The Most Useful Invention of All Time, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the invention you think is the most useful!

Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:58

Human progress and development are often marked by breakthroughs in innovation, where certain inventions transform everyday life. By cataloging these pivotal advances, people gain insight into the artifacts that have shaped modern civilization. This list serves as a tool to identify and reflect on these transformative objects, understanding their impact across different eras and societies. By engaging with this dynamic list, users contribute to a collective assessment of what constitutes a 'useful' invention. Each vote helps refine the rankings, offering a crowd-sourced perspective that highlights diverse opinions and priorities. This ongoing interaction not only enriches the list but also fosters a deeper connection with the history and utility of these remarkable inventions.

What Is the Most Useful Invention of All Time?

1

95
votes
The wheel

The wheel is considered the most important invention of all time as it revolutionized transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. Its invention has led to the creation of countless other inventions such as cars, trains, and airplanes.
The wheel is a circular device that is considered one of the most important inventions in human history. It consists of a solid disk or a rim with spokes that revolve around a central hub. The wheel revolutionized transportation and has been used for various purposes such as transportation of goods, vehicles, and machinery.

Shape: Circular

Components: Hub, spokes, and rim

Materials: Wood, metal, or plastic

Function: Enables easy movement by rolling

Applications: Transportation, machinery, pulleys, gears
2

41
votes
The printing press

Johannes Gutenberg

The printing press allowed for the mass production of books and other written materials, making information more accessible to the masses. It also played a significant role in the spread of knowledge and the advancement of science.
The printing press is a device used for mass-producing written material, such as books, newspapers, and pamphlets. It revolutionized the way information and knowledge were disseminated, leading to an increase in literacy and the spread of ideas on a large scale. The printing press enabled the efficient reproduction of texts, making books more affordable and accessible to a broader population.

Invention Date: circa 1440

Printing method: Movable type

Press type: Mechanical

Impact: Promoted literacy and education

Mass production: Enabled production of books at a larger scale
3

22
votes
最終編集 · CC BY-SA 4.0

The internet

The internet has revolutionized communication and information sharing on a global scale. It has transformed the way we work, learn, and interact with each other, making it one of the most useful inventions of all time.
The internet is a global network of computers that allows the exchange of information and communication between users worldwide. It provides access to a vast array of resources, including websites, documents, multimedia content, and services. The internet revolutionized the way people interact, conduct business, learn, and access information.

Networking Protocol: TCP/IP

World Wide Web: HTTP

Email: SMTP

File Transfer: FTP

Domain Name System: DNS
4

17
votes
The telephone

Alexander Graham Bell

The telephone revolutionized communication by allowing people to communicate with each other over long distances in real-time. It has had a profound impact on business, healthcare, and social interaction.
The telephone is a device used for transmitting and receiving voice messages over long distances through electrical signals. It revolutionized communication by allowing people to have instant conversations regardless of their physical location.

Invention year: 1876

Transmission medium: Electrical wires

Communication range: Global

Voice quality: Can transmit clear and intelligible speech

Portability: Can be used almost anywhere with a telephone network
5

17
votes
The light bulb

Thomas Edison

The light bulb revolutionized the way we light our homes and businesses and has led to significant advancements in technology such as televisions and computers.
The light bulb is a device that produces light through the use of electricity. It consists of a glass bulb that is vacuum-sealed and contains a filament, which emits light when heated by an electric current. The light bulb is used extensively in both residential and commercial settings for illumination purposes.

Year of invention: 1879

Type of bulb: Incandescent

Light output: Measured in lumens

Wattage: Power consumption in watts

Efficiency: Lumens per watt
6

6
votes
The steam engine

The steam engine revolutionized transportation and manufacturing by providing a reliable source of power. It played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution and paved the way for modern transportation.
The steam engine is a mechanical device that uses steam power to perform mechanical work. It converts the heat energy in steam into mechanical energy, which can be used for various applications such as powering machinery, locomotives, and factories. The steam engine played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution and revolutionized the way work was done.

Invention Date: 1712 (by Thomas Newcomen)

Improved Version: 1769 (by James Watt)

Functionality: Conversion of steam energy to mechanical work

Fuel Source: Coal or other combustible materials

Power Output: Varied, from small-scale applications to large-scale industrial power plants
7

5
votes
Dmitry Nosachev · CC BY-SA 4.0

The computer

The computer has had a profound impact on almost every aspect of our lives, from communication to entertainment to healthcare. It has revolutionized the way we work, learn, and interact with each other.
A computer is a programmable machine that can perform complex tasks or calculations automatically, with the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. It consists of hardware components such as the central processing unit (CPU), memory, and input/output devices, as well as software programs that govern its operation.

