In a
special National Geographic edition, 101 Inventions That Shaped the World, it
was nice to see things like the printing press, radio, and television alongside
cloning, robots, computers, drones, and the World Wide Web. Of course, putting together such a list is
bound to anger, frustrate, or challenge many, but the magazine did a good job
of noting things that saved or greatly enhanced so many lives.
The
list was not consistent, hailing the invention of rubber with no mention of
plastic. It highlighted steam-engines
(trains) and jet planes but not the automobile.
It praised modern numbers but not language or words. The Swiss Army Knife was there – and razors –
but not refrigerators or air conditioning.
But this is quibbling.
As
the magazine states, “Innovation and invention have allowed us to save lives,
wage wars, communicate across oceans, and reach outer space.” It grouped its entries
based on certain themes, including these:
·
Advancements
in medicine
·
Access
to communication and transportation.
·
Developments
in military and industry.
·
Discoveries
in science and electronics.
·
Small,
practical inventions that improve our daily lives.
When
it comes to the media, I learned the following:
·
By
1937, 28 million U.S. households – 80% of the total -- owned a radio.
·
During
World War I, the U.S. banned all radio stations not used by the government.
·
The
Federal Communications Commission was created in 1934 to regulate radio and
television.
·
In
1946, only 6,000 TV sets existed. In
1948, one million TV sets circulated in the U.S. It jumped to 12 million in 1951.
·
As
of 2006, half of all homes have three or more TVs.
·
The
final episode of M.A.S.H. in 1983 is still the most-watched single program
in history (125 million), even though the country was much smaller back then.
·
The
www came about in 1989 for mass adoption – but some version of it existed as
early as 1969 at universities and military offices.
·
The
Polaroid instant camera was introduced in 1947.
·
The
first newspaper was published in 1605 in Germany.
·
Paper,
invented in China in year 100, was first used in Europe in 1309.
·
In
1455, the Gutenberg Bible is completed.
Books
have existed in written form for thousands of years -- and now printed for over 550 years. They are arguably one of the greatest
inventions ever as they influence, inspire, educate, and entertain society.
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