Opening Day Post

In my opinion the most important invention of all time is the computer. The reason for this is how versatile the computer is. Computers are programmable, and can be used for anything that involves data, you can command it to do, and is within the computer's operating system (which is also programmable). Some common applications of the computer are data storage (text, audio, and video), communication, entertainment, and an "improved typewriter", or means of displaying text. Throughout history there have certainly been inventions more influential in a specific part of life than the computer, but never has a single invention improved so many areas of life.

I have to agree with the post before this one by "anonymous." I too believe the most important invention of all time is the computer. The computer today pretty much runs the developed countries of this world. Without computers, vital information would be lost, and there would be no organization for the thousands of files that are to be kept. The computer also makes the world a smaller place. People are able to communicate via e-mail or even instant messaging. Businesses are dependent upon computers to ensure their success. No other invention in history has the same influence as computers.

Danny K. Pd.8

A break through in technology I thought was irrigation. It enabled more harsher environments to sustain more and different kinds of life. It directly supports plant life. We take those plants and turn it into food. That means it supports us as well. It ties into the Diamond video. This way food is more readily available, and we can expand into more areas with climates such as Arizona.
I do agree with the other two posts though. The computer enabled faster communication which is so much more important now a days that I think we take it for granted sometimes.

I agree with Dan Howe and Danny K. I too believe the computer is the most important and influential invention of all time. The computer definitely runs the developed countries of the world and today, we use the internet for almost anything. Ranging from buying cars, to purchasing groceries, to everyday communication, the world wide web makes it all possible. Businesses rely on the internet for success in the company as well as to get a hold of their employees and immediate messages. Throughout the course of history, there has yet to be a product that can top the amazing invention of the computer.

I believe that the most important invention in history is the wheel. The wheel allowed for easy transportation of goods and people and can also be used as a component in machines. It also caused other inventions to develop, such as the plow and the water wheel. Without the wheel, the Industrial Revolution would have never taken place and much of our technology today would not have been invented. Also, the pioneers could not have settled our country without covered wagons, which use the wheel. Today, everything from national defense to food procurement relies on the wheel. Without the wheel, the human race would not be able to progress as much as it has.

I agree with Dan’s point that the computer was an important invention in history. Computers allow businesses to run efficiently through its ability to hold great amounts of information. Computers can also be used to access the internet, which is a good way to do research and share information. Most importantly, it allows for easy communication across great distances. The computer made many situations easier.

I believe that the most important invention in history was the motor. The reason for this is that transportation of goods and people runs the whole world.Without the invention of the motor some of the most vital transportation devices would not exist, such as the plane and the car.Although it is true that there were ways to transport people and goods before the invention of the motor,the invention of the motor allowed for faster and safer transportation. Take Phoenix for example, people who work across town often take at least an hour to drive to and from work. Now if motors did not exist people would have to walk to work or take a horse drawn carriage. This would increase commuting time by so much that it would be ineffective to go to work anywhere far from your house and economy would collapse. Also without the motor big freight ships that carry most of the worlds goods would take at least twice as long to reach their destination which would not work in a time period where it seems everyone is in a hurry 24/7. Therefore I believe that the motor is the most significant invention in history

Many people have been commenting that the computer is the most important invention of all time. However, the genesis of the computer is relatively recent and not much thought has been given to the "of all time" prompt. The most important invention of all time is set currency. Ancient Egyptians and even Mesopotamians used coins of precious metals to create an elaborate trading system. The practice of using currency to barter for goods and services has been around for thousands of years. Not only was this system instrumental for ancient peoples, it is the cornerstone of life throughout the world. Our global market has the power to dictate nation's actions. Currency enabled this system to be established though along with other smaller devices of course. Seeing as we don't all grow crops or have necessity services to barter with, the computer wouldn't be half as important as it is now and a global market governed by technology wouldn't even be plausible without a currency.

I believe that the most important invention, was the one of controlling electricity. Almost anything you can name, outside of nature, has been directly touched by electricity somehow. All these things would be impossible with out. Also it leads to more productivity, because it allows people to work at night, something they had to use ineffective candles in the past. Also many things, such as cars, will not run without electricity also. This makes it the most important invention through out history.

I agree with Dan Howe's post, because the computer does greatly shape the world we live in. The computer relies on many other inventions to have it run though, such as speakers, the screen, microchip processor, etc.

I also liked Ben's idea about the motor. The motor definitely changes many things that we do today. It was a unique idea, and it also should be noted that we would be no where near as technologically advanced today, without the invention of the motor.

