Timeline of historic inventions - 11th to 18th century
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The timeline of historic inventions is a chronological list of particularly important or significant technological inventions.
Note: Dates for inventions are often controversial. Inventions are often invented by several inventors around the same time, or may be invented in an impractical form many years before another inventor improves the invention into a more practical form. Where there is ambiguity, the date of the first known working version of the invention is used here.
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2nd millennium
11th century
- c. 1000: Pendulum: Ibn Yunus in Egypt[153]
- c. 1000: Injection syringe: Ammar ibn Ali al-Mawsili of Iraq[81][154][155]
- c. 1000: Hypodermic needle: Ammar ibn Ali al-Mawsili[154][155]
- c. 1000: Cataract extraction: Ammar ibn Ali al-Mawsili[154][155]
- c. 1000: Suction: Ammar ibn Ali al-Mawsili[154][155]
- 1000: Ligature: Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi (Abulcasis) in Al-Andalus[156]
- 1000: Adhesive plaster: Abu al-Qasim[157]
- 1000: Curette: Abu al-Qasim[158]
- 1000: Retractor: Abu al-Qasim[158]
- 1000: Lithotomy scalpel: Abu al-Qasim[159]
- 1000: Surgical catgut: Abu al-Qasim
- 1000: Surgical hook: Abu al-Qasim[158]
- 1000: Surgical rod: Abu al-Qasim[158]
- 1000: Surgical spoon: Abu al-Qasim[158]
- 1000: Inhalational anaesthetic: Abu al-Qasim[81][160]
- 1000: Anaesthetic sponge: Abu al-Qasim[81][160]
- 1000: Oral anaesthesia: Abu al-Qasim[81][160]
- 1000: Cotton dressing: Abu al-Qasim[161]
- c. 1000-1020: Heliocentric astrolabe: Al-Sijzi[162]
- c. 1000-1037: Thermometer: Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in Persia[163]
- c. 1000-1037: Essential oil: Avicenna[164]
- c. 1000-1048: Orthographical astrolabe: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī in Persia[165]
- c. 1000-1048: Planisphere: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[165][166]
- c. 1000-1048: Laboratory flask: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[167]
- c. 1000-1048: Pycnometer: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[167]
- c. 1000-1048: Conical measure: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[168]
- c. 1000-1048: Geared mechanical lunisolar calendar analog computer: Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī[169]
- 1020: Mechanical astrolabe: Ibn Samh in Al-Andalus[170]
- 1021: Magnifying glass: Ibn al-Haytham[171]
- 1021: Pinhole camera: Ibn al-Haytham[172]
- 1021: Camera obscura: Ibn al-Haytham[172]
- 1021: Novel: Murasaki Shikibu[173]
- 1021: Historical novel: Murasaki Shikibu[174]
- 1021: Psychological novel: Murasaki Shikibu[175]
- 1025: Cancer therapy: Avicenna[161][176]
- 1025: Calcium channel blocker: Avicenna[177]
- 1025: Pharmacopoeia: Avicenna[178][179]
- 1028-1087: Equatorium: Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī (Arzachel) in Al-Andalus[180]
- 1028-1087: Universal astrolabe: Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī
- 1031-1095: Raised-relief map: Shen Kuo[181][182]
- 1038-1075: Flywheel: Ibn Bassal in Al-Andalus[183]
- 1041: Movable type printing press: Bi Sheng in China
- 1044: Hand grenade: Zhen Tian Lei in China
- 1087: Almanac: Abū Ishāq Ibrāhīm al-Zarqālī[184]
- 1088: Mechanical clock: Su Song
- 1088: Clock tower: Su Song
- 1088: Magnetic compass: Shen Kuo in China
- 1090: Belt drive: Qin Guan in in China
- 1090: Chain drive in China
- 1092: Astronomical clock: Su Song
- 1094: Printed star chart: Su Song
- Calico in India[185]
- Coke fuel in China
- Complex gearing: Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi in Al-Andalus[103]
- Epicyclic gearing: Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi in Al-Andalus[103]
- Segmental gearing: Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi in Al-Andalus[103]
- Geared mechanical clock: Ibn Khalaf al-Muradi in Al-Andalus[103]
- Weight-driven mechanical clock: Arabic engineers[103]
- Celestial globe: Arabic astronomers
- Clear glass mirror in Al-Andalus[81]
12th century
- c. 1100: Framed bead abacus in China
- 1100-1150: Torquetum: Jabir ibn Aflah (Geber)[186]
- 1100-1161: Tracheotomy: Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar) in Al-Andalus[187]
- 1119: Watertight hull compartment: Zhu Yu in China
- 1121: Steelyard: Al-Khazini in Persia[167]
