What is the greatest invention?

[athiesta]

---

Please do give your invention and the benefits.

Lens.

This is the most important extension of our senses ever created. As a result, it encompasses growth in science in the study of the following discipline.
1. medicine
2. biology
3. astronomy
4. Technology (optics)

and many more.

[fritzd]

Let me start. As somebody who specializes in optics and photonics, the first thing I could think of is the Laser.
Laser - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Although first created as a tool for physics, the very first laser invented by Theodore Maiman in 1960, really had no application as of yet. Only after a few years did scientist realize that they could utilize laser's optical coherence properties for optical interferometry. With this, many other exciting experimental physics applications which eventually led to real life applications.

The applications of lasers as of now are too many to mention. These are the applications that wikepedia has outined.

Medicine: Bloodless surgery, laser healing, surgical treatment, kidney stone treatment, eye treatment, dentistry
Industry: Cutting, welding, material heat treatment, marking parts
Defense: Marking targets, guiding munitions, missile defence, electro-optical countermeasures (EOCM), alternative to radar, blinding enemy troops.
Research: Spectroscopy, laser ablation, laser annealing, laser scattering, laser interferometry, LIDAR, laser capture microdissection
Product development/commercial: laser printers, CDs, barcode scanners, thermometers, laser pointers, holograms, bubblegrams.
Laser lighting displays: Laser light shows
Cosmetic skin treatments: acne treatment, cellulite and striae reduction, and hair removal.

From my experience, I will add more. Optical telecommunications, this is very very important especially to our high broadband internet. Cutting edge experimental physics research, super cooling of atoms down to the nanokelvin regime. Many many more.....

Anyway, this is my input to what I think is one of the greatest inventions. I know there are more but I'm sure the laser should be one of them. hehehe!

[tokidoki_v2.1]

The following inventions made it possible for humanity to expand:

1) Toilet
2) Elevator

Go figure. Without these anything else is insignificant.

[YJOB]

with the exception of the Simple Machines, i'd say that generally the greatest discovery/invention is Electricity.

[fritzd]

with the exception of the Simple Machines, i'd say that generally the greatest discovery/invention is Electricity.

! Good one! hehe! Electricity spearheaded everything in our development. hehehe!

[tokidoki_v2.1]

^^ fire would be much more a predecessor

[Vundaboi]

From the top of my head, the integrated circuit or microchip comes to mind. That small piece electronic circuit and silicone really ushered in a whole new era of technology.

[noysabas]

ilimnong maka hubog hehehe...

[john_dux]

i believe its fire.. thru cooking.. we are able to preserve food for a certain duration so that there will be less time needed for actual hunting and more time developing civilization... and also.. by cooking.. our foods become nutritios allowing our brains to evolve more...

[miyay]

the wheel. got the industries moving.