Top ten technological innovations of all time ..

I have compiled a list of the top ten innovations (through Internet resources) that have had a profound and lasting impact on human history and society: starting with the first at number 1 to the tenth at number 10.

1. The Wheel (circa 3500 BC): The invention of the wheel revolutionized transportation and machinery, enabling the development of carts, chariots, and various modern mechanical systems.

2. The Printing Press (15th century): Johannes Gutenberg's printing press made mass production of books and documents possible, democratizing knowledge and information dissemination. Paved way for mass education and raising human life standards.
   

3. Electricity (18th century): The harnessing of electricity has led to a wide range of technological advancements, including electric lighting, motors running generators, electronics, and modern smart grid power systems.

4. Steam Engine (18th century): The steam engine powered the Industrial Revolution, transforming manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture.

5. Telegraph (19th century): The telegraph enabled long-distance communication by transmitting coded messages over electrical wires, laying the foundation for modern telecommunications. Precursor to the Internet.
   

6. Internal Combustion Engine (19th century): The internal combustion engine powered automobiles and revolutionized transportation, leading to the modern automotive industry and the development of the Spark Ignition high capacity engines powering all global heavy duty land based transportation.
   

7. Internet (20th century): The creation of the World Wide Web and the internet has transformed how people communicate, access information, and conduct business globally. Geographical Information systems through Internet maps has made transportation and exploration of unknown land quite easy
   

8. Penicillin (20th century): The discovery of antibiotics, starting with penicillin, revolutionized medicine by treating bacterial infections and saving countless lives. Even though we are come very much ahead in antibiotics since Penicillin, it has improved our health and helped us successfully wade through many global health threats.
   

9. Transistors and Microchips (20th century): The development of transistors and microchips paved the way for the birth of the digital revolution enabling modern electronics, including computers, smartphones, and the digital age including AI, Robotics, 3D Printing, IoT etc to thrive
   

10. Solar Power (20th century): The harnessing of solar energy for electricity generation is a major step toward sustainable and renewable energy sources, addressing environmental concerns. Our dependence on non-renewable energy resources and the environmental pollution it resulted in is being turned upside down by the emergence of renewable resources, most important being solar energy, besides wind and tidal energy.

    Nuclear energy through fission and fusion has also been a great technological innovation of the 20th century, but it poses as great a threat to humanity (with potential to wipe out the whole human race) as it is a blessing and development.

    Artificial Intelligence in the growing stages (Artificial Narrow Intelligence - ANI and Artificial General Intelligence - AGI) is also a great technological innovation that it is to have the same impact as electricity has had on humans for over two and a half centuries and still continues to have a strangling grip.
    

This list represents just a small selection of significant technological innovations throughout history. Many other inventions have had a profound impact on human society, and the importance of each innovation can be viewed from different perspectives, depending on the context and the criteria used for evaluation. 

 As a person born in the 60s, I have had the good opportunity of living through the emergence and commercialisation of the innovations of 

• Internet, 
• transistors and microprocessor chips and 
• Solar power. 

I am hopeful that in the coming years with the 4th Industrial revolution heating up, we can see many more great technological innovations that will make our life comfortable and productive.

George.