Energy is the universal driver; and mechanics is its channel into the material world. It is little wonder then that we should look back on the history of the greatest man-made milestones in these areas to appreciate how they influence our present and continue to shape our future. Some of these inventions include:
* Wind Sails *
The wind sail would probably be the first significant invention for harnessing energy and transforming it to work. As early as 3000BC, Egyptians had invented and used wind sails to power boats along their rivers and seas revolutionizing the systematic exploration of nearby worlds and facilitating trade and commerce.
* Wheel *
Undoubtedly the first major mechanical invention, the wheel initially facilitated transportation on land just as the wind sails did on water. Invented in Mesopotamia around 3500BC and evolving into the spoke version in 2000BC Egypt, the wheel really came into its own during and after the Industrial Revolution with a multitude of applications.
* Lever and Pulley *
Coming off the brain of the genius that was the great Archimedes, the lever and pulley were early century BC accelerators, used since in a host of mechanical components and devices. Arguably the most fundamental of mechanical inventions after the wheel, they facilitated great feats of human endeavor- particularly in the areas of construction and transportation of material.
* Mechanical Clocks *
The history of the good old mechanical clock is a trifle unclear though early reports date back to the 12th century AD. Although pure mechanical versions have largely been replaced by quartz and other systems, these devices gave us an accurate sense of time for good part of a millennium and sparked great discoveries in science- thereby granting them place amongst the top mechanical inventions of all time.
* Printing Press *
The spread of knowledge was significantly accelerated with the use of the printing press to publish books at a scale unimaginable before, etching its position boldly in the annals of mechanical invention. Although printing devices were known to exist much earlier, credit for the modern printing press goes to Johannes Gutenberg in the early 15th century.
* Screws and Bolts *
Bolts and screws first made their appearance in the early 16th century and would certainly rank high on our list of inventions . Often overlooked and underestimated, these little mechanical devices hold together virtually everything material in our lives today.
* Electric Generator *
Converting mechanical power into electrical energy through the electric generator was one of the most powerful drivers of technology growth in recent times. Considering the numerous early forms around in the early 19th century, credit for the generator could go to any or all of Jedlik (for the electromagnetic self-rotor), Faraday (for the electromagnetic generator) or Pixii (for his dynamo).
* Turbines *
Earliest hydraulic turbines in the form of water wheels were used as early as the Roman empire; although modern versions appeared around the early 19th century. The hydraulic/steam/gas turbines rank on the mechanical inventions hall of fame since these increased by orders of magnitude the quantity of electricity that could be generated and made enough available for consumption by the general masses sparking major improvements in quality of life.
* Solar Cell *
Invented by Charles Fritts in 1883, based on the famous photovoltaic effect discovered about half a century earlier by the French physicist Becquerel, the photovoltaic cell must surely feature as a top invention that promises limitless clean energy based on the premise that our sun will last well into any foreseeable future.
* Nuclear Devices *
The destructive nuclear bomb has played a significant role in ending war (albeit tragically) and has acted as deterrent enough to starting another, irrespective of the might of nations that possess the capability of building one. And its constructive counterpart- the nuclear power plant can provide all the energy we would ever want if utilized safely and cleanly. Surely one of the most strategically significant energy inventions of our times.
There exists no rule nor measure to irrefutably define the top ten energy and mechanical inventions. We merely declare those depending on our personal viewpoint, inclinations and assessment. However some of these basic and not-so-basic manmade devices certainly influence the way we live our lives today and will continue to impact how we move beyond from here.
