I thought of this question as I was visiting Ben Franklin's home town today. I realize there are an infinite number of ways to look at this, but it should be interesting anyway.

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If exploring mines is wrong, then baby... I don't want to be right.

other...... airplane, where would we be without it, or should i say where wouldnt we be.............

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interesting point about beer frank, I totally agree that the invention of farming should be on the poll,. Like you said it allowed for more permanant settlements so that we could invent even more and progress civilization.

I thought about gun powder and I'm all for guns and their uses and effect on history. Though I think that without the gun we would still find ways to kill each other for whatever reason. It is just that we can touch somone from a greater distance now.

My pick is electicity. Seems to me that this invention had the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time. All of the other options I listed are huge and are indeed neccisary for everything else thereafter, but they took centuries to develop and perfect.

One last thought: Seems our picks are reflections of what is important to us. Chris=planes, Marc= Modern appliances, Frank = beer & guns

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If exploring mines is wrong, then baby... I don't want to be right.

quarter sticks!

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Mathematics. Hands down the most important thing humans have ever invented. We use it everyday in everything we do and is the basis for all major advancements in world history. Without it we would be nowhere.

How about the Steam Engine. The steam engine was vital in history for allowing you to produce mechanical power without live stock or a river. It was used for hoists, mine pumps, trains, generators, and more. A very important invention which paved the way for evolution of man kind and the iron era.

I'd have to say the blast furnace . If you put the history of the world on a timeline you see the biggest swing in technology during the iron age .

And I would oppose that fire and electricity were discoveries not inventions .