10 Ideas That Changed the World

For thousands of years, humans and their innovations have shaped our history. But some inventions and discoveries are so profound, they not only change the course of history, they also manage to leave a legacy so powerful, it can be called world-changing. This book looks at 10 of these ideas - from the invention of the wheel which brought about a radical change in travel, craftsmanship and manufacture, to anaesthetics, which ushered in a new era of medical care. Each of the 10 world-changing ideas is examined in detail - what were the circumstances; who was involved and why; what kind of a legacy has it left; and how is it still relevant to us today? The ideas range from inventions such as the printing press and the personal computer, to scientific breakthroughs such as anaesthetics and engineering feats including the steam engine. Spanning a significant portion of human history, the ancient civilisations in 3500 BCE, to 15th-century Europe, the Industrial Revolution and the digital era, this book not only examines the ideas themselves, but also places them in the context of other historical events and developments.