Rare Photos Reveal The Most Powerful and Important Inventions In History
By Sarah Norman | October 16, 2023
Air conditioning
Thanks to the many brilliant minds in history, we are able to have many modern comforts today. Can you imagine what life would be like without wheels, refrigeration, fire and writing? Of course many could argue that if they didn't invent it, someone later on in history would. But would these things be as technologically advanced if we had less time to hone them? The answer is probably no. So in the spirit of showing our gratitude, here are some of our favorite inventions from history that we are extremely thankful for today.
Which inventions have impacted your life the most? Make sure to comment below and share your personal interpretations of the impacts of each of these innovations in your life...
The "Pill"
A heavily researched and widely used drug, the pill is used as an oral contraceptive to regulate levels of estrogens and androgens and progesterone throughout the body..a hormone altering drug that reduces the chance of pregnancy by 99.99%. Can you imagine the impact this drug has had on the world? How do you think it has affected our society?
Television
Invented and publically displayed in 1927 by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, the technology of television has made significant headway from its origins. With the development of flat screens and other adaptations to the original design, the television is one of the most widely used devices in the world.
The Computer
Konrad Zuse created one of the first computers in 1939. It is regarded as the world’s original programmable computer. Other devices which can be citied as relating to a computer were used during WWII to control missiles, torpedoes and other wartime devices.
Penicillin
Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist discovered penicillin in 1928 and the drug was used to treat infections from 1942. Penicillin is a group of antibiotics which could be used to treat many different bacterial infections; the medication is still used today.
The Light Bulb
Thomas Edison is widely regarded as the inventor of the light bulb, with his first successful attempt on 22 October 1879. His design included carbon filament connected to contact wires which would result in incandescence hence light.
Optical Lenses
The earliest lenses were designed by ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. These lenses were usually made from quartz or others crystal. They were used to make writings larger so that persons could read so its modern day purpose is not far off from its original use.
The Internet
The internet has been in the works since the early 1960's. Many people had their hands in the invention but the two men most attributed to creating it were American pioneers Robert E. Kahn and Vint Cerf.
The Printing Press
Invented in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg, a German inventor in the Roman Empire, the press was widely used throughout Europe by the 1500s. The printing press was heavily invested in the business of newspaper printing as printed media became the main source informing masses of the world’s currents events.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid was first discovered in 1869 by the physician Freidrich Miescher. Later, Albrecht Kossel discovered the primary five nucleobases in 1878. DNA is the carrier of information or instructions in all organisms. DNA testing has become an integral part of crime solving as well as disease prevention due to its ability to accurately pinpoint specifics that are unique to each individual.
Quantum Physics
As the name suggests quantum physics is a subgroup of physics which deals with the quantum theory (that particle can exist in two different states at the same time). Scientific researchers as far back as the 1600s and the 1700s began theorizing the wave theory of light using the double slit experiment which gave rise to the acceptance of term.
The internal combustion engine
A number of brilliant scientists contributed to the development and invention of the engine however, in 1794, Robert Steel designed and created a liquid fuel engine; In 1807, an electric spark engine was created by Francois Isaac de Rivaz. The industrial favorite however, was designed by Samuel Brown in 1823.
Gun powder
It is generally thought that gun powder originated in China during the 9th century and the substance was widely introduced throughout the Middle East. The discovery of gun powder also lead to the invention of fireworks which play a huge role in Chinese culture.
Vaccination
Vaccination is the process by which an individual is injected with an inactive form of a certain disease-causing pathogen, in order to allow one’s body to develop immunity to the disease. Vaccinations began in 1796 as an invention of Edward Jenner who experimented and was successful with the smallpox vaccine.
Paper
One of the world’s most widely used basic materials, paper is identified as being discovered or invented in China. The first recording of papermaking was in 25-220 AD and by the 8th century, the papermaking process was introduced to Europe and later the rest of the modern world.
Electricity
The study of electricity began with the Ancient Egyptians who studied electric fish. By the 1600s, the scientist William Gilbert had begun to use the word electricus (which meant amber in Greek) and later developed the terms electric and electricity.
The steam engine
The earliest widely successful steam engine was created in 1712 by Thomas Newcome. His design was used for centuries till more advanced technologies were invented. The steam engine was introduced into almost all factors of production during the industrial revolution and led to the mass or increased production.
The Airplane
Invented by the brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903, their airplane design was founded on the ideas of the English engineer George Cayley in 1799. The Brothers also flew the airplane in the same year of its invention. Although other winged gliding technologies existed before the Wright Brothers, theirs was the first powered and sustained.
The Compass
Invented around the time of the Chinese Han Dynasty (from 206 BC), the compass was adopted by Western culture and was integral in the discoveries of the “New World” and new lands. As many nations depended on sailing and traveling long, monotonous routes, the incorporation of the compass meant that the routes were more easily identified.
