The Most Important Science Discoveries and Inventions

There have been many major, world-changing inventions and science discoveries. Which ones do YOU think were the most important? 

Both scientific discoveries and inventions often start from accidental or chance observations. (Consider Newton’s apple that started him thinking about gravity, as well as Fleming’s contaminated bacterial cultures that led to the discovery of penicillin.)

Many people observe unusual things, but not so many realize the meaning and importance of what they see. Those are the people who have made progress possible.

A Few Great Science Discoveries and Inventions

Here is a list of some of the great discoveries and inventions that have changed history. (There are many others-- maybe even more important. This list is just a sample. Also, several of these include related discoveries or inventions.)

1. the discovery of fire
2. the invention of farming (planting seeds, then caring for and harvesting the crops)
3. the invention of the wheel
4. the invention of sails and sailing ships
5. the invention of gunpowder
6. the invention of writing
7. the invention of paper
8. the invention of printing
9. the discovery of the circulation of blood (how the heart pumps blood throughout the body)
10. the invention of the microscope and telescope
11. the discovery of microorganisms
12. the discovery that earth circles the sun
13. the discovery of gravity
14. the discovery of electricity and ways to control it
15. the invention of steam ships
16. the invention of the gasoline engine and motor vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.)
17. the invention of the telephone
18. the invention of the radio
19. the discovery of penicillin and other antibiotics
20. the invention of the computer and then the Internet

Classifying Major Discoveries and Inventions

1. Which of these discoveries and inventions changed medical history?

2. Which of them revolutionized communications?

3. Which of these enabled faster transportation?

4. Which of these scientific discoveries led to major transportation technologies?

(Answers are below the quiz.)

I think everyone can agree that fire, farming, and the wheel have been tremendously important in the development of human civilization. Can you choose five more (of the discoveries or inventions above or others) that you think are most important? 

For extra English practice, try writing one or two sentences about why each is important.

Scientists: Building on the Work of Others

“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”- Isaac Newton (quoted by Albert Einstein.)

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Here are a few definitions (and questions to check your understanding) of some of the words used in the classification and evaluation activities above. Choose the letter of the best answer to each question.

Discovery and Invention Answers

1. Discoveries that changed medical history:

the discovery of circulation, microorganisms, and penicillin

2. Inventions that revolutionized communications:

writing, paper, printing, the telephone, the radio, and the computer and Internet

3. These enabled faster transportation:

the wheel, sails and sailing, steamships, the gasoline motor

4. Scientific discoveries that led to major transportation technologies:

the discovery of fire, gravity, and electricity. (You could say that learning that the earth orbits the sun contributed to space exploration-- if you want to count that as a major transportation technology. I would say it isn’t, yet, as very few people travel into space!)

In case you are curious, for the 5 most important discoveries after fire, farming, and the wheel, I would choose

1. the invention of writing, so people could share thoughts over distances and over time
2. the discovery of microorganisms
3. the discovery of electricity,
4. the gasoline engine, &
5. the computer

I believe writing was essential. If we didn't have paper or publishing, telephones or radio, we might have found other ways to send messages, but  some way of recording ideas is very important so they would not be lost or forgotten.

The other four discoveries and inventions have each revolutionized human life.

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