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Danilo_G
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Discussion » Questions » Science and Technology » What invention has had the greatest impact on society?

What invention has had the greatest impact on society?

Posted - August 5, 2019

Responses


  • 46117
    Could it be THE GUN? 
      August 5, 2019 10:57 AM MDT
    1

  • 6023
    I'm going to say refrigeration.
    It allows food (and medicines) to be kept longer, transported further without spoiling, and even sold/consumed out of season.
      August 5, 2019 11:02 AM MDT
    4

  • 44173
    For some reason, you are the only one I have heard say that. I'm thinking the same.
      August 5, 2019 12:28 PM MDT
    1

  • 5391
    I’m gonna go with written language.

    Enabling our kind to record and propagate our words and knowledge across time and distance. To me, modern society is impossible without it. This post was edited by Don Barzini at August 5, 2019 1:43 PM MDT
      August 5, 2019 11:47 AM MDT
    3

  • 952
    Guns Bullets Explosives!!
      August 5, 2019 12:05 PM MDT
    1

  • 52903
    The apostrophe. No, the hyphen. Wait, the dash. Um, may I change my answer back to the hyphen, please?  Final answer. Did I mention the asterisk?  Never mind, never mind; stick with the dash. Hold on, I think I was right the first time, I’ll go with apostrophe.
    ~
      August 5, 2019 12:18 PM MDT
    1

  • 44173
    Off the wagon, I see.
      August 5, 2019 12:29 PM MDT
    1

  • 9777
    The wheel
      August 5, 2019 12:26 PM MDT
    3

  • 44173
      August 5, 2019 12:32 PM MDT
    1

  • 7776
    The gun and it has killed millions! This post was edited by Zack at August 5, 2019 1:42 PM MDT
      August 5, 2019 12:31 PM MDT
    2

  • 44173
    Positive: Electricity
    Negative: Guns and cell phones.
      August 5, 2019 12:34 PM MDT
    1

  • 3680
    Not so much "inventions" as three "discoveries" or "developments.

    1) That of producing metals from their ores, and working those metals. Particularly Iron, which requires coke derived from coal for its smelting; and much later, Steel from that iron.

    Iron and its alloys (the steels) permeate EVERYTHING else we have or use in life including whatever you are reading this on, even if those metals are not directly present.


    2) The Wheel - and think far beyond the obvious wheels on vehicles etc., to such fields as rotating machinery.

    3) Mathematics - like iron, also utterly ubiquitous and essential to utilising both of the above.


    Without those three we'd be unable to ponder it here. We would still be living in the Neolithic.     
      September 3, 2019 3:39 PM MDT
    1

  • 423
    Possibly fire. But taking the broadest meaning, it could be the first realisation that the environment could be manipulated to useful human purpose - in making purpose-built shelters rather than relying on natural huddling places like caves, or chipping flint into useful tools or sharpening sticks into spears. Once man gained a foothold though the simplest, easiest to hand, aids to survival, he could then turn his thoughts towards manufacture of pots, pans, window-glass, furniture, and to art, machines and weapons of mass destruction.  
      September 6, 2019 12:31 PM MDT
    2

  • 3680
    Good point - and without fire manufacturing most of those objects would not be possible.
      September 6, 2019 2:38 PM MDT
    1

  • 423
    Yes, it may have been the first really, no-turning-back, breakthrough invention of man (but pre Sapiens I think). When I see Durdle, I think of Durdle Door - perhaps you can see it from your attic window Durdle, or perhaps not. I can see Georgian Bay from my window, and hear the breakers on a rough day, but big though it is, a lake is not the same as the sea. 
      September 7, 2019 10:27 AM MDT
    0

  • 5391
    Your point is well taken, but fire itself is not an invention. 
      September 7, 2019 10:38 AM MDT
    0