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MEDIEVAL INVENTIONS

1. Mechanical Clock Timekeeping devices have emerged since the ancient world, but it was not until the Middle Ages that the technology was invented that allowed for mechanical clocks to accurately keep track of time. The knowledge of not only what hour it was, but even what minute and second it was, would change the way people scheduled their days and work patterns, especially in urban areas. 2. Printing Press While printing technology had been developed in 11th century China, it was the 15th century German Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press that started a new era of the mass production of books. Until the rise of computers in the 20th century, books and the printed word would remain the dominant form of media for the world’s knowledge. 3. Gunpowder Gunpowder was invented in China sometime between the 9th and 11th centuries, and it did not take long it to be used in weapons. As the Mongols spread its knowledge throughout Eurasia in the 13th century, it would revolutionize warfare and make previous military technology obsolete. 4. Water and Wind Mills While mills were in used from antiquity, it would be in the Early Middle Ages that they became very popular. Throughout the medieval period, new and ingenious forms of mills were invented, which allowed people to harness the energy from natural forces like rivers and wind, a process that continues to the present-day. 5. Coffee House It did not take long after the drink of coffee emerged in 15th century Arabia that coffee houses became popular in Arabic and Ottoman lands. These kind of establishments would spread into Europe during the early modern era, changing not only how people ate and drank, but creating new ways of social interaction. 6. Eyeglasses Although we are not sure who can be credited with the invention of eyeglasses, this device could be found in Western Europe the latter years of the 13th century. Its ability to correct vision problems makes it a much it one of the most useful medieval inventions and a great benefit to hundreds of millions of people today. 7. Public Library The Library of Malatesta Novello in Cesena, Italy is considered to be first ever public library in the world. Opened in 1452, the building was owned by the city commune and allowed for readers to freely make use of its collection. Today, public libraries are common throughout much of the world. 8. Flying Buttress One of the architectural innovations associated with Gothic churches from the 12th century, the flying buttress allowed buildings to have much higher ceilings, thinner walls and larger windows. The ideas behind these innovations would influence architectural design into modern times and allow for the construction of larger and more spacious buildings. 9. Paper moneyThe first known version of paper money dates back to 7th century China. It has a very important advantage over coins made from precious metals – they were much easier to transport around, which proved to be a great benefit to merchants. However, the concept of placing value on a marked piece of paper was slow to catch on. In the 13th century the Mongols tried to introduce paper money into the Middle East, but it became an immediate failure. It would take until the 17th century before regular bank notes would be circulating in Europe, but it is now the common way currency is issued. 10. Quadrant and Astrolabe While these devices were known about in ancient times, it was during the Middle Ages that Arabic astronomers refined and improved upon them. Being able to measure the distance between two objects, they proved to be useful instruments in astronomy, navigation and surveying. Eventually these devices would be replaced by more modern inventions, but the concepts behind the quadrant and astrolabe have remained important for science and technology.

