Innovations Timeline

  • Jan 1, 1284

    First pair of eye glasses

    In Italy, Salvino D'Armate invented the first wearable eye glasses. Impact on society: Made people be able to see Type: Invention
  • First microscope

    Galileo created the first microscope after hearing about putting lenses together, he fine-tuned them and created the first microscope. Impact on society: Furthered modern science Type: Invention
  • Self-powered automobile

    Nicolas Joseph Cugnot of France built the first self-powered automobile, which had a steam engine. Impact on society: Started the swift movement to creating better self-powered automobiles. Type: Invention
  • First telegraph

    The non-electric telegraph was invented by Claude Chappe. The system was visual, used a flag-based alphabet, and depended on a line of sight for communication. Impact on society: Lead to the invention of the telephone Type: Invention
  • The first photograph

    The world’s permanent photograph was taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. Impact on society: Lead to the invention of portable camera and digital photographs. Type: Invention
  • The telephone

    Alexander Graham Bell designed a device that could electrically transmit speech. Impact on society: Created a new way to communicate without the use of the postal service. Type: Invention
  • First mechanical pencil

    The first mechanical pencil was invented by Tokuji Hayakawa. Impact on society: Made a more convenient way to write. Type: Invention
  • Z1 (first programmable computer)

    The first programmable computer was created by Konrad Zuse, who was from Germany. Impact on society: Kicked off the start of some great technological advances that have lead to the creation of the computers we use today. Type: Invention
  • The first patented MP3

    Fraunhofer got a German patent for the MP3 (compacted audio) Impact on society: Lead to the creation of electronically powered portable music Type: Invention
  • First Ipod

    “Apple presents iPod, offering "1,000 songs in your pocket"’’ Impact on society: created a movement for the need to listen to music on the go, without scratching a CD or breaking a walkman. Type: Invention