- 1121: Hydrostatic balance: Al-Khazini[167]
- 1126: Fire arrow: Li Gang in China
- 1126: Rocket: Li Gang in China
- 1128: Cannon in China[188]
- 1135-1200: Linear astrolabe: Sharaf al-Dīn al-Tūsī in Persia[189]
- 1150: Homing pigeons in Iraq and Syria[190]
- 1154: Striking clock: Al-Kaysarani in Syria[191]
- 1187: Counterweight trebuchet: Mardi bin Ali al-Tarsusi[192][193]
- 1187: Mangonel: Mardi bin Ali al-Tarsusi[194]
- 1190: Mariner's compass in Italy[195]
- Astrolabic quadrant in Egypt[196]
- Ventilator in Egypt[197]
- Bridge mill in Al-Andalus[198]
- Hydropowered forge in Al-Andalus[115]
- Finery forge in Al-Andalus[115]
- Central heating through underfloor pipes in Syria[199]
- Fireworks in China
- Sunglasses in China
13th century
- c. 1200: Glass mirror in Europe[8][200]
- 1206: Bolted joint lock[105]
- 1206: Clock automaton: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Flow control regulator: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Closed-loop system: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Elephant clock: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Hand washing device: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Kitchen appliance: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Camshaft: Al-Jazari[201]
- 1206: Segmental gear: Al-Jazari[202]
- 1206: Suction pipe: Al-Jazari
- 1206: Suction piston pump: Al-Jazari[203]
- 1206: Reciprocating piston motion: Al-Jazari[203]
- 1206: Double-acting engine: Al-Jazari[203]
- 1206: Humanoid robot: Al-Jazari[204]
- 1206: Programmable robot: Al-Jazari[204]
- 1206: Programmable analog computer: Al-Jazari[205]
- 1206: Automatic gate: Al-Jazari[206]
- 1206: Pointer: Al-Jazari[105][206]
- 1206: Hydropowered water supply system: Al-Jazari[206]
- 1206: Geared water supply system: Al-Jazari[206]
- 1206: Laminate: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Mechanical template: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Paper model: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Calibration: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Sand casting: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Emery powder: Al-Jazari[105]
- 1206: Crankshaft-driven chain pump: Al-Jazari[207]
- 1206: Hydropowered saqiya chain pump: Al-Jazari[208]
- 1206: Intermittent working: Al-Jazari[207]
- 1206: Hour hand: Al-Jazari[209][210]
- 1232: Rocket launcher in China
- 1235: Geared astrolabe with analog computer calendar: Abi Bakr of Isfahan[211]
- 1259: Research institute: Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī[212]
- 1259: Observatory institution: Nasīr al-Dīn al-Tūsī[212]
- 1260: Hand cannon in Egypt[85][213]
- 1260: Explosive gunpowder in Egypt[85][213]
- 1260: Explosive cannon in Egypt[85][213]
- 1260: Handgun in Egypt[85][213]
- 1260: Portable firearm in Egypt[85][213]
- 1260: Cartridge in Egypt[213]
- 1270: Pure saltpetre: Hasan al-Rammah of Syria[85][213]
- 1274: Siege cannon: Abu Yaqub Yusuf[213]
- 1275: Torpedo: Hasan al-Rammah of Syria
- 1275: Restaurant menu in China
- 1277: Land mine: Lou Qianxia in China
- c. 1296: Astronomical compass: Yemeni sultan al-Ashraf[214]
- 1297-1298: Wooden movable type printing: Wang Zhen of China [215]
- Crankshaft-driven screw: Arabic engineers[216]
- Crankshaft-driven screwpump: Arabic engineers[216]
- Sandpaper in China
- Solid-fuel rocket in China
- Condom in Italy
- Buttonhole in Germany[8]
- Snakes and ladders in India[217]
14th century
- 1304-1375: Astrolabic clock: Ibn al-Shatir[218]
- 1304-1375: Compendium instrument: Ibn al-Shatir[145]
- 1304-1375: Compass dial: Ibn al-Shatir[219]
- 1350: Rope bridge in Peru
- 1355: Bombard: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Booster: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Matchlock: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Multistage rocket: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Naval mine: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Round shot: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Shell: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1355: Wheellock: Jiao Yu and Liu Ji
- 1371: Polar-axis sundial: Ibn al-Shatir[220]
- 32-point compass rose in the Arab world[221]
- Katana in Japan
- Musket in China
- Spherical astrolabe in the Middle East
15th century
- 1400-1429: Plate of conjunctions: Jamshīd al-Kāshī[222][223]
