FEATURE | LISTICLES | MATIHIKO | TECH
Written by Stu Paul (he/him) | Contributing Writer
Edited & illustrated by Tashi Donnelly (she/her) | @tashi_rd | Feature Editor
5. Boat
Big or small, paddle, sail, or engine, the primary feature of the boat is that it floats on water. People have been utilising boat technology for millennia; early humans used makeshift crafts such as logs and rafts to carry them over bodies of water both narrow and vast, spreading themselves and their cultures across the globe. Many different peoples around the world have mastered the technology of boat-building and sailing throughout history - from the Polynesians to the Greeks, the Chinese to the Arabs, the Portuguese to the British, and many others.
Pros: Human movement and trade, resource acquirement and exploration
Cons: Titanic disaster, both IRL and the 1997 James Cameron film
4. Bow & Arrow
What image springs to mind when we consider the humble bow and arrow? Personally, what I think of is my favourite pointy-eared twink from the Lord of the Rings - the elf and master archer Legolas. The bow and arrow is an ancient technology utilised by a significant number of human populations throughout history, all leading to the absolute peak of archery representation in modernity - a golden-haired Legolas sliding down a staircase on a shield during the Battle of Helms Deep while shooting arrows at Uruk-hai (LOTR Twin Towers 2002).
Pros: Robin Hood (giving the ole one-two to the establishment à la Luigi Mangione)
Cons: Arrow to the eye e.g. Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings
3. Arabic numerals
Arabic numerals developed during the 8th-9th centuries CE, based on earlier number systems created by ancient Hindu and Tamil mathematicians. The use of these numerals spread across Europe after the 15th century, contributing greatly to the advancement of science and industrialisation worldwide.
Pros: Growth and advancement of mathematics that spread globally, contributing to widespread technological innovations from many different cultures
Cons: Long division and fractions give me a headache
2. Printing press
Invented in Germany in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg. The printing press improved upon earlier technologies for printing written text developed by the Romans, Chinese and Arabs. The invention of the printing press and the subsequent era of widespread mechanically-produced text was an unprecedented leap in technology that ushered in a new age of mass communication - fundamentally contributing to the global spread of literature, education and literacy to the mass populace.
Pros: vastly improving the spread of knowledge and literacy around the world
Cons: Fifty Shades of Grey (so I’ve heard)
1. Condoms
A wonder of the modern age, mass-produced condoms have been a hugely significant advancement in modern technology and have had widespread positive effects on health, birth control and sexual freedom for the human population. Before mass-produced latex condoms were available, people with penises used to cover their genitals to protect from disease and unwanted pregnancy with condoms made of rubber, linen, lamb intestine, and other such sexy materials.
Pros: obvious reasons
Cons: none
- Honourable Mention: The Microwave -
Pros: microwave pies
Cons: microwave pies
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