Improvements in Technology that have improved Productivity

  • Jan 1, 1111

    Humans discover Fire and How to make Tools, Weapons

    Humans discover Fire and How to make Tools, Weapons
    The very first improvement that set humanity on the road to prosperity. *Note: This actually occurred around 10,000 B.C., but Timetoast won't let me go farther back in time.
  • Sep 1, 1436

    First Printing Press

    First Printing Press
    Johannes Gutenburg started working on his printing press around 1436 and finished it around 1440. When completed, it allowed mass production of books and newspapers for the first time in history.
  • First Useful Steam Engine

    First Useful Steam Engine
    While the VERY first steam engine was a useless contraption created by mathmetician Hero of Alexandria in the 1st century, the first USEFUL steam engine was created around 1712, when it was patented and invented by Thomas Newcomen. His technology paved the way for the Industrial Revoloution.
  • Ransom Olds actually comes up with and patents the Assembly Line System

    Ransom Olds actually comes up with and patents the Assembly Line System
    WARNING! Contains knowledge bomb. Not responsible for inducing "Everything I know is a LIE!!" coma
    Contrary to popular belief, Henry Ford did NOT create the assembly line system - he simply perfected it. Ransom Olds actually created and patented the system for his Oldsmobile auto company in 1901.
  • First Useful Computer goes Viral

    First Useful Computer goes Viral
    Regarded as the Father of Modern computer science, Alan Turing develops the Turing Machine, which is the first major data processing machine that automatically uses algorithms.
  • Google is alive . . . IT'S ALIVEEE!!!!

    Google is alive . . . IT'S ALIVEEE!!!!
    Two college grad students, working on a research project for a "universal information databank". Mix with luck and pure genius, and you get the most widely-used, most powerful search engine on the face of the Earth.
  • First Completely Automated Factory opens

    First Completely Automated Factory opens
    Continental AG, a tire-production company, recently opened a factory that makes use of PC technology to control 99% of the factory functions.