Buzz
Following up on our first list of humanity's key breakthroughs, we're back with the second chapter. This time, we pick up from where we left off in 1724, with the introduction of vaccination. If you missed the original list, you can catch up here. And of course, feel free to add your own significant milestones from human history in the comments—while we've narrowed it down to just 10 in two lists, we know there’s so much more to cover!
10. Anaesthesia 1842
Though various substances had long been known to dull pain, it wasn't until the 19th century that they were utilized in surgery. Before this, surgeries were brutal affairs performed by butchers, with patients fully awake (often intoxicated to ease the pain), enduring the process as quickly as possible. These procedures were chaotic, with patients often struggling violently, screaming, and tragically bleeding to death in short order. A group of people would hold the patient still, while the butcher hacked away at the injured limb and immediately sealed the wound with tar to prevent bleeding. Surgery wasn’t refined, as time was of the essence. It was a last-ditch effort, as many didn’t survive the ordeal. The advent of anesthesia revolutionized surgery, allowing doctors to work more carefully, stem blood flow more effectively, and perform delicate procedures. Today, modern medicine is worlds apart from those gruesome origins. Even in some of the least developed regions, eye surgeries are common, something unimaginable before the discovery of anesthesia.
9. Penicillin 1928
In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered that the fungus Penicillium notatum could be cultivated in a way that caused it to produce a substance he named penicillin. This substance had the remarkable ability to kill a wide range of harmful bacteria, particularly those causing syphilis. While people had used similar fungi to treat ailments before, it was never done in such a methodical, scientific way. Penicillin was eventually developed into various strains, and for the first time, previously incurable diseases could be wiped out with ease. The concept of producing a cure from simple mold was groundbreaking, and today, antibiotics—descendants of that discovery—allow us to quickly combat bacterial infections. Diseases caused by bacteria no longer pose the same deadly threat they once did.
8. Green Revolution 1940s to late 1980s
The amount of arable land on Earth is limited, which means there’s only so much food that can be produced, and in turn, only so many people that can be supported. Before the 1940s, many countries seemed to have reached this limit, resulting in widespread starvation and famine due to insufficient food. Dr. Norman Borlaug, known as the father of the Green Revolution, changed this by studying plant genetics and developing wheat strains that produced far greater yields than traditional crops. This was followed by improved varieties of rice and other staple crops. As a result, cereal production in India and much of Africa doubled, and famine was no longer a constant threat. Thanks to Dr. Borlaug, a Nobel laureate, over a billion more people now live on Earth. No single individual has arguably enabled or saved as many lives as Dr. Borlaug.
7. Steam Engine 1750
The steam engine’s history stretches back thousands of years, but it wasn’t until it played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution that it truly changed the world. It ushered in an era of mass production and transformed the transportation of goods with the widespread use of engines. It became the first engine to be globally deployed, and today it remains the primary source of energy on Earth: around 90% of the world’s electricity comes from steam. The steam engine and the vast manufacturing and construction it enabled reshaped life, particularly in the British Empire. It also laid the foundation for modern capitalism, which had no need for the small-scale businesses that existed before. The Industrial Revolution fueled the rapid growth of electric lighting, rail travel, shipping, mining, textiles, chemicals, and glass production, turning much of the world into an engine of mass production. Even people living without electricity still rely on products made elsewhere through steam power. The legacy of steam power, the Industrial Revolution, and mass production is woven into the fabric of modern life.
6. Fossil Fuels 5,000 years ago
Fossil fuels were utilized by ancient civilizations for various tasks, but never on a large scale. During the Middle Ages, coal began to be mined more extensively, mainly for use by blacksmiths and metalworkers. However, its true significance came with the Industrial Revolution. Closely tied to the development of the steam engine, fossil fuels became a vital source of energy. While coal remains the most widely used fossil fuel, liquid oil and various gases also play key roles. Coal burns much more efficiently than an equal mass of wood, and for large-scale energy needs, fossil fuels are far more economical and less wasteful. Fossil fuels not only fueled the steam engine's spread but also helped bring electricity to the world.
