Week 2 - Top 10 Inventions

Our generation has spurned thousands of inventions that we simply cannot live without. However, there are other numerous inventions that were invented hundreds of thousands of years ago that serve a key purpose to us even today. Please find below my list for the Top 10 inventions:

1. The Internet: this one invention has probably changed the way humans interact with each other, live their lives and conduct themselves in society more than any other invention in contemporary times. What started off as a government invention in the 1960's has spurned unlimited new uses for everyday citizens, small businesses, corporations and governments. This medium remains the primary method of communication for most of the modern world today. This impact of this invention cannot be understated.
2. Wheel: this archaic invention allowed the civilizations of our ancient ancestors to transport much more goods and items farther distances now that they did not have to simply carry everything on their backs. It provided the option of mobility for our ancient ancestors, so they could be mobile across the continents if they so pleased. It also spurned a variety of other spin-off inventions (carriage, wheelbarrow, etc) that made life exponentially easier.
3. Cotton gin: this invention had a huge impact on the history of the United States, as it severely impacted the slave industry due to the fact that cotton farmers did not need as many slaves to separate the cotton from the rest of the plant. It was able to separate the commodity from the useless part of the plant, and contributed heavily to the end of slavery in the United States due to the fact that slaves did not need to be used in the cotton industry as much anymore.
4. Airplane: the airplane allowed for faster transportation and cargo transport that was much faster than that of the previous modes of transport (trains, ships, cars, etc.). It also allowed for exploration and more visual mapping of landscapes, which contributed to a more accurate mapping of the world. In addition, more cargo could be shipped to other parts of the world with the use of the airplane because now perishable items could be flown across the world. 
5. Refrigeration: this was huge for food production and for the poor because now, food could be preserved without being pickled. It reduced the amount of food borne diseases because now there were options to buy food and have it last for a longer period of time. Those from poorer classes could afford the option to purchase food, and have it last for a longer period of time. It also spurned new types of cuisines and food, as before, food could not be preserved without pickling, and now the option was open to store fruits, vegetables, and others 
6. Fire: this allowed for our ancestors to not only create light and heat, but also to bring them an added source of protection against the elements. They did not have to rely on their own body heat to survive colder temperates, and this gave them the freedom and flexibility to move to colder regions of the world.
7. Television: this created an entirely new medium of communication, and spurned a multi-billion dollar industry dedicated to providing information and entertainment to the masses. The influence of television has allowed us to communicate to most people around the world, while also creating "stars" who work on the silver screen.
8. Radio: now information could be instantly spread to the rest of the world simply through speech. Although this came early on in the 1900's, it was a huge way to relay news and information to the masses during the numerous wars that occurred over this century. It was faster than the newspapers, and leaders of the world now had the power to communicate with their countries directly.
9. Electricity: this one invention cannot be understated given how important it has been to connecting our world together, and allowing humans to work and achieve more than they could to harness the power of machines and technology. 
10. Democracy: this was an interesting "invention" by the Greeks which has changed the way we govern ourselves completely. It has given us another way to govern our nations that involves the "power to the people" and not just the royals and monarchy. Although numerous variations of democracy have been formed, the core of this invention is extremely useful to us today.

Thanks,

Payal