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Essay: Innovations that Changed the World

• Essay: Innovations that Changed the…

Over the years that the humans have walk upon the earth there have been countless technological innovations, some dating back to the Stone Age.  Although the ancient world didn’t have all the resources that we have today, the people of those times did magnificent things that paved the road for us today; from the stone tools made in Paleolithic and Mesolithic times to the wheel in 3000 BC, all the way to the pyramids in 2560 BC.  These inventions helped make it possible for us to build smartphones, remote controls, and skyscrapers.

Throughout the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, humans used stone tools.  These stone tools are the oldest technology that has evidence of surviving.  The humans would use flakes of rock, usually flint, to make different tools.  For example, the oldwan choppers, seen to the right, were designed to help break things down.  These stone tools can be compared to smartphones, the most useful tool of today. 

While the humans of the past had a different shape designed for different tasks, today we have “an app for that.”  Smartphones have different apps designed for each task; likewise, there are different designs of stone for each objective.  A smartphone is a tool that most people today could not live without.  Like stone tools, a smartphone is designed to make the lives of people easier. 

Lastly, stone tools were refined by Neolithic farmers.  These farmers sharpened the stone tools, making them better suited for hunting spears and knives.  The same goes for the smartphone.  It seems like every other month there is a new update to make the device better suited for the task at hand.

With the invention of the wheel, transportation was put on another level.  Although it is believed that the first wheels were meant for pottery in Mesopotamia, they ended up being an invention that changed the way humans traveled.  The remote is a great innovation to society. 

The remote, like the wheel, changed the lives of humans.  Before the wheel, people would have to walk everywhere.  In the same way, the remote made it so we did not have to get up to change a channel on the television.  The remote made life easier for people, as did the wheel.  These two inventions were made to help people in their everyday lives but actually helped to make people lazier. 

The wheel made it so people didn’t have to walk and the remote made it so people didn’t have to get up, leaving people able to sit most of the time.  Obviously, these technological breakthroughs had both positive and negative effects.

Around 2560 BC, the Egyptians created one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the pyramids.  The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure for almost 4,000 years. Today, if we go to a city we can see buildings that are a quarter of a mile tall.  These buildings help to make more space for business by taking up unused air space, which is why they are an important invention. 

Skyscrapers have multiple purposes, one of these purposes is to be a living environment like hotels and apartments.  The pyramids were used as a final resting place for Egyptian kings.  Like the rich kings of Egypt who had the best, rich people today usually have the best living environment in hotel skyscrapers. These huge structures are all being outdone, like the pyramids were, losing the title of the tallest building. 

The Great Pyramid of Giza may have lasted 4,000 years without being outdone, now, however, it is hard for one to last 10 years.  The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world, reigning 2,717 feet, but there is another skyscraper said to be built in 2017 which would be 3,280 feet tall, that is nearly one kilometer.  Clearly, the ancient world built up the way for us to soar to new heights.

To conclude, the inventions from the past can be seen in the innovations of today; from the stone tools and the wheel help making it possible to make the pyramids, all the way to discoveries today, like the smartphone, remote, and skyscrapers.  Nolan Bushnell once said, “The best ideas lose their owners and take on lives of their own.” 

This quote is seen in all of these technological discoveries that changed the world.  Ultimately, without these inventions we would be just cavemen without tools, never advancing in evolution.

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20 inventions that changed the world

From the wheel 5,500 years ago to the birth control pill, these 20 inventions had huge ramifications and have helped humans shape the world around us.

2. Printing press

3. penicillin, 5. light bulb, 6. telephone, 7. internal combustion engine, 8. contraceptives, 9. internet, 11. use of fire, 12. concrete, 13. magnifying glass, 14. batteries, 15. marine chronometer, 16. airplane, 17. refrigerator, 18. nuclear energy, 19. vaccines.

Humans are naturally curious and creative, two traits that have led our species to many scientific and technological breakthroughs. Since our earliest ancestors bashed a rock on the ground to make the first sharp-edged tool, humans have continued to innovate. From the debut of the wheel to the launch of Mars rovers, several of these key advancements stand out as especially revolutionary. Some inventions are thanks to one eureka moment, but most of our most pioneering inventions were the work of several innovative thinkers who made incremental improvements over many years. Here, we explore 20 of the most important inventions of all time, along with the science behind the inventions and how they came about.

Before the invention of the wheel in 3500 B.C., humans were severely limited in how much stuff we could transport over land, and how far. The wheel itself wasn't the most difficult part of "inventing the wheel." When it came time to connect a non-moving platform to that rolling cylinder, things got tricky, according to David Anthony, an emeritus professor of anthropology at Hartwick College.

"The stroke of brilliance was the wheel-and-axle concept," Anthony previously told Live Science . "But then making it was also difficult." For instance, the holes at the center of the wheels and the ends of the fixed axles had to be nearly perfectly round and smooth, he said. The size of the axle was also a critical factor, as was its snugness inside the hole (not too tight, but not too loose, either).

The hard work paid off, big time. Wheeled carts facilitated agriculture and commerce by enabling the transportation of goods to and from markets, as well as easing the burdens of people travelling great distances. Now, wheels are vital to our way of life, found in everything from clocks to vehicles to turbines.

David Anthony is professor emeritus and curator emeritus of anthropology at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York. He has done extensive archaeological fieldwork in Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan. Anthony is the author of "The Horse, the Wheel, and Language" (Princeton, 2007) and has co-authored studies including the finding that humans first rode horses 5,000 years ago .

German inventor Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press sometime between 1440 and 1450. Key to its development was the hand mold, a new molding technique that enabled the rapid creation of large quantities of metal movable type. Though others before him — including inventors in China and Korea — had developed movable type made from metal, Gutenberg was the first to create a mechanized process that transferred the ink (which he made from linseed oil and soot) from the movable type to paper.

