1590 16th century

A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Janssen makes the first compound microscope.

1687 – 17th century

Isaac Newton formulates his three laws of motion

1783 – 18th century

French Brothers Joseph-Michel Montgolfier and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier make the first practical
hot-air balloon

1860s – 19th century

James Clerk Maxwell figures out that radio waves must exist and sets out basic laws of
electromagnetism.

1861 – 19th century

Elisha Graves Otis invents the elevator with built-in safety brake

1860s – 19th century

Fire extinguishers are invented.

1868 – 19th century

Christopher Latham Sholes invents the modern typewriter and QWERTY keyboard

1870s – 19th century

Thomas Edison develops the phonograph, the first practical method of recording and playing back sound
on metal foil

1903 – 20th century

Brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright build the first engine-powered airplane.

1928 – 20th century

The electric refrigerator is invented.

2007 – 21st century

Apple introduces a touchscreen cellphone called the iPhone.