this post was submitted on 29 Apr 2024
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Asklemmy

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Mine is the computer. I continue to be amazed at what we can do with them.

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[โ€“] Fondots@lemmy.world 19 points 6 months ago (2 children)

It's pretty damn hard to pick just one thing, so my best-of list

There's really basic foundational things like the wheel, cutting tools, fire (if we want to count it as an invention,) string/rope/cordage, writing, clothing, cooking, agriculture, metalworking, etc. the sort of things that are absolutely basic building blocks of civilization.

Moving a few milenia up, and in no particular order,

the Haber Process to synthesize ammonia, which allowed for the creation of synthetic fertilizers. If you've eaten any commercially grown food in the last century, you probably owe it to the Haber Process.

Antibiotics are another big one, as are vaccines.

Vaucason's lathe arguably laid the foundation for a whole lot of fabrication techniques that led to the industrial revolution

Refrigeration

Steam engines and later internal combustion engines

Clocks

Compasses

Printing press

The telephone

Airplanes

Computers and the internet

Cameras

[โ€“] ianovic69@feddit.uk 8 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Refrigeration is my favourite on your list. Without it, there's no lager.

[โ€“] tetris11@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Also it's the one my parents talk about. They used to go out everyday and pluck food from the ground. Every day.

Fridge changed that overnight. Suddenly people had time to do other things (mostly chat with their friends in cafรฉs)

[โ€“] ianovic69@feddit.uk 2 points 6 months ago

The industrial revolution was the biggest double edged sword ever!

The washing machine was probably the next big time saver. Now we spend all our free time on the internet...

[โ€“] dandroid@sh.itjust.works 1 points 6 months ago

I think soap deserves an honorable mention.