Science & Discovery
From the first equation to the quantum age. One experiment, one observation, one insight — and the timeline splits in a new direction.
Technology (154)Astronomy (115)Mathematics (83)Physics/Cosmology (76)Chemistry (36)Engineering (77)
364 events
All Science & Discovery Events
The Big Bang: The Cosmological Event
13.82 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Cosmic Inflation
10^-35 seconds after the Big Bang · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis
20 minutes to 3 minutes after Big Bang · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Cosmic Background Temperature Enters the Liquid Water Range
c. 13.81 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
First Star formed
13.72 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Formation of Milky Way Galaxy
13.6 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Cosmic Gems Arc: Proto-Globular Star Clusters Form at Extreme Density
c. 13.36 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Formation of First Galaxies: Birth of Stellar Structures
c. 13.5-13.2 BYA · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Formation of Globular Cluster HP 1 in the Milky Way Bulge
c. 12.8 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Astronomy
First Heavy Elements: Birth of Stellar Nucleosynthesis
c. 13.0-12.5 BYA · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyChemistry
End of Cosmic Dark Ages: Universe Becomes Transparent
c. 12.7 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Formation of the Kepler-444 Planetary System
c. 11.2 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Astronomy
Gaia-Enceladus Dwarf Galaxy Merges with the Milky Way
c. 10 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Formation of the Local Group Begins
c. 7 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Milky Way Star Formation Burst Recorded in Presolar Grains
c. 6.8 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Astronomy
Supernova Triggers Proto-Solar System Formation
c. 5 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Formation of the Sun
4.6 billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyGeology
Formation of the Solar System
4.6 billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyGeology
Formation of Planet Earth
4.54 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
Physics/CosmologyGeology
Moon-Forming Giant Impact
c. 4.5 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyGeologyClimate
Formation of Jupiter: Birth of the Solar System's Giant
c. 4.5 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyGeology
Formation of Mars: Birth of the Red Planet
c. 4.5 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyGeology
Delivery of Organic Compounds via Meteorites
c. 4.5-3.8 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
GeologyChemistryBiology
Peak of the Late Heavy Bombardment
c. 3.9 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyGeology
Late Heavy Bombardment
c. 4.0-3.8 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
GeologyChemistry
Formation of Lunar Orientale Basin During Late Heavy Bombardment
c. 3.8 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
AstronomyGeology
Isua Greenstone Belt Banded Iron Formation
c. 3.8-3.7 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
GeologyChemistryBiology
Earth's Core Dynamo Generates a Sustained Magnetic Field
c. 3.7 Billion years ago · Prehistoric
GeologyPhysics/Cosmology
Chemosynthetic Microfossils in Barberton Hydrothermal Veins
c. 3.42 BYA · Prehistoric
BiologyChemistry
Sulfur-Based Biosignatures Preserved in Archean Sediments
c. 3.2 BYA · Prehistoric
GeologyBiologyChemistry
Earliest Evidence of Microbial Sulfur Metabolism
c. 3.2 BYA · Prehistoric
GeologyChemistryBiology
Great Oxidation Event
2.4 Billion Years ago · Prehistoric
GeologyChemistryBiology
Great Oxidation Event Transforms Earth's Atmosphere
c. 2.3 BYA · Prehistoric
GeologyBiologyChemistry
Olduvai Gorge: Earliest Stone Tool Technology
c. 2.0-1.7 million BCE · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnology
Emergence of Acheulean Hand Axe Technology
c. 1.76 million BCE · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnology
Earliest Evidence of Hominin Fire Use at Gesher Benot Ya'aqov
780,000 years ago · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnologyChemistry
Trinil Shell Engravings by Homo erectus
