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Galileo Galilei builds a practical telescope and
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It's the beginning of the scientific study of magnetism. William Gilbert publishes his great book De Magnete describing how Earth behaves like a giant magnet. Galileo Galilei designs a basic thermometer.
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Sir John Harington describes one of the first modern flush toilets. Gerardus Mercator helps to revolutionize navigation with better mapmaking.Ī Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Janssen makes the first compound microscope. The first parachute is sketched on paper by an unknown inventor. Press, using rearrangeable metal letters called movable type. Johannes Gutenberg pioneers the modern printing That are the ancestors of modern automated factory machines.Ĭhinese develop eyeglasses by fixing lenses toĪrabic engineer al-Jazari invents a flushing hand-washing machine, oneĬhinese repel Mongol invaders using early rockets. Of technologies, including ingenious clocks and feedback mechanisms Thanks to inventors such as the Banū Mūsā brothersĪnd al-Jazari, the Islamic "Golden Age" sees the development of a wide range Windmills are invented in the Middle East. Romans develop the first, basic concrete called Ts'ai Lun makes the first paper in China. Hero of Alexandria, a Greek scientist, pioneers steam power. Roman engineer Vitruvius perfects the modern, vertical water wheel. Gear-driven, precision clockwork machines (such as the Antikythera mechanism) are in existence. Nazca people of Peru are believed to have experimented with balloon flight.Īncient Egyptians invent lighthouses, including the huge Lighthouse of Alexandria.Ĭhinese invent early magnetic direction finders.Īrchimedes invents the screw pump for moving water and other materials. Thales of Miletus discovers static electricity. Iron Age begins: iron is widely used for making tools and weapons in many parts of the world. Water-raising and irrigation devices like the shaduf (shadoof), inventedīy the Ancient Egyptians, introduce the idea of lifting things using counterweights.
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Glass is made by people for the first time.įirst written languages are developed by the Sumerian people of southern Mesopotamia (part of modern Iraq).Īncient Egyptians produce papyrus, a crude early version of paper.īronze Age: Widespread use of copper and its important alloy bronze. Iron used for the first time in decorative ornaments. Hand-made bricks first used for construction in the Middle East. Humans make the first tools from stone, wood,īeginnings of human settlements and agriculture.
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