Inventions - реферат

The world would be a boring place to live if there were no inventions. People have always invented something - bicycle wheels, tableware, designer clothes, ball-pens, disposable nappies, cars, motorcycles, etc. Everything that we see around today has once been simply an idea in human minds. For comfortable life conditions we should be grateful to scientists and quick-witted inventors, such as James Watt, Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, etc. The main idea of new inventions in my opinion is to make people’s life easier, to save time and energy. For example, the vacuum-cleaner was invented to simplify the housewives’ work. The same can apply to the washing machine, dishwasher, microwave and other household appliances.

One of the greatest inventions of all times was the first automobile. It made the lives of many people so much easier. With its appearance travel time was reduced and people could move around with comfort. The first carriage-sized automobile was invented as early as 1871. However, this steam powered vehicle was only for use on existing wagon road. The first running, gasoline-powered car was invented in the USA in 1893 by the Duryea brothers. There had been many attempts to design an automobile in Britain and Germany. The most talented engineers worked on the development of various engines: diesel-, gasoline-, steam-, etc. Mass production of gasoline-powered cars started at the beginning of the 20th century. Today we are at the verge of mass production of newer generation of automobiles, i.e. electric-powered ones.

Another global invention that has changed every sphere of life is computer. Computer is a very broad notion today. Every gadget or appliance we use is computerized, be it a TV set, an electric stove, a hairdryer, a mobile phone, a PC, a laptop. Newer inventions such as robotic vacuum cleaners have also programmed computers inside them. The first attempt to create a mechanical computer was made in 1822 by Ch. Babbage. It didn’t resemble what we consider a computer today, but the attempt was undoubtedly successful. That’s why this device received further development. First programmable computer was created by K. Zuse around 1936-38. It was known as Z1. This talented German engineer didn’t give up the idea to create an improved version of his invention. In 1942 he launched the first commercial computer - Z4.