DISRUPTIVE DISCOVERIES OF THE WORLD
A DISCOVERY IS DISRUPTIVE
A true discovery is when the new finding and development has a disruptive element or the innovation can revolutionize existing practices.
The purpose of science study is to unravel a newer possibility that holds the potential to transform human life and lifestyle, and thus researches and applications, which bring about just an enhancement or a higher optimization should in no way be classified as a discovery.
DEGREE VS DISCOVERY
An interesting point to note is, though a PhD or post-doc researcher in science is usually referred to as a scientist, in reality this is a far-fetched perception. In fact, a PhD degree or high-end lab research experience is not the only defining determinant of a scientist. That’s why we have thousands of PhDs in science but very few great scientists.
Let us find out history’s most disruptive discoveries that have changed the world the way it is today, and that would inspire every student of science to think much beyond their immediate area of research for building unheard of and out of the box possibilities.
FIRE
Fire, a great disruption more than a million years ago revolutionized human life with its warmth, light, and a method to cook food.
WHEEL
Wheel, invented around 3500 BC in Mesopotamia is one of the earliest disruptive discoveries of mankind that gave birth to transportation.
PRINTING PRESS
Printing press, a disruptive invention by German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 democratized knowledge through books.
MICROSCOPE
Microscope, discovered by Dutch spectacle makers enabled physicians to diagnose diseases through the observation of microorganism patterns.
STEAM ENGINE
Steam engine, made more efficient by James Watt in the late 18th century revolutionized travel and transportation of people and goods.
VACCINATION
Vaccination, invented by Edward Jenner in 1796 fortified the immune systems, which eradicated small pox, polio and many infectious diseases.
PERIODIC TABLE
Periodic Table, invented by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev in 1869 enabled scientists to categorize chemicals based on their properties.
GERMS
The discovery of germs by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch between 1860 – 1880 was a revolutionary breakthrough for treatment of diseases.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity, a discovery of over two centuries by scientists such as Benjamin Franklin, Alessandro Volta, Micael Faraday and Thomas Edison.
TELEPHONE
Telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 laid the foundation of today’s mobile and internet technologies.
X-RAY
X-rays invented by Wilhem Conrad Roentgen in 1895 transformed healthcare as it provided non-invasive images inside the body for the first time.
QUANTUM THEORY
Quantum theory, explored by Planck, Einstein and Schrodinger have resulting in enhanced computational powers with semiconductors and lasers.
AIR PLANE
Airplane, invented by Wright Brothers in 1903 was a great disruption in faster global travel, which later materialized into commercial aviation.
PENICILIN
Penicillin, the first antibiotic invented by Alexaner Fleming in 1928 extended life expectancy by curing many previously incurable diseases.
ANASTHESIA
Anaesthesia was one of the landmark inventions in healthcare as it became possible to perform surgeries on patients without any pain.
ATOMIC ENERGY
The invention of atomic energy through nuclear fission had a disruptive impact on power generation, medical use, industry and global politics.
TRANSISTOR
Transistor, a short energy-efficient switch invented at Bell Labs in 1947 gave birth to smaller-sized modern digital electronic devices.
DNA STRUCTURE
DNA structure, discovered in 1953 revealed the molecular basis of heredity, which enabled genetic engineering, genome project and biotechnology.
COMPUTERS
Computers, discovered in the mid-20th century revolutionized storing and retrieving of data, automated systems and transformed the way we work.
3D PRINTING
3D printing has disrupted how objects are designed, prototyped, and produced, thereby enabling faster innovations across industries.
INTERNET
Internet, the most astounding invention of recent times has brought global connectivity at our fingertips and disrupted every aspect of life.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial intelligence, an IT breakthrough can automate tasks and fuel innovations across sectors at great speed, thereby rendering many jobless.
CRISPR
CRISPR, a revolutionary gene editing technology enabled scientists to modify DNA through precise targeting methods to rectify genetic disorders.
BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchain has disrupted data management, transforming how data is stored, shared and verified with smart contracts and immutable records.