11. The Heavy Plough 5th Century

In the basic mouldboard plough the depth of the cut is adjusted by lifting against the runner in the furrow, which limited the weight of the plough to what the ploughman could easily lift. These ploughs were fairly fragile, and were unsuitable for breaking up the heavier soils of northern Europe. The introduction of wheels to replace the runner allowed the weight of the plough to increase, and in turn allowed the use of a much larger mouldboard that was faced with metal. These heavy ploughs led to greater food production and eventually a significant population increase around 600 AD. 12. Tidal Mills 7th Century A tide mill is a specialist type of water mill driven by tidal rise and fall. A dam with a sluice is created across a suitable tidal inlet, or a section of river estuary is made into a reservoir. As the tide comes in, it enters the mill pond through a one way gate, and this gate closes automatically when the tide begins to fall. When the tide is low enough, the stored water can be released to turn a water wheel. The earliest excavated tide mill, dating from 787, is the Nendrum Monastery mill on an island in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Its millstones are 830mm in diameter and the horizontal wheel is estimated to have developed 7/8HP at its peak. Remains of an earlier mill dated at 619 were also found. 13. The Hourglass 9th Century Since the hourglass was one of the few reliable methods of measuring time at sea, it has been speculated that it was in use as far back as the 11th century, where it would have complemented the magnetic compass as an aid to navigation. However, it is not until the 14th century that evidence of their existence was found, appearing in a painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti 1328. The earliest written records come from the same period and appear in lists of ships stores. From the 15th century onwards they were being used in a wide range of applications at sea, in the church, in industry and in cookery. They were the first dependable, reusable and reasonably accurate measure of time. During the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan around the globe, his vessels kept 18 hourglasses per ship. It was the job of a ship’s page to turn the hourglasses and thus provide the times for the ship’s log. Noon was the reference time for navigation, which did not depend on the glass, as the sun would be at its zenith. 14. Blast Furnace 12th Century The oldest known blast furnaces in the West were built in Dürstel in Switzerland, the Märkische Sauerland in Germany, and Sweden at Lapphyttan where the complex was active between 1150 and 1350. At Noraskog in the Swedish county of Järnboås there have also been found traces of blast furnaces dated even earlier, possibly to around 1100. Knowledge of certain technological advances was transmitted as a result of the General Chapter of the Cistercian monks, including the blast furnace, as the Cistercians are known to have been skilled metallurgists. According to Jean Gimpel, their high level of industrial technology facilitated the diffusion of new techniques: “Every monastery had a model factory, often as large as the church and only several feet away, and waterpower drove the machinery of the various industries located on its floor.” Iron ore deposits were often donated to the monks along with forges to extract the iron, and within time surpluses were being offered for sale. The Cistercians became the leading iron producers in Champagne, France, from the mid-13th century to the 17th century, also using the phosphate-rich slag from their furnaces as an agricultural fertilizer. 15. Liquor 12th Century The first evidence of true distillation comes from Babylonia and dates from the fourth millennium BC. Specially shaped clay pots were used to extract small amounts of distilled alcohol through natural cooling for use in perfumes, however it is unlikely this device ever played a meaningful role in the history of the development of the still. Freeze distillation, the “Mongolian still”, are known to have been in use in Central Asia as early as the 7th century AD. The first method involves freezing the alcoholic beverage and removing water crystals. The development of the still with cooled collector—necessary for the efficient distillation of spirits without freezing—was an invention of Muslim alchemists in the 8th or 9th centuries. In particular, Geber (Jabir Ibn Hayyan, 721–815) invented the alembic still; he observed that heated wine from this still released a flammable vapor, which he described as “of little use, but of great importance to science” 16. The Mechanical Clock 13th Century The origin of the all-mechanical escapement clock is unknown; the first such devices may have been invented and used in monasteries to toll a bell that called the monks to prayers. The first mechanical clocks to which clear references exist were large, weight-driven machines fitted into towers and known today as turret clocks. These early devices struck only the hours and did not have hands or a dial. The oldest surviving clock in England is that at Salisbury Cathedral, which dates from 1386. A clock erected at Rouen, France, in 1389 is still extant and

one built for Wells Cathedral in England is preserved in the Science Museum in London.