With this movable type process, printing presses exponentially increased the speed with which book copies could be made, and thus they led to the rapid and widespread dissemination of knowledge for the first time in history. In her book “ The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe ” (Cambridge University Press, 2012), late historian Elizabeth L. Eisenstein wrote, “printers’ workshops would be found in every important municipal center by 1500.”  It has been estimated that up to twenty million volumes had been printed in Western Europe by 1500, although Eisenstein estimates that it was around eight million.

Among other things, the printing press permitted wider access to the Bible, which in turn led to alternative interpretations, including that of Martin Luther, whose "95 Theses" a document printed by the hundred-thousand sparked the Protestant Reformation.

It's one of the most famous discovery stories in history. In 1928, the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming noticed a bacteria-filled Petri dish in his laboratory with its lid accidentally ajar. The sample had become contaminated with a mold, and everywhere the mold was, the bacteria was dead. That antibiotic mold turned out to be the fungus Penicillium, and over the next two decades, chemists purified it and developed the drug penicillin , which fights a huge number of bacterial infections in humans without harming the humans themselves.

Penicillin was being mass-produced and advertised by 1944. This poster attached to a curbside mailbox advised World War II servicemen to take the drug to rid themselves of venereal disease.

About 1 in 10 people have an allergic reaction to the antibiotic , according to a study published in 2003 in the journal Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology. Even so, most of those people go on to be able to tolerate the drug, researchers said.

Related: What causes allergies?

Ancient mariners used the stars for navigation, but this method didn’t work during the day or on cloudy nights, making it dangerous to travel far from land. 

The first compass was invented in China during the Han dynasty between the 2nd Century B.C. and 1st Century A.D.; it was made of lodestone, a naturally-magnetized iron ore, the attractive properties of which they had been studying for centuries. However, it was used for navigation for the first time during the Song Dynasty, between the 11th and 12th centuries,

Soon after, the technology to the West through nautical contact. The compass enabled mariners to navigate safely far from land, opening up the world for exploration and the subsequent development of global trade. An instrument still widely used today, the compass has transformed our knowledge and understanding of the Earth forever.

The invention of the light bulb transformed our world by removing our dependence on natural light, allowing us to be productive at any time, day or night.  Several inventors were instrumental in developing this revolutionary technology throughout the 1800s; Thomas Edison is credited as the primary inventor because he created a completely functional lighting system, including a generator and wiring as well as a carbon-filament bulb like the one above, in 1879.

As well as initiating the introduction of electricity in homes throughout the Western world, this invention also had a rather unexpected consequence of changing people's sleep patterns . Instead of going to bed at nightfall (having nothing else to do) and sleeping in segments throughout the night separated by periods of wakefulness, we now stay up except for the 7 to 8 hours allotted for sleep, and, ideally, we sleep all in one go.

Several inventors did pioneering work on electronic voice transmission — many of whom later filed intellectual property lawsuits when telephone use exploded — but it was Scottish inventor Alexander Graham Bell who was the first to be awarded a patent for the electric telephone on March 7, 1876 (his patent drawing is pictured above). Three days later, Bell made the first telephone call to his assistant, Thomas Watson, saying "Mr Watson, come here — I want to see you," according to author A. Edward Evenson in his book, “ The Telephone Patent Conspiracy of 1876: The Elisha Gray-Alexander Bell Controversy and Its Many Players ” (McFarland, 2015).

Bell’s inspiration for the telephone was influenced by his family. His father taught speech elocution and specialized in teaching the deaf speak, his mother, an accomplished musician, lost her hearing in later life and his wife Mabel, who he married in 1877, had been deaf since the age of five, according to Evenson. The invention quickly took off and revolutionized global business and communication. When Bell died on Aug. 2, 1922, all telephone service in the United States and Canada was stopped for one minute to honor him.

In these engines, the combustion of fuel releases a high-temperature gas, which, as it expands, applies a force to a piston, moving it. Thus, combustion engines convert chemical energy into mechanical work. Decades of engineering by many scientists went into designing the internal combustion engine, which took its (essentially) modern form in the latter half of the 19th century. The engine ushered in the Industrial Age, as well as enabling the invention of a huge variety of machines, including modern cars and aircraft.

Pictured are the operating steps of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The strokes are as follows: 1) Intake stroke — air and vaporised fuel are drawn in. 2) Compression stroke - fuel vapor and air are compressed and ignited. 3) Power stroke — fuel combusts and the piston is pushed downwards, powering the machine. 4) Exhaust stroke — exhaust is driven out.

Not only have birth control pills, condoms and other forms of contraception sparked a sexual revolution in the developed world by allowing men and women to have sex for leisure rather than procreation, they have also drastically reduced the average number of offspring per woman in countries where they are used. With fewer mouths to feed, modern families have achieved higher standards of living and can provide better for each child. Meanwhile, on the global scale, contraceptives are helping the human population gradually level off; our number will probably stabilize by the end of the century. Certain contraceptives, such as condoms, also curb the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Natural and herbal contraception has been used for millennia. Condoms or ‘sheaths’ have existed in one form or another since ancient times, according to scholar Jessica Borge in her book “ Protective Practices: A History of the London Rubber Company and the Condom Business ” (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2020), with the rubber condom developed in the 19th century. Meanwhile, the FDA approved the first oral contraceptive pill in the United States in 1960 and by 1965, more than 6.5 million American women were on the pill, according to author Jonathan Eig in his book, “The Birth of the Pill: How Four Pioneers Reinvented Sex and Launched a Revolution” (W. W. Norton & Company, 2015).  

Scientists are continuing to make advancements in birth control, with some labs even pursuing a male form of "the pill." A permanent birth-control implant called Essure was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002, though in 2016, the FDA warned the implant would need stronger warnings to tell users about serious risks of using Essure. 

Related: 7 surprising facts about the pill

The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that is used by billions of people worldwide. In the 1960s, a team of computer scientists working for the U.S. Defense Department's ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) built a communications network to connect the computers in the agency, called ARPANET, the predecessor of the internet. It used a method of data transmission called "packet switching", developed by computer scientist and team member Lawrence Roberts, based on prior work of other computer scientists. 

This technology was progressed in the 1970s by scientists Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf, who developed the crucial communication protocols for the internet, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP), according to computer scientist Harry R. Lewis in his book “ Ideas That Created the Future: Classic Papers of Computer Science ” (MIT Press, 2021). For this, Kahn and Cerf are often credited as inventors of the internet”.

In 1989, the internet evolved further thanks to the invention of the World Wide Web by computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee while working at CERN (The European Organization for Nuclear Research). According to CERN , "the basic idea of the WWW was to merge the evolving technologies of computers, data networks and hypertext into a powerful and easy to use global information system." The development of the WWW opened up the world of the internet to everybody and connected the world in a way that it had never been before.  

Related: Inventor of World Wide Web snags computer science's top prize

This key invention dates back more than 2,000 years to the Ancient Roman period and became possible only after humans developed the ability to cast and shape metal. Previously, wood structures had to be built by interlocking adjacent boards geometrically a much more arduous construction process.

Until the 1790s and early 1800s, hand-wrought nails were the norm, with a blacksmith heating a square iron rod and then hammering it on four sides to create a point, according to the University of Vermont . Nail-making machines came online between the 1790s and the early 1800s. Technology for crafting nails continued to advance; After Henry Bessemer developed a process to mass-produce steel from iron, the iron nails of yesteryear slowly waned and by 1886, 10 percent of U.S. nails were created from soft steel wire, according to the University of Vermont. By 1913, 90 percent of nails produced in the U.S. were steel wire.

Meanwhile, the invention of the screw - a stronger but harder-to-insert fastener -  is usually ascribed to the Greek scholar Archimedes in the third century B.C., but was probably invented by the Pythagorean philosopher Archytas of Tarentum, according to David Blockley in his book “ Engineering: A Very Short Introduction ” (Oxford University Press, 2012).

The use of fire is one of humankind's most powerful early inventions and radically changed the way our ancient ancestors lived. Offering warmth and the ability to cook foods such as meat, the campfire was also a social gathering place. Fire also provided some protection against predators. 

The exact date fire was discovered has long remained a mystery, with some studies suggesting it was first used by hominins in Kenya 1 million years ago to cook meat. Other evidence suggests that Neanderthals in Europe and Asia harnessed fire , while Homo sapiens evolving in Africa mastered the skill of creating fire. More recently, archaeologists in Israel found evidence of hominin fire use dating to 1.5 million to 2 million years ago.

Ancient Romans are credited as one of the first societies to use concrete in architecture, with Roman bathhouses and iconic sites such as the Colosseumand Pantheon dome constructed using concrete mixed with volcanic ash, lime, and seawater. Incredibly, many of these ancient buildings are not only standing, but remain in good condition some 2,000 years later — a testament to the longevity of Roman concrete . However, the ancient Egyptians used a crude form of concrete in their buildings much earlier in 3000 B.C., employing forms of concrete mixed with ash and salt water to create mortar. One study concluded that parts of the Great Pyramids of Giza might have been built using concrete . Concrete is strong in compression but breaks easily in tension, so the invention of reinforced steel-concrete toward the end of the 19th century in France, which lends concrete some of steel's tensile strength, enabled concrete to be used more widely in construction.

Franciscan friar and Oxford University scholar Roger Bacon first developed the magnifying glass in 1268. Sometimes dubbed "Britain's first scientist,"' Bacon's magnifying glass built on research by Muslim scholars .

However, the use of optical tools dates back much further. Evidence suggests that as early as 700 B.C., people in ancient Egypt noticed that they could look through crystals to improve vision.

The first battery dates back to 1800, when Italian physicist Alessandro Volta wrapped stacked discs of copper and zinc in a cloth, submerged it in salty water and discovered that it conducted energy. In 1802, Scottish professor William Cruickshank invented a variation of Volta's design known as the trough battery , which consisted of 50 discs of copper and zinc in a wooden box filled with a salt solution to conduct energy. However, it was French physicist Gaston Planté who invented the first practically used battery, in 1859. Modern variations on Planté's rechargeable lead-acid battery are still used in cars today.

The 15th century marked the beginning of the great voyages of discovery by adventurers and sea merchants and the development of a global ocean trade network . Trading vessels carried highly prized silk, spices, salt, wine and tea across often-treacherous seas for months on end. After the loss of four ships at sea in the Scilly naval disaster of 1707 , seafarers realized they needed an accurate way to determine longitude when out of sight of land.

In 1714, the British parliament offered a prize of 20,000 pounds to anyone who could solve the problem. Carpenter John Harrison won the bounty in 1735 with his marine chronometer. What is perhaps even more remarkable is that Harrison was a self-taught clockmaker. His ingenious timekeeping device was powered by the rocking motion of the ship rather than by gravity and could be used by sailors to accurately calculate longitude at sea.

The ability for humans to fly has captured the imagination of inventors for centuries, with the first human-operated flight taking place in 1783 when Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Ètienne Montgolfier took to the skies in a hot air balloon. In 1853 British engineer George Cayley designed the first glider to successfully take flight, but it wasn’t until 1903 that Orville and Wilbur Wright's plane became the first airplane to have a successful voyage. It not only took off from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina using its own power; it flew and landed without destruction, unlike many earlier aircraft inventions. The Wright brothers were inspired by watching' birds in flight. The glider took a page from birds' wings but had a 32-foot (10 meters) wingspan.

