Every once in a while in human history, there is a revolutionary invention that promotes the development of mankind and permanently changes the course of human history. From the wheel to the internet, every major discovery deserves to be remembered forever. Image source: Ruslan Grumble/Shutterstock
1. Wheel, 4000-3500 BC. Experts are unsure exactly when or where it was invented, but Bronze Age Mesopotamia or Eurasia are the most likely candidates. Image source: LacoKozyna/Shutterstock
2. Nails, ancient Egypt, 3400 BC. The ancient Egyptians were not only famous for building the pyramids, but also for inventing woodworking and powerful nails. Three thousand years later, the Romans began mass-producing nails from wrought iron. Source: Uximetc Pavel/Shutterstock
3. Soap, ancient Mesopotamia, 2800 BC. In ancient Mesopotamia, civilization flourished as the first cleansing soaps, created from wood ash and animal fat, improved human hygiene. Source: Iravgustin/Shutterstock
4. Compass, China, 206 BC. This small invention transformed navigation and ultimately led to the Age of Discovery and the vast expansion of world trade. Source: Charles Taylor/Shutterstock
5. Paper, China, 105 BC. The invention of paper was crucial because it enabled civilization to share and record more efficiently. Paper, made from pounded fibers, was invented by Cai Lun, an official in Kudat, China. Source: Sophy Ru/Shutterstock
6. Gunpowder, China, 142 years. Gunpowder originated from the alchemy of ancient Chinese Taoists. This invention has had a major impact on world history, transformed human warfare, and remains the basis for many modern weapons. Image source: Fxmdusan73 Shutterstock
7. Mechanical clock, China, 725. Another very important invention also came from China, which was the world's earliest mechanical clock. It was invented by the mathematician Yi Xing and a military engineer named Liang in the 8th century. Accurate time telling is a big step forward for mankind. Image source: Denys Bogdanov/Shutterstock
8. Thermometer, War of Venice, 1612. Modern medical practice, scientific research and manufacturing all require precise temperature measurement. Galileo Galilei invented the first thermometer in 1592. But the first real thermometer was invented by Venetian doctor Santorio Santorio in 1612. Image source: Shawn Hempel/Shutterstock
9. Refrigerator, Scotland, 1755. One of the most important innovations in food history, the first artificially refrigerated refrigerator was invented by Scottish doctor William Cullen in the mid-1750s, but it was not until 1913 that a commercial product was launched. Image source: James Steidl/Shutterstock
10. Computer, Britain, early 19th century. In the early 19th century, the English mathematical genius Charles Babbage, considered the "father of computing," invented the world's first mechanical computing device. Source: Tim Jenner/Shutterstock
11. Telegraph, England, 1816. British scientist Francis Ronaldo invented the first viable electronic communication device. American Samuel Morse developed the first commercially viable telegraph system in 1837, which revolutionized long-distance communications. Source: Tantawat/Shutterstock
12. Photography, France, 1816.
The first camera was made in 1816 by French inventor Nenieps using a DIY camera and paper coated with silver chloride. Photography has profoundly changed the way people communicate, and the artistic creativity of humans to learn, entertain, record events and express themselves has been profoundly changed. Image source: Courtesy Petapixel
13. Telephone, United States/Canada, 1876. Scottish-born innovator Alexander Graham Bell invented the first practical model in 1876.
14. Electricity
The invention and widespread application of electricity triggered the second industrial revolution, and mankind began to enter the electrical age. The second industrial revolution promoted the formation of the world colonial system, led to the final establishment of the capitalist world system, and the world gradually became a whole.
15. Artificial Satellite
On October 4, 1957, mankind entered the space era. Soviet scientists successfully launched a metal ball. It used a rocket to break through the earth's attraction and atmospheric obstruction, stay in extraterrestrial space, and continuously rotate around the earth. The newspaper reported: "The world's first artificial earth satellite was successfully launched from the territory of the Soviet Union. ... The launch vehicle gave the satellite a speed of approximately 25,000 feet per second."
16. Penicillin
In 1928, British bacteriologist Fleming first discovered the world's first antibiotic, penicillin. Its successful development greatly enhanced human beings' ability to resist bacterial infections and led to the birth of the antibiotic family.
17. Computer
The computer is one of the most advanced scientific and technological inventions in the 20th century. It has had an extremely important impact on human production activities and social activities, and has strong vitality. Rapid development. Its application fields have expanded from the initial military scientific research application to various fields of society. It has formed a huge computer industry, driven technological progress on a global scale, and triggered profound social changes. Computers have been used in general schools and enterprises. Public institutions have entered the homes of ordinary people and become an indispensable tool in the information society.