There are so many inventions in the world today. We have ancient inventions to thank for the world in which we live today.
Many people use paper every day. Paper was invented in China about 2,000 years ago. Historians believe that Cai Lun was the first person to make paper. Thanks to him, we can read and write!
Do you use glasses? If you do, you know how important they are. The first eyeglasses were invented in Italy in 1286.
But more than 2,000 years before that, people were using magnifying glasses to help them read. The first inventors of the eyeglasses put a frame around the outside of the glass. It made them easier to wear.
In 1869, billboards were made of ivory. It was expensive. John Wesley Hyatt was looking for a cheaper material. It was important that it did not biodegrade.
It was then that plastic was created. Now, plastic is found everywhere. Even in places that it doesn't belong!
The water wheel was invented more than 2,000 years ago. The water makes the wheel move. The moving wheel can be used to make power or to crush things.
The ancient Romans were the first people to use water wheels to make power. Today, many cities use something called hydroelectricity. Thanks to the ancient Romans, we use water to make power today.
In the 1970s, the US military developed GPS. It allowed them to find the location of any object or person. In the 1980s, they released the technology to the rest of the world. Thanks to GPS, we have apps like Google Maps.
It was only around 40 years ago that computers were found in people's homes. Early microchips were invented in the 1920s. In the 1980s, they were powerful enough to be used to power personal computers. Now, microchips are found in many appliances.
In the 1990s, computers connected to the internet through a cable. In the early 2000s, wireless internet became popular. People could go online on their phones. It changed how the world connected forever.
Coins are universal. Most places in the world use coins for some of their money. The first coins were invented around 600 BC, more than 2,600 years ago.
In Ancient Greece, the first coins were made of gold and silver. Today, most coins are made of cheaper metals.
In 1864, Louis Pasteur invented pasteurisation. He made it safe to drink things like milk, wine, and beer.
Before this, some liquids contained lots of bacteria. They were dangerous to drink. But he found that you could pasteurise the liquid by heating it up. This killed the bacteria, but left the protein. He saved many lives.
In 490 BC, a Greek soldier ran from Marathon to Athens. It was just over 26 miles. He brought good news. Athens had defeated the Persians in battle! The marathon was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1896 to remember his efforts.
Think about how much our lives are changed by inventions from the past. How much do you think the future will be changed by our inventions today?