Ten inventions that changed the world

Humans are the most creative species. Although humans have only been on earth for a relatively short time, modern humans have been able to use their imagination to create surprising and even extraordinary things. This article will take stock of the top ten inventions that changed the world, including X-rays, steam engines, 3D printing, stainless steel, telescopes, generators, zippers, etc. Among them, the discovery of X-rays is of great significance in human history. It opened up a new path for natural science and medicine.

1. X-rays

X-rays are electromagnetic waves with extremely short wavelength and high energy. The photon energy is tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands times greater. Discovered by German physicist W.K. Roentgen in 1895, they are also called Roentgen rays. The discovery of X-rays is of great significance in human history. It opened up a new path for natural science and medicine. Science is always developing. After repeated practice and research by Roentgen and scientists from various countries, X-rays were gradually revealed. Its essence proves that it is an electromagnetic wave with extremely short wavelength and high energy.

2. Compass

The compass was called Sinan in ancient times. Its main component is a magnetic needle mounted on a shaft. The magnetic needle can rotate freely and remain in position under the action of the natural geomagnetic field. In the tangent direction of the magnetic meridian, the north pole of the magnetic needle points to the geographical south pole. This property can be used to identify the direction. The compass is the result of the working people of ancient China's long-term understanding of the magnetism of magnets. As one of the four great inventions in ancient China, its invention played an immeasurable role in the development of human science, technology and civilization. In ancient China, the compass was first used to determine directions in sacrifices, etiquette, military affairs, divination and Feng Shui.

3. Steam engine

A steam engine is a reciprocating power machine that converts the energy of steam into mechanical work. The emergence of the steam engine caused the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it remained the most important prime mover in the world, and later gradually gave way to internal combustion engines and steam turbines. The invention and put into use of the steam automobile brought an end to the era of human beings as the driving force and entered a new era of machines as the driving force. It marked the arrival of production in the era of large machines.

4. Papermaking

Papermaking is one of the four great inventions of China. Paper is the crystallization of the long-term experience and wisdom of the working people in ancient China. It is a step in the history of human civilization. An outstanding invention. China is the first country in the world to raise silkworms and weave silk. In ancient China, the working people made silk from high-quality silkworm cocoons, and used the remaining bad cocoons and diseased cocoons to make silk floss using the floc method. After bleaching the catkins, there will be some residual catkins left on the bamboo mat. When the wadding is bleached a lot, the remaining wadding on the bamboo mat will accumulate into a thin layer of fiber, which can be peeled off after drying and can be used for writing. The by-product of this kind of floating catkins is not large in quantity, and it is called Hehe or Fang Xu in ancient books. This shows that the origin of papermaking in ancient China is closely related to silk wadding.

5. Toothbrush

A toothbrush is a cleaning product with a handle. It is used to add toothpaste to the brush and then repeatedly brush all parts of the teeth. According to American records: In 1498, when a new century was about to appear on the horizon of mankind, the Chinese emperor invented the toothbrush. Once the toothbrush came out, it spread to Europe and became very popular there. However, toothbrushes were expensive and could only be afforded by princes and nobles, while the general public could only look on with envy. It was not until the 1830s that DuPont began to manufacture synthetic fibers, and a new generation of toothbrushes with nylon bristles began to be born. Only then did toothbrushes become a popular commodity and fly into the homes of ordinary people.

6. 3D printing

3D printing technology appeared in the mid-1990s. It is actually the latest rapid prototyping device using technologies such as light curing and paper lamination. Its working principle is basically the same as that of ordinary printing. The printer is filled with "printing materials" such as liquid or powder. After being connected to the computer, the "printing materials" are superimposed layer by layer through computer control, and finally the blueprint on the computer is turned into a physical object.

3D printing is an emerging technology that is developing rapidly in the manufacturing field. It has obvious advantages compared with traditional manufacturing. It has become an effective method for manufacturing modern models, molds and parts. It is used in aerospace, automotive, biomedicine and engineering. It has unique advantages in construction, teaching and research.

7. Comb

A comb is a tool for combing hair. In the ancient Chinese civilization, Fang Lei, the princess of Huangdi Xuanyuan, was inspired by fish bones and invented it. It was originally named because it was made of wood, and was also called a wooden comb. Since then, the era of grooming civilization in which the Chinese nation used and inherited combs began. The function of a comb goes far beyond combing hair. It can also serve as a small health care product in your hand, exerting health and fitness effects. It can also promote hair growth.

8. Stainless steel

Stainless steel is the abbreviation of stainless acid-resistant steel. Steel types that are resistant to weak corrosive media such as air, steam, and water or are stainless are called stainless steel; Steel types that are resistant to corrosion by chemically corrosive media are called acid-resistant steel. The invention and use of stainless steel can be traced back to the First World War. British scientist Henry Brearley was commissioned by the British Government Military Arsenal to study the improvement of weapons. Stainless steel was once called the steel of the twentieth century. Not only does it have a bright and attractive surface, but it also has some excellent alloy properties. It is widely used in all walks of life, and people's daily lives are inseparable from it.

9. Perfume

Perfume is a mixture of alcohol solution of essence and appropriate amount of spices. It has a fragrant and rich aroma. Its main function is to spray it on clothes, handkerchiefs, hairlines and other parts to emit a pleasant aroma. It is one of the important cosmetics. As early as 1500 BC, Cleopatra VII began to bathe in 15 different scented perfumes. In the 1990s, perfumes have become increasingly mature, and various styles have emerged one after another. People no longer pursue brands feverishly, but pay more attention to the display of individual culture. This is the most prosperous decade for perfumes.

10. Telescope

A telescope is an optical instrument that uses lenses or mirrors and other optical devices to observe distant objects. The light is refracted through a lens or reflected by a concave mirror to enter a small hole and converge into an image, and then is seen through a magnifying eyepiece. Also known as "Telescope". Astronomical telescopes are an important means of observing celestial bodies. It is no exaggeration to say that without the birth and development of telescopes, there would be no modern astronomy. As the performance of telescopes improves in all aspects, astronomy is also experiencing a huge leap, rapidly advancing humankind's understanding of the universe.

11. Iron Plow

Iron plows first appeared in China during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Iron plowshares from the Warring States Period were unearthed from the Yanxiadu Site in Yixian County, Hebei Province and Huixian County, Henan Province. The invention of the iron plowshare was a remarkable achievement. It marked a new period in the development of human society and also marked a new stage in mankind's struggle to transform nature. The iron plow was brought back to the Netherlands by Dutch sailors in the 17th century AD, and was further improved by the various plows made by J. Allen Ransom in the 19th century AD. Due to the use of a steel frame, the modern plow was produced, which was the result of many improvements to the Chinese plow and was also a very important factor leading to the European Agricultural Revolution.