c. 540,000-430,000 BCE · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnologyLanguage
Schöningen Spears: Earliest Wooden Hunting Weapons
c. 400,000-380,000 BCE · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnologyWar
Lebombo Bone: Oldest Known Mathematical Artifact
c. 35,000 BCE · Prehistoric
Mathematics
Solutrean Atlatl at Combe Sauniere
c. 17,500 BCE · Prehistoric
Human EvolutionTechnology
Ishango Bone Records Early Mathematical Notations
c. 20,000-18,000 BCE · Prehistoric
Technology
Earliest Migration Across Beringia
16,500 BCE · Prehistoric
EngineeringHuman Evolution
First Jōmon Pottery Emerges in Japan
14500 BC · Prehistoric
TechnologyArt
Clovis Culture
11,500 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCulture
Earliest Known Rye Cultivation at Tell Abu Hureyra
c. 11,000 BCE · Prehistoric
AgricultureClimateHuman Evolution
The Agricultural Revolution
10,000 BC · Prehistoric
BiologyEvolutionTechnology
Göbekli Tepe Megalithic Complex
c. 9600-8200 BCE · Prehistoric
CultureReligionEngineering
Early Copper Metallurgy at Gre Fılla
c. 8000 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyEngineeringEconomics
Warren Field Mesolithic Lunar Calendar
c. 8000 BCE · Prehistoric
AstronomyCultureTechnology
First Clay Token Accounting System
c. 8000-7500 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyLanguageMathematics
Jericho PPNB Plastered Skulls
c. 7500 BCE · Prehistoric
CultureTechnology
Mehrgarh Neolithic Settlement
c. 7000-5500 BCE · Prehistoric
AgricultureTechnologyCulture
Jiahu Bone Flutes Excavated at Henan Site
c. 7000 BCE · Prehistoric
ArtCultureTechnology
Halaf Pottery Innovation
c. 6500-5500 BCE · Prehistoric
ArtTechnologyCulture
First Pottery Kilns at Tell Hassuna
c. 6300-6000 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCultureEngineering
Dufuna Dugout Canoe Creation
c. 6500-6000 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCultureEngineering
Ubaid Irrigation Canals Transform Southern Mesopotamia
c. 5500 BCE · Prehistoric
AgricultureTechnologyEconomics
Yangshao Millet Agricultural Revolution
c. 5000-3000 BCE · Prehistoric
AgricultureClimateCulture
First Copper Smelting at Belovode
c. 5000 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCultureEngineering
Potter's Wheel Invented
3600 BC · Prehistoric
Technology
Ancient Plow Invented
3500 BC · Prehistoric
TechnologyAgriculture
Egyptian Blue Pigment Synthesized in Ancient Egypt
c. 3500 BCE · Prehistoric
ChemistryArtTechnology
Development of Clay Bullae Envelope Accounting
c. 3500-3300 BCE · Prehistoric
MathematicsTechnologyLanguage
Discovery of First Clay Tablets with Proto-Writing
3500-3300 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCultureLanguage
Earliest Egyptian Hieroglyphic Writing
c. 3250-3200 BCE · Prehistoric
TechnologyCultureLanguage
Skara Brae Neolithic Settlement
3180 BC · Prehistoric
Engineering
Maya Long Count Calendar Epoch
August 11, 3114 BCE · Prehistoric
AstronomyMathematicsReligion
Beginning of Kali Yuga
3102 BCE · Prehistoric
ReligionCultureAstronomy
Egyptian 365-Day Civil Calendar
c. 3100 BCE · Prehistoric
MathematicsAstronomyCulture
Newgrange
3100 BC · Prehistoric
Engineering
Stonehenge Construction Begins
3100 BC · Prehistoric
Engineering
Sumerian Calendar and Time Division System
c. 3000 BCE · Ancient World
MathematicsAstronomyCulture
Longshan Black Pottery Innovation
c. 3000-2600 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyCultureArt
Tin-Bronze Alloy Production in Mesopotamia
c. 3000 BCE · Ancient World
ChemistryTechnologyEngineering
Development of Phonetic Cuneiform Writing
c. 2600 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyCultureLanguage
Early Copper Metallurgy in Nubia
c. 2600-2300 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyEngineeringEconomics
Sacred City of Caral: Earliest Urban Center in the Americas
c. 2600-2000 BCE · Ancient World
CultureTechnologyReligion
Construction of Khufu's Great Pyramid
c. 2580–2560 BCE · Ancient World
EngineeringTechnologyCulture
Great Pyramids of Giza Completed
c. 2510 BCE · Ancient World
EngineeringReligionCulture
Kingdom of Kerma Established
c. 2400 BCE · Ancient World
PoliticsCultureEconomics
Babylonian Lunisolar Calendar
c. 2100 BCE · Ancient World
AstronomyMathematicsCulture
Karnak Temple Construction Begins
2050 BC · Ancient World
ArtCultureReligion
Babylonian Right Triangle Mathematics
c. 1800 BCE · Ancient World
Mathematics