- 1400-1429: Planetary analog computer: Jamshīd al-Kāshī[223][224][225]
- 1405-1433: Troopship: Zheng He
- 1405-1433: Treasure ship: Zheng He
- 1441: Rain gauge: Jang Yeong-sil
- 1450s: Alphabetic movable type printing press: Johannes Gutenberg
- 1451: Concave lens for eyeglasses: Nicholas of Cusa
- 1490-1492: Terrestrial globe: Martin Behaim
- 1494: Double-entry bookkeeping system: Luca Pacioli
- 1498: Bristle toothbrush: Hongzhi Emperor
- Iron-chain suspension bridge in China
- Arquebus in Europe
- Rifle in Europe
16th century
- c. 1500: Ball bearing: Leonardo Da Vinci
- c. 1500: Scissors: Leonardo Da Vinci
- 1524: Pocket watch: Peter Henlein[226]
- 1540: Ether: Valerius Cordus
- 1551: Steam turbine: Taqi al-Din in Ottoman Egypt[227]
- 1556: Spring-powered clock: Peter Henlein and Taqi al-Din[226][228]
- 1556: Spring-powered minutes pocket watch: Taqi al-Din[226]
- 1559: Six-cylinder pump: Taqi al-Din[229]
- 1565: Pencil: Conrad Gesner[8][230]
- 1577-1580: Mechanical seconds clock: Taqi al-Din[231][232]
- 1579: Prefabricated home: Akbar the Great[233]
- 1579: Movable structure: Akbar the Great[233]
- c. 1580: Hookah: Hakim Abul Fateh Gilani in Mughal India[234][235][236]
- 1582: Autocannon: Fathullah Shirazi[237]
- 1582: Multi-barrel gun: Fathullah Shirazi[237]
- 1582: Grain-griding carriage: Fathullah Shirazi[238]
- 1589: Stocking frame: William Lee
- 1589-1590: Seamless celestial globe: Ali Kashmiri ibn Luqman in Kashmir, Mughal India[239]
- 1589-1590: Seamless metal sphere: Ali Kashmiri ibn Luqman[239]
- c. 1590: Compound microscope: Zacharias Janssen, Hans Janssen, Hans Lippershey [240]
- 1592: Ironclad Warship: Yi Sun-sin
- 1593: Thermoscope: Galileo Galilei
- 1596: Water closet: John Harrington & Thomas Crapper
- Chintz in India[241]
- Musket in Europe
- Pencil in England
- High-rise apartment buildings in Shibam[242]
- Tower blocks in Shibam[243]
- Vertical construction urban planning in Shibam[242]
- Shuriken in Japan
- Concealed weapon in Japan
17th century
- 1609: Telescope: Hans Lippershey, Zacharias Janssen, Jacob Metius[244]
- 1610: Flintlock: Marin le Bourgeoys
- 1620: Slide rule: William Oughtred
- 1623: Automatic calculator: Wilhelm Schickard
- 1631: Vernier scale: Pierre Vernier
- 1642: Adding machine: Blaise Pascal
- 1643: Barometer: Evangelista Torricelli
- 1645: Vacuum pump: Otto von Guericke
- 1657: Pendulum clock: Christiaan Huygens
- 1672: Steam car: Ferdinand Verbiest[245][246]
- 1679: Pressure cooker: Denis Papin
- 1690: Polhem wheel: Christopher Polhem
- 1698: Steam engine powered water pump: Thomas Savery
- 1700: Piano: Bartolomeo Cristofori
- Palampore in India[247][248]
18th century
- 1701: Seed drill: Jethro Tull
- 1709: Iron smelting using coke: Abraham Darby I
- 1711: Tuning fork: John Shore
- 1712: Steam piston engine: Thomas Newcomen
- 1714: Mercury thermometer: Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
- 1731: Octant: John Hadley, Thomas Godfrey
- 1733: Flying shuttle: John Kay
- 1737: Marine chronometer (H1): John Harrison
- 1742: Franklin stove: Benjamin Franklin
- 1750: Flatboat: Jacob Yoder
- 1752: Lightning rod: Benjamin Franklin
- 1759: Shampoo: Sake Dean Mahomet of Bengal
- 1764: Spinning jenny: James Hargreaves/Thomas Highs
- 1767: Carbonated water: Joseph Priestley
- 1769: Water frame: Richard Arkwright/Thomas Highs
- 1769: Steam road vehicle: Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot
- 1775: Submarine Turtle: David Bushnell
- 1776: Steamboat: Claude de Jouffroy
- 1776: Watt steam engine: James Watt
- 1777: Card teeth making machine: Oliver Evans
- 1777: Circular saw: Samuel Miller
- 1779: Spinning mule: Samuel Crompton
- 1780s: Iron-cased rocket: Tipu Sultan in India[249]
- 1780s: Metal-cylinder rocket artillery: Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in India[250]
- 1780s: Iron rocket artillery: Tipu Sultan of India[249]
- 1783: Hot air balloon: Montgolfier brothers
- 1784: Bifocals: Benjamin Franklin
- 1784: Argand lamp: Aimé Argand[8]
- 1784: Shrapnel shell: Henry Shrapnel
- 1785: Power loom: Edmund Cartwright
- 1785: Automatic flour mill: Oliver Evans
- 1786: Threshing machine: Andrew Meikle
- 1791: Artificial teeth: Nicholas Dubois De Chemant
- 1795: Appertization: Nicolas Appert
- 1798: Vaccination: Edward Jenner
- 1798: Lithography: Alois Senefelder
- Indian clubs in India[251]
