1. Airplane

One of the most significant inventions of the twentieth century is the birth of the airplane.

The Wright brothers of the United States made significant contributions to the history of aircraft development in the world. The Wright brothers conducted more than 1,000 gliding test flights, and finally built the first aircraft to fly manned on its own power, "Aviator 1", in 1903, and achieved a successful test flight. They received the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor in 1909. In the same year, they founded the "Wright Aircraft Company". This is a great success achieved by mankind in the history of aircraft development.

2. Penicillin

Penicillin is a type of antibiotic. It is a drug extracted from the culture fluid of Penicillium. It is the first antibiotic that can treat human diseases.

The discoverer of penicillin was the British bacteriologist Fleming. One day in 1928, Fleming was in his laboratory studying Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that causes fever in humans. Because the lid was not closed properly, he discovered that the agar used to culture bacteria had a layer of Penicillium attached to it. To Fleming's surprise, staphylococci suddenly disappeared next to Penicillium.

This accidental discovery attracted him deeply. He managed to cultivate this mold and conducted many experiments, proving that penicillin could kill all staphylococci within a few hours. Fleming invented penicillin, the nemesis of Staphylococcus aureus.

3. Television

The birth of television is one of the greatest inventions of mankind in the 20th century. In modern society, life without television is unimaginable. Black-and-white and color TVs of various models and functions are flowing from assembly lines into factories, schools, hospitals and homes around the world, miraculously changing people's lives rapidly. All kinds of TVs bring people into a colorful and wonderful world.

4. Atomic bomb

In August 1945, the Bodora box that destroyed the earth was opened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. At that time, the international powers only wanted to use this powerful weapon Use deadly weapons of destruction to overwhelm your opponent. The United States first successfully tested an explosion in New Mexico in July 1945, followed by the Soviet Union in 1949, the United Kingdom in 1952, France in 1960, and China in 1964.

5. Electronic computers

The computer came out in 1946. The third revolution set off by computers completely changed the way people work and think. In the late 1970s, computer manufacturers began to develop smaller personal computers, and by the early 1980s, popular computer consumer products were on the market. Personal computers accelerate the pace of social digitization, and almost every level of society is completely infected by computers. No one can refuse computers to enter their lives.

6. Artificial Satellite

On October 4, 1957, in order to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the victory of the October Revolution, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial earth satellite in human history, marking the The beginning of an era. On April 2, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Gagarin entered space in a spacecraft and became the first person to enter space. On July 20, 1969, two American astronauts landed on the moon in a spacecraft.

Satellites can transmit television and radio program signals, and can also provide services for aviation, maritime navigation, weather forecasting, scientific and technological information, etc., thereby greatly "shrinking" the earth.

7. Contraceptive pills:

In 1954, American physician Gregory Pincus invented the contraceptive pill, which is a mixture of two hormones that inhibit female ovulation.

The reason why contraceptive pills are listed as one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century is that they liberate women from passive reproduction. From then on, women can control their reproduction independently and according to their own wishes. Decide whether to have children based on your wishes, and when to get pregnant based on your own circumstances.

8. Laser technology

In 1960, Maiman successfully developed the world's first practical ruby ??laser. It marked the birth of laser technology.

In recent years, laser technology has developed at an alarming rate, and the scope of applications has continued to expand, such as laser preservation, laser breeding, laser medical treatment, laser beauty, etc., which have become popular areas of research among scientific and technological personnel. ?

9. Plastics

The method of making phenolic plastics began in 1909 when the American L. Baekeland invented it.

For hundreds of years, ivory has been the standard ingredient in everything from knife handles to billiard balls. It wasn't until 1907 that Leo Baekeland, a Belgian inventor who had made huge profits for inventing photographic paper for taking fast-moving photos, accidentally invented a compound of phenol and formaldehyde.

This first pure synthetic plastic, phenolic plastic, has the functions of preventing heat, electricity and corrosion. It doesn't just benefit the game of pool. One of the great things about plastic is its versatility, being used in everything from telephones to toilets, ashtrays to airplane parts.

10. Nylon

In 1928, American organic chemist Carothers applied for a job at the DuPont Company's laboratory in Wilmington to conduct organic chemistry research. In 1935, a polymer was prepared from adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine as raw materials. Since both components contained 6 carbon atoms, it was called polymer 66 at the time. He then melted the polymer and pressed it out through an injection needle, and stretched it under tension to become a fiber.

This fiber is polyamide 66 fiber. It was named Nylon after it was industrialized in 1939. It is the earliest synthetic fiber variety to achieve industrialization.

The synthesis of nylon laid the foundation for the synthetic fiber industry, and the emergence of nylon gave textiles a completely new look. Nylon stockings woven from this fiber are both transparent and more durable than stockings. From the outbreak of World War II until 1945, the nylon industry was turned to the production of parachutes, aircraft tire cords, military uniforms and other military products.