Babylonian Sexagesimal System: Positional Notation Without Zero
c. 1800 BCE · Ancient World
Mathematics
First Bronze Ritual Vessels at Erlitou
c. 1850-1750 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyCultureReligion
Construction of Western Deffufa Temple at Kerma
c. 1750 BCE · Ancient World
CultureReligionEngineering
Egyptian Mathematical Papyri
c. 1650 BCE · Ancient World
Mathematics
Origins of the Nok Culture
c. 1500-1000 BCE · Ancient World
ArtTechnologyCulture
Shang Dynasty Lunisolar Calendar
c. 1400 BCE · Ancient World
AstronomyMathematicsCulture
Oracle Bone Divination Script of Ancient China
c. 1400-1200 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyCultureLanguage
Iron-Carbon Smelting Produces Steel-Grade Alloys in Anatolia
c. 800 BCE · Ancient World
ChemistryEngineeringTechnology
Scythian Metallurgical and Warfare Innovations
c. 800-700 BCE · Ancient World
TechnologyArtWar
Library of Ashurbanipal
7th century BCE · Ancient World
EngineeringCulture
Kingdom of Kush Relocates Capital to Meroe
c. 590 BCE · Ancient World
PoliticsEngineeringEconomics
Pythagorean School and Number Theory
c. 530 BCE · Ancient World
MathematicsPhilosophy
Iron Production at Meroe, Kingdom of Kush
c. 500 BCE - 350 CE · Classical Antiquity
TechnologyEconomicsEngineering
Philolaus Proposes Central Fire Cosmology
c. 440 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Metonic Cycle Discovery
June 27, 432 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyMathematics
Democritus and Leucippus Propose Atomic Theory
c. 430 BCE · Classical Antiquity
ChemistryPhilosophy
Heraclides Ponticus Suggests Earth's Axial Rotation
c. 350 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Aristotle's On the Heavens Defines Geocentric Universe
c. 350 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyPhilosophyPhysics/Cosmology
Euclid's Elements
c. 300 BCE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsPhilosophy
Library of Alexandria Established
285 BCE · Classical Antiquity
EngineeringCulture
Aristarchus Proposes Heliocentric Model
c. 270 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Eratosthenes Measures Earth's Circumference
c. 240 BCE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsAstronomy
Invention of the Sinan (Chinese Lodestone Compass)
206 BC · Classical Antiquity
Technology
Invention of the Astrolabe
2nd century BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyTechnology
Hipparchus Catalogs Stars and Discovers Precession
129 BCE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyMathematics
Julian Calendar Reform
January 1, 45 BCE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsAstronomyPolitics
Earliest Maya Long Count Inscription
36 BCE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsCultureTechnology
Maya Independently Develop Zero as a Positional Placeholder
c. 36 BCE · Classical Antiquity
Mathematics
Construction of the Colosseum
72-80 CE · Classical Antiquity
EngineeringCulturePolitics
Cai Lun's Invention of Paper
105 CE · Classical Antiquity
TechnologyCultureEconomics
Construction of the Pantheon
c. 118-126 CE · Classical Antiquity
EngineeringArtCulture
Zhang Heng's Seismoscope Invention
132 CE · Classical Antiquity
TechnologyEngineering
Ptolemy Publishes the Almagest
c. 150 CE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Ancient Greek Wrestling Manual Written
200 · Classical Antiquity
CultureTechnology
Aksumite Kingdom Introduces Indigenous Coinage
c. 270 CE · Classical Antiquity
EconomicsPoliticsCulture
Bakhshali Manuscript Records Zero as a Written Symbol
c. 3rd–4th century CE · Classical Antiquity
Mathematics
Martianus Capella's Partial Heliocentric Model
c. 410 CE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Aryabhata's Early Place-Value System
499 CE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsAstronomy
Aryabhata's Invention of the Sine Function
499 CE · Classical Antiquity
MathematicsAstronomy
Aryabhata Describes Earth's Rotation
499 CE · Classical Antiquity
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Banana Cultivation Introduced to East Africa
c. 500 CE · Late Antiquity
AgricultureTechnologyCulture
Construction of Bamiyan Buddha Statues
c. 500-570 CE · Late Antiquity
ArtReligionCulture
Origin of Chess (Chaturanga)
c. 550-600 CE · Late Antiquity
CultureTechnologyMathematics
Wari Empire Emerges in the Andes
c. 550-600 CE · Late Antiquity
PoliticsCultureEngineering
