Science is a method and activity for human exploration of nature and understanding of the world, and scientific discoveries are the crystallization and creation of human wisdom. In human history, there have been many significant scientific discoveries that not only reveal the mysteries and laws of nature, but also change human life and society. Today, let’s review the top ten major scientific discoveries of the world by humans and see how they have influenced us.
1. Pythagorean theorem
The Pythagorean theorem is one of the oldest and most fundamental mathematical theorems, which describes that the square of the hypotenuse in a right angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the two right angled sides. This theorem was first proven by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in the 6th century BC and has been widely applied in fields such as geometry, algebra, physics, and engineering by later generations. The Pythagorean theorem is a paradigm for the connection between mathematics and nature, as well as a hallmark of human rational thinking.
2. The presence of microorganisms
Microorganisms refer to living organisms that are invisible to the naked eye but can only be observed through a microscope, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi, algae, etc. Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and closely related to human health and diseases. At the end of the 17th century, Dutch lens manufacturer Levin Hooke first observed microorganisms through a microscope and named them “small animals”. At the end of the 19th century, French microbiologist Pasteur proposed the theory of pathogenic microorganisms and pioneered vaccination and Pasteur disinfection methods. The discovery and research of microorganisms provide important basis and means for human understanding of the diversity and complexity of life, as well as for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