Refrigeration in some form has been around for thousands of years. Depending on the climate, ice or cold water was used to keep food cold in ancient times. But artificial refrigeration didn't come until 1748, when the physician William Cullen  first demonstrated evaporative cooling. Further breakthroughs came in 1834, when a vapor-compression system was developed by American engineer Jacob Perkins . In 1876, German engineer Carl von Linde came up with a process of liquifying the gas, ushering in the era of commercial refrigeration. In 1913, American engineer Fred Wolf invented the first domestic refrigerator , and as demand for fresh produce grew, so did the number of households with refrigerators.

Nuclear energy was first discovered in the 1930s by Italian physicist Enrico Fermi , who found that bombarding atoms with neutrons could split them, generating huge amounts of energy. He went on to develop the first nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago. This successful experiment led to the development of several nuclear plants in the 1950s, with Idaho launching the first nuclear plant in 1951 with electricity produced from atomic energy at its Experimental Breeder Reactor I site. Obninsk in the former Soviet Union became the first grid-connected nuclear power plant in the world in 1954, while Shippingport nuclear plant, Pennsylvania became the first commercial nuclear plant in 1957.

Nuclear power remains widely used around the world today, generating approximately 10% of global energy .

One problem is that existing nuclear power plants use fission to split atoms, and this produces radioactive substances that take ages to decay. And the risks of nuclear disasters, such as those at Chernobyl and the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant, highlight the challenges of fission-based nuclear power.

So scientists are working to create usable nuclear fusion reactors, which could theoretically generate clean, limitless energy. In 2022, scientists reported a minor breakthrough: a fusion reactor that generated more energy than was put into it. However, we're still a long way from a usable fusion reactor , experts say.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2 million to 3 million lives are saved annually thanks to vaccinations against contagious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and measles.

The earliest rudimentary vaccination is thought to date back to the 10th century in China, when people inoculated small scratches in the skin with small doses of smallpox to provide protection against the disease. But in 1796, English physician Edward Jenner discovered that milkmaids rarely caught or died of smallpox because they were previously infected by the cowpox virus , also called Vaccinia. So he used cowpox to develop a smallpox vaccine. He inoculated an 8-year-old boy with cowpox and then with smallpox, and the boy never caught the deadly scourge. Jenner's experiment led to the creation of a smallpox vaccine and his work is regarded as the start of immunology. In 1980, smallpox was declared officially eradicated by WHO. But scientists continue to develop new life-saving vaccines — most notably, the coronavirus vaccines that played a large role in combatting the pandemic .

Like many famous inventions, the X-ray was discovered by accident. In 1895, German engineer and physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen was undertaking a two-month study into the potential of radiation. In an experiment testing whether cathode rays could pass through glass, he noticed that the radiation was able to pass through screens of considerable thickness, leaving a shadow of solid objects. He soon discovered that X-rays could pass through human tissues to show a clear picture of the skeleton and organs. A year later, a group of physicians took the earliest X-rays on patients . These observations led to the development of radiology as we know it today and has since helped medical professionals diagnose broken bones, tumors, organ failures and more.

Editor's Note: This story was updated to correct the location of Edison's lab. It was Menlo Park, New Jersey, not Menlo Park, California.

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Natalie Wolchover was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012 and is currently a senior physics writer and editor for Quanta Magazine. She holds a bachelor's degree in physics from Tufts University and has studied physics at the University of California, Berkeley. Along with the staff of Quanta, Wolchover won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory writing for her work on the building of the James Webb Space Telescope. Her work has also appeared in the The Best American Science and Nature Writing and The Best Writing on Mathematics, Nature, The New Yorker and Popular Science. She was the 2016 winner of the  Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award, an annual prize for young science journalists, as well as the winner of the 2017 Science Communication Award for the American Institute of Physics. 

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Student Essays

Essay on Modern Invention | Benefits & Impacts of Inventions

From our birth, we are surrounded by science that has brought about an amazing change in our life. Since the Stone Age to the present day’s Information Technology is a huge process which have transformed our society, lifestyle and work pattern. Read the following short and long Essay on modern inventions, its benefits, impacts on human life at large. This essay is quite helpful for children and students for their school exams etc.

Essay on Modern Inventions | Benefits, Impacts of Modern Inventions on our Life

Every day the life of people is becoming more convenient. Scientists are trying to make life easier for people, inventing new technologies which after some time become popular all over the world. Any invention is created first of all for convenience and comfort.

Benefits of Modern Inventions

Science is not just limited to laboratories where scientists carry out experiments on animals or use chemical elements for research purpose but it has provided us a motive to create a better world so that we could live in a pleasant atmosphere. We all know about the invention of cars, planes and computers due to science which have made our life easier and so fast that sometimes it becomes difficult for us to manage them.

In the 21st century a lot of new technologies, equipment and machines have been created. Scientists all over the world are inventing a lot of useful things for people to make their life easier. There is no need to watch TV programs when you can easily connect to streaming online TV channels without any payment using modern smart TVs. All you need is to buy a TV and connect it to the Internet.

There were no such things like: laptop, smartphone, tablet and others 10 years ago. Now we can`t imagine our life without them. All these devices help us in educational process; we use laptops for studying and doing homework; we use smartphones while traveling around the city to find some useful information about nearest cinemas, cafes and bars; we use tablets to read books and newspapers.

Modern technologies allow many people in the world to communicate with each other. Now any person can connect to his friends or relatives living in another country using Skype application. People who want to travel around the world can easily book tickets online and they don`t need to call one travel agency to another.

Nowadays people can go to the cinema or theater using modern gadgets like Go-Pro camera which allows filming high-quality videos without any shaking. Besides it is waterproof and can be used for extreme sports like surfing, skydiving etc.

Nowadays any person can install solar panels on his house and get free electricity using only sun energy. All these things make our life easier and convenient and we should be thankful to inventors for their effort and patience.

Criticism on Modern Inventions:

Nowadays there are a lot of publications in newspapers and magazines condemning modern inventions, calling them harmful for the human health. Many people complain about their health because they spend most of time watching TV, surfing on the Internet or playing computer games. Scientists say that these things make children lazy and not active enough; besides many people become obese because of constant watching TV.

