I'm starting a new series of discussion threads with a theme of "The Most Important..." Each thread will be open discussion on the most important 'thing' in each thread's theme. Might be the most important person, item of food, place on earth, medical advance... each thread will get its own theme. First up: I'm opening with "The Most Important Invention", so jump in and tell us what you think and why.
For me it's the Integrated circuit, for without it we wouldn't have computers, easy global communications, rapid medical advancements, the internet or xkcd.com. Edit: As a comment was made that I've left this open to one line answers only... I've gone with the IC as while it is reliant on other inventions (Such as reliable methods of creating electricity) I consider electricity alone to have given little, it's the applications that use electricity which have had the bigger impact. Electricity gave us the possibility of lightbulbs and the four bar heater, but the IC (as pioneered in the Apollo Guidance Computer) has opened up communication and knowledge exchange in a way more impactful than even the written word. This is the problem with discussions such as these. I can pick the micro-chip but it relies on dozens (hundreds? Thousands?) of other discoveries and inventions that preceded it and made it possible. But I still pick the IC! Let's have a big up for Agnus (Thin or Fat), Denise & Paula... and to a lesser extent Alice
Most of the things that come to mind are more 'discoveries' than inventions... But i'm probably going to say the transistor...
Clothes. Edit: Why: Because I don't enjoy seeing half naked/mostly naked people when walking around in public. It's made us a more civilised lot. ..Not that you'd know it some days.
I don't think you'll get much discussion if you leave the starting post in such away that people can give one line answers. Like this: Electricity generators.
If we were playing room 101 that wouldn't go in. Speaking as a lesbian and a Mom, I can say it is indeed possible to enjoy sex without creating babies... but alas also impossible to get any sex once you've had them. http://theoatmeal.com/pl/minor_differences4/kids
I think some context may be required. Importance is relative to the objective. Having said that, I'm going to answer anyway. The ball. Where one exists, distraction is appreciated. Balls provide infinite distractions.
I know you didn't say one line answers specifically, I just think thats the typical response you will get not full blown discussions. Anyway, electricity is the foundation of or driving force behind almost all modern conveniences.
It's almost impossible not to split this up into categories based on different criteria. That said: The printing press.
All of you have just used the most important invention of all mankind, in order to describe your contributions to this thread. Anyone?! No? Language!! /thread
The bicycle. Because it started the migration of people in a way that revolutionised the world at the time. No longer did you have to be rich to get around. You just needed the village bicycle. Travel gives education, work, experience, competition. Cities can only expand as fast as their travel infrastructure and the bicycle made that possible all those years ago.