The scientific development, which led to many inventions in the 20th and 21st century had a great impact on the way of working, traveling, teaching, and many other aspects of life. Research in the field of physics was the driving force in the development of technology. Scientific development triggered off the Industrial Revolution; this revolution in turn promoted and financially supported the research work to bring out innovative ideas and creations, like the Internet, television, etc. Out of the numerous inventions of the 20th and 21st century, some of the best inventions of all time are enlisted below. Greatest Inventions Printing Press Johannes Gutenberg from Germany invented the printing press in 1440. Knowledge through books became easily available to the common people due to this. The first model of printing press was made from components, like metal molds, ink (made from oil), and a special press. A printing press is simply defined as a machine, which transfers letter and/or images on a given surface (generally paper) by means of different types of surfaces that are inked. Television This novelty was one of the most important. John Logie Baird is credited for inventing the television. It is however, argued that many people had contributed to the development of this technology. The 'Nipkow disc' developed by Paul Nipkow in 1884 was a rotating-disk technology. This technology was used in sending pictures over a wire. The scanning principle of television, which was discovered by Paul Nipkow formed the basis of technology developed by John Logie Baird. Internet The Internet is basically a network of computers spread in the whole world. The network is not owned by any organization or individual. Vinton Cerf, a computer scientist from USA developed the Internet and Transmission Control Protocols in 1973. This work of developing the Internet and Transmissions Controls Protocols was carried out under a project sponsored by 'Advanced Research Projects Agency' of the United States Department of Defense. Steam Engine The steam engine is used to carry out mechanical work with the help of steam. The idea of using steam for performing mechanical work first came into being around 2000 years ago. However, due to limitations in the availability of hi-tech machinery, the concept didn't materialize. Before being used in steam tractors and railway locomotives, Denis Papin had developed a steam digester in the year 1979; later in 1690 he also made the first piston steam engine. The steam-powered engine for water pump was developed by Thomas Savery in 1698. James Watt created an improved version steam engine developed by Thomas Newcomen. Airplane The airplane was invented by Wilbur and Orville, the Wright brothers. On 17th December, 1903, the first airplane flight took place; attempts to build an airplane by Wright brothers started in 1899. Most of the initial research in airplane development took place between the years 1799 and 1809. George Cayley put forth the idea of inclined planes during this period. The way in which airplane changed the transportation system has been commendable. 20th Century Few of the important inventions of the 20th century are enlisted below.

• Internal Combustion Engine
• Electric Light
• Contraceptive Pill
• Velcro
• Automatic Washing Machine
• Artificial Fibers
• Penicillin
• Jet Engine
• Helicoptor
• Radar
• Instant Coffee
• Color Photography
• Stainless Steel
• Microwave Ovens

21st Century The 21st century inventions presented below, include the iPod, virtual keyboard and many such useful machines.

• Fluid Sense Infusion Pump
• Artificial Lever
• Fuel Cell Bike
• iPod
• Self Cleaning Windows
• Virtual Keyboard
• Ice Bike
• Braille Glove
• Nano-tex
• Infrared Fever Screening System

Year 2009

• The Telescope for Invisible Stars
• Controller-Free Gaming
• The Mercury Probe
• The Electric Eye
• The Solar Shingle
• The Personal Carbon Footprint
• Cyborg Beetle
• Custom Puppy
• The Electric Microbe
• The Bladeless Fan
• The YikeBike
• Vertical Farming

Year 2010

• Android Phone
• Robotic Exoskeleton
• 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope 3200
• The Smart Thermostat
• Microsoft Project Natal
• Flying Car: Terrafugia
• nPower Personal Energy Generator
• Xeros Waterless Washing Machine
• Sony 3D-360 Hologram
• Powermat Wireless Battery Charger
• Recompute: The Cardboard Computer
• Camaro: Tranformers Edition
• Samsung Water-Powered Battery
• The Honda Bicycle Simulator
• Apple Tablet
• Gibbs Quadski
• Panasonic 50-inch 3D 1080p Plasma TV
• 2010 Brabus Mercedes-Benz Viano Lounge
• Space Elevator
• Touch Wood
• Plasma Scalpel
• OnLive
• V12 Dual-Touchscreen Notebook
• Tri-Specs
• MyKey by Ford
• Google Wave
• Microsoft Xbox360 Project Natal
• Corrugated Cardboard Laptop Case
• Gocycle Electric Bicycle
• The KS810 Keyboard Scan

The great inventions of all time enlisted in this article present before us the useful tools, machines, and even concepts that helped mankind in making progress. There are however, many, which have not been covered in the list presented above.