Zero and Decimal System
628 CE · Late Antiquity
Mathematics
Brahmagupta Rejects Earth's Rotation
628 CE · Late Antiquity
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Cheomseongdae Observatory Construction
633 CE · Late Antiquity
AstronomyTechnologyEngineering
Establishment of the Islamic Hijri Calendar
638-639 CE · Late Antiquity
CultureReligionMathematics
Thonmi Sambhota Devises Tibetan Script
c. 650 CE · Late Antiquity
CultureTechnology
Yi Xing's Water-Driven Escapement Mechanism
725 CE · Late Antiquity
TechnologyAstronomyEngineering
Indian Astronomical Texts Translated into Arabic (Zij al-Sindhind)
773 CE · Late Antiquity
AstronomyMathematics
Jabir ibn Hayyan Systematizes Chemical Experimentation
c. 776 CE · Late Antiquity
ChemistryTechnology
Borobudur Temple Constructed
c. 800 CE · Late Antiquity
ReligionEngineeringArt
Sandstone Quarrying at Phnom Kulen
c. 802 CE · Late Antiquity
EngineeringGeology
Al-Khwarizmi's Foundational Algebra Text
c. 820 CE · Late Antiquity
Mathematics
House of Wisdom Founded in Baghdad
c. 832 CE · Late Antiquity
AstronomyMathematicsCulture
Printing of the Diamond Sutra
May 11, 868 CE · Late Antiquity
TechnologyReligion
Al-Battani's Astronomical Tables
c. 900 CE · Late Antiquity
AstronomyMathematics
Military Use of Gunpowder Begins
904 AD · Late Antiquity
TechnologyWar
Introduction of Arabic Numerals in Europe
10th-13th century · Medieval
Mathematics
Ibn al-Haytham Writes Book of Optics
c. 1011-1021 · Medieval
Physics/CosmologyMathematics
Paper Money Introduced in Song Dynasty China
c. 1024 · Medieval
EconomicsTechnology
Ibn al-Haytham's Doubts on Ptolemy
1028 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Al-Biruni Considers Earth's Rotation
1030 CE · Medieval
AstronomyPhysics/CosmologyMathematics
Invention of Movable Type Printing Press
1040 · Medieval
TechnologyLanguage
Chinese Astronomers Observe Supernova SN 1054
July 4, 1054 CE · Medieval
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Su Song's Astronomical Clock Tower
1088 CE · Medieval
AstronomyTechnologyEngineering
Adelard of Bath Translates Euclid's Elements from Arabic
c. 1120 · Medieval
MathematicsLanguage
Angkor Wat Built
1113-1150 CE · Medieval
Engineering
Ibn Rushd Critiques Ptolemaic Epicycles
c. 1190 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematicsPhilosophy
Fibonacci Publishes Liber Abaci, Introducing Hindu-Arabic Numerals to Europe
1202 CE · Medieval
MathematicsEconomics
Elephant Clock Invented
1206 · Medieval
TechnologyEngineering
Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela Completed in Ethiopia
c. 1220 CE · Medieval
EngineeringReligionArt
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi Invents the Tusi-couple Mechanism
1247 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Construction of Great Zimbabwe
c. 1100-1450 CE · Medieval
EngineeringEconomicsCulture
Maragha Observatory Established
1259 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematicsTechnology
Verge-and-Foliot Escapement
c. 1273 CE · Medieval
TechnologyEngineeringMathematics
Florence Bans Arabic Numerals and Zero from Official Documents
1299 CE · Medieval
MathematicsPoliticsEconomics
Easter Island Moai Statues Erected
c. 1250-1500 CE · Medieval
ArtCultureEngineering
Construction of Tenochtitlan
1325 CE · Medieval
EngineeringCulture
Ibn al-Shatir's Improved Planetary Models
c. 1350 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematics
Ulugh Beg Compiles Zij-i Sultani Star Catalog
1437 CE · Medieval
AstronomyMathematics
Gutenberg Printing Press
1439 AD · Medieval
TechnologyArtLanguage
Nicholas of Cusa Postulates an Infinite, Centerless Universe
February 12, 1440 · Medieval
AstronomyMathematicsPhilosophy
King Sejong Promulgates the Hangul Alphabet
1443 · Medieval
LanguageTechnology
Publication of Regiomontanus's Epitome of the Almagest
August 31, 1496 · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematics
Nilakantha Somayaji Proposes Partially Heliocentric System
c. 1500 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematics
Aztec Calendar Stone Carved
c. 1502-1520 · Early Modern
ArtCultureAstronomy
Copernicus Circulates Heliocentric Commentariolus
1514 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Invention of the Violin
1542 · Early Modern
Technology
Copernicus Publishes De Revolutionibus
1543 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Tycho Brahe Observes Supernova
