First steam-powered mill (1779)
This would allow for long-distance communication
Charles Babbage (1834)'s analytic engine
James Brindley (1761)'s Bridgewater Canal
Allowed for barges to carry coal from Worsely to Manchester
First occurred in 1850. Gasoline is an important fuel source.
Singer's first practical sewing machine (1851)
Allowed for more sewing, including at-home
Robert Trevithick (1801)'s steam locomotive demonstration
George Stephenson's Rocket, 1829, would lead to great railroad infrastructure, which helped with city planning, made moving to the city easier, and made trade and large-scale commerce much better. For example, now placing factories in population centers made more sense. (I barely understand why myself, but okay)
First commercially successful (though kind of clumsy) steam engine, used to pump water out of coal mines. Big deal, since we've just unlocked a new power source.
Robert Fulton (1807)'s Clermont
Eli Whitney (1793)'s cotton gin
Richard Arkwright's water frame (1769)
More efficient thread spinning
Michael Faraday (1831)'s discovery of electromagnetic currents
Made generators and electrical engines possible
James Watt's efficient steam engine (1765)
Like fifty years later, they finally came out with a steam engine with a condensing chamber, making it more efficient. Also a pretty big deal.
Thomas Alva Edison's phonograph (1877)
This is a record player. Useful for music, instructions, etc.,
Jethro Tull (1708)'s mechanical seed drill
Helped plant crops
Lit his home using coal gas. Also, he was James Watt's assistant.
Made communicating across long distances much easier, but such conversations still had to be done in public, etc.,
James Hargreaves (1765)'s spinning jenny
Automated thread spinning
Gugliemo Marconi (1901) transatlantic radio message
Eiffel Tower (1889)
For the World Exposition in Paris
Brooklyn Bridge opened (1883)
Large suspension bridge, "triumph of engineering."
Alfred Nobel's dynamite (1867)
First high explosive that could be safely handled. Useful for mining and clearing areas for infrastructure.
According to wikipedia:
Liverpool and Manchester Railway (1830)
Marc Brunel's first underwater tunnel (1826-1842)
Under the Thames
First transatlantic cable completed
Mass slaughter is now possible, begins mechanization of warfare. Unfortunately, as some predicted, his machine gun did not prevent war — people still fought, despite these monsters being on the battlefield.
Karl Benz's internal-combustion automobile engine (1885)
cars go vroom
Reinforced Concrete
First skyscraper (10 stories tall) (in Chicago)
