Abacus – 190 AD. The use of the abacus was first recorded in Chinese history in 190 AD. This tool is regarded as the fastest calculation method for centuries, and with skilled use, it can yield results faster than electronic calculators.
Aspirin – 1899. The renowned Greek physician Hippocrates, recognized as the “father” of modern medicine, was the first to discover the healing properties of acetylsalicylic acid. By the end of the 19th century, German chemist Felix Hoffman perfected this pharmaceutical formulation and named it aspirin.
Barcode – 1973. Initially conceived in 1952 by a student in Philadelphia (USA) as a physical pattern, today barcodes are present on nearly all goods we purchase.
Bicycle – 1861. Originally created as a recreational device for the upper class in the 1820s, the “iron horse” quickly evolved into a classless mode of transportation.
Condom – 1640. The Egyptians used condoms over 3,000 years ago. Italian gynecologist Gabriele Falloppio in the 17th century advocated for the use of this contraceptive tool to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Refrigerator – 1834. American inventor Jacob Perkins was the first to describe how tubes filled with volatile chemicals could be used to cool food.
Internal Combustion Engine – 1859. The “father” of the internal combustion engine was Belgian inventor Étienne Lenoir. It was an improved version of the steam engine.
Laser – 1960. Physicist Theodore Maiman invented the first laser after discovering that ruby crystals emitted light “brighter than the sun.”
Incandescent Light Bulb – 1848. In fact, Joseph Swan developed the incandescent light bulb before American entrepreneur Thomas Edison, but both later collaborated to create this essential household lighting device.
Lock – 2000 BC. Four thousand years ago, the Egyptians were the first to use locks and keys to secure their belongings.
Microchip – 1958. American engineer Jack Kilby created the world’s first integrated circuit, which later revolutionized the computing industry.
Mobile Phone – 1947. Bell Laboratories in Missouri (USA) was the first entity to provide mobile phone services.
Paper – 105 AD. Two thousand years ago, the Chinese began making paper from tree bark, bamboo fibers, hemp, and flax. However, it took centuries for paper to become widespread globally.
Printing Press – 1454. The Chinese were the first printers in the world, but German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg pioneered the construction of the printing press.
Internet – 1969. The idea of a global communication network was conceived by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1960s. In 1989, British engineer Tim Berners-Lee invented the Internet along with the World Wide Web.
Birth Control Pill – 1951. The birth control pill was developed by a team led by chemist Carl Djerassi in 1951, but it was not available in the UK until 1962.
Wheel – 3500 BC. The wheel rightfully deserves to be at the top of the list of “great inventions.” The first image of a wheel was found in Sumeria (present-day Iraq) dating back to 3500 BC, and it soon “rolled” into the West.
Zipper – 1913. In 1913, Swedish engineer Gideon Sundback invented the first zipper for fastening boots.
Other inventions include barbed wire (1873), bow and arrow (30,000 BC), compact disc (1965), pacemaker (1958), credit card (1950), drum (12,000 BC), dynamite (1867), fishhook (30,000 BC), Global Positioning System (1978), digital music player iPod (2001), kettle (1891), microscope (1590), plow (100 AD), rubber band (1845), sewing machine (1830), eyeglasses (1451), syringe (1844), telescope (1608), parachute (2400 BC), Walkman (1979), weighing scale (5000 BC), cannon (13th century), bra (1913), television (1925), telephone (1876), computer (1977), button (1235), compass (1190), battery (1800), camera (1826), radio (1895), and match (1826).
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