November 11, 1572 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Thomas Digges Proposes Infinite Copernican Universe
1576 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Tycho Brahe Disproves Solid Celestial Spheres
November 13, 1577 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Gregorian Calendar Reform
February 24 - October 15, 1582 · Early Modern
MathematicsAstronomyReligion
Bruno Publishes 'On the Infinite Universe and Worlds'
1584 CE · Early Modern
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyPhilosophy
Tycho Brahe Proposes Geo-Heliocentric System
1588 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Giordano Bruno Executed for Heresy
February 17, 1600 · Early Modern
ReligionPhilosophyAstronomy
Invention of the Telescope
1608 · Early Modern
AstronomyTechnology
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion
1609 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Publication of Astronomia Nova
August 1609 · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Galileo Discovers Jupiter's Moons and Venus's Phases
January-September 1610 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Roman Inquisition Declares Copernican Theory Heretical
February 24, 1616 · Early Modern
ReligionAstronomyPolitics
Kepler Publishes Harmonices Mundi
Summer 1619 · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Papal Basilica of Saint Peter Constructed
November 18, 1626 · Early Modern
Engineering
Galileo Publishes Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems
February 22, 1632 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/CosmologyReligion
Galileo's Trial and Recantation
June 22, 1633 · Early Modern
AstronomyReligionPhilosophy
Descartes and the Birth of Analytic Geometry
1637 · Early Modern
MathematicsPhilosophy
Birth of Probability Theory
1654 · Early Modern
Mathematics
Huygens Discovers Saturn's Moon Titan
March 25, 1655 · Early Modern
AstronomyTechnology
Boyle Publishes The Sceptical Chymist
1661 · Early Modern
ChemistryPhilosophy
Invention of Calculus
1665-1675 · Early Modern
TechnologyMathematics
Cassini Measures Mars's Parallax to Determine Solar Distance
September 1672 · Early Modern
AstronomyMathematicsPhysics/Cosmology
Newton's Principia Published
July 5, 1687 · Early Modern
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyMathematics
Jethro Tull Develops the Seed Drill
1701 · Early Modern
AgricultureTechnology
Newcomen Atmospheric Engine Installed at Dudley
1712 · Early Modern
EngineeringTechnology
Commercium Epistolicum Published
January 1713 · Early Modern
MathematicsPhilosophy
Halley Discovers Proper Motion of Stars
1718 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Bradley Discovers Aberration of Starlight
January 1729 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
John Bevis Discovers the Crab Nebula
1731 · Early Modern
Astronomy
Kant's Island Universes Theory
1755 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/CosmologyPhilosophy
Catholic Church Lifts Ban on Heliocentric Works
1758 · Early Modern
AstronomyReligion
Harrison's H4 Marine Chronometer Sea Trial
November 18, 1761 · Early Modern
TechnologyEngineeringExploration
Bayes' Theorem
1763 · Early Modern
MathematicsPhilosophy
Eli Whitney Born
1765 · Early Modern
TechnologyAgricultureEconomics
Watt Patents the Improved Steam Engine
January 5, 1769 · Early Modern
TechnologyEngineeringEconomics
Lavoisier Demonstrates Conservation of Mass
1774 · Early Modern
Chemistry
Priestley Isolates Oxygen
August 1, 1774 · Early Modern
Chemistry
Lavoisier Names Oxygen and Overturns Phlogiston Theory
1777-1778 · Early Modern
Chemistry
William Herschel Discovers Uranus
March 13, 1781 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Herschel Determines the Sun's Motion Through Space
1783 · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
First Hot Air Balloon Flight
1783 · Early Modern
TechnologyExploration
Edmund Cartwright Invents the Power Loom
1784 · Early Modern
TechnologyEconomics
William Herschel Maps the Milky Way Galaxy
1785 CE · Early Modern
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Marie-Anne Paulze Lavoisier Illustrates Traite Elementaire de Chimie
1789 · Early Modern
ChemistryArt
Cotton Gin Invented by Eli Whitney
1793 · Early Modern
TechnologyAgricultureEconomics
George Cayley Engraves Fixed-Wing Aircraft Design on Silver Disc
1799 · Early Modern
EngineeringTechnology
