and cost effective motor Incandescent light bulb: Invented by Thomas Edison, this let individuals switch from oil powered lighting to electrical powered lighting Rechargeable battery: Created the opportunity to have a single battery for machines that can be recharged, rather than using multiple batteries Ballpoint pen: Created a way to write more consistently and comfortably without having to dip your pen in ink Bessemer process: Revolutionized the steel refining process, making it much quicker Photography: Revolutionized portraiture and art Telephone: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone which revolutionized communication between geographically distant individuals FM radio: Allowed for the transmission of audio from a broadcast tower to radios within range Internal combustion engine: The stepping stone for the modern automobile, which revolutionized transportation Anesthetics: Allowed for more serious and longer surgeries with much more comfort for the patients Antibiotics: Allowed for effective treatment of infectious diseases, most of which were previously lethal Flight: Revolutionized travel and transportation across the world Personal computer: Allowed for extremely fast calculating times and later was the basis for the Internet Internet: The Internet has enabled new forms of social interaction, activities, and social associations Cloud computing: Allowed for affordable and fast access to high end computing equipment over the internet Interseasonal thermal energy storage: Enables recycling of waste heat and utilization of natural energy (e.g., summer's solar heat or winter's cold) for heating or cooling in the opposite season 3D printing: "Three-dimensional printing makes it as cheap to create single items as it is to produce thousands and thus undermines economies of scale. It may have as profound an impact on the world as the coming of the factory did." Impact of technology on society Throughout history, technology has continuously influenced all aspect of the society. It has impacted how humans think, learn and communicate. The world is presently witness an era with frequent technological inventions, which have both positive and negative impacts on how people go about their daily activities. See also Technology Technological evolution Technology and society Critique of technology Philosophy of technology Technology lifecycle References Innovation Inventions Technology by type