technology timeline

[redwing]

Can somebody point me in the direction of a timeline containing only technology advancement and scientific advancements (together or seperate)(one on the net would be good). I've been searching the net and can't find anything and my Encarta is the new version and is too hard to navigate the timeline. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bonedagger]

Here you are.

Click me

 

[redwing]

Thanks that site was a big help!!!
One last question. What idea or invention started the chain of reactions that led to modern technology? My guess is the discovery of electricity.

 

[apsuman]

Thanks that site was a big help!!!
One last question. What idea or invention started the chain of reactions that led to modern technology? My guess is the discovery of electricity.

I would vote for the water wheel.


g!

 

[redwing]

IMC we are having an "industrial revolution" (thanks to the idea from the EN world Boards!!) And I was needing a new machine that could change the world and lead to the modern age. Any comments? What was used in the IR on the boards? It's been a while.

 

[Umbran]

One last question. What idea or invention started the chain of reactions that led to modern technology?

I think this is a false (or at least over-stressed) concept. If you point at any one invention as "key", all the previous inventions required to bring it into being are then also "key".

For example - lots of folks point at electricity as key. Well, electricity (as we know it today), wouldn't be worth anything without a steam turbine to create the power. But the steam turbine wouldn't work if not for good bearings and pressure gauges. If electricity is important, then bearings and pressure guages (which seem much more mundane in our eyes) are just as important.

If we must come down to one invention that makes everything in modern technology possible, that invention is written language. You try teaching a modern engineer how to design a microchip without it!

 

[alsih2o]

Thanks that site was a big help!!!
One last question. What idea or invention started the chain of reactions that led to modern technology? My guess is the discovery of electricity.

i would vote for the printing press

 

[Tom Cashel]

The printing press.

Written language (i.e. information) is great, but its power increases exponentially when you can distribute it widely.

edit: D'oh! 10 sec. too slow!

 

[RogueJK]

My vote goes to the concept of an agrarian society. Otherwise, we would still be spending all day hunting and gathering, and would have no time for inventing.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Not exactly "technology," strictly speaking...but true.