The Most Influential Technology in Human History


Technology refers to "the tools and knowledge that humans use to solve problems and make their lives easier." During the first History Video, I asked you to think about which technology has had the most significant impact on people's lives, throughout all of human history.

Today during class, we had a lively (and provocative!) discussion, during which you shared your opinions about the most influential technologies in human history.  Your answers included:

Control of fire
Spoken and written languages 

Electricity and the lightbulb
Refrigeration; air conditioning
Computers; the internet; cloud storage of information

Wheels and cars
Engines that use fossil fuels
Airplanes

Telephones
Devices that measure time, including clocks and calendars
Wells; methods for purifying water; indoor plumbing

Medicine
Techniques for farming, including the domestication of animals

Crossbows; guns; other kinds of weapons

Ropes and pulleys
Levers

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