The Sextant
Mainly adapted for use in astronomy by measuring the angle between the horizon and an astronomical object and also the calculation of longitude, the sextant was used by scientists such as John Hadley, Thomas Godfrey and Sir Isaac Newton.
Alphabetization
Alphabetization refers to the method in which characters are ordered in accordance to the standardized sequence of the alphabet. The first indications of this level of organization include Varro, a Roman writer who catalogued the names of authors and their pieces of work in the first century BCE.
The Telegraph
Used for sending messages from a great distance, the electric telegraph was developed in 1837 by Samuel Morse and in 1838 the first telegram was sent. The use of the telegraph quickly spread as it made communication across considerable distances easier.
The Telephone
Another great invention for communication, the telephone was developed by the Scottish engineer, Alexander Graham Bell in 1876. It allowed for instant communication and feedback between two parties as great distances. The telephones were then introduced into business places, government offices and residences.
The Radio
Developed in 1894 by Guglielmo Marconi, the radio was invented to read Hertzian waves or radio waves, a theory that was based on the invention of the telegraph. Marconi tested and reinvented his radio’s ability to receive and transmit waves at larger distances. As the invention was publicized, it went on to be commercially successful.
Photography
Thomas Wedgwood, a British inventor attempted to capture an image in 1800 by using a camera obscura and a light sensitive substance. Although initially successful, the image faded after a while. A more resounding attempt was made by Nicephore Niepce in 1822, 1825 and 1827 who photographed a natural scene.
The moldboard plow
Used in crop farming, the plow is used to expose soil intended for planting by flipping over the first layer of dirt to cover the sod. Before mechanization, hand plows or hoes were used to have the desired effect but the task was tedious and needed hard labor. Later, buffaloes or other cattle were used to make the process easier.
Cement
Now made out of clay and calcined lime, cement has been used for centuries to construct various structures. The ancient Romans used lime and various types of silicone based materials to make their version of cement, which was frequently used by engineers. The process of cement making process was refined in the 18th century by the French.
Pasteurization
In 1864, Louis Pasteur invented the process by which disease-causing bacteria was removed from food and drink by applying various levels of heat. At the time, many widespread diseases were caused by the transfer of bacteria from animals, such as the contracting of tuberculosis from cow’s milk. As a result of this invention, the number of food borne diseases decreased significantly.
Refrigeration
The process by which heat is removed from one location and transferred to another is refrigeration. In and around 1000 BC, the Chinese devised that ice would preserve and extend the lifespan of various foods by placing the foods into containers with harvested ice. Modern day refrigeration began in 1805 when the inventor Oliver Evans devised a machine that would use vapor to cool its contents.
Industrial Steel
Steel, made from naturally occurring minerals, was used as a vital ingredient in building and armour. Steel was quite expensive and it was a very time consuming commodity to produce. However, on the heels of the Industrial Revolution, steel was heavily demanded and mass produced in countries such as the United States, Great Britain and Germany.
Sanitation Systems
Sanitation systems were developed when populations of the world began to increase. These systems made sure that refuse and other waste were responsibly taken care of to ensure that there was no contamination from harmful waste substances.
The Automobile
The world’s first modern car was built in 1886 by Karl Benz, a German inventor. The automobile in many cases would go on to replace the horse and buggy which was the mode of personal transport of the era. Ford was one of the first companies to produce a functional car in 1908.
Archimedes' Screw
Named after its namesake Archimedes of Syracuse, the screw is said to have been invented in 200 BC. It was used to carry water to and from irrigation and sanitation systems. It was also uses for the removal of water from coal and other mines which contained bodies of low-lying water.
The Cotton Gin
Created by Eli Whitney in 1793, the gin was used to mechanically separate cotton from its seeds. The process was usually done by hand, by field workers but it was slow and tedious work. With the invention of the gin the level of productivity in cotton fields increased.
Nuclear Fission
The process by which nuclear atoms degrade or react to give off smaller parts was discovered in 1938 as part of nuclear physics. The atoms decay into their composite elements and energy is released.
The Gregorian calendar
Introduced in 1582 and named after the Pope Gregory XIII who commissioned it, the Gregorian Calendar is the calendar which is commonly used today. One of the major changes to the calendar was the amendment of the date on which Easter (a Religious holiday) was celebrated.
Scientific plant breeding
In 1854, Gregor Mendel's experiments with plant hybridization led to the law of inheritance. His hobby also led to the discovery that the crossbreeding of species would lead to new traits and genes. Gregor Mendel is known as the father of modern genetics.
