Technology has been defined as the application of scientific methodology and knowledge for practical purposes. Over the years there has been a lot of technology being introduced none so much as the last quarter of a century where there has been some outstanding inventions by some outstanding individuals. Being able to award an individual the accolade of the greatest technology inventor of all time or a technology as the greatest invention of all time is a very daunting and overwhelming task as it in unenviable task to burden a person with. There are a lot of questions to ponder on questions like how do you measure the impact it has made to civilization, does it lead to further innovation or an end product in its own, what negative impact has it had to our world? All these questions are valid questions and lead to me being very subjective on this topic while selecting my 3 innovators and their inventions. Nikola Tesla, one of the most unsung inventors of all, he was arguably the greatest inventor of all time his portfolio included the electrical coil, radio waves and a host of other patents which he still owns till this day. Tesla was born in 1856 in in the Austrian Empire now the modern day Croatia; he was an electrical and mechanical engineer, a physicist and above all an inventor holding over 300 documented patents in the fields of science and technology. What makes him so great was his aspiration to move the human race forward through his inventions, his patents were “freeware” he was not stringent on people stealing his ideas and using it “I don't care that they stole my idea…. I care that they don't have any of their own”- Nikola Tesla. His most prominent inventions are the AC (Alternating Current); which developed polyphase alternating current system of generators, motors and transformers which were a huge usurper to the DC (Direct Current) Technology which was deemed too cumbersome and not as efficient as the A.C current. The development of the AC technology ultimately led to the worldwide application and domestic use of electricity. Another one of Tesla’s most prominent invention is the high-frequency air-core transformer, which takes the current output from a 120vAC to several kilovolt transformer & driver circuit and steps it up to an extremely high voltage. Voltages can get to be well above 1MegaVolts and are discharged in the form of electrical arcs. Tesla coils are unique in the fact that they create extremely powerful electrical fields, being able to power dead fluorescent light bulbs in close proximity. This invention is employed in a lot of the electronic and technology equipment that are still being employed today. I particularly The Next Inventor I have the opportunity of familiarizing myself with his work is the distinguished Antonio Santi Giuseppe Meucci. Antonio Meucci was born in Florence Italy in 1808 and he is known as the inventor of the telephone as we have it. In 1854 he designed and built the first prototype of the telephone and in the year 1854 he successfully established the first "telettrofono" company with some other Italian. Same year this was setup Alexander Graham Bell designed an electric telephone and was able to gain a patent for the invention of the telephone as Meucci was in financial hardship and was unable to patent his invention. He was recently recognized by congress in 2002 as the inventor of the telephone. The research on electromagnetic voice transmission is a field that has grown immensely since the day Meucci invented the telephone, the principles of electromagnetic voice transmission still remains the same using a vibrating diaphragm and an electrified magnet with spiral copper wire around it. This principles coupled with different other technologies have given rise to the cellphone which is undoubtedly one of the most commonplace items you will see in our society today. The telephone and cellphone technology which transcended from the inventions of Meucci is a multitrillion dollar global market which is very viable not only for its service but because of how it directly ties into business operations and ensures businesses function well. My third inventor is Konrad Zuse. Konrad Zuse was born in 1910 Berlin, German Empire (modern day Germany) and is recognized as the inventor of the first programmable computer. He was a civil engineer in Berlin and designed the first programmable computer to assist in his calculations; he developed the Z1 computer which was a basic mechanical calculator, which later formed the basis for his future technologies developments Z2, Z3, Z4. The Z2 is categorized as the first fully functioning electro-magnetic computer system. With each iteration of his technology, the development in the complexity of his computer models grew. During the Second World War his Z1, Z2 and Z3 models were destroyed during the war and he had to smuggle his Z4 to Switzerland to continue work and development of mechanical memory using punch cards. The Z1 computer which is a basic mechanical calculator has paved the way for the development of super-computers, Smartphones and Artificial Intelligence.
Some of Zuse’s other works include development of programming language “Plankalkul” machine language. Although the programming language was not published during his lifetime, it was clear as a person Konrad Zuse was above his peers and a pioneer in his area of expertise. The computer system as we have it exist due to the work and invention of Konrad Zuse. The computer and Artificial Intelligence which is also a multitrillion dollar global economy sector has been greatly influenced and still is by the work of Konrad Zuse.
From Nikola Tesla to Antonio Santi Giuseppe Meucci to Konrad Zuse, these innovators and inventors have contributed a whole lot to the advancement of mankind directly or indirectly from the creation of electricity, to the development of transformers, and then the creation of the telephone system that has been a breakthrough invention in the world of telecommunications. The development of the computer system cannot be underestimated and will be ranked as one of the greatest achievement of mankind. While there are other inventors and innovators that are equally as gifted and have brought just as much in their areas of specialty such as Henry Ford and his pioneering work in automobiles, the Wright brothers and their work in the aviation field. One thing that strikes me about the individuals recognized is their selfless nature into promoting the advancement of science. These guys lived their lives modestly and with humility, financial gain was not the driving force for their inventions but the prestige and the personal challenge to contribute positively to the growth of the human race. For their selfless contribution by opening their patented materials to the public, and giving other inventors a platform to work off, that is why I am recognizing them for their outstanding work they have done.