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

  • Fondots@lemmy.world
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    6 months ago

    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