17. Spinning Wheel 13th Century The spinning wheel was probably invented in India, though its origins are obscure. It reached Europe via the Middle East in the European Middle Ages. It replaced the earlier method of hand spinning, in which the individual fibres were drawn out of a mass of wool held on a stick, or distaff, twisted together to form a continuous strand, and wound on a second stick, or spindle. The first stage in mechanizing the process was to mount the spindle horizontally in bearings so that it could be rotated by a cord encircling a large, hand-driven wheel. The distaff, carrying the mass of fibre, was held in the left hand, and the wheel slowly turned with the right. Holding the fibre at an angle to the spindle produced the necessary twist. 18. Quarantine 14th Century In the 14th century the growth of maritime trade and the recognition that plague was introduced by ships returning from the Levant led to the adoption of quarantine in Venice. It was decreed that ships were to be isolated for a limited period to allow for the manifestation of the disease and to dissipate the infection brought by persons and goods. Originally the period was 30 days, trentina, but this was later extended to 40 days, quarantina. The choice of this period is said to be based on the period that Christ and Moses spent in isolation in the desert. In 1423 Venice set up its first lazaretto, or quarantine station, on an island near the city. The Venetian system became the model for other European countries and the basis for widespread quarantine control for several centuries. 19. The Printing Press of Gutenberg 15th Century Although movable type, as well as paper, first appeared in China, it was in Europe that printing first became mechanized. The earliest mention of a printing press is in a lawsuit in Strasbourg in 1439 revealing construction of a press for Johannes Gutenberg and his associates. (Scant evidence exists to support claims of Laurens Janszoon Coster as the inventor of printing.) The invention of the printing press itself obviously owed much to the medieval paper press, in turn modeled after the ancient wine-andolive press of the Mediterranean area. A long handle was used to turn a heavy wooden screw, exerting downward pressure against the paper, which was laid over the type mounted on a wooden platen. In its essentials, the wooden press reigned supreme for more than 300 years, with a hardly varying rate of 250 sheets per hour printed on one side. List of Inventions in the Middle Ages Silk - Silk changed the clothing in the Middle Ages Spectacles - Spectacles were a major medical advancement in the Middle Ages Clock - The invention of the clock provided a closer structure to daily life Paper - Paper was introduced in the 1200's Numbering System - The roman numerals were replaced by the Arabs numbering system in the Middle Ages Minute Glass - Minute-glass was another timekeeping instrument invented in the Middle Ages Printing Press - the printing press was invented in the mid 1400's Sun dial - The Sun-dial was another timekeeping instrument invented in the Middle Ages Compass - The compass enabled Renaissance sailors and explorers to find their bearing in the fog Traverse Boards - Traverse boards were navigation instruments, an older version of the Astrolabe Astrolabes - Middle Ages invention of the astrolabe was used for used for astronomical purposes and calculating latitudes Cross-staffs - Cross-staffs were used to measure the angle of the Sun or a star above the horizon Nocturnals - Nocturnals were inventions used for measuring and timekeeping instrument Quadrants - Quadrants were used for measuring and timekeeping instrument Almanacs - Almanacs forecast precisely where the the sun, moon, planets and selected navigational stars, are going to be, hour by hour, for years into the future Oars - The use of oars made the galley ships redundant allowing movement into the open seas The Rudder - Rudder enabled use of Wind and Water Power Artesian wells - The invention of Artesian wells eliminated the need for pumping Mills - Mills were built to pump water, grind grain, and crush ore Windmills - The invention of the windmill harnessed wind power Wheelbarrow - The invention of the wheelbarrow allowed faster movement of heavy loads Horseshoes - The invention of horseshoes Horsecollar - The invention of the horsecollar increased farming efficiency in the Middle Ages Moldboard Plough - The invention of the Moldboard turning plough increased farming efficiency in the Middle Ages

Stirrups - Stirrups gave the rider greater control and give him greater leverage when swinging his sword or thrusting his lance The Bit and Bridle - The Bit and Bridle was used for controlling the massive destrier warhorses The high-backed saddle - The high-backed saddle gave Medieval knights great leverage Siege weapons - Siege weapon inventions were brought from the crusades to Europe and changed Medieval warfare The Lance - The Lance was long, strong, spear-like weapon, designed for use for knights on horseback The Longbow - The invention of the longbow enable skilled English longbow man could release between 10 12 arrows per minute The Crossbow - The Middle Ages invention of the crossbow applied engineering to the short bow The Flail - The invention of the Flail was used as armor-fighting weapons Chainmail - Chainmail armor was further developed in the Middle Ages providing protection against being cut by the opponents blade Armor - A Medieval knight’s armor was invented and developed to protect them from the lethal weapons used in the Middle Ages