While the computer is very important, I'd vote that the written word is the most important invention. Though it can be a bit of a stretch to call it an invention in some senses, it was definitely a useful practice that continues today. Writing allowed people to keep records of events and practices for those around them and for future generations. Stories passed down through word of mouth tend to gain inaccuracies and holes after a while, but the written word remains solid. Even today we can look at the scripts of entire civilizations, such as the Egyptians, and learn what sorts of gods they worshiped, when things happened, and so on. Individual accounts, such as Anne Frank's diary, also gives important insight into what things occurred during a time period. People could pass around information such as where the best hunting grounds were, what the opponent's battle tactics were, how to create things, and so on. Without a record of these and other events we might not have as much knowledge of the past as we do now. Stories getting slightly altered from being passed from person to person and such, if they even would have gotten passed on at all.

Upon answering this question, one must be very careful in differentiating between invention and discovery. In my opinion, the most important invention in history was the printing press. Although one might argue that wood block printing had already been developed in Ancient China, the development of the printing press had a much greater impact on mankind. This led to an eminently significant rise in literacy in Europe, and led to a more efficient means of scientific as well as ecclesiastical collaboration. People had conceived the "thinking machine" for thousands of years, yet the computer was not developed until great minds could be connected through this efficient means of conveying information. Although one might argue that the hand axe was the most important idea in history, I would argue that the spread of ideas and innovations was similar to a "bush" as opposed to a straight line. The idea of the hand axe branched off and yet the effects of the printing press are still visible.

In my opinion, the most important invention of all time is the computer. With the computer, life is made manageable, more organized and efficient. The computer has the capabilities to complete a variety of different tasks. For example, completing taxes has been made much simpler with the computer and its software. Computers can allow users to communicate with the world through "Blogs" as well. Without the computer, there would be no Programs like Microsoft word to help with writing papers. The computer has proven to be a factor in everyone's life and it is a necessity to survival in the world.

The most important invention in history would have to be the wheel. Utilizing this circular shape may seem simple, however society would not be where it is without it. This invention opened the door to new methods of transportation. The creation of wagons, cars, and airplanes would not have been possible if the wheel hadn't been invented. Great journeys to new lands, such as the Oregon Trail, would have ended in failure without wagons to pull food and supplies. Even communicating with others would be more difficult if vehicles on wheels had never existed. Large buildings could not have been built without the use of wheels. The skyscrapers that are present today required wheels in pulleys to construct. In addition, agriculture would be less effective without using tractors that run on wheels. All in all, society advanced in efficiency by developing the wheel. It assisted in every aspect of living, whether it be farming or moving across country. Although technological ideas have improved various aspects of life, the basis/foundation and spread of all these inventions began with one circular form known as the wheel.

I agree with Chris B.'s post to some extent in that utilizing electricity has strongly impacted our culture. Computers and other electronics could not function without controlling this electricity. This is the basis for most of the technology in the world. However, I don't consider this broad statement as a simple "invention" because it occurred and formed over an extended period of time. Thomas Edison constructed the lightbulb (another important invention), Philo Taylor Farnsworth made the television, etc etc. Both of these people (and many others!) controlled electricity in their own way.

I think the title of "Most Important Invention Ever" is a toss up between the wheel and the computer. Obviously the wheel was a necessity (and still is) to society's all around the world for basic transportation for thousands of years, but lets face it, computers are running most of the world today. So I would cast my vote for the computer as the greatest invention of all time, mainly because the high tech, highly advanced world we live in today relies on computers for the internet, which is (as we all know) where people can shop for anything ever made, get every piece of information ever documented, find almost every picture ever taken, handle all there money with online banks, send important information to any one and everyone, reply to Mr. Waddell's blogs, etc.

Bottom line in my opinion is that the computer runs the world as we know it today.

I agree that the computer is the most important invention in history. Since the computer, the world has been thriving into the age of Techonology. We must give computers credit for the easy lifestyles we have. I think that our need for computers was made especially evident after the Y2K scare. It was realized that our society relied on computers for survival. People were rushing frantically to banks to withdrawl sums of money, unsure whether or not they would have that ability after the new year. They were stocking up on water, food, and other necessities, preparing themselves to be confined to their homes. This worry was all because of their doubt that the world would be able to continue on successfully, without the use of a computer to guide them. The world we would be living in without computers was put into the light for a short while when some members of society thought they were going to lose their vital aide.

The most important invention in my opinion is the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. The printing press impacted education and communication around the world immensely. Knowledge is now easily spread around. For example, scientists are able to relay information and compare discoveries.

