-
Period: Jan 1, 1300 to
Technology
-
Jan 1, 1400
Exploration Improvements
Technology was a very significant part of European explorer's expeditions. Because European ships had trouble navigating through strong winds, a caravel was made to improve this. A carvel was a sturdy traiangular sail the helped when sailing against the wind. The astrolobe was a brass circle that was used mainly for navigational purposes. This was used to determine the
latitude and to determine how far the ship was from the equator.
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130319212618/39clues/ -
Nov 26, 1445
Gutenberg's Printing Press
The printing press was created in China, but Johannes Gutenberg's version used movable type, and made possible the mass production of written works. With a more efficient, faster way to make books, they were available to more people, resulting in quick spread of ideas and higher literacy rate. This invention was great because of its aid in spreading the ideas of the Scientific Revolution. -
Jan 1, 1516
Thomas More's Utopia
Thomas More wrote the book, Utopia, which explains ways in which society could become better. It showed a world where there was no wars or problems, and society was pictured as a peaceful place. Utopia was written in Latin originally. The book was eventaully translated into other languages, including French, German, English, Spanish, and Italian. This made an impact on books today that are translated into many other languages for
more people to undertsand.
http://socialhistory.org/sites/default -
The First Microscope
The first microscope was made in 1590 by Zacharias Janssen, who makes eyeglasses. Janssen put together several lenses in a tube which magnified any image placed under the tube. This created a new innovation in both Science and Technology, and made it possible to see tiny objects at an improved glance.
http://www.history-of-the-microscope.org/images/possible-design-of-the-first-microscope1.jpg -
The First Teloscope
In 1609, Galileo Galiei had heard about Janssen's microscope, and created his own invention, the teloscope. The teloscope was based off of the microscope in which it could see objects that were difficult to see with the naked eye. Galileo discovered with the teloscope Jupiter, and its separate set of moons and was able to observe the Milky Way. The teloscope continues to be useful today to see objects in outer space.
http://sara.theellisschool.org/worldciv/museum2009/clairer/images/Brass-telesco -
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation was developed by scientific farmers during the Agricultural Revolution. It increased nutrients in the soil, allowing for longer lasting healthy land, that could be used to produce prosperous crops year after year. Instead of planting the same cash crop over and over, and exhausting the soil of nutrients, new plants that replenished the soil were alternatively planted. This was one of the contributing factors in the rise in food porduction, further resulting in population rise. -
The Flying Shuttle
In 1733, John Kay, a machinist invented the flying shuttle. The purpose of the flying shuttle was to improve the production of weaving yarn. It was made of would, and would spin back and forth. This was a more effiicient way to weave yarn, and it was twice as fast as a weaver. This made an impact on textile production, and caused inventors and spinners to try and create more improved versions of inventions similar to the flying shuttle
over the years.
http://www.witneyblanketstory.org.uk/multim -
The Steam Engine
The steam engine was invented in 1765 by James Watt, who made mathematical tools. Watt came up with an effective way to for a steam engine to move faster and burn less fuel. In 1774, Watt and an entrepreneur, Matthew Boulton work together to manufacture the steam engines. Boulton would pay Watt to build the steam engines. The steam engine continued to be improved by being converted into steamboats, which started the path towards modern day boats.
http://www.railswest.com/images/Fulton_Clermont_ -
Guillotine
The guillotine is an execution device, that was introduced during the Reign of Terror in France, by its inventor, Joseph-Ignace Guillotine. It was comprised of a wooden structure and a slanted metal blade that would decapitate its victims swiftly. The invention was considered humane and efficient, and was responsible for approximately 16,600 deaths during the French Revolution. -
Cotton Gin
The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney, helped kick off the Industrial Revolution, as it all started with the textile industry. Removal of seeds from cotton fibre was tedious, manual work until the inventio, but the material was in high demand. It used wire teeth on a spinning cylinder to pass cotton fibres through slots too narrow for seeds to pass through. Cotton production was made more efficient, and mass amounts were now available to meet the demand. -
Vaccines for Smallpox
The vaccine, which the Chinese had used for hundreds of years, made a stand out impact when Edward Jenner created an innoculation for smallpox, by giving the patient a vaccine for cow pox (a less deadly disease), which resulted in permanent immunity (with several boosters throughout one's life) from smallpox. The death rate went from 400,000 a year to complete eradication in developed areas. -
Steam-Driven Locomotives
In 1804, the steam-driven locomotives were invented by Richard Trevithick. The steam-driven locomotive's purpose was to haul iron and other natural resources a long distance. Other engineers improved the locomotive over time,and it became a dependable form of transportation to haul natural resources. Trains are an example an of improved version of the steam locomotive, as it can hold natural resources as cargo.
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/steam-technology-6.jpg -
Railroads
The railroad system, created by George Stephonson was created as a track for steam driven locomotives. Its speed and widespread use in England and the United States led to further industrialization in both countries. The trains enabled easier travel and transport. People could take jobs further from home, and goods could be transported and obtained from faraway places. This led to expanded trade, because track could easily be laid over diffiult terrain. -
Telegraphs
The electric telegraph, patented by Sir William Fothergill Cooke and Sir Charles Wheatstone, made fast easy communication possible for governments, corporations, and anyone who wished to contact someone else! Samuel Morse supplied a code in which to translate messages in 1835, the Morse Code, consisting of dashes and dots that represented numbers and letters.
