The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

An open question. What are the ten greatest inventions of mankind? Exclude language as an inate function (even if you disagree), the harnassing of fire, the use of tools, and roads/trails and create seperate lists for the following categories:

Off the top of my head in no order:

Primitive:

Religion
Farming
Cultivation of livestock
Music
Visual arts

...you finish...


Postprimitive:

Writing
Metallurgy, especially iron working
Irrigation
Mining
Mass government
Sailing (?)
Domestification of animals such as horses (?)

Many others, but you might argue against many great discoveries, such as mathematics, navigation,...

...you finish...


Warfare:

Metal working
Sling
Arrow
Stirrup
Phalanx
Gunpowder
Bullet
Nuclear bomb
Mechanized warfare (includes tanks)
...you finish / argue ....


Post-1400

The printing press
Electrification
Telegraph/telephone
Railroads
Computers
Flight
Electrification
Highways
Accurate timekeeping

...you finish or argue...

Matt

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

This is the most confusing way ever to express something that is probably a clever post.

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

I don't see the wheel mentioned anywhere on your list but maybe I just missed it.

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

Steel
The radio

I feel like I'm playing Civilization

Freakin

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

[ QUOTE ]
Steel
The radio

I feel like I'm playing Civilization

Freakin

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking the same thing. That game was sweet.

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

I think Bronze working needs to be specifically mentioned in the metallurgy

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking the same thing. That game was sweet.

[/ QUOTE ]
You guys kick as[/i]s! I never did get into CivIII, but I dominated CivII Gold Multiplayer.

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I was thinking the same thing. That game was sweet.

[/ QUOTE ]
You guys kick as[/i]s! I never did get into CivIII, but I dominated CivII Gold Multiplayer.

[/ QUOTE ]

kinda hard not to

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

clothes
sunscreen
dental fillings
eye glasses
fingernail clippers
preperation H
suspenders or belts
laywers to protect us from doctors
beer
toothpicks
philips head screws
macadam
toilet paper

Re: The Most Important Inventions of Mankind
 

There's a new book out about this. I browsed through it at the bookstore the other day. Can't remember the others, but I know the wheel was number one.

Also:
http://www.scenta.co.uk/100greatest/100greatest.cfm