The Sail Boat
Known largely in maritime setting, a sailboat is a water vessel which is propelled mainly by sails attached to the hulls of the vessels. In recent years, sail boat racing has become a renowned sport.
Paper Money
Paper currency was primarily developed in China in the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty. The use of the notes spread throughout Central Asia and was accepted by Europeans such as Marco Polo and Napoleon.
The Abacus
Used as a method of calculating or counting, the abacus was used throughout many ancient civilizations to solve problems that were not easily calculated. Cultures such as the Chinese, Greeks, Persians and Egyptians all used this device.
The Nail
Used as far back as ancient Egypt, nails have been used to join or fasten two or more elements securely together. Nails could have been made out of wood (peg) or the more durable iron as is more widely used.
Anesthesia
Various plants, chemical concoctions and mineral salts have been used throughout history to ease the pain of surgery and injuries. Much later, scientists were able to perfect the science of anesthesiology so that each unique individual was able to receive the exact dosage meant for their bodies.
The Lever
The first recording of the use of levers was by Archimedes of Syracuse in 200 BC. The lever consists of the beam which makes contact with the ground by way of a pivot.
The Steam Turbine
The steam turbine was invented by Sir Charles Parsons on 1884, although smaller and more toy like versions were made by the Greek mathematician, Aeolipile. Parson's version made cheap and plentiful electricity possible.
Oil Refining
The first oil refinery was founded by a Polish inventor and pharmacist by the name of Ignacy Łukasiewicz in 1854. Two years later, the largest refinery at the time opened in Romania, but it was bombed by the Allies during WWII.
Oil Drilling
The very first oil wells were believed to have been discovered in China in the year 347. At the time, modern drilling methods were non existent so the well were drilled by attaching bits to the end of bamboo poles.
Fire
Before the introduction of money, merchants used the trade or barter system to sell their excess product in exchange for other items. Due to the lucrative industry that emerged, trade routes were established and controlled and protected with armies and wars.
Trade
Before the introduction of money, merchants used the trade or barter system to sell their excess product in exchange for other items. Due to the lucrative industry that emerged, trade routes were established and controlled and protected with armies and wars.
Farming
Most of the world’s first settlers were planters and when they realized what using seeds and land to create food meant. With the introduction of irrigation and acquired knowledge of the different seasons, these farmers were soon able to plant specific crops and rear certain cattle and receive a generous yield.
The Ship
Used as a method of transportation over bodies of water, the earliest ships were a far cry from what we used today. These vessels where built from long planks or logs of wood connected by straps also made out of wood or animal parts or woven cotton straps. Over time, the design of the crafts improved into the large sail ships which were used for exploring lands and trade routes.
The Wheel
Credited with being created during the Stone Age, the wheel was used as a method of propelling vehicles carrying various supplies in large quantities over great distances. These early wheels were made of stone and clay and connected via a wooden peg.
Iron
A naturally occurring element known for its durability, iron has played a vital role in the development of the world. As one of the most used raw materials, iron makes up the composition of a large number of inventions and commodities. Since its discovery, all civilizations have made use of the element in one way of the other from utensils, weapons, jewelry and tools.
Written Language
Before the establishment of the standardized alphabet, language was recorded in the form of hieroglyphs. These hieroglyphs represented various words or sounds which existed in the communication systems of the various cultures. Nearly all early settlers made use of hieroglyphs. It is through these depictions that we are able to deduce the lifestyles of these ancient people.
Water Power
Also known as hydro-power, this method of energy has been used to produce food materials such as flour and also to aid in building processes. The energy is generated by the falling water over watermills or flowing quickly through constructed channels.
The Microscope
Also known as the light or optical microscope, the apparatus was invented in 1590 by Zacharias Janssen. The microscope was and is still used to identify objects that are not visible to the naked eye. The light microscope is frequently used in the study of cells and cell structures as they are too small to be seen normally.
The Telescope
Invented in the Netherlands in the 1600s, the telescope became a staple instrument for researchers and explorers such as sailors. The telescope was used to have clearer views of objects from a distant such as land masses and stars.
The Legal System
Also known as civil law or civilian law, the legal system was devised from Europe during the Roman era. This system required quite a bit of work and has been refined over one thousand years. Each country now has their own legal system, specific to their culture.
Petroleum
Used since ancient times for manufacturing, building and other forms of production, petroleum or oil deposits have been found in many different parts of the world. In 1856, Ignacy Lukasiewicz built the first oil refinery as well as discovering how to separate the different components of oil.
The Vacuum Tube
With inventors such as Frederick Guthrie, Thomas Edison and John Ambrose Fleming all making considerable contributions to the development of the vacuum tube is used to control and contain the electric current between electrodes. This discovery has had major roles in x-rays, computers and construction.