There are also people who complain about their health because of using modern technologies at work or studying at school or university. Many students complain that they have to spend so much time learning new information and most of time reading books, doing homework etc., which makes them tired and exhausted.

Dealing with Modern Inventions

First of all modern technologies are useful for people, but they can`t deny their negative influence on the human health. That is why we should use modern things in moderation and not forget about important things like physical activities which help our body to stay healthy. We shouldn`t spend too much time using smartphones, watching TV etc., instead of it we should go in for sports or playing outdoor games. We shouldn`t forget that our health is the most important thing we have and we should take care of it!

In conclusion, it`s necessary to say that modern technologies are helpful for us. They make our life easier and provide many opportunities for people. But we should also remember about the human health which can be harmed by using these things in excess. That is why it is better to use them in moderation!

Thank you for your attention!

What are Modern Inventions?

Modern inventions are the result of human innovation and creativity. These inventions have changed the way we live, work, and communicate with each other. From making our lives easier to shaping our future, modern inventions continue to revolutionize our world.

Important Modern Inventions:

Without further ado, let’s dive into the top 10 modern inventions that have left a lasting impact on society:

Internet – The internet has transformed the way we access information and communicate with others. From e-commerce to social media, the internet has revolutionized our daily lives.

Smartphone – Our handheld devices have become an essential part of our lives, providing us with endless possibilities such as instant communication, navigation, and entertainment.

Electric light bulb – Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric light bulb revolutionized the way we live, freeing us from the constraints of daylight and allowing us to be productive even at night.

Airplane – The Wright brothers’ invention of the airplane has shrunk our world, making it easier and faster to travel long distances.

Personal computer – The personal computer has made computing accessible to everyone, leading to advancements in various fields such as education, healthcare, and business.

Antibiotics – Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin has saved countless lives by treating infectious diseases that were once considered fatal.

Automobile – The invention of the automobile has transformed our transportation system, making it faster, more efficient, and convenient.

Television – The television has become an integral part of our entertainment, providing us with news, information, and endless hours of programming.

Printing press – Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press revolutionized the way we share and preserve knowledge by making mass production of books possible.

Social media – The rise of social media platforms has changed the way we interact with others, allowing us to connect and communicate with people from all around the world.

These are just some of the modern inventions that have changed our world and continue to shape our future. Who knows what other brilliant ideas and innovations will arise in the years to come? The possibilities are endless, and one thing is for sure – modern inventions have undoubtedly made a significant impact on humanity.

Essay on Modern Inventions of India:

India has a rich history of innovation and invention, dating back to ancient civilizations. From the discovery of zero by Aryabhata in the 5th century to the recent success of India’s space program, Indian inventions have made significant contributions to the world. In this short essay, we will discuss some modern inventions that have propelled India into the global spotlight.

One of the most well-known modern inventions of India is the Mangalyaan, also known as the Mars Orbiter Mission. Launched in 2013, it made India the fourth nation to reach Mars and was achieved at a fraction of the cost compared to other space missions. This success has solidified India’s position as a pioneer in space technology.

Another notable invention is the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine), which revolutionized the voting process in India. It eliminated the use of ballot papers and made elections more efficient and transparent. EVMs have been used in all national and state elections since 2004.

In the field of medicine, India has made significant strides with inventions such as low-cost prosthetic limbs, cardiac stents, and the world’s smallest heart pump. These innovations have not only improved the quality of life for millions but also made healthcare more accessible and affordable.

In the digital world, India has become a leader in software and technology with companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS leading the way. The invention of Aadhaar- a unique identification system based on biometric data- has made it easier for millions to access government services and financial benefits.

In conclusion, India’s modern inventions have not only benefited its own citizens but also made a global impact. As the country continues to embrace innovation and technology, we can expect many more groundbreaking inventions in the future. These achievements serve as a testament to India’s potential and determination to be at the forefront of progress and development. So, we must continue to support and encourage the spirit of innovation in India.

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The 10 Inventions that Changed the World

The U.S. librarian of Congress ranks history's most important innovations.

Thomas Edison liked to say that he never failed. He succeeded every now and again with an invention that would change the world. The rest of the time, he tried thousands of other things with only one fault—that they would never work.

That’s the sort of spirit and tenacity that leads to progress, says Carla Hayden , the U.S. librarian of Congress. The library keeps archives of many of America’s copyrights and blueprints, so National Geographic asked Hayden to list what she considers 10 of the most meaningful advances in history—the inventions and innovations responsible for the trappings of modern life.

Ranking innovations is more art than science. Can you really compare a camera to an airplane? But while progress is incremental, it’s also exponential; it builds on itself. The printing press allowed literacy to spread and thinkers to share ideas and, thus, invent more things.

Modern inventions tend more toward improving than transforming: an app that connects the world in a better way, planes that fly farther, faster. But there’s still room, every so often, for dramatic advances like, say, 3-D printing or the Internet. “There will be more great leaps,” says Hayden. “We have a momentum and acceleration I think we can all feel.”

Top 10 innovations

• Printing press
• Personal computer
• Refrigeration

Related Topics

• HISTORY AND CIVILIZATION
• SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel – IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Apr 12, 2024

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Structural breakdown.

• Band 7 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel
• Band 8 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel
• Band 9 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel
• Connectors That’ll Improve Your Writing Task 2 Score For The Topic ‘There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel’

More Writing Task 2 Essay Topics

Effective IELTS Essay Connectors for Writing Task 2 & Task 1

In this IELTS Writing Task 2 Agree/Disagree essay – ‘There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel,’ we delve into the impact of technological advancements leading to inventions.

So let’s get started on this  IELTS Writing Task 2  Agree/Disagree essay so that we can understand the new age inventions and understand if they are more important than the invention of wheel.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

There have been many inventions in human history such as the wheel. Some people think the most important thing is the internet. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

You should write at least 250 words.

