Western civilization

Technology Advancements & Inventions

  • 3000 BCE

    First Written Language

    First Written Language
    Written languages were first created in 3000 BCE. One of the first written languages was Cuneiform. It was a written language of symbols that represented words. This was one of the most important types of technology because it first brought communication to people. It also allowed people to begin to learn how to read. The invention of language created jobs as well because people became scribes. Altogether, the first written language began the bloom of language and communication.
  • 3000 BCE

    Invention of the Wheel

    Invention of the Wheel
    The wheel was also created around 3000 BCE. The actual date the wheel was created is unknown, but around 3000 BCE wheels began to be depicted in images. This was very important to technology because it was the basis for many other creations like chariots, agricultural tools, and much more. The invention of the wheel allowed for advancements in military strategies, transportation, and agriculture.
  • 2780 BCE

    Invention of Pyramids

    Invention of Pyramids
    Around 2780, King Djoser's architect named Imhotep created the first pyramid. He did this by taking six mastabas, ancient Egyptian tombs, and stacking them. The mastabas got slightly smaller as they were stacked and formed a pyramid in rising steps. This invention was important because it allowed for all of the great pyramids to be built. It also impacted religion because pyramids held strong religious powers for the Egyptians.
  • 776 BCE

    Creation of The Olympian Games

    Creation of The Olympian Games
    The Greeks created the Olympic games in 776 BCE. The creation of the Olympic Games resulted in practiced traditions and cultures around the world. This brought a sense of peace amongst countries that were fighting in other ways. This invention of games is important because it is still practiced today to show peace and civil completion amongst people. People from varying countries still partake in the Olympics, regardless of their political conflicts.
  • 600 BCE

    First Official Currency

    First Official Currency
    The First Official Currency was created in 600 BCE. The coins were made of a mixture of silver and gold called electrum. The coins were then stamped with pictures acting as denominations for their monetary value. This invention was very important because it allowed countries to become rich in money instead of strictly trading.
  • 500 BCE

    Invention of the Latin Alphabet

    Invention of the Latin Alphabet
    The Latin Alphabet was created by the Roman people in 500 BCE. Like lots of Roman inventions, it was based on the Greek Alphabet with slight changes. The Latin Alphabet is extremely important because it is the most commonly used alphabet still. Although it came 2500 years ago, it is still used today. The Latin alphabet allowed for a common alphabet to be used amongst people, even if they spoke different languages.
  • 206 BCE

    Invention of the Compass

    Invention of the Compass
    The compass was created by the Chinese people in hopes of it helping with fortune-telling, but it was found that it could help with navigation. This invention was important because people could now navigate themselves to places, and navigate back. This helped in transportation and exploring.
  • 45 BCE

    Invention of the Calendar

    Invention of the Calendar
    Julius Caesar created the calendar in the year 45 BCE. He made January 1st the start date of the year because this was when the Solar Number and the Golden Number were incremented. The invention of the calendar was very important because it built more on the idea of time. Time was still relatively new to the people at this time, but this inspired the beliefs of how days passed, how long days were, and how many days there are in a year.
  • 508

    Creation of Democracy

    Creation of Democracy
    In the year 508 BCE, Athens created a system of democracy. This system was created to allow people to be able to make decisions without their leaders overthrowing them. The system of democracy eased the tension between leaders and their people. The invention of democracy was important because it was one of the most effective systems of government. Democracy's importance shows still because it is still used, just with slight modifications.
  • 600

    Invention of Windmills

    Invention of Windmills
    Windmills were made in 600 CE. This brought an easier way to move water as well as grinding grains. The most typical use of a windmill was to grind grains into the flour so the flour could be used. The blades of the windmill spun due to the wind. This was a far easier way to grind flour. This was an important invention because it made life more efficient. Windmills have since evolved to be more effective and have even begun to be used as a power source.
  • 890

    Invention of the Viking Longship

    Invention of the Viking Longship
    The Viking longship was created around 890 CE. The ship was built by the Vikings with the intention of using it for warfare and exploration. These boats were made to be fast and agile. They were also built with sails and oars, making it independent of the wind if need be. This was an important invention because it allowed for further exploration of the world, and it also brought a new way to build that was faster and better for war.
  • 1268

    Invention of the Magnifying Glass

    Invention of the Magnifying Glass
    Roger Bacon made the magnifying glass. He is credited with this invention in the year 1268 when he first spoke about it. His magnifying glass allowed for images under it to magnified. Magnification allowed for inspection of small items. This is important because this invention inspired many others as well. Eyeglasses and microscopes also came from the invention of the magnifying glass.
  • 1300

    Invention of the Carruca

    Invention of the Carruca
    The carruca was a plow that was very heavy and allowed for deep digging. This also allowed for harder soils to be dug up and turned into the farming territory. This was only allowed because of the invention of the breeching strap that took the weight from an anima's neck to be far more distributed. The invention of the carruca allowed more farming land to be established. This resulted in an important reward of more people becoming farmers, and more crops being produced.
  • 1450

    The First Printing Press

    The First Printing Press
    Johannes Gutenberg created the printing press in 1450 CE. His invention of the printing press allowed for the machine to make copies of books and literature. Because of this, the Bible was spread and became the first world's best seller. This invention was extremely important because it spread literature and brought more people to become literate. The Bible is published allowed for more people to learn what the Bible said and find their own beliefs.
  • 1500

    Invention of Glass

    Invention of Glass
    Glass is a creation created in 1500 BCE. This creation brought a new way to build and also new things to trade. Glass was seen as a very expensive lavish item to trade which gave it high value in early societies. Glass was first used as beads. Then, it began to be used as bowls, vases, bottles, jars, and drinking glasses. As the glass was experimented with, it was used in building and art. Glass was an important invention that allowed for new materials to be created and used.