-
Asked by amykerr to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 16 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by susejdog.
-
Suzi Gage answered on 14 Jun 2011:
Hi @amykerr great question!
Boring answer would be the wheel!
But mobile internet has made my life a better place, so maybe wifi, or at least the internet!
Such a hard question, thanks!!🙂
-
-
Rachael Ward answered on 14 Jun 2011:
Hi @amykerr
Glad you put this Q up here – thanks
I’ve given it a lot of thought and think I’ll go for the microchip (also known as the Integrated circuit to people who make these things!) as these are used in almost all electrical equipment. Without them I wouldnt have my laptop or mobile phone – two things I would struggle to live without. Also, loads and loads of science equipment, including the microscopes I use require microchips.
I hope that answers your question -
Damien Hall answered on 16 Jun 2011:
I think the best invention in modern times is the Internet. We wouldn’t be able to do this without it! It’s really changed the way science is done – you can do some research and tell people on the other side of the world about it immediately, which is great, because science is all about talking to other people and making progress through common goals. We wouldn’t have e-mail, Facebook or anything like that either! I love Facebook because I’ve lived in a few places in the world (France, Belgium and America, and lots of cities in the UK), and FB lets me keep in touch with my friends in those places just as easily as keeping in touch with people from down the road. And it’s (almost) free!
I swear I didn’t read Suzi’s answer before I wrote mine …
In ancient times, I’d have to say the best invention was the wheel. -
Damien Hall answered on 16 Jun 2011:
I think the best invention in modern times is the Internet. We wouldn’t be able to do this without it! It’s really changed the way science is done – you can do some research and tell people on the other side of the world about it immediately, which is great, because science is all about talking to other people and making progress through common goals. We wouldn’t have e-mail, Facebook or anything like that either! I love Facebook because I’ve lived in a few places in the world (France, Belgium and America, and lots of cities in the UK), and FB lets me keep in touch with my friends in those places just as easily as keeping in touch with people from down the road. And it’s (almost) free!
In ancient times, I’d have to say the best invention was the wheel.
I swear I didn’t read Suzi’s answer before I wrote mine …
Comments
luxiliu commented on :
Electricity
Damien commented on :
That’s a good thought, @luxiliu. If there wasn’t electricity, then we wouldn’t have the Internet that Suzi and I both said was the best invention, would we? Although, strictly speaking, electricity wasn’t invented (as lightning has always existed), but ways to control it were certainly invented. So you’re right! That’s another great habit of the scientist: finding out what the basic question behind some more complicated question is, and answering that instead …
Suzi commented on :
Ha Damien! Great minds think alike!!!
Damien commented on :
I know, right?