Processing Power: Computers can perform tasks and calculations much faster than humans, with high-speed processors capable of executing billions of instructions per second.

Storage Capacity: Computers can store vast amounts of data, ranging from a few megabytes to several petabytes, using hard drives, solid-state drives, and other storage devices.

Memory: Computers have various types of memory, including random access memory (RAM) for temporary data storage, and read-only memory (ROM) for permanent data storage.

Connectivity: Computers can connect to other computers or networks, enabling communication, sharing of resources, and access to the internet.

Input/Output Capabilities: Computers support a wide range of input and output devices, such as keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and speakers, enabling interaction with the user and the external world.
8

5
votes
The airplane

The Wright Brothers

The airplane has revolutionized transportation and has made the world a smaller place. It has allowed people to travel to distant places quickly and safely and has had a significant impact on the global economy.
The airplane is a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces. It is capable of sustained controlled flight, and has revolutionized transportation, travel, and warfare. The airplane has become a vital part of the global aviation industry, connecting people and goods across long distances quickly and efficiently. It has opened up new horizons for exploration, tourism, and trade.

First flight: 17th December 1903

Wingspan: 12.3 meters

Length: 6.42 meters

Engine: 12 horsepower

Maximum speed: 48.2 km/h
9

6
votes
The compass

The compass revolutionized navigation and made it possible for sailors to navigate the seas with greater precision. It has played a significant role in exploration, trade, and warfare.
The compass is a navigational instrument that utilizes a magnetic needle to indicate the direction of the Earth's magnetic north, allowing travelers to navigate accurately.

Function: Determining the direction of magnetic north

Needle: Magnetized needle that aligns with Earth's magnetic field

Dial: Circular dial marked with cardinal directions (north, south, east, west)

Housing: Transparent or translucent material enclosing the needle and dial

Lubrication: A pivot point and cap jewel for reduced friction and smooth movement
10

1
votes
The camera

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce

The camera has revolutionized the way we document our lives and has had a significant impact on journalism, entertainment, and art. It has allowed us to capture and share moments in time, preserving them for future generations.
The camera is a device that captures and records images by capturing light on a photosensitive medium. It has revolutionized the way we document and preserve moments throughout history. From personal memories to scientific discoveries, the camera has become an essential tool in various fields.

Resolution: The camera can capture images with various levels of detail, ranging from low-resolution to high-resolution.

Aperture: The adjustable aperture controls the amount of light entering the camera, affecting the depth of field and image exposure.

Shutter speed: The camera allows for adjusting the length of time the camera's sensor is exposed to light, determining the motion blur in images.

ISO sensitivity: The camera's ISO setting defines its sensitivity to light, enabling capturing images in different lighting conditions with varying levels of noise.

Focus control: The camera provides mechanisms to control focus, allowing for sharp and clear image capture.

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Ranking factors for useful invention

Innovation

It should be an innovative invention which brought a new idea or solution.
Accessibility

Easy access to the invention, especially among common people.
Advancement

The invention should have paved the way for further advancements in society.
Sustainability

The invention should contribute towards sustainability in terms of environmental and social impact.
Adoption rate

The rate of adoption of the invention by various societies and cultures.
Longevity

The invention should have sustained relevance over a long period of time.
Improvements

The ability of the invention to be improved and adapted to changing times.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most useful invention of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or invention is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2317 views
214 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each invention once every 24 hours. The rank of each invention is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most useful invention of all time

The history of human inventions is a fascinating one, spanning thousands of years and countless civilizations. From simple tools like the wheel and the plow to complex machines like the internet and the smartphone, our ability to create new things has shaped the world we live in today. But what is the most useful invention of all time? That's a question that has been debated for centuries, with no clear consensus. Some people might argue that the printing press, which revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge, deserves the top spot. Others might point to the humble paperclip, which has saved countless hours of frustration and annoyance. Still others might argue for more recent inventions like the GPS or the electric car. Ultimately, the answer depends on your perspective and what you value most. But one thing is clear: the human capacity for innovation is truly remarkable, and we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible every day.