Type:   Agree/Disagree Essay

Band 7 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel

While it is undeniable that the internet has significantly impacted human society, I do not entirely agree that it surpasses all other inventions in importance, such as the wheel. Admittedly, the internet has revolutionized communication, commerce, and access to information. It has connected people across the globe, facilitated rapid exchange of ideas, and transformed how businesses operate. However, the wheel, which dates back to ancient times, remains fundamental to human progress.

The wheel laid the foundation for transportation, enabling the movement of goods and people with greater efficiency. It revolutionized agriculture by facilitating the use of carts and plows, leading to increased productivity and the growth of civilizations. Moreover, the wheel played a crucial role in the development of machinery and technology, from simple pulleys to complex machinery in modern industries.

While the internet has undoubtedly accelerated the pace of globalization and information dissemination, its significance is somewhat limited by accessibility issues in certain parts of the world. In contrast, the wheel’s impact transcends geographical boundaries and is essential to various aspects of human life, including transportation, industry, and agriculture.

In conclusion, while the internet has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, its importance should not overshadow that of earlier inventions like the wheel. Both have played critical roles in shaping human civilization, with the wheel laying the groundwork for physical mobility and the internet revolutionizing virtual connectivity.

Vocabulary for Band 7

• Fundamental:  Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.

Example:  Learning to read and write is fundamental to acquiring knowledge in any field of study.

• Efficiency:  The ability to accomplish a task with minimal waste, effort, or cost.

Example:  Installing energy-efficient lighting systems in buildings can significantly reduce electricity consumption.

• Civilization:  A complex society characterized by urban development, social organization, and cultural advancement.

Example:  The Indus Valley civilization thrived around 3300–1300 BCE, with planned cities like Mohenjo-Daro.

• Productivity:  The measure of output per unit of input, often referring to the efficiency of production or labor.

Example:  Implementing time-management strategies can improve productivity in the workplace.

• Machinery:  Machines collectively or a system of machines, especially those used in a particular industry or enterprise.

Example:  Industrial machinery automates production processes, increasing output and reducing labor costs.

• Accessibility:  The ease of use and availability of a product, service, or resource, especially to those with disabilities or in disadvantaged situations.

Example:  Making public transportation accessible to people with mobility impairments improves their independence and quality of life.

• Transcend:  To surpass or go beyond the usual limits of something.

Example:  Shakespeare’s works transcend time and culture, remaining relevant and celebrated centuries after their creation.

• Accelerated:  Happening or progressing at a faster rate than usual.

Example:  Technological advancements have accelerated the pace of innovation in various industries, leading to rapid changes in products and services.

• Dissemination:  The act of spreading something, especially information, widely.

Example:  The internet facilitates the rapid dissemination of news, allowing people to stay informed about current events around the world.

• Connectivity:  The quality or state of being connected or interconnected.

Example:  High-speed internet connectivity is essential for businesses to communicate with customers and partners globally.

Band 8 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel

Undoubtedly, the internet stands as one of the most transformative inventions in human history, yet to claim it surpasses all others, including the wheel, seems overly simplistic. While the internet has reshaped the world in profound ways, the wheel’s significance cannot be understated. The wheel, originating in ancient times, revolutionized transportation, agriculture, and engineering, laying the groundwork for subsequent technological advancements.

The internet’s impact on communication, commerce, and knowledge dissemination is undeniable. It has connected individuals worldwide, enabling instant communication and collaboration across continents. Moreover, e-commerce platforms have transformed the way goods and services are bought and sold, reshaping global economies. However, accessibility remains a concern, with digital divides persisting between developed and developing regions.

In contrast, the wheel’s influence transcends time and geography. Its invention facilitated the movement of goods and people, driving the expansion of trade networks and the growth of civilizations. From carts and chariots to modern automobiles and industrial machinery, the wheel’s versatility is unmatched. Its role in agriculture increased productivity, contributing to the sustenance and growth of societies.

While the internet has accelerated the pace of globalization, the wheel’s impact on physical mobility and infrastructure development remains unparalleled. Moreover, the wheel’s simplicity and universality ensure its relevance across diverse societies and technological landscapes. Thus, while the internet represents a remarkable advancement in virtual connectivity, it does not eclipse the foundational significance of the wheel in human progress.

In conclusion, while the internet has revolutionized communication and commerce, its importance should not overshadow that of earlier inventions like the wheel. Both have played pivotal roles in shaping human civilization, with the wheel’s contributions to transportation and infrastructure laying the groundwork for modern society.

Vocabulary for Band 8

• Transformative:  Causing a marked change in someone or something.

Example:  The discovery of antibiotics was transformative for medicine, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.

• Profound:  Having deep insight or understanding; intellectually deep or penetrating.

Example:  The philosopher’s profound reflections on the nature of existence influenced generations of thinkers.

• Understated:  Presented or expressed in a subtle or restrained manner; not given enough emphasis or importance.

Example:  The artist’s understated style often conveys complex emotions with minimalistic brushstrokes.

• Versatility:  The quality of being able to adapt to many different functions or activities.

Example:  The versatility of smartphones allows users to perform various tasks, from communication to entertainment, with a single device.

• Unparalleled:  Having no parallel or equal; unmatched or unrivaled.

Example:  The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction is unparalleled in the industry, setting a new standard for excellence.

• Infrastructure:  The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

Example:  Investing in infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges is crucial for stimulating economic growth and development.

• Universality:  The quality of being applicable or common to all people or situations.

Example:  The universality of human rights ensures that fundamental freedoms and protections apply to everyone, regardless of nationality or background.

• Eclipse:  To surpass or overshadow something by being more prominent or significant.

Example:  The athlete’s remarkable performance in the championship eclipsed all previous records, making headlines worldwide.

• Foundational:  Forming the basis or groundwork for something; essential or fundamental.