Books used to be a rarity. Books were hand written and very expensive. The printing press made reading possible to more than just the wealthy. People started to learn to read, and in turn, learn a variety of subjects. They started reading the bible, for example, and understanding their religion in their own way. The percentage of literate people in Europe drastically rose.

Today, people read everyday and it is quite easy to make your own book. Additionally, the printing press opened doors for later advances like the internet. The internet is an even faster way of learning and sharing knowledge.

I think that the computer is definetley the best invention ever. There is so much you can access with a computer, heck without a computer i wouldn't even be writing this. The computer also provides all needed information and when used correctly can be the best tool ever.

The telegraph is the greatest invention of all time. It has impacted our world greatly and continues to influence our way of thinking. The telegraph was the first device able to instantly transmit a message. Other inventions like the computer or the internet all had a similar principle of being able to communicate with someone a vast distance away instantaneously. It changed our perceptions of what was "far away" and made the whole world seem a little smaller. Up until then, people would have to correspond by sending letters, which could take weeks or even months to receive a reply. Its influence can even be seen today, as people are looking for better ways of communicating faster.

I believe the most important invention in history is electricty. Electricty was a major break through and helped us develop many devices and technology that was use today. Electricty can be found in TV's, cellphones, even this computer I am using right now. Electricty made it possible to discover all the modern technology today. That is why I believe electricty is the most important invention in history.

I would have to say farming is the most important breakthrough of technology. This is because it helped the people to settle down and start living a sedentary lifestyle. This then led to forming governments and cities, and specialization of jobs. Life took a direction more away from the traveling lifestyle of hunter-gatherers. Without agriculture, we may still be living a life of roaming the lands to gather our own food.

I know that I already posted stating that the motor is the most important invention in history, but I started thinking about the question more intensively and I came to the conclusion that the most important invention in history was the first, most simple tool humans ever built. This tool, in effect, was a rock with a sharpened edge that was used as a knife or spearhead. To be able to understand why this tool is the most important invention in history, one must first understand that modern humans are not necisarrily smarter than stone age humans. The only reason that modern humans seem smarter is because we have the benefits of technology. For example, if a group of modern humans grew up without the benefits of technology they would not start building computers and planes and telivisions, instead they would focus on hunting animals and gathering food. Bill Gates would not have been able to build a computer if humans had not discovered how to control electricity. So to get back to why the sharpened rock is the most important invention in history, every invention in the world was made possible only because some stone age genius invented a primitive form of the knife.

I do not agree with Kevin Chai's statement that the telegraph was the most important invention in history. Communication was important yes, but it did not contribute as much as some other inventions. Plus, the telegraph was probably only used for business, not everyday life.

I have to disagree, the pen has to be the greatest invention ever without something as simple as the pen no other fancy technological invention could have came to be.

I disagree with Leighton's comment, because telegraphs actually were used by common people to send messages so it actually was a aspect of everyday life. To add to that even if they had not been used in everyday life business is very important because the success of businesses controls the growth of economy more or less.

I believe that the most important invention in history is agriculture. Though it is a broad term, I mean specifically the aspect of sitting down and farming. Because of agriculture, people began to cluster together and develop socially. This technology also gave women some more roles in the household like we said in class on Thursday. The development of a reliable food source also allowed more people to specialized to be priests, engineers, scientists, etc. Because of agriculture, other inventions were allowed to be born much faster due to higher amounts of inventors and other specialized people. I'm not necessarily saying they never would have came into being, but that they came much much quicker to humankind.

I disagree with the statement that the computer is the most important invention in history. Though it has led to refinement in many technologies spanning many different categories such as military (smartbombs) and cammunications (e-mail, online encyclopedias) it did not necessarily create those ideas. For example, before e-mail, we had letters, which worked just fine for their purpose. Computers have also in a way crippled people because we depend on them in many ways. For example, if the internet were to somehow go out, people expecting an important business e-mail would not get it, someone who needs to turn in a paper on turnitin could not and more importantly, military information would not be able to be transmitted until people could establish some kind of physical transportantion of information between a warzone and Washington.

I agree with Ben's statements about the ancient stone tools being very important. Without the roots for many different developments, we wouldn't be able to really get into these other technologies. For example, without a knife, you could not cut paper for the printing press to print on or without basic tools you could not create the semiconducters needed to make the materials for computers (or make the plastics in the casing for that matter. Though these basic stone tools were extremely important, I still stand by my statement that agriculture is more imortant because it led to great increases in population and without the development of specializations, the thinkers behind the inventions would just be working hard to get their next meal.

