During the first industrial revolution, we mined a
lot of coal, built engines and set the world on its current
trajectory of C02 production and global climate change.
Throughout the second industrial revolution, we (mostly)
replaced coal with gas and oil, built factories, invented synthetic
fabrics and put the first cars on the road. The third industrial
revolution brought major innovations like nuclear reactors,
telecommunications, computers and
space ships that could reach the moon. We are now in the fourth
industrial revolution, which has mostly just brought us devices
that make it possible not ever to leave the house or talk to anyone
in person.
That is the major fourth industrial revolution accomplishment,
to be sure. Still, there is no denying that 21st century inventors
have come up with some remarkable new products and innovations that
will not only make our lives easier but healthier, too. We could
not possibly list them all here, but let us talk about some