Example:  Literacy is foundational to academic success, providing the necessary skills for learning and communication.

• Pivotal:  Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something else.

Example:  The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal moment in history, transforming economies and societies through technological innovations.

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Band 9 Sample Answer For Writing Task 2 – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel

While the internet undeniably represents a pinnacle of human innovation in the digital age, asserting its supremacy over all other inventions, such as the wheel, is an oversimplification of historical significance. The wheel, an ancient invention dating back thousands of years, remains unparalleled in its foundational impact on human civilization, serving as the cornerstone of transportation, industry, and agriculture.

The internet’s transformative power in revolutionizing communication, commerce, and access to information is indisputable. It has shrunk the world, enabling instantaneous communication and collaboration on a global scale. Moreover, e-commerce platforms have reshaped economic landscapes, transcending geographical boundaries. However, the internet’s reach is constrained by digital divides and infrastructural limitations, hindering universal accessibility.

In contrast, the wheel’s influence transcends millennia, revolutionizing the movement of goods and people. Its invention paved the way for the expansion of trade networks, fostering cultural exchange and economic growth. From carts and chariots to modern automobiles and industrial machinery, the wheel’s adaptability and simplicity remain unparalleled. Furthermore, its role in agriculture revolutionized food production, contributing to the sustenance and prosperity of civilizations.

While the internet has accelerated globalization, the wheel’s impact on physical mobility and infrastructure development is incomparable. Its ubiquity and timelessness ensure its relevance across diverse societies and technological epochs. Thus, while the internet represents a paradigm shift in virtual connectivity, it cannot overshadow the foundational importance of the wheel in human progress.

In conclusion, while the internet has reshaped the modern world in profound ways, its significance must be contextualized within the broader tapestry of human innovation. The wheel, with its enduring legacy and multifaceted impact on human civilization, remains an indispensable cornerstone of progress.

Vocabulary for Band 9

• Oversimplification:  Presenting something as simpler or more straightforward than it actually is.

Example:  Suggesting that the internet alone is responsible for societal progress is an oversimplification; numerous factors contribute to human advancement.

• Foundational:  Forming the basis or groundwork for something.

Example:  The discovery of fire was foundational to early human survival, enabling cooking, warmth, and protection from predators.

• Indisputable:  Impossible to question or doubt.

Example:  The impact of climate change on global weather patterns is indisputable, supported by overwhelming scientific evidence.

• Transcending:  Going beyond the limits or boundaries of something.

Example:  Love has the power to transcend cultural differences, connecting people from diverse backgrounds on a fundamental level.

• Infrastructural:  Relating to the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.

Example:  Developing countries often struggle with infrastructural challenges such as inadequate roads, electricity, and telecommunications networks.

• Adaptability:  The ability to adjust to new conditions or changes.

Example:  The success of a species often depends on its adaptability to environmental changes over time.

• Timelessness:  Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion.

Example:  Classic literature possesses a timelessness that resonates with readers across generations.

• Ubiquity:  The state or capacity of being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresence.

Example:  Social media’s ubiquity in modern life has transformed how people interact and share information.

• Paradigm shift:  A fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline.

Example:  The Copernican Revolution marked a paradigm shift in astronomy, challenging the geocentric view of the universe.

• Enduring:  Continuing or long-lasting.

Example:  Despite the rise of digital photography, film photography maintains an enduring appeal for enthusiasts who appreciate its unique aesthetic.

Connectors That’ll Improve Your Writing Task 2 Score For The Topic ‘There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel’

Connectors  play a crucial role in linking ideas and creating a smooth flow of information within a text. Here is a list of common connectors that can be used in the provided answers:

• Furthermore
• Additionally
• In addition
• Nevertheless
• On the other hand
• Nonetheless
• Consequently
• In conclusion

Now that you have gone through the sample answers on the topic – There Have Been Many Inventions in Human History Such as the Wheel – it is time for you to try writing on your own. For that, leave your answers as a comment below or you can use our FREE evaluation service !

• The Birth Rate In Most Developed Countries Is Predicted To Begin To Fall Over The Next 50 Years
• Many People Think Modern Communication Technology Is Having Some Negative Effects On Social Relationship
• An Increasing Number Of Professionals Such As Doctors and Teachers Are Leaving
• Some People Think That Newspapers Are The Best Way To Learn News
• Many Developing Countries Require Help From International Organizations To Develop

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November 1, 2013

What Are the 10 Greatest Inventions of Our Time?

Before you consider, here are a few opinions from Scientific American readers in 1913 on what makes a great invention

By Daniel C. Schlenoff

A competition sponsored in 1913 by Scientific American asked for essays on the 10 greatest inventions. The rules: “our time” meant the previous quarter century, 1888 to 1913; the invention had to be patentable and was considered to date from its “commercial introduction.”

Perception is at the heart of this question. Inventions are most salient when we can see the historical changes they cause. In 2013 we might not appreciate the work of Nikola Tesla or Thomas Edison on a daily basis, as we are accustomed to electricity in all its forms, but we are very impressed by the societal changes caused by the Internet and the World Wide Web (both of which run on alternating-current electricity, by the way). A century from now they might be curious as to what all the fuss was about. The answers from 1913 thus provide a snapshot of the perceptions of the time.

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The airplane: The Wright Flyer for military purposes, being demonstrated at Fort Myer, Va., in 1908. Image: Scientific American - November 1, 1913

Following are excerpts from the first- and second-prize essays, along with a statistical tally of all the entries that were sent in.

The first-prize essay was written by William I. Wyman, who worked in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C., and was thus well informed on the progress of inventions. His list was:

1. The electric furnace (1889) It was “the only means for commercially producing Carborundum (the hardest of all manufactured substances).” The electric furnace also converted aluminum “from a merely precious to very useful metal” (by reducing it’s price 98 percent), and was “radically transforming the steel industry.”

