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What is the most important scientific object?
Britain's Science Museum has drawn up a list of the top 10 most important scientific inventions. What is the most important scientific discovery or invention?
As part of events to mark its centenary, London's Science Museum has chosen a top 10 list of its most significant objects. Objects such as V2 rocket engine, the x-ray machine and penicillin will be vying for the public's vote.
The museum's chief curator, Tim Boon, wants the top 10 to spark debate about the value of inventions and discoveries.
There have already been expressions of support for particular objects. Trevor Baylis, the inventor, says he would vote for the V2 rocket engine.
What scientific invention or discovery would get your vote? What other discoveries or inventions would make your top 10? Are there scientific objects which we would be better off without?
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Published:
Wednesday, 10 June, 2009, 10:21 GMT
11:21 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:44 GMT
07:44 UK
medical object that eliminates pain.
salintoat, sudan
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:39 GMT
07:39 UK
Imagination and make believe art.....
anything is possible. I am standing at what we think is the very edge of the Universe and I can tell you there is an awful lot further to go yet. See y'all tomorrow with my full report!
Fairly Docile, Rivendale
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:35 GMT
07:35 UK
After watching 'Ancient Discoveries' on a certain channel, it seems that half the inventions attributed to west had all allready been invented by China, Greese, and the Islamic world long before us West.
Al Gore, wattsupwiththat.com
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:34 GMT
07:34 UK
The hard disk drive ..
You can put as much information in it as you want and its weight or size doesn't change .. Amazing
[ap_mike], Peckham, United Kingdom
Not bad... like most science it is guaranteed to crash sometime...
Wees-on- Rye, Valcheta
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:34 GMT
07:34 UK
In the words of my grandfather: "Screw your planes, cars, medicines, and computers.... indoor plumbing. That's all I have to say."
Scott Aulan, Denver, United States
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:33 GMT
07:33 UK
My choice would be the Remington Fuzzaway. There's nothing worse than close with bobbles of fuzz on them and this machine simply rids the worlds of these troublesome tribbles ;-)
Colin Hall, Norwich
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:32 GMT
07:32 UK
Whims and slippery fingers.
Without them what would Isaac Newton have discovered...?
Wees-on- Rye, Valcheta
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:29 GMT
07:29 UK
The hard disk drive ..
You can put as much information in it as you want and its weight or size doesn't change .. Amazing
[ap_mike], Peckham, United Kingdom
Sorry mate, though it be minuscule the weight does change.
It wasn't me, Bishops Stortford, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:27 GMT
07:27 UK
How about semiconductors? I whole of modern society are based upon them i.e. the microchip. Where would we be with out them?
alex, derby
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:26 GMT
07:26 UK
Easy! The most important invention since pterodactyl-proof curtains has got to be Teflon. Non-stick frying pans have allowed even MY sisters to cook without fear.
Keith Hill, Bradford, United Kingdom
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:17 GMT
07:17 UK
The wheel.
Scientists don't invent.
Inventions are mostly the result of gifted amateurs who have not got the knowledge to know a thing is impossible.
Brian Nicholson, Crumpsall
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:12 GMT
07:12 UK
Most important scientific invention is the "invention" of science itself.Scientific approach to exploring our universe changed this world,root and branch.All of us are using fruits of hard work of great minds of the past every day.No other approach to exploring nature ever brought equivalent results for our lives.However,despite its significance,science can´t solve problems like racism,intolerance,violence...the real "next step" for mankind is not in hands of science,it´s in hands of each of us.
Martin Straka, Prague, Czech Rep.
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:10 GMT
07:10 UK
The steam engine is a good choice for number one. Before the age of steam, life in the Us or the UK was little different than it was in Roman times. But the steam engine inaugurated powered factories, railroads for mobility, and steam ships that could cross the ocean in days rather than months.
The scientific revolution of Newton and Gallileo thrilled the highly educated, but did not affect daily life. But the engineering revolution of Newcomen and Watt changed everything.
Tom Harwick, Emmaus, Pa, United States
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:04 GMT
07:04 UK
Sorry, but I gotta go with the V2 on that list or the computer that would have eventually designed rocketry.
Getting OFF this planet and establishing backup colonies for humanity and all earth life will end up the only thing that matters in the longrun.
Some day we'll think of the future generations with more importance than our own. Being a part of something so grand will give this life ultimate meaning.
hmm Opposite of the left's idea of `gimme MY loot, you rich guys are all greeedy`
pete
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Added:
Thursday, 11 June, 2009, 06:03 GMT
07:03 UK
The hard disk drive ..
You can put as much information in it as you want and its weight or size doesn't change .. Amazing
[ap_mike], Peckham, United Kingdom
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Total comments: 546
Published comments: 525
Rejected comments: 21
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