Top 5 inventions ever

[EconomistBR]

1. stone
2. stick
3. pointy stick
4. flying pointy stick
5. nukes

"pointy stick" hahahaha

 

[brennan]

I disagree. The second wheel was much more important

I hear the guy that invented the first one made a successful career as a clown.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, the second wheel wasn't really a separate invention, any more than the second telephone.

Anyways, it wasn't until number 3 that they got anywhere. Tricycles were the key to civilization.

 

[MobBoss]

Sheesh. Come on folks...no one invented 'electricity' or 'fire'.

My top 5 inventions ever.

1. The internet. The most incredible information sharing resource ever.
2. The electric light bulb. Changed the world from dusk til dawn.
3. The telephone. Mass communication made easy.
4. The radio. Ushered in the wireless age.
5. The computer. Enables us to accomplish things undreamed of.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

No, but they invented ways to make fire on demand rather than waiting for nature to supply it. Like I said. Same with electricity.

 

[ArneHD]

1. The Haber-Process deserves a spot for increasing the world's agricultural production many times over.
2. The Microprocessor.
3. Refrigeration.
4. Alternating Current.
5. Light bulb.

 

[Ali Zaybak]

These may not all be worthy of Top 5 placement, but do consider the following:

• Arabic numerals
• Newcomen's engine for raising fire by water
• Harrison's spring-driven clock
• The glass lens
• The needle and thread
• The codex

 

[Mise]

I don't think that an invention can take credit for inventions that depended on it. It would be unfair to modern inventions.

Anyway, I'd say that steam power was the most influential invention ever, as it made everything faster and better, and revolutionised the way we do things. Perhaps it was a happy accident, but almost all industrial processes rely on something going round in a big circle.

 

[Masquerouge]

- fire
- writing


Everything else is either a consequence of these two, or a luxury.

 

[carmen510]

Fire
Games
Wheel
Writing
Pointy sticks

 

[DNK]

1. Individual specialization
2. Agriculture
3. The alphabet
4. Logic/mathematics
5. Electronics/computers

Without 1 we wouldn't have 2,3,4,5,anything.
Without 2 we wouldn't have the ability to exploit 1 for progress.
Without 3 we wouldn't have the foundation for large-scale anything or #4.
Without 4 we wouldn't have the necessary tools for the progression of organization/science/technology/everything.
Without 5 we wouldn't have the most powerful tool yet invented, one which takes humanity's #1 asset, intelligence, and exponentially increases it over time. How can any list not include #5?

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Contraceptive pill. Frees 50% of the population.

 

[Japanrocks12]

Wheel
Writing
Automobile
Assembly Line
Flying machines

 

[Jeff1787]

Baseball has to be in the top five...

 

[ParadigmShifter]

LOL rounders, a game for 12 year old girls Cricket FTW

 

[VX250]

1) The Wheel
2) Wood
3) Water
4) Food
5) Trees

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

2) Wood
3) Water
5) Trees

WTH? We didn't invent any of those.

Edit: And trees=wood.

 

[Godwynn]

1) The Wheel
2) Wood
3) Water
4) Food
5) Trees

Who the hell invented trees?

 

[VX250]

God.

The best inventor out of all of 'em.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Allah. j/k