Humans are constantly creating new inventions to make life easier. Other times they manipulate their environment or form entirely new conceptions of an existing item. These efforts are what push people forward and make life evolve. Without inventions and new things, people would be living the same way they did 500 years ago.
From transportation inventions to internet technology and computers, we’ll discuss some of the most important creations ever. We’ll note why they were important to the world and whether they’ll continue to be relevant. As the years pass, inventions are surpassed by even better products and ideas.
#1 – The Wheel
When people argue the merits of keeping a product or idea the same, they often say there is no need to “reinvent the wheel.” This is because for centuries, the wheel has become one of the most timeless inventions in human history.
Without the wheel, humanity would not have been able to expand across the globe as quickly as it did. People and products would be stuck in one location for much longer or possibly permanently, never to mix with others in the latter situation. Wheels let humans drive cars, transport goods, and take off the runway when flying in an airplane.
While a specific person hasn’t been credited with the invention of the wheel, some studies suggest that it was made in ancient times in Iraq before expanding westward. The use of an axle with the wheel is what allows the invention to be the ingenious device that we know today.
#2 – iPhones and Other Smartphones
The smartphone is arguably the most important invention in the history of the 21st century. It has allowed people to take pictures wherever they are. The device also offers a means of keeping important information all in one place. This can range from keeping important calendar dates to paying bills on banking apps.
The iPhone was the first prominent smartphone released in the late 2000s, but many other companies have gotten their share of the market. The variety of products creates great competition to improve the quality of smartphones.
One of the drawbacks to these devices is that some argue humans have become addicted to smartphones. Because they allow us to communicate with anyone in the world at a moment’s notice, some people take advantage of their smartphones. They have a hard time staying in the moment and it creates dangerous scenarios, like when you are texting and driving.
#3 – The Lightbulb
There is some evidence that Thomas Edison did not come up with the lightbulb all on his own, but he perfected the idea of an electrical filament that would light up our world forever. Lightbulbs have continued to evolve in the century-plus since their invention, but their basic science remains the same.
The lightbulb has allowed human society to flourish in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible if we were still just using candles and fireplaces. It is now up to inventors to continue to improve the lightbulb and make it even more energy efficient.
#4 – Basketball
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is also one of the only sports that can be traced back to a specific inventor. Dr. James Naismith invented the sport in the late 19th century to entertain his bored physical education students. Peach baskets and cage matches have turned into beautiful hardwood courts and glass backboards.
One of the reasons basketball is so popular is because it can be played alone or with friends. It doesn’t require a lot of equipment, and it provides great exercise.
On a cultural level, some of the most famous people of the last 50 years have made their name playing basketball, such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James. For hundreds of millions of people around the world, it’s hard to imagine a life without basketball now.
#5 – Video Games
Even though parents used to think that video games would destroy their children’s brains, computerized games have become one of the most popular art forms of the last 40 years. From arcade games like Donkey Kong to spectacles like Elden Ring, gaming has allowed an escape from reality that has not been replicated.
Video games allow humans to tell stories and interact with them in ways that movies and shows can’t. With the use of in-game avatars, transgender and non-binary people have been able to realize their true selves when the world won’t accept them.
Online gaming has become one of the most simple ways to socialize with others and meet new friends. There are still a lot of ignorant stereotypes about video games, but these products are only going to continue to grow in popularity for the next generation and beyond.
#6 – The Stove
Ben Franklin invented a primitive concept that resembles the modern stove back in the 18th century. As the years progressed, stoves became more sophisticated, and with it came the possibility of crafting better meals. It’s hard to imagine cooking and preparing food efficiently without the stove.
#7 – Solar Panels
Solar panels are starting to become an in-vogue way to heat and power homes across the world. They help produce a greener planet for many reasons, including decreasing the use of non-renewable resources.
Homes are also much more valuable in certain areas of the country if they have solar panels. If you live in sun-drenched and solar-investment-heavy states such as Arizona, California, or New Mexico, it is important to consider installing them.
#8 – Television
Television is one of the most important modes of communication in human history. Television has entertained, informed, and expanded global reach for decades. John Baird invented the first television in 1927. Since then, high-definition television has helped show people images from around the globe in crystal clear pictures.
Television was instrumental in teaching Americans and others around the world about the atrocities of war. Gruesome shots from Vietnam were shown all over living rooms in the U.S. in the late 1960s. Since then, television has continued to provide news items and important topics to audiences.
Inventions That Endure
All these inventions have made the world a better place in some way. Creating things is what makes us human. We’ll continue to manipulate the world and figure out ways to improve the human experience through invention. These items, games, and technologies will be here for the long haul, though.
About the author–
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, BuyAutoInsurance.com. He wants to help people see the ways that human creativity has expanded what’s possible in the world.