Many in the West believe Islamic society, which is primarily centered in the Middle East, to be backward.
But, early Islamic society was way more literate than Europe, and between 700 and 1200 the Moslem civilization was arguably the most tolerant and cultured society in the world, and had many technological achievements (Singer, 1958):
The Lateen sail, which allowed for the building of larger and faster ships than the Roman square rigged ships.
The Moslems were the first to use a tidal mill in Basra around 1000 ad.
In 793 ad, the fist paper factory was set up in Baghdad, and by 1000 the entire Islamic world was enjoying bound books.
The Islamic world made substantial advances in textile production.
Al Jaabir and Al Razi wrote books that for centuries were the recognized standards in the field of chemical technology.
The Moslems invented greatly improved glass and ceramic products.
They produced a flammable petroleum akin to kerosene, and their perfume and acid industries were far superior to anything known before.
In mechanical engineering, from water mills to clocks, the Moslems were for centuries far ahead of the West.
In metallurgy, craftsmen in Toledo and Damascus produced swords of a quality that was proverbial in the West.
Egypt in particular became famous for its sugar and confectionery products.
[source: The Lever of Riches: Technological Creativity and Economic Progress by Joel Mokyr]
Hopefully, the region will invest its oil wealth wisely, to fuel economic progress after the oil is depleted or eclipsed by green technology.
first upgrade in over 100 years - a simple innovation to help reduce the number (500,000 people / year) who drown, but sometimes there’s brilliance in the most simple of solutions.
Check out this CNBC segment featuring Lego’s innovation efforts. The Company actively solicits ideas from its customers, and customers even vote on the products they would buy, to assist Lego with product development priorities.
You can imagine the advertising possibilities with this 3M display technology…
A Discovery Channel feature on the possibility of developing a time machine.
Finally, a 1939 video for the World’s Fair, which presents a vision of the futuristic world of 1960!
great story about the potential of franchising for economic development and better healthcare in Africa. Franchising, coupled with micro-lending, holds the potential for huge quality-of-life improvements in the developing world. The is also the model Dean Kamen envisions for his water purification systems, but he says, there is ridiculous resistance for innovative solutions from global aid agencies, as well as well-funded foundations and non-profits.