Volta Invents the Electric Battery
March 20, 1800 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyChemistryTechnology
Jacquard Loom Invented
1801 · 19th Century
Technology
Steam Powered Locomotive
1804 AD · 19th Century
TechnologyEconomics
Laplace Publishes Theorie Analytique des Probabilites
1812 · 19th Century
Mathematics
Construction of the Erie Canal
1817-1825 · 19th Century
EngineeringEconomics
Wohler Synthesizes Urea from Inorganic Materials
February 1828 · 19th Century
Chemistry
Faraday Discovers Electromagnetic Induction
August 29, 1831 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyTechnologyEngineering
First Stellar Parallax Measurement
1838 CE · 19th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Discovery of the Daguerreotype Process
1839 · 19th Century
Technology
Ada Lovelace Writes Notes on the Analytical Engine
1843 · 19th Century
MathematicsTechnology
Discovery of Neptune
September 23, 1846 · 19th Century
Astronomy
Boolean Algebra
1847 · 19th Century
MathematicsPhilosophy
Foucault's Pendulum Demonstrates Earth's Rotation
February 3, 1851 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Wells Fargo & Company Founded
March 18, 1852 · 19th Century
EconomicsTechnology
Henry Bessemer Patents the Steel-Making Process
1856 · 19th Century
EngineeringTechnologyEconomics
Pony Express starts
1860 AD · 19th Century
TechnologyPolitics
Homestead Act is Passed
May 20, 1862 · 19th Century
PoliticsEngineeringLaw
CSS H.L. Hunley Sinks USS Housatonic
February 17, 1864 · 19th Century
WarTechnologyEngineering
Tokugawa Shogunate Overthrown; Meiji Emperor Restored to Power
3 January 1868 · 19th Century
PoliticsWarTechnology
Mendeleev Publishes the Periodic Table of Elements
March 6, 1869 · 19th Century
Chemistry
Transcontinental Railroad is Completed
May 10, 1869 · 19th Century
TechnologyEngineering
Suez Canal Opens
November 17, 1869 · 19th Century
EngineeringEconomicsExploration
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Published
1870 · 19th Century
ArtEntertainment & Media
Incandescent Light Bulb Invented
1879 · 19th Century
Technology
Mendeleev's Predicted Elements Discovered in Sequence
1875-1886 · 19th Century
Chemistry
International Meridian Conference
October 22, 1884 · 19th Century
EconomicsTechnologyExploration
Michelson-Morley Experiment Finds No Aether Drift
July 1887 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
Nikola Tesla Demonstrates AC Induction Motor
May 16, 1888 · 19th Century
TechnologyEngineering
Eiffel Tower constructed
1889 AD · 19th Century
Engineering
Oklahoma Land Rush
April 22, 1889 · 19th Century
EngineeringPolitics
Wilhelm Röntgen Discovers X-Rays
1895 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyMedicine
Marconi's First Wireless Telegraphy Transmission
1895 · 19th Century
Technology
Lumiere Brothers Public Screening at Grand Cafe
December 28, 1895 · 19th Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnology
Arrhenius Calculates CO2-Driven Warming
1896 · 19th Century
ClimateChemistry
Planck's Natural Units and Planck Time
May 18, 1899 · 19th Century
Physics/CosmologyMathematics
Marconi Receives Transatlantic Radio Signal
December 12, 1901 · 20th Century
TechnologyEntertainment & Media
First Electrical AC System Invented
1902 AD · 20th Century
Technology
Marie Curie Isolates Radium
April 1902 · 20th Century
ChemistryMedicine
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky Publishes Rocket Theory
1903 · 20th Century
Technology
Wright Brothers' First Flight
December 17, 1903 · 20th Century
TechnologyEconomics
Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity
June 30, 1905 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyMathematics
Markov Chains
1906 · 20th Century
Mathematics
Tunguska Event Flattens Siberian Forest
June 30, 1908 · 20th Century
AstronomyGeology
Haber and Bosch Develop Synthetic Nitrogen Fixation
1909 · 20th Century
ChemistryAgricultureEngineering
Alan Turing's Birth
June 23, 1912 · 20th Century
TechnologyMathematics
Panama Canal Opens to Commercial Traffic
August 15, 1914 · 20th Century
EngineeringExplorationEconomics
Fritz Haber Deploys Chlorine Gas at Ypres
April 22, 1915 · 20th Century
ChemistryWar
Einstein Publishes General Theory of Relativity
November 25, 1915 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyMathematicsAstronomy
Completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway
October 1916 · 20th Century