I believe that the most important invention of all time is the telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell. The telephone revolutionized modern communications and has advanced our society. Before, people would have had to write letters and use the mail which could take a while and there was the chance that the courior, mind you this was back in the 19th century as the postal system was different then and people relied on couriers who traveled by horseback, would not make it or the letter would be lost or damaged. Despite the fact that the idea of a telephone has been around since the the 17th century, the technology wasn't available at the time and electricity wasn't discovered yet. With the advent of the telephone, communication had become faster and more invention and started a revolution of communication devices that were inspired by the telephone, most notably the mobile/cellular phone. Even thought the telephone has been superseded by the cell phone in many aspects, it is still a necessity in many households and will still be around to come.

I agree with Leighton B. statement mainly because, almost all appliances require electricity to power them and that electricity is more efficient than steam-powered appliances, or candles, which preceded electricity. Electricity is one of those inventions that revolutionized and modernized our society from the "dark ages" pun intended :)

I disagree with what Grant said about how computers cripple people and rely on them too much, because people are smart enough to plan ahead for the worst case scenario. For example, if the internet went down, anyone could go to the library to research information through the archives. If there was no email, we could use the mail, as Grant said, or we can just call up people. IF someone needed to type up a paper for school, they could just use a typewriter. Well those are my posts for this blog. Onto my next assignment.

I think the most important invention in the world was the plow. Although the computer has transformed America, less than a quarter of people in the world have ever used a computer. At this point in time, it has not changed the world dramatically, only individual nations. The plow, on the other hand, was a tool that was found in all areas of the world. It allowed more crops to be harvested with less work. Because of that, more time was invested on inventing other ways to improve the quality of life. Without the plow, we may never have had the opportunity to find all the time necessary to create objects that we now think of as common in this country, like the computer or cars.

I think the most important invention in the world was the plow. Although the computer has transformed America, less than a quarter of people in the world have ever used a computer. At this point in time, it has not changed the world dramatically, only individual nations. The plow, on the other hand, was a tool that was found in all areas of the world. It allowed more crops to be harvested with less work. Because of that, more time was invested on inventing other ways to improve the quality of life. Without the plow, we may never have had the opportunity to find all the time necessary to create objects that we now think of as common in this country, like the computer or cars.

I think the most important invention in the world was the plow. Although the computer has transformed America, less than a quarter of people in the world have ever used a computer. At this point in time, it has not changed the world dramatically, only individual nations. The plow, on the other hand, was a tool that was found in all areas of the world. It allowed more crops to be harvested with less work. Because of that, more time was invested on inventing other ways to improve the quality of life. Without the plow, we may never have had the opportunity to find all the time necessary to create objects that we now think of as common in this country, like the computer or cars.

I just want to put straight that Alexander Graham Bell did not invent the telephone as Zak stated. Bell actually stole the telephone from Elisha Gray. In the end however Bell got the credit .

In my opinion, the computer is the most important invention of all time. At first, computers were the size of a classroom wall, and could only do repetitive, basic tasks. Nowadays, personal Macs and Dells can do just about anything!
When you think about it, a computer is perhaps the most useful object in a household. If there is homework assigned, you can use Microsoft Office Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, literally any program you'd like to complete the assignment. If you're looking to IM, a computer will run just about any program, ranging from iChat, Google Talk, AIM, MSN, Skype, and many more! Programs like iTunes and Photoshop can be run without any complications (on most computers), and there are even different web browsers like IE, IE 7, Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc.
Way back when, Gopher was available for simple "internet" calculations. It was the basis of what we now know as the internet (perhaps the second best invention of all time). Now, thanks to HTML, XHTML, CSS, PHP, and more, we can view pages like this one in well-designed, colored format for free!
In short, Konrad Zuse, the inventor of the first working computer, has made today's world a smaller, more accessible place.

I believe the most important invention in the world would be the gun. Without the gun many things, even what some would say "evil" things, would never have happened. For example, without guns, the Spanish Conquistadors would not have had such an easy time taking of Central and South America. Without guns, the Aztecs and other natives might have been able to send them back. Another example is the Imperializatin of Africa, which might have not been possible without the development of guns. So, in conclusion, it seems that the gun has had a world changing impact on the people of earth.

Many people are saying the computer is not the greatest invention of all time because it is "dependent" upon other things and it is somewhat modern so it does not qualify of being "all time." Does "all time" not include the modern era? Sure, the motor is a great invention, but did it have the same global influence as computers? As Jeremy said, the computer makes the world more accessible. Did the motor or gun allow the WORLD an easier place to live in? The computer has a global effect, not just the region which it is in.