MODERN INVENTIONS 10. The Printing press Invented in the year 1440 by German scientist and engineer Johannes Gutenberg, the printing press is one of the finest modern day invention that has create dramatic impact on people, however the concept comes from ancient chinese invention. Hand-inked books were regarded luxurious and of great grandeur and generally could not be afforded by lower class people in the beginning of the modern era. This wooden blocked machine gave a new and quick way of spreading information to vast audience in cheaper price. Sooner academic institutions utilized it to print books, novels and plays. Politicians could now then make pamphlets and papers in printed form. However, the printing press is one of the sole region for the decline of Latin language as other languages got its fame through different books coming out of printing press. The classical wooden blocked machine was replaced with movable metals later for more efficiency and durability. 9. The Light Bulb Thomas Alba Edison’s mastermind guided to this amazing invention that changed the world. With the electrification of the modern world, the light bulb invented in the year 1879 profoundly changed human life by illuminating the night. The first electric bulb made it possible for all human lives hospitable to a wide extent of modern day activities. However, it is assumed that the idea behind the light bulb came from Humphrey Davy in the 1800, when he invented an electric battery and connected a carbon with wires which glowed and produced electric arc. Edison improvised the concept of Joseph Wilson Swan and Charles Francis Brush experimenting with different filaments that could last longer. Edison started with a 40-hour life light bulb and finally made a bulb that lasted for 1500 hours. The incandescent bulb is revolutionizing human lives since then. 8. Penicillin It is one of the famous accidental inventions of all times. Scottish scientist Fleming who forgot to close the lid of his Petri-dish filled with bacteria noticed that the sample got contaminated with a mold and all the bacteria was dead. In 1928, he found of the fungus to be Penicillium which was purified and developed for fighting bacterial infections in human without harming the host. Penicillin was widely used and advertised in World War II as it helped servicemen to get rid of different venereal diseases. Penicillin is still used today in adequate to cure diseases like gonorrhea, pneumonia, syphilis, cellulitis etc. 7. Camera I would personally call cameras as a time machine. It has helped people capture any moments in history and present. The invention of camera is also a controversy as it is assumed that Alexander Walcott invented the first camera in 1840, while photographed pictures were seen around 1826 made by Joseph Niepce. However, before camera was made, all events were like he-say-she-say. The improvement in the camera technology has helped bring motion pictures which is growing larger every year. Today, we enjoy our collection of images and get time to interact with our own past. Imagine your best night you spent, or the moments of childhood shared in pictures! This is one of the most amazing inventions in this modernized world. 6. Automobile, Airplane

It was Henry Ford of the USA who pioneered the ideas of combustion engines to replace wagon-wheels and modernize transportation. The automobiles became an interest for rich people and 425 of the first mass made automobiles were sold in the year 1901. Automobiles made transportation faster and easier that helped in maintaining good economy. It radically changed the city life just by expanding the population in the suburbs. It provided to be a boon for the farmers to carry large loads to move for industries. Right brothers then had an astounding dream to fly like birds and mitigate the distance which finally became a reality after their first airplane made a flight. Traveling in the air and floating around the clouds like birds to move from places to places within a jiffy helped people save their precious time. Long and tiring journey that took months were possible to complete just in few hours. It also became one of the safest means of travel to revolutionize the modern day travel. 5. Calculator, Telephone and Smartphone It was Blaise Pascal who implemented the traditional calculating machine called Abacus into a number patterned device to what he called ‘Calculator’. Calculators made it possible for every people who knew numbers to perform basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division during its development. Today modern day calculators are one of basic requirements of every students and professionals. This mechanical machine gave ideas for analytic and differential engines on which the foundations of modern day computing is based. The modernization of modern day communication started with the invention of telephone by Graham Bell. It drastically reduced the amount of time it took for communication with letters. It almost took ages for a message to reach to a place through letters. Telephone made it instant to share voices to all the places. Mobile phones invented in the year 1977, made communication easier, and comfortable. Improved versions of smartphones are available today due to the ever-advancing technology. Smartphones even provide features of computer, camera, video recorders, televisions and music players. Not just that, running WhatsApp for PC also shows that the cross platform boundary also has no limits. Further, smartphones are also cost effective and handy. It is amazing to know...