Summary
When
selecting my 10 inventions for this assignment, I evaluated each according to
two
factors on a scale of 1-10, explained below.
1.)
Prevalence in society: For each invention, I evaluated the amount of immersion
or
acceptance
of the technological advancement in society. The reasoning behind this
was
even if a invention was not groundbreaking, the fact that it has permeated
in
all aspects of society must signal something about its influence on the world.
2.)
Extent of which it enables societal functions: This factor was much more
subjective,
as opposed to #1 which was more objective. After identifying each
Invention,
I then rated each on how essential each was to the daily functioning or
creation
of what is modern day society. For advances that play a crucial role to the
function
of our society, it is only logical they were most likely a very influential
Inventions
as well.
1.) Computer
1.) Computer
What is it?
•Electronic
computational device capable of difficult calculations
•Computes
arithmetic and logical operations automatically as well as reprogrammed for a
variety of functions
•Can
connect to other devices through either internet or server network
•Used
for both personal and business purposes
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 7
2.) Internet
What is it?
•Global
system of interconnected computers linking several billion devices
•Allows
for worldwide communication and data sharing instantaneously
•Database
for information, resources, and services that are publicly and freely available
to anyone
•Enables
computer, email, social media, chat, teleconferencing, and many other functions
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 8
3.)
What is it?
•Round
object developed in ancient times
•Makes
all modern travel faster, easier, and more convenient
•Paved
the way for automobiles, planes, wheelbarrows, and anything with a wheel
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 9
4.) Electricity
What is it?
•Discovered
in the 1600s by scientists William Gilbert
•Refers
to the phenomenon of the movement of electrons and charged particles to release
energy
•Rapid
expansion and implementation revolutionized society, providing functions such
as light, computation, heating, and communication
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 10
5.) Refrigeration
What is it?
•Process
of which to move heat from one place to another, usually to cool certain areas.
•Allows
for the preservation and transportation of food, expansion of settlement away
from agriculture areas
•More
effective at preservation of food, replacing smoking and salting, and allowing
for less waste of edibles
Prevalence: 7
Influence: 8
6.) Sewage System
What is it?
•Evolving
system involving the transportation, collection, treatment, and storage of
liquid waste
•One
of the main factors allowing for the urbanization and condensation of society
and living space
•Drastically
reduced environmental waste and spread of diseases, improving human lifespan
and societal cleanliness
Prevalence: 7
Influence: 7
7.) Birth Control
What is it?
•Contraceptive
drastically lowering the possibly of pregnancy and transmission of sexual
diseases.
•Paved
the way for sex as a social/safe activity as well as revolutionized the way
society perceives and allows sex
•One
of the main methods to control over population
Prevalence: 4
Influence: 6
8.) Currency
What is it?
•Expression
of value in different forms of goods, whether material or electric
•Allowed
for society to move out of bartering and better leveraging and storage of
actual value goods.
•Paved
the way for electronic forms of payment and associated functions (credit cards,
checks, Apple Pay, Vemno,
bonds, stocks)
Prevalence: 9
Influence: 8
9.) Assembly Line
What is it?
•Gained
popularity during the industrial revolution
•Drastically
improved speed and quality of which products could be produced, as well as
lowering the costs
•Allowed
for the creation of more and more complex items, such as computers,
automobiles, and appliances
Prevalence: 2
Influence: 6
10) Automobile
What is it?
•Self
powered motor vehicle used for transportation or pleasure
•Owned
by majority of population, critical to the expansion of society and development
of suburban areas
•Major
increase in power available to humans for many activities, such as moving,
farming,
Prevalence: 10
Influence: 7
