Can someone tell me two important scientific events-one recent,one in the past?

Question

the events must illustrate two different aspects of science.If its a controversial topic, then its better....so that i can point out the conflicting views in the media reports

Thanks:)..........I really appreciate those who help me with this, as i need it for my science coursework

Answer 1

The list could be endless - and it depends upon what you mean by 'the past' and 'recent'. I am pleased that you say 'events' rather than 'inventions'. Many inventions, including recent computer technology, mobile phones, the Internet, etc. have changed the world. However, events begin a 'process' which change our view of the world and ourselves. The very nature of humanity and our place in the universe is at stake. Inventions and events obviously intertwine. Was Bell's 'discovery of the telephone' an event or just a discovery? Just as Newton's discoveries? Darwin's 'Origin of Species'? (I think he comes close to the top of my list.) What about the discovery of gunpowder, the trebuchet, the multitide of discoveries in atomic science, the biro, or Baird's clumsy attempts at developing a television system? Farnsworth, an American kid who invented an electronic means of television, might be outraged! Space exploration and landing on the moon? Columbus' discoveries were just as world-shattering in 1492! What about the whole of the Industrial Revolution and the many inventions? It's just too easy - and too hard - to answer your question but I have tried hard for you. If I have to choose, the changing of our whole world view, and possibly of ourselves, are those which are 'top of the list'. A journalist might use the cliche 'pivotal', whatever that means. Here goes.

One from the past which was a real shocker for the Church was Galileo's 'invention' of the telescope. There were earlier attempts but he got into all sorts of trouble when he used his telescope and found that the earth was not the centre of the universe but just one of several planets which orbit the sun. As this contradicted the teachings of the Church, he was seen as subversive at least and at worst a heretic, as, if he challenged the accepted view of astronomy, what else might he challenge of the Church's teachings? He was imprisoned in relative comfort until he 'recanted'. A wise old man! This potenial for 'changing the world view' is very powerful.

More recently, I feel that Watson and Crick's 'working out' of the so-called double helix of DNA has 'changed the world view'  and has opened up a minefield for innumerable aspects of scientific debate in our world. Hardly a day goes by without some aspect of the 'discovery' being in the news - or developments which have followed.

Consider, amongst other issues, genetic engineering, both of plants and animals, possibly eugenics, also, with the horror of selection of attributes for babies. (What Hitler would have given!), medical research, including embryology - debated again now in Parliament - animal and human rights, ethics, religious matters, sociology, families, the law - it goes on and on. There is nothing more pervasive, in my view than this. With even the human genome being mapped, enormous power has been unleashed - for those in control, of course.

There may be many benefits for improving the lives of people. I welcome that. I am just worried that those who make the decisions may be the 'same old power-mad' maniacs. Science must be allowed to follow its own paths, in every area; it's the way of we humans but reasonable controls are needed, rather than illogical and emotional ones. Here endeth the 'rant'.

Good luck. You have entered the world of endless fascination.

Answer 2

1. You were born.

2. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, Genesis ch. 1, v. 1.

Answer 3

Telephone and Internet.

But most important past discovery was that of a WHEEL.

Answer 4

The discovery of the telephone by Bell.

The Hubble Telescope

Answer 5

The past..... Creation.  Lots of people believe in evolution but that theory is filled with flaws.

Answer 6

Albert Einstien and the Hubble Space Telescope

Answer 7

The discovery and mapping of the cosmic background microwave radiation, the fossilised remains of the big bang.

Newtons laws on gravity.

Answer 8

I don't quite know what you mean by events. Here are three important scientific discoveries, from which you could choose two:

1. Newton's laws of motion. Laid the foundations for physics.

2. Mendeleev, formulated the periodic table. Important contribution to the development of chemistry.

3. Discovery of the structure of DNA by Crick and Watson, foundation of modern genetics.

The last is the most recent, but still in the 50s - if you prefer something more modern, then the invention of the polymerase chain reaction (1980s) was a key innovation that pushed genetics forward another great leap and is the reason that for example, DNA can be amplified from tiny amounts found at crime scenes and forensic DNA profiling is now possible.

Just in case this is still too old - there is the human genome project; identification of disease causing genes, understanding the genetic differences between humans and other apes, contraversially the possibility of designer babies, the list goes on... (But this still wouldn't be possible without PCR).

If this is not the sort of thing you are looking for, then explain event more clearly.

Answer 9

I would say Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion and The invention of the electric light(Edison).