EngineeringEconomicsExploration
Shapley Locates the Milky Way's Center
1918 CE · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/CosmologyMathematics
First Transatlantic Flight
1919 AD · 20th Century
Technology
Eddington's Eclipse Expedition Confirms Relativity
May 29, 1919 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Shapley–Curtis Debate on the Scale of the Universe
April 26, 1920 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
KDKA Begins Regular Radio Broadcasting
November 2, 1920 · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnology
Establishment of Japan's Seismic Building Codes
1924 · 20th Century
Engineering
Hubble Proves Andromeda is an External Galaxy
December 30, 1924 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
First Liquid-Fueled Rocket
March 16, 1926 · 20th Century
TechnologyEngineeringPhysics/Cosmology
Lemaître Proposes Cosmic Expansion Theory
1927 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyMathematics
Philo Farnsworth Transmits Electronic Television Image
September 7, 1927 · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnology
Hubble Announces the Expanding Universe
March 15, 1929 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Gödel's Incompleteness Theorems
1931 · 20th Century
MathematicsPhilosophy
Empire State Building Completed
1931 AD · 20th Century
TechnologyArtEngineering
BBC Television Service Launches from Alexandra Palace
November 2, 1936 · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnology
Alan Turing Publishes On Computable Numbers
November 1936 · 20th Century
MathematicsTechnology
Florey and Chain Develop Penicillin for Clinical Use
1940-1941 · 20th Century
MedicineChemistry
Milankovitch Publishes Orbital Climate Theory
1941 · 20th Century
ClimateMathematics
First Successful V-2 Rocket Launch
October 3, 1942 · 20th Century
TechnologyWar
First V-2 Rocket Attack on London
September 8, 1944 · 20th Century
TechnologyWar
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
Aug 6, 1945 · 20th Century
ChemistryTechnologyWar
First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC Published
June 30, 1945 · 20th Century
TechnologyMathematics
Japan Signs Surrender Instrument Aboard USS Missouri; Allied Occupation Begins
2 September 1945 · 20th Century
PoliticsEconomicsWar
Gamow-Alpher-Herman Big Bang Nucleosynthesis Theory
1946-1948 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyMathematics
Invention of the Transistor
December 16, 1947 · 20th Century
Technology
Information Theory
1948 · 20th Century
Mathematics
Development of Radiocarbon Dating
1949 · 20th Century
Technology
Computing Machinery and Intelligence Paper Published
1950 · 20th Century
TechnologyMathematicsPhilosophy
Soviet Space Medicine Program Established
1951 · 20th Century
MedicineEngineering
Rosalind Franklin Captures X-ray Image of DNA
May 1952 · 20th Century
BiologyChemistry
Discovery of DNA Double Helix Structure
April 25, 1953 · 20th Century
BiologyMedicineChemistry
Operation Deep Freeze
1955 · 20th Century
ExplorationTechnology
First Practical Cesium Atomic Clock
May 24, 1955 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyTechnologyEngineering
Establishment of McMurdo Station
February 16, 1956 · 20th Century
ExplorationEngineering
Dartmouth Conference — Artificial Intelligence Named as a Discipline
Summer 1956 · 20th Century
TechnologyMathematicsPhilosophy
Sputnik 1 Launched
October 4, 1957 · 20th Century
TechnologyPolitics
Explorer 1 Satellite Launched
January 31, 1958 · 20th Century
Engineering
Keeling Begins Continuous Atmospheric CO2 Measurement at Mauna Loa
March 29, 1958 · 20th Century
ClimateChemistry
Formation of NASA
July 29, 1958 · 20th Century
EngineeringPoliticsTechnology
First Man in Space
April 12, 1961 · 20th Century
Engineering
Kennedy's Moon Landing Speech to Congress
May 25, 1961 · 20th Century
PoliticsEngineering
Penzias and Wilson Discover Cosmic Microwave Background
May 20, 1964 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Star Trek Premiered on NBC
1966 AD · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArtCulture
Redefinition of the Second
October 1967 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyTechnologyMathematics
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
July 20, 1969 · 20th Century
Engineering
Apollo 13 Mission Launched
April 11, 1970 · 20th Century
TechnologyPolitics
Soyuz 11: Tragic Space Mission
