Inventions that Changed the World 1 Flashcards
wheel
The wheel stands out as one of the most famous inventions that influenced numerous other things. This primitive technology made it easier for all of us to travel. From the archeological excavations, the oldest known wheel is from Mesopotamia, around 3500 B.C.
compass
Created for spiritual and navigational purposes, the earliest compasses were most likely invented by the Chinese in around 1050 BC. It was made of lodestones, which is a naturally magnetized iron ore.
automobiles
Although the foundation to the modern car year was laid in 1886 by German inventor Karl Benz, Cars did not become widely available until the early 20th century. Henry Ford innovated mass-production techniques that became standard, with Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler. However, he certainly wasn’t the only person to develop the horseless carriage.
steam engine
Thomas Savery patented the first practical steam engine in 1698. It was one of the greatest inventions made by a man making him one of the people who has changed the world.
Later in 1781, James Watt patented an improved steam engine and went on to fuel one of the most momentous technological leaps in human history during the Industrial Revolution.
concrete
Concrete is one of the most widely used man-made material. As the materials and combinations improved, modern concrete was invented.
One of the key ingredients of concrete is cement. The foundation to cement was laid in 1300 BC.
Around 6500 BC, the first concrete-like structures were built by the Nabataea traders or Bedouins in the southern Syria and northern Jordan regions.
By 3000 BC, the Egyptians were using early forms of concrete to build pyramids.
In 1824, the most used Portland cement was invented by Joseph Aspdin of England. George Bartholomew had laid down the first concrete street in the US during 1891, which still exists.
gas/petrol
Without gas, there wouldn’t be the first industrial revolution in the automobile industry.
To be more specific, petrol is a transparent, petroleum-derived liquid that is used as an essential fuel in internal combustion engines.
Do you know, gas was initially discarded?
During 1859, in Pennsylvania, Edwin Drake dug the first oil well and refined the oil to produce kerosene. Although the distillation produced gas, he discarded it as he was unaware of it. Until 1892, the prominence of gas wasn’t recognized. The first gas pump was manufactured by Sylvanus Bowser On September 5, 1885.
Railways/Railroads
Railways is a mode of transport which can carry a large number of passengers with ease of comfort and/or heavy loads to long distances.
Modern trains history is around 200 years old, which revolutionized the way we travel. Distant lands become possible, industries are powered with an infinite amount of raw materials. Earlier mode of transport was carts pulled by animals.
The commercial appearance of train networks came in the late 1820s, and the pioneer in that field was inventor George Stephenson, with his design ‘Rocket’, the most famous early railway locomotive. This gained rapid expansion across newly acquired lands.
airplane
On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved the first powered, sustained and controlled airplane.
While flying machines had been dreamt up since da Vinci’s time, the Wright Brothers became the biggest successes. Beginning with gliders, the duo laid the foundation for modern aeronautical engineering.
