Asklemmy
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Fire
Language. The ability to communicate advanced concepts is what has enabled us invent/discover a lot of things, including the computer.
Written language. It lets us speak to people across time.
Irrigation. But Iron Working and Celestial Navigation are good shouts too.
Photography! I'm not even into it, but when I look at an old picture it always amazes me we're able to freeze moments in time.
Writing or agriculture. Both were incredibly important in developing society.
Electricity
Gutenberg Printing Press.
No question. That or anti-biotics
While antibiotics are a very important discovery in medicine, I believe the biggest reason medicine was able to develop like it has is the printing press.
At first I thought you were talking about dating lmao
Hmm I definitely agree that computers, and especially smartphones, are pretty damn amazing inventions.
But I agree with another poster when it comes to the greatest invention. When we invented the printing press, it allowed our species to develop much quicker because we were able to share information/education much better.
Air conditioning
For people that really really need air conditioning, it's an amazing thing
The vast majority of people who have it don't need it. Especially in, ahem, that one country
It's horrendously wasteful
I believe argiculture and trade were massive parts of history
Microwave. Being able to heat up a hot pocket in just minutes is legendary.
The printing press. It allowed us for the first time to share knowledge at a scale we only dreamed of.
Surely it has to the FRIDGE?
This was the topic of discussion between an historian, a mathematician and a mystic.
The historian said, "writing. The ability to put words on paper to be communicated to people who never even met the 'speaker', is the single greatest achievement of mankind."
The mathematician said, "no, numbers. The ability to express and develop truly abstract concepts, which in turn leads to Incredible real applications. Numbers are the single greatest invention of mankind."
The mystic said, "the Thermos flask."
"The Thermos flask?"
"The Thermos flask. It keeps hot drinks hot in the winter, and cold drinks cold in the summer. But think - that little flask - how does it know?"
I was having lunch at work and this Geordie I work with pointed at my flask and said "What's that mate?"
I said "It's a thermos. It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold"
Next day he comes in and he's got a brand new thermos. I asked him what he had in it.
He said "Two choc ices, a sausage roll and a cup of tea"
Not the just important invention, but definitely the best invention: plumbing.
Y'all try going a week without running water and wiping with leaves or newspaper and you'll quickly see that while other things are definitely important, plumbing is the best to have
Spray cheese
Electricity
I have a list of things that transcend invention and are actually some of humans greatest achievements:
- The bicycle
- The piano
- The internet
- Saturn V
Soap
The Tamagotchi - for obvious reasons.