June 29, 1971 · 20th Century
Engineering
Pong (Video Game)
1972 AD · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Space Shuttle Thermal Protection Tile Development
1973 · 20th Century
TechnologyChemistry
Discovery of Sagittarius A*
February 1974 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyTechnology
Arecibo Message Beamed Toward Messier 13
November 16, 1974 · 20th Century
AstronomyTechnology
Industrial Light and Magic Founded
1975 · 20th Century
TechnologyArtEntertainment & Media
Star Wars: A New Hope Released
1977 · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Voyager Golden Record Assembled
1977 · 20th Century
CultureTechnologyAstronomy
Medusa Fiber Optic Spectrograph Demonstrated
1980 · 20th Century
AstronomyTechnologyPhysics/Cosmology
Vera Rubin Publishes Galaxy Rotation Evidence for Dark Matter
June 1980 · 20th Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomy
First Space Shuttle Columbia Launch
April 12, 1981 · 20th Century
Technology
STS-1: First Space Shuttle Launch
April 12, 1981 · 20th Century
Technology
Mario Bros. (Video Game) Published
1983 AD · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Tetris (Video Game)
1984 AD · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Space Shuttle Discovery Launched
August 30, 1984 · 20th Century
Technology
Bhopal Gas Disaster
December 3, 1984 · 20th Century
ChemistryMedicine
Super Mario Bros. Released
1985 AD · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Chernobyl Disaster
1986 AD · 20th Century
EngineeringTechnology
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
January 28, 1986 · 20th Century
Technology
The Birth of the World Wide Web
March 12, 1989 · 20th Century
TechnologyLanguage
Berlin Wall Falls
November 9, 1989 AD · 20th Century
EngineeringPolitics
Hubble Space Telescope Launched
April 24, 1990 · 20th Century
AstronomyTechnology
Wolfenstein 3D Released
May 5, 1992 · 20th Century
Entertainment & MediaArt
Detection of Exoplanet 51 Pegasi b
October 6, 1995 · 20th Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
Hubble Deep Field Image Released
January 15, 1996 · 20th Century
AstronomyTechnology
US Telecommunications Reform Act
February 8, 1996 · 20th Century
TechnologyPoliticsEconomics
Netflix Launches Watch Now Streaming Service
January 16, 2007 · 21st Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnology
iPhone Released
June 29, 2007 · 21st Century
Technology
Spotify Launches in Sweden
October 7, 2008 · 21st Century
Entertainment & MediaTechnologyEconomics
Bitcoin Genesis Block Created
January 3, 2009 · 21st Century
TechnologyEconomics
Launch of Namecoin
April 18, 2011 · 21st Century
TechnologyEconomics
Doudna and Charpentier Publish CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing Method
June 28, 2012 · 21st Century
BiologyMedicineChemistry
Voyager 1 Crosses into Interstellar Space
August 25, 2012 · 21st Century
AstronomyTechnologyExploration
AlexNet Wins ImageNet Challenge
September 30, 2012 · 21st Century
TechnologyMathematics
GN-z11: Discovery of the Most Distant Galaxy
2016 (galaxy from 13.4 billion years ago) · 21st Century
AstronomyPhysics/Cosmology
AlphaGo Defeats Lee Sedol
March 9–15, 2016 · 21st Century
TechnologyPhilosophy
Transformer Architecture Published
June 12, 2017 · 21st Century
TechnologyMathematics
SpaceX Crew-1
November 16, 2020 · 21st Century
Engineering
NASA Perseverance Rover Lands on Mars
February 18, 2021 · 21st Century
EngineeringExploration
SpaceX Crew-2
April 24, 2021 · 21st Century
EngineeringTechnologyExploration
Sinking of the Moskva
April 13–14, 2022 · 21st Century
WarTechnology
First Image of Sagittarius A*
May 12, 2022 · 21st Century
Physics/CosmologyAstronomyTechnology
ChatGPT Launched
November 30, 2022 · 21st Century
TechnologyPhilosophyEconomics
Claude Publicly Launched by Anthropic
March 14, 2023 · 21st Century
TechnologyPhilosophy
GPT-4 Released — Frontier AI Race Begins
March 14, 2023 · 21st Century
TechnologyEconomicsPhilosophy
EU AI Act Passed into Law
March 13, 2024 · 21st Century
LawPoliticsTechnology
Chang'e 6 Returns Far Side Lunar Samples to Earth
June 25, 2024 · 21st Century
ExplorationEngineering
SpaceX Catches Returning Rocket Booster on Tower
October 13, 2024 · 21st Century
EngineeringExploration
Pentagon Designates Anthropic a Supply Chain Risk
February 27, 2026 · 21st Century
PoliticsLawTechnology
You
The Present · 21st Century
TechnologyCulturePolitics