Welcome back everyone. If you haven't read the first part yet, you can check it out here: Part One. In the first segment of the blog series, we had a look at some of the most transformative innovations that shaped the world as we know it today. It should come as no shock that we are going to do the same thing all over again. In this second part, we'll continue our journey through history, spotlighting even more ground-breaking innovations that have forever altered the course of human progress. We hope you enjoy!
The Printing Press
Just over 500 years ago, a machine was created by Johannes Gutenberg, a German blacksmith that facilitated the mass production of books. As you can imagine, this caused ideas—both beneficial and harmful—to spread like wildfire. Unsurprisingly the first piece of literature that was printed with this machine was the bible. The printing press was one of the first examples in history of machines 'eliminating' jobs.
Aeroplanes
Back in the early 1900's, the wright brothers created the first human piloted motorised aeroplane - the Wright Flyer. Unfortunately, the flight only lasted for 12 seconds. Yet, they accomplished the unthinkable by overcoming gravity. These brothers established the groundwork for aeronautical engineering. Their designs were developed by various other engineers, which led to Charles Lindbergh eventually crossing the Atlantic in 1927.
Laser
When initially discovered in 1960, scientists were not sure where lasers could be applied. Since then, lasers have proven to be invaluable in almost every sector from healthcare and medicine to consumer electronics. They are completely ubiquitous and frequently touch our everyday lives. Remember that shopping trip where you scanned barcodes to pay? Lasers. How about the last time you had to print something out for work? A laser was involved.
The Human Genome Project
It is arguable that this has transformed medicine more radically than any other modern advancement in science. The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003 and mapped every gene in the human genome. This led to the growth of medical studies on genes associated with diseases. Biotech companies seeking new applications in healthcare also boomed.
Personal Computers
The president of IBM, Thomas J. Watson, said "I think there's a world market for maybe five computers". Thomas' prediction was a little off. There are estimated to be around 2 billion personal computers worldwide. Computers have transformed the way people live and work, making tasks easier, storing information, and processing data swiftly and effectively.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks—five more innovations that changed the world forever. From Gutenberg’s printing press to personal computers, these inventions not only revolutionised their own eras but continue to shape our lives today in ways their creators could have never imagined. Whether it's taking a flight, printing a document, or simply scanning a barcode at the store, these milestones have paved the way for the modern conveniences we often take for granted. As we look to the future, one thing’s certain—innovation never stops. Who knows what the next life-changing breakthrough will be? If you'd like to catch-up on some of our other blogs, please visit: https://www.theiceway.com/blog.
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