Gallery: 14 Tools That Changed the Way We Live

  • Image may contain Rock Mineral Food Bread and Coal
    Smithsonian
    01

    ChopperNHB2013-02228

    The chopper is one of the first known tools used by humans. Archeologists believe they were used more than 2 million years ago as a multi-purpose tool.
  • Image may contain Electronics Phone Mobile Phone and Cell Phone
    Apple
    02

    iphone1

    The iPhone, a modern-day multi-tool.
  • Image may contain Yarn Fruit Plant Food and Pineapple
    Smithsonian
    03

    Time-ball3

    Women used this time ball to keep track of important events.
  • These snow goggles made by Alaskan Iñupiat were worn to reduce the amount of sunlight that hit the eyes during bright...
    Smithsonian
    04

    Snow-Goggles

    These snow goggles made by Alaskan Iñupiat were worn to reduce the amount of sunlight that hit the eyes during bright but snowy springs. They also acted like glasses, enhancing the wearer's long distance vision.
  • Image may contain Cross and Symbol
    Smithsonian
    05

    microscope

    This microscope, created by Charles A. Spencer in the mid 1800s was among the first american produced microscopes.
  • This stick navigation chart is like an allinone map of oceanic knowledge. It shows currents islands and navigation...
    Smithsonian
    06

    StickNavigationChart1

    This stick navigation chart is like an all-in-one map of oceanic knowledge. It shows currents, islands and navigation routes. The mariners would memorize the charts before they left for a trip.
  • Image may contain Word Text and Label
    Smithsonian
    07

    MorseCode Alphabet

    Morse Code is an international language made up of dots and dashes.
  • This obsidian scalpel was made in 2013 but it could've just as easily been made thousands of years ago.
    Smithsonian
    08

    Obsidian-scalpel

    This obsidian scalpel was made in 2013, but it could've just as easily been made thousands of years ago.
  • Image may contain Soil Archaeology Rock and Diaper
    Smithsonian
    09

    Cuneiform-Clay-TabletNHB2013-02222

    People would inscribe symbols into this Babylonian clay tablet while it was semi-hardened.
  • The Tellatouch Braille typewriter allowed sighted and blind people to communicate.
    Smithsonian
    10

    Tellatouch-Braille-keyboard4

    The Tellatouch Braille typewriter allowed sighted and blind people to communicate.
  • The clothes pin is maybe not the best example of lifechanging design but this patent model signifies an important system...
    Smithsonian
    11

    ClothesPin-PatentModel-by-David-M

    The clothes pin is maybe not the best example of life-changing design, but this patent model signifies an important system in the world of inventions.
  • Image may contain Text Rug Handwriting and Alphabet
    Smithsonian
    12

    census

    A pictorial census from the Oglala Lakota chief. Each person is drawn according to his name.
  • Image may contain Pottery Art Porcelain and Box
    Smithsonian
    13

    Penicillin-Culture-Vessel2

    The penicillin culture vessel.
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