In my opinion, the most important invention is the printing press. Before it existed, it was extremely hard and expensive to get books because they were all written by hand. Now we can read books for a whole lot cheaper, and there can be millions of copies of one single book. This helps us to become more knowledgeable too. Also, after the printing press was invented, there were more storytellers (authors) that could write their made-up stories down for others to enjoy. Before, books were mostly informational.

I agree with Mark Karlsrud's opinion that the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg is one of the most important inventions in history. The printing press has led to more efficient work and education. It also gives us the capability of communicating quicker and more proficiently.
It can also be argued that electricity is the most important "tool" ever invented because without electricity, some of the inventions, like the printing press, would not have been possible. Electricity has given us the privilege of having light and heat in our homes, offices, etc. Without electricity some of the things we use "religiously" today may not have been possible.

I believe that the wheel greatly impacted man-kind, and it still continues to be a useful device in everyday life. The wheel made humans much more efficient; it allowed people to move quickly, over a short or far distance, while carrying a heavy load. This is important because very few people or animals were needed to pull a cart or wagon, and with less people needed, you could have specialists to perform other tasks. This all lead to greater civilizations and advanced technology. Also, when people needed to move to different parts of the world the wheel allowed them to travel with many more of their belongings, so once they settled again, they would not have to start all over. Throughout history the wheel continued to be used, and it is still used today. Riding a bike, driving a car, or taking a train would be impossible without the wheel. Basically, the wheel makes our lives and made the lives of the people living long before us much easier, and therefore, it is very significant.

The most important invention in history is fire. Fire aided us in harsh cold temperatures and protected us from animals. Fire also cooks food which makes it tender. Our face shape changed because we didn't need large jaws. Fire helped out the industrial revolution. We need fire for trains and other fossil fuels. Fire helped civilization spur.
I think antibiotics and penicillin could also be the or one of the greatest inventions in history. Many people in the 1940's died. With the accidental invention of pencillin, many people of the world were saved. Without medicine many of the people alive would be dead.
Pasteurization is a big invention as well. People died because cows started speading disease through their milk. Bad milk had the disease tuberculosis. Pasteurization saves many.

The computer certainly improved our level of technology and enabled us to get things done in a faster and easier way, but I do believe that people would be able to survive and function without it. Although the computer made a huge impact on our world today, I agree with Robby Link when he stated that there were much more important elements when discussing the topic of "the most important invention in ALL of history."

I think that steel would probably rank among one of the most important inventions in history because it enabled people to build many different kinds of tools and weapons, which was a huge contribution to the growth of civilization. Tools were instrumental in the building of our societies today, from helping farm, to making roads and everyday appliances today. Weapons are a major necessity for hunting, self-defence, and surviving. The product of steel made our world what it is today, and was one of the greatest inventions of all time.

I disagree withe Dan H., Danny Kim, Morgan P., Sirisha B., Ben M., Jake S., Levi P., Tana K., Jake Nielsen, and Jeremy C. that the most important invention was the computer. We have been surviving for thousands of years without the computer. The computer just helps store information and share information. It made life easier but it didn't help life prosper like the wheel or medicine. There are a lot of other inventions that helped humans survive and prosper. The computer doesn't save lives or keeps our economy in balance. Comnputers help us connect to people around the world but don't save lives. Information can save lives but that comes from research.

I think that Janelle B. brings up strong points about the invention of a controlled fire. Fire really improved life by allowing people to cook food, keep warm, and fuel trains.

Pasteurization was also a significant invention, but I definitely do not think it was among the greatest in history.

I disagree with Ben M. that the motor is the greatest invention of all history. Cars have motors and look at the world today. We now have global warming! Now do you call global warming the greatest thing that happened to history? Sure motors helped transportation but we still had transportation before. We had bikes and horses. We can live without motors. Living without motors won't kill us. It would be harder to get around but we would still be alive.

I liked Jenny’s idea, about writing being the most important invention. Writing really helped humans prosper because it allowed us to pass on information, stories, ideas, and data. It is true that when stories are passed down through word of mouth they change and are sometimes lost. Since people can write things down, ideas, inventions, and history are not lost, and people are able to continually build and find more information to add onto them and pass onto further generations. Also, writing and drawing enable us to have maps, which have been very useful throughout history, and with writing you can keep records of significant things, like goods or taxes. Writing surely helped humans by allowing them to store information.