5. The Automobile 1885
The rise of steam power and large transportation systems like trains and ships naturally sparked the desire for a smaller, more personal transportation option. Many envisioned a steam-powered carriage. Several prototypes were attempted, but they all faced significant challenges and weren't practical for widespread use. The breakthrough came with the internal combustion engine, a refined version of the steam engine, which soon found its way into automobiles. After much development, Karl Benz successfully created what is considered the first modern automobile in 1885. The practicality of cars became increasingly clear, leading to steady growth in production. Today, nearly a billion cars and small trucks traverse the globe, and while many people still don’t own their own car, it’s common for entire villages to share a single car in times of emergency. Cars have become a universal mode of transport, shaping the layout of cities around the world with roads designed specifically for them.
4. Aeroplanes 1903
From the earliest days, humans have been grounded, gazing up at the skies, yearning for the freedom that flying creatures enjoyed. Across the world, myths and legends have told of humans taking flight, often symbolizing divine power or human arrogance. Kites and gliders were early attempts at flight, but in their initial forms, they couldn’t carry a human into the sky. The first manned glider was built in 1853, and further progress led to the first controlled, powered flight by the Wright brothers. Although aeroplane designs have evolved since then, the use of an engine for propulsion and an aerodynamic body for lift remain the core principles. Today, flight still stirs the imagination and has had a transformative impact on exploration, travel, and warfare. Even in less developed countries, where many may never board a plane themselves, aircraft are often the means of delivering vital aid.
3. Computers 1936
In earlier times, tools like the abacus were used to aid in mathematical calculations. The first machine capable of storing data and performing all four basic arithmetic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—was envisioned by Charles Babbage and was entirely mechanical. The next significant advancement came with Joseph Jacquard's mechanical loom, which wove intricate patterns based on the sequence of holes detected in paper fed into it, marking the early stages of programming. The modern electronic computer was developed by Alan Turing and used during World War II to decipher the complex Nazi codes. Originally the size of entire buildings, computers have since become much smaller due to advances in electronics miniaturization. Computers, alongside telecommunications, gave rise to the World Wide Web. Today, computers are embedded in everyday items like watches, cars, televisions, and phones. The widespread availability of computers has revolutionized the accumulation of information and education, making it more accessible than ever before and helping create a more globally connected population.
2. Genetic Modification 1973
This is the technology that enabled Dr. Borlaug to develop better strains of wheat. While humans have always had a basic understanding of heredity—after all, children resemble their parents and livestock can be selectively bred—it wasn’t until 1973 that the direct manipulation of genes, a more precise and accelerated form of genetic modification, became possible. Today, many medicines and substances, including insulin, vaccines, multivitamins, and antibiotics, are produced through genetic manipulation of bacteria and yeast. There’s even research into growing entire organs from single cells for transplantation, which, though promising, is not yet widespread. Similarly, lab-grown meat tissue could potentially eliminate the need for traditional animal farming, while genetically engineered bacteria can be used to clean up environmental disasters like oil spills and nuclear waste. Genetic modification has already enhanced the lives of billions of people and countless other species.
1. Telecommunications 1839
With the advent of fast intercontinental travel, communication across vast distances became commonplace. As people grew accustomed to the idea of quick responses, postal services struggled to keep up. While methods like smoke signals, flags, and fires were used, they were never widespread. The availability of electricity during the Industrial Revolution paved the way for the invention of the telegraph, which, with Morse Code, enabled the transmission of messages over thousands of miles in an instant. Advances in electricity and electronics soon transformed the telegraph into the telephone, which could convert sound into electrical signals and back into sound, allowing people to converse across continents. Instant communication has not only accelerated business and reshaped warfare but also revolutionized daily life in countless ways. Nearly every settlement on Earth now has telephone access, and telecommunications have evolved beyond wires to include instant messaging, emails, and data transfers. The flow of information has increased dramatically, and the physical distance between people has been diminished, leading to a more globally connected world.