2. The steam turbine, invented by Charles Parsons in 1884 and commercially introduced over the next 10 years. A huge improvement in powering ships, the more far-reaching use of this invention was to drive generators that produced electricity.

3. The gasoline-powered automobile. Many inventors worked toward the goal of a “self-propelled” vehicle in the 19th century. Wyman gave the honor specifically to Gottleib Daimler for his 1889 engine, arguing: “a century's insistent but unsuccessful endeavor to provide a practical self-propelled car proves that the success of any type that once answered requirements would be immediate. Such success did come with the advent of the Daimler motor, and not before.”

4. The moving picture. Entertainment always will be important to people. “The moving picture has transformed the amusements of the multitude.” The technical pioneer he cited was Thomas Edison.

5. The airplane. For “the Realization of an age-long dream” he gave the laurels of success to the Wright brothers, but apart from its military use reserved judgment on the utility of the invention: “It presents the least commercial utility of all the inventions considered.”

6. Wireless Telegraphy. Systems for transmitting information between people have been around for centuries, perhaps millennia. Telegraph signals got a speed boost in the U.S. from Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail. Wireless telegraphy as invented by Guglielmo Marconi, later evolving into radio, set information free from wires.

7. The cyanide process. Sounds toxic, yes? It appears on this list for only one reason: It is used to extract gold from ore. “Gold is the life blood of trade,” and in 1913 it was considered to be the foundation for international commerce and national currencies.

8. The Nikola Tesla induction motor. “This epoch-making invention is mainly responsible for the present large and increasing use of electricity in the industries.” Before people had electricity in their homes, the alternating current–producing motor constructed by Tesla supplied 90 percent of the electricity used by manufacturing.

9. The Linotype machine. The Linotype machine enabled publishers—largely newspapers—to compose text and print it much faster and cheaper. It was an advance as large as the invention of the printing press itself was over the painstaking handwritten scrolls before it. Pretty soon we won’t be using paper for writing and reading, so the history of printing will be forgotten anyway.

10. The electric welding process of Elihu Thomson. In the era of mass production, the electric welding process enabled faster production and construction of better, more intricate machines for that manufacturing process.

The electric welder invented by Elihu Thomson enabled the cheaper production of intricate welded machinery. Image: Scientific American - November 1, 1913

The turbine invented by Charles Parsons powered ships. Assembled in numbers, they provided an efficient means of driving electrical generators and producing that most useful commodity. Image: Scientific American - November 1, 1913

The second-prize essay, by George M. Dowe, also of Washington, D.C., who may have been a patent attorney, was more philosophical. He divided his inventions into those aiding three broad sectors: production, transportation and communication.

1. Electrical fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. As natural fertilizer sources were depleted during the 19th century, artificial fertilizers enabled the further expansion of agriculture.

2. Preservation of sugar-producing plants. George W. McMullen of Chicago is credited with the discovery of a method for drying sugar cane and sugar beets for transport. Sugar production became more efficient and its supply increased by leaps and bounds, like a kid on a “sugar buzz.” Maybe this is one invention we could have done without. But I digress.

3. High-speed steel alloys. By adding tungsten to steel, “tools so made were able to cut at such a speed that they became almost red hot without losing either their temper or their cutting edge” The increase in the efficiency of cutting machines was “nothing short of revolutionary.”

4. Tungsten-filament lamp. Another success of chemistry. After tungsten replaced carbon in its filament, the lightbulb was considered “perfected.” As of 2013 they are being phased out worldwide in favor of compact fluorescent bulbs, which are four times as efficient.

5. The airplane. Not yet in wide use as transportation in 1913, but “To [Samuel] Langley and to the Wright brothers must be awarded the chief honors in the attainment of mechanical flight.” In 2013 the annoying aspects of commercial airline flying make transportation by horse and buggy seem a viable alternative.

6. The steam turbine. As with Mr. Wyman, the turbine deserved credit not only “in the utilization of steam as a prime mover” but in its use in the “generation of electricity.”

7. Internal combustion engine. As a means of transportation, Dowe gives the greatest credit to “Daimler, Ford and Duryea.” Gottleib Daimler is a well-known pioneer in motor vehicles. Henry Ford began production of the Model T in 1908 and it was quite popular by 1913. Charles Duryea made one of the earliest commercially successful petrol-driven vehicles, starting in 1896.

8. The pneumatic tire. Cars for personal transportation were an improvement on railways. “What the track has done for the locomotive, the pneumatic tire has done for the vehicle not confined to tracks.” Credit is given to John Dunlop and William C. Bartlet, who each had a milestone on the road (pun intended) to successful automobile and bicycle tires.

9. Wireless communication. Marconi was given the credit for making wireless “commercially practical.” Dowe also makes a comment that could apply equally to the rise of the World Wide Web, stating that wireless was “devised to meet the needs of commerce primarily, but incidentally they have contributed to social intercourse.”

10. Composing machines. The giant rotary press was quite capable of churning out masses of printed material. The bottleneck in the chain of production was composing the printing plates. The Linotype and the Monotype dispensed with that bottleneck.

The essays sent in were compiled to come up with a master list of inventions that were considered to be the top 10. Wireless telegraphy was on almost everyone’s list. The “aeroplane” came in second, although it was considered important because of its potential, not because there were so many airplanes in the sky. Here are the rest of the results:

There were also mentions for Luther Burbank's agricultural work (23); Louis Pasteur and vaccination work (20); acetylene gas from carbide (17); mercury-vapor lamp (7); preservation of sugar-producing plants (7); combined motion picture and talking machine (10); Edison's storage battery (6); automatic player piano (4); Pulmotor (a respirator machine) (4); telephone (4).

The motion picture: The hard-working Thomas Edison helped make this entertainment form technically viable. Image: Scientific American - November 1, 1913

The full contents of all the prize-winning essays is available with a subscription to the Scientific American archives .