I disagree with Janelle's comments. She said that the motor can't be the greatest invention in history because it contributed to global warming. In my opinion global warming is a joke and I am sure I am not the only one who says so. If you look at the temperature patterns throughout history you will find that this is not the first time that the earth has warmed up a couple of degrees. Also as John P said one must differentiate between discovery and invention, and fire is more of a discovery than an invention. Now if Janelle meant that the most important invention was the making of a tool to create fire like special flintstones, for example, then I would agree with her that that was the most important invention in history

I meant the use of fire. The way humans use fire for their advantage. Humans using fire created weapons. Fire is needed to burn fossil fuels. Fire is used for cooking and warmth. Humans use fire as light back in the past such as lighting torches. The invention of creating and using fire. Creating fire with stones or sticks and the knowledge of using fire. Fire is needed to forge metal. Fire is used to shape human conditions. Fire could be used Communication - signaling. Fire can be used to repel predators. Fire helped spark civilization.

I disagree with Janelle's B's point that computers don't save lives. Doctors use computers frequently to do their jobs. From simple tasks such as monitoring a patient's heart rate to aiding a neurosurgeon in brain sugery, these computers are often able to save lives, or rather help doctors save lives. In addition, computers can help find cures for diseases. Although it is actual people who experiment, computers are able to record and track their data and share it with the entire science community around the world.
Outside of the medical world, computers are used to save lives in other ways. For example, traction control on cars is run by a computer chip to prevent skidding. Air Traffic Control is run by computers to ensure the landing and takeoff of planes is a smooth process in which no one is injured.

First, I must say it is quite interesting that more than half the posts on this thread are about the computer. Is it really the most important invention in human history? In my mind, the computer has been both a blessing and a curse. It has created a smaller world that is easier to communicate in, but it has many detrimental effects. E-mails are now hated by office workers everywhere (I know that my dad receives close to 1,000 emails over the weekend). We now spend more time typing than actually talking to people, whether in person or over the phone, and e-mail/texting has single-handedly destroyed a whole industry based around actually sending letters. It may be a very important invention today, but over all of human history? No. Look at everything we accomplished without computers. Humans have built huge structures, created empires, everything that happened before roughly 1950 happened without the aid of a single microchip. Simply put, it is not the most important invention ever.

Now after that little rant, for my actual answer. I think that the most important invention in human history is fresh water transportation systems. This is what allowed the great cities of the world, such as Rome and New York. to grow at such great speeds. It lengthened human lifespans and stopped the spread of disease. Whether it be via aqueduct, tunnel, or pipe, water delivery has been the greatest invention in human history.

Although I think that the computer is the most important invention in recent history, I do not believe it is the most important invention in the entire history of mankind. The computer has not effected people as much as the evolution of stone tools (bows, arrows, axes, etc.) which eventually evolved into farming tools. The stone tools allowed the hunters and gatherers to collect food and defend themselves. As the stone tools evolved, they enabled people to create farming tools and eventually farming machinery. This allowed mankind to take the step from hunter-gatherer to farmer. That was a huge step in human history and allowed some people to specialize in specific professions. Then, some people became blacksmiths, shoe makers, bakers, butchers, etc. This led to the creation of cities, local and international trade, the discovery of the printing press, electricity, and eventually led to the discovery of the computer.

I agree with Lindsey S. that the wheel was a great invention and significantly impacted mankind allowing people to work and move around more effectively. That tool was a very early invention that we still use today.

I think that Caitlin C. also has a very good point. The plow is a tool that allowed for the more effective crops to be harvested with less work. She points out that without the plow, mankind may never have had the free time and the opportunities needed to discover all the modern day conveniences.

I do not mean that the computer was not important. If you look back farther in history though, there were inventions that the entire world used, not only parts. I like Riley's idea. I never thought of that. The only problem with that is to this day, many people do not have safe drinking water so it is still a work in progress.

To me, this question is very difficult. To think about how many amazing inventions we have created over thousands of years; it is hard to say which one benefits us the most. However, in my opinion, the wheel is the greatest invention. As a couple people said above, the wheel helps us with transportation and much more. Not only does the wheel give us basically all of our transportation, it helps with machines that we use to survive. For example, many of the farming machines use wheels to harvest all the crops we plant. So, without these machines we probably could not harvest crops on such a large scale therefore not being able to feed everyone, and this ultimately means (as Diamond said) we cannot specialize in other activities and cannnot focus on creating more inventions.

