these to live for we wouldn't have invented squat.

[AstroFrankMontana]

Needle and thread, aka sewing. Once you can make clothing to protect you from the environment, you can go places for food that you could not go before.  With sewing, you can make portable tents.  Sew some animal skins together and stretch that between some wooden poles and you have a skid that you can carry much more than on your back.

[Voyager 3]

Electric bulb took away the darkness from humanity without causing TB  .

[brave_ulysses]

geometry, calculus

[areyoukiddingme]

Neil did specify "since the wheel," and I admittedly missed that provision when I first noted agriculture and/or language as my "top two."  Alas, they are disqualified by the "since-the-wheel" criterion.  Even though the wheel was invented/developed later than most would imagine, it's still preceded by plenty of crucial inventions - many of which are so ingrained, universal, and normal, that they are very often overlooked.  (Pottery, anyone? The boat?)

 

Since the wheel?  Yes, Neil, I can definitely recognize the vacuum pump as a tremendous and critical step (or jump) along our technological path.  I'm not convinced of its "supremacy," but I'm open to the possibility (however difficult such a consensus might be), and I would definitely include it among the most important - both then and now.

 

Cheers and best wishes.

Dan

As well as being outside the OPs time range, language isn't an invention. Language is a species typical adaptation in humans. And there are many communication systems in nature that have features that arguably make them languages. e.g., praire dogs can refer to colors; parrots have personal names that they learn when young, and multiple species have alarm calls that refer to different predators.

 

And while we think of agriculture as an invention, it too is very much dependent on having a bipedal, mostly hairless, gossiping ape as a user. And again, we are not the only species that does agriculture. The damselfish appears to farm algae, there are ants that have fungus farms, and others that farm aphids. And like language, we'd hardly argue that these animals invented these behaviors.

[StarAlert]

No doubt in my mind that one of the top inventions of all time is something that every organization has used for over 650 years and will continue using for another 650 years.
Modern double-entry accounting.

Every time I explain the history of accounting to my students it gives me goosebumps. Really!
The concept is simple, powerful, and brilliant. 

[Jacob112]

No one mentioned the engine, so I'll be the first one. I think it can perfectly complete the list of the greatest inventions because it not just let us build cars, but to explore space. 

[BradFran]

Language or writing.

[areyoukiddingme]

There must have been a genius praire dog that invented language:

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=c_hUIEBwlEo

[Dave Mitsky]

Agriculture has to be near the top.

[MacAstro126]

An illuminating discussion we are having here...

l would like to specify that my assumed definition of an invention is a physical item/construction rather than a concept or thought process(Abstract visualization being our human forte above other species we share the earth with?)

So, my choice for the 'greatest' invention is one that is something that we didn't adapt or improve upon that came from nature(eg. fire, agriculture, language(writing being an abstract way to record and transfer thoughts via language), geometry, or mathematics) But, a device we created that is not present/evident from looking at the natural world... the first I think being the wheel/axle(We see things rolling in nature, but not a wheel on an axle) which allowed many adaptations, culminating with the industrial revolution(inclusive of steam/internal combustion engines and adaption to flying machines)... the next being a device(building upon the wheel) that can produce a physical state that is not seen in nature, a vacuum, hence the vacuum pump. This ability allowing us to discover aspects of the material world beyond the everyday experience(the existence and nature of electrons; the isolation and identification of gases; the discovery of subatomic particles)... This leading onto what I would say is the next 'step-function' in inventions... the semi-conducter device, which brings us to the present 'Electronic Age' and all the adaptations that have followed(the microprocessor; electronic computer; the Internet).

What will be the next great 'step-function' invention? True artificial intelligence?... Biological-electronic integration?

What do you think?... Neil.

[bigjy989]

Thought - propaganda
Physical Constructs: past - fire, agriculture, steam engine, electricity, transistor, internet, near future- cas9, future - self moral AI

[MellonLake]

Penicillin.

[ECP M42]

the nail clipper?

[spacemunkee]

The Slap Chop.. "1,2,3...Your life's gonna be great!"

[ECP M42]

Limited time offer ... now only $19,95 

 

Buy your happiness for under $ 20 !!! 

[dnrmilspec]

Since the wheel.  The internet...  The ultimate printing press. 

[ayadai]

Coffee (the drink). No software would ever have been developed without it.

Edited by ayadai, 01 June 2021 - 10:16 PM.

[Mister T]

Coffee (the drink). No software would ever have been developed without it.

The Incas had coca and would have dominated the world 

[ECP M42]

The Incas had coca and would have dominated the world 

... maybe he would miss the quicklime?

[Asbytec]

If no one mentioned the obvious, I have a firm grip on it. It's sliced bread.

Edited by Asbytec, 03 June 2021 - 07:15 AM.

[StarAlert]

After recently spending five days in a hospital as the result of an open fracture, general anesthesia has gotta be up there on the list.