History is rich with examples of scientific discoveries that have contributed to the wider development of breakthrough inventions in the health, energy, transport, and telecommunications industries, among others, for the collective good.
I am of the view that, to find a solution to our problems and satisfy our human needs, it is important to consistently advance new technologies that can benefit us both individually and collectively. That said, I believe that every individual should have the right to use science and technology for beneficial purposes.
Throughout the 20th century, mutual coordination between academics, scientists, engineers, and industry experts led to the advent of technologies that fundamentally transformed society. Life as we know it today, is the result of decades of scientific innovation and technology have shaped the way we live and interact with one another.
From medicine to the energy sector, foundational discoveries have opened new ground for innovation across industries, while great inventions have allowed us to find practical applications for technologies that we actually need.
To begin by naming a few, the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928 marked the beginning of the antibiotic revolution. After Fleming's initial observation, a group of scientists at Oxford University conducted further studies and managed to demonstrate penicillin's effectiveness in treating bacterial infections and invented what would become commonly known as antibiotics.
Subsequently, penicillin inspired global efforts to discover new drugs. Other antibiotics soon followed, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial diseases by providing effective therapies for previously life-threatening conditions, such as pneumonia, sepsis, and various skin and wound infections.
Another discovery that marked a milestone in science was that of the double helix structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick, which provided crucial insights into genetics and heredity, and laid the foundation for modern molecular biology and biotechnology.
The discovery of the double helix paved the way for inventions in genomics and genetic engineering, leading to advancements in fields beyond medicine such as forensic science and agriculture. Today, scientists can rely on genomics to tackle global issues including food security in various parts of the world.
Similarly, another revolutionary invention that comes to mind is that of the laser. The concept of the laser was introduced by Albert Einstein in 1917, but it was not until 1960 that the first working laser device was created. The laser has become an indispensable tool across various scientific disciplines and has also come to benefit the telecommunications industry. Fiber-optic communications systems can carry out high-speed data transmission over long distances with minimal signal loss thanks to the use of laser-generated light pulses.
Most recently, since the development of nuclear energy in the mid-1930s, scientists have worked to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and focused on ways nuclear power can be used as it is considered a low-carbon energy source that does not emit greenhouse gasses while generating electricity.
When it comes to mobility, the invention of the airplane radically transformed the concept of transportation worldwide. By enabling rapid long-distance travel and connecting people across the globe, the airplane has had a profound impact on commerce, tourism, military operations, and scientific exploration.
Over time, manufacturers and airlines worked together to develop commercial planes capable of carrying larger numbers of passengers and expanding air travel accessibility. Since then, the aviation industry continues to advance with innovations in aircraft technology, safety measures, and air traffic management systems, shaping the modern world and making air travel an integral part of our lives.
Indeed, the fruits of innovation are present in every corner. Apps such as Citymapper or Google Maps, which we religiously rely on when we are exploring a foreign city, would not exist had it not been for the development of global positioning systems (GPS). GPS technology has transformed navigation and location-based services, enabling precise positioning, mapping, and tracking on a global scale. Finding 'our way' could not have been made easier for us.
Likewise, the invention of television, personal computers and the internet are undoubtedly some of the greatest scientific inventions of the 20th century. All of which have equally had a profound impact on society, transforming the way information is spread throughout the world.
Television has become a fundamental part of people's daily lives, providing news, educational content, sports coverage, and a wide range of entertainment options, while the invention of the invention of the personal computer made computing accessible to individuals, revolutionizing the way people work, communicate, and access information. The development of the internet further transformed global communication, enabling instant access to information, e-commerce, social networking, and the interconnectedness of the modern world.
Now, in the 21st century, inventions continue to transform our day to day with the advent of blockchain technology becoming one of the most notable developments of our time. For the first time, blockchain capabilities have provided us with a decentralized network that does not require a central authority or intermediary, but can indeed still take a hybrid approach where the best of both worlds can be embraced. Ultimately it is all about enhancing transparency as all participants are able to access the same information, promoting trust and accountability.
The technology also allows individuals to have greater control over their personal data, as users can easily grant or revoke access to their information thanks to blockchain-based systems. These are just to name a few of the many benefits of the technology.
Similar to antibiotics or the laser - inventions which led to further innovation beyond their fields - blockchain technology has far-reaching applications beyond cryptocurrencies, offering potential benefits in various industries, including finance, supply chain management, healthcare and more.
As an entrepreneur, CEO of SafeMoon and a tech obsessive, I am committed to launching useful products that forge a better tomorrow. I believe that if we continue to develop blockchain technology we can find further innovative ways of improving our daily lives.
History has shown that an idea propelled by one group of inquisitive individuals can materialize into something benefiting thousands of others. This is what I believe we should all strive for, impact invention.
