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Freethought & Rationalism ArchiveThe archives are read only. |
10-10-2002, 06:12 AM
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#21 |
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Answerer:
Discovering Pluto was certainly a feat, but I'd be hard-pressed to consider it near the top of scientific discoveries. I guess if you want to consider it the first discovery of a Kuiper Belt object, or if you want to consider the discovery of Charon, thus making it a "double planet"... What do you find so amazing about it? |
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10-10-2002, 06:50 AM
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#22 |
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Maxwell, Darwin and Newton are fine for discovering their little theories and I'm sure hte world has received some indirect benefit from them.
The greatest discovery in the history of humankind, though, is easily the addition of little wheels on the bottom of luggage. I love those things - they make travel so much easier. |
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10-10-2002, 06:54 AM
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#23 |
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The six basic tools:
1 - wheel 2 - wedge 3 - lever 4 - pulley 5 - ramp 6 - screw |
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10-10-2002, 07:30 AM
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#24 |
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I especially like #6!
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10-10-2002, 07:31 AM
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#25 |
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Yes, the screw is magnificent! And I'm not being sarcastic.
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10-10-2002, 09:19 AM
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#26 |
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Now that we've drifted off course into an equally interesting discussion of inventions (obviously included because many impactful inventions are based upon interesting theories)
Note John Brockman's <a href="http://www.edge.org" target="_blank">Edge</a> webpage and one of their questions posed to a list of intellectuals. <a href="http://www.edge.org/documents/Invention.html" target="_blank">WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INVENTION IN THE PAST TWO THOUSAND YEARS?</a> Interesting read J [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: Copernic ]</p> |
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10-10-2002, 09:30 AM
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#27 |
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Keeping with the tools theme, I'm going to vote for the Chronometer, invented by John Harrison, used by ships at sea to determine their Longitude.
Though I'm somewhat biased since I'm half-way through <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0802713122/qid=1034270502/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3/104-4291631-4719101" target="_blank">this book</a> about the history of and politics behind the invention. [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: gabalski ]</p> |
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10-10-2002, 12:17 PM
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#28 |
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I've got a BS in Mathematics, so I've got to include something mathematical: the number "0"
... but I also work in electronics, so I'd also have to say the transistor. Some others that would definitely make my top ten:
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10-10-2002, 12:26 PM
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#29 |
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not in any particular order:
Evolution Relativity Newtonian Mechanics Fire Penicilen Germ Theory DNA Powered Flight Spaceflight The Eradication of Smallpox |
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10-10-2002, 12:32 PM
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#30 |
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Another important "discovery," and I may be lumping several things into one category, is:
Complexity theory / Chaos theory / Theories of Self-organization / Information Theory Edited to add: I think these areas of scientific endeavor are having, and will have, immeasurable impact on both our understanding of the universe and in our technologies. [ October 10, 2002: Message edited by: Mageth ]</p> |
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