I agree with Riley on his opinion concerning the computer. I think that it is a wonderful invention, but it also brings a lot of concerns. For example, the internet has given people convenience, but it has also given them fear. Today, there are many crimes that are being committed because of the computer. For example, some people are getting a hold of credit card numbers and stealing people’s identity through the computer. Also, on the computer, people can deceive others by not using their true identity, and this is a huge problem, for obvious reasons. I think what I am trying to say is that the computer and internet are great inventions, but there is a lot of danger when using them.

I agree with Jenny D. about writing being the most important invention.

Stories from word of mouth are often embellished, or lose certain parts. Often these stories are lost altogether. Without writing, we might know next to nothing about past cultures.
Without writing, would computers exist? Can a computer exist without coding?
The printing press would be useless without something to write.
Without writing, I wouldn't be typing on this blog, because the blog would not exist, the internet would not exist, and my keyboard would not exist.

I agree with Owen Ma that irrigation was a breakthrough in technology. Irrigation allows large crops to grow which then leads to an increase in population. And an increase in population means that an advanced civilization can develop. This does tie in with the Diamond video because it just shows that different societies advanced faster than others because of their efficiency to produce food.

I agree with Owen Ma that irrigation was a breakthrough in technology. Irrigation allows large crops to grow which then leads to an increase in population. And an increase in population means that an advanced civilization can develop. This does tie in with the Diamond video because it just shows that different societies advanced faster than others because of their efficiency to produce food.

Riley K and Ellen H make a good point that concerns do come with computers. But I also think that could be true of just about any invention. I'm sure that throughout history, someone has been injured by a wheel or motor. People have been offended by what has been printed on a printing press. Fire has been used for violence instead of just providing warmth and food. So, I think that every invention comes with disadvantages.

Riley K and Ellen H make a good point that concerns do come with computers. But I also think that could be true of just about any invention. I'm sure that throughout history, someone has been injured by a wheel or motor. People have been offended by what has been printed on a printing press. Fire has been used for violence instead of just providing warmth and food. So, I think that every invention comes with disadvantages.

I agree with everything Riley Kult had to say about computer not being the greatest invention of all history. Computer are a blessing and a curse just as Riley had said. Computers are a waste of valueable time. People spend way to much time emailing or on myspace instead of doing other things. We have accomplished so much without computers. Civilizations occured before computers. We can very well live without computers. Computers are a way to share information and get connected to people around the world. Before computers we had mail and books for those kinds of purposes. In response to Tana's comment I would just like to say that we are talking about the basic computer. We are not talking about mri scaners or high tech devices. People save lives everyday without computers. Doctors should have learned how to cure people in medical schools. Sure computers tell you what you're diagnosed with, but those are high-tech computers. Humans have lived for thousands of years with out computers. In the past we built castles and great architectue without the use of computers. We found the golden ration and other mathematical discoveries. We had telegraphs for communication other than computers. Human civilization has accomplished so much without computers. We can very much survive without computers. Computers are also very dangerous because of sexual predators and computer hackers. People steal very important information from computers. There are upsides and downsides to computers. The basic point I am tring to make is that we can live without computers.

I also agree with Sirisha that the wheel was a very important invention. The wheel allowed people to travel greater distances to farter distances, such as the Western expansion in the U.S., as Sirisha already stated. It lead to the inevtion of the horse and carriage and then eventually the car. Without the wheel, I dont believe that society could have prospered. The wheel also allowed people to transport goods to other countries, which opened up trade. Though the wheel has a simple design, it has been used for thousands of years and it has helped the human race greatly.

Personally, I believe that the discovery of electricity made a huge impact on life today and I think batteries are the most important invention. They changed our world into a mobile one, they changed transportation, and they have even changed how we entertain ourselves. Batteries just make life easier. In cars, batteries help make it safe to drive, with lights and AC, and some even help lower pollution in cars by making them mostly run on electricity, although there is a debate that "plug-in" cars can emit more pollution than regular cars. With the latest technology almost everything uses batteries. From hearing aids and pace makers to the latest MP3 player and your cool new laptop. I think we would be lost with out electricity and batteries.

I believe the most important invention in history was the invention of storing and producing electricity. Electricity plays a large role in our daily life. Without it, there would be no computers or electronics of any kind. This means no ipods, televisions, lights, microwaves, or air conditioning. Even cars need electricity to start. Our civilization has become completely dependant on electricity. Without electricity it would be harder to communicate and civilizations would advance at a much slower rate. The world as we know it would drastically change without electricity.

I also agree with Danny K.'s comment. Although I do not believe that the computer was the "most important" invention, his point makes perfect sense. Just because the computer was a modern invention, it should not be a negative towards its worth. History encompasses the past and the present, including the modern times. There is no boundary to history.

I agree with Ellen's response as well. The wheel is the basis for all transportation and also machinery used for farming, printing, etc. None of the inventions that have been listed would exist without the utilization of this simple circular object. All in all, everyone will have a different interpretation of the most important invention. I'm still for the wheel!

I agree with Sirisha B. and the others who said the wheel was the greatest invention. Because it was the first main invention, it laid the foundation for other things to be invented that we now find essential to human life. Without the wheel we would have made very little progress and definitely would never have made it to our current position as humans. It became the base of modern transportation, of both people and goods. Without this invention that now seems so simple, it would not have been possible for any of the more modern inventions to exist.

I have to absolutely disagree with Janelle Banda. The wheel is amazing it can get you around everywhere but you don't need to get around if you havea computer. The computer allows you to get everything you ever need to do done. The computer is far overlooked by everyone! You honestly have to draw direct parallels on both the computer and the wheel and as you look at what you use each one for and how often you will come to see that the computer is a better help in life and that therefore proves it is the best invention ever. And i agree with Adam, the pen is amazing.

Jack I have to completely disagree with you on that one does not have to get around if you have a computer. Are you saying that we should pack all the necessary goods that are needed for the economy to keep growing into a backpack and walk across continents to deliver stuff? The wheel is way more important than the computer.

Huh? In response to Jack Nielson. I haven't mentioned anything about the wheel. I think the wheel is absolutly an important invention throughout history. The wheel has made transportation much easier. Traveling is huge and the wheel made it so much easier to move from one place to the other. I disagree with Jack N. that you do not need to travel if you have a computer. You can't experience national monuments as in real life compared with computer images. The computer is rather a new object in history and has not helped civilization grow. The wheel has helped civilizations and has been around for a long long time.

I've seen two posts that are just going out on a limb. One is stating that the motor did not create a global connection like the computer did and the other says that fire was invented. First of all, if it weren't for the motor air travel would not possible. The piston engine, the turbine, and internal combustion engine are all able to compress air and then combine it with a combustible fuel to create energy. So that rules out the idea that the motor did not have a global affect. Also, fire is natural. It was discovered. I suppose you could say that lightning invented fire, because that's probably the first instance in which fire was created. But it was discovered by man, not invented.

Also, with regard to the global warming posts, please go read a book on natural climate change. If you would like to explain the change of ocean levels and ice ages over the past million years using global warming as your reference I'd say there's a gap in your thought process. We didn't put millions of cubic tons of carbon into the air back then and it still happened.

If one analyzes certain trends throughout history, they will note that approximately every forty years the number of books that are published doubles. Stephen Hawking once humorously stated that "if the exponential growth continued, there would be ten papers a second in my kind of theoretical physics, and no time to read them." This is all due to the revolution of the printing press. However, this poses some interesting questions as to how we will process all of this information that will be published so rapidly. Some suggest that this work will come in electronic forms, yet this would viewed by some to be debasing ot humanity. One of the greatest inventions will lie in the discovery of a means to organize all of this information.

If one analyzes certain trends throughout human history, they will note that the number of scientific articles has doubled every forty years. Stephen Hawking once humorously stated that "if the exponential growth continued there would be ten papers a second in my kind of theoretical physics, and not enough time to read them." This rapid trend is due to the printing press. This poses interesting questions pertaining to the nature of controlling such widespread information in the future. Artistic and scientific information will probably be electronic, and the greatest invention to come will be in discovering a means of organizing this.

~Janelle
I think that your view on the wheel is correct, and that it was important in changing history. It is centuries upon centuries old, and we are still able to use it today in our work. The reason the wheel has been around for so long is because of its usefulness.

I agree with Ben M's statement about the motor being an important invention. The motor has made life easier and more efficient. The motor is found in something as small as a desk fan and in something massive like an aircraft carrier. Almost anything today that moves has some type of motor in it. The most common form of a motor can be found in the car. Almost everyone has one, and they are an essential addition to society. Now, improvements are being made to the motor in order to save the planet's atmosphere. The motor has been a very recent invention and I believe without it, modern civilizations would be impossible to create.

I believe just about everyone that has posted made a good argument. Yes, we all know that the computer is probably one of the most advanced and revolutionary invention of all time. But, as it has been stated, it would have never been thought of without the invention with numerous other technologies that have developed over time. So maybe the computer is not the invetnion most crucial to our survival, but it is the most groundbreaking. Civilization would not be what it is today without the computer which has allowed humans to make hundreds of other advancements in technology.