Exactly. F.e. beforementioned laser does not exist even in the form of concept or idea before 1954. In mid-60s we already had mass-manufacturing of things that use lasers for one ot another purpose. And that change nearly everything. That is how important inventions or discoveries work. Something that was completely unknown yesterday, change everything around soon after discovery.
You will not find something similar after 70s, despite all technological advances that should make doing such discoveries/inventions much easier. But there is absolutely nothing since 70s. No any device, principle, whatever, that could be named real game changer. No new engines, power sources, tools based on new principles, etc.
Even if you will try hard and allow very far-stretched assumptions, the only thing of similar importance you could find is an idea of 3D-printer. Importance is in that it allowed to create physical parts that was impossible to create using other methods of manufacturing.
I do not think I can explain well enough to justify something. To me, your definition would suggest that lasers are little more than focused light, which I think the Greeks are famous for reflecting and amplifying sunlight.
I was thinking additive manufacturing but that is just a revolution of the existing concept of subtractive manufacturing so that should not count either.
I will withdraw from this discuss since I think I have hit my conceptual wall of English.
To me, your definition would suggest that lasers are little more than focused light
No. The main property of laser beam is coherence that gives it all other important properties, including incredibly low divergence you absolutely could not achieve focusing light.
I was thinking additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is known from ancient times. Humans build houses with additive manufacturing since the beginning.
3D printer really just automates that process, that is why I mentioned far-stretching. Of course it is not a real breakthrough or discovery, but at least it is some noticeable advance in a technologies of making things. Especially interesting that today 3D printer was perfectly possible with only pre-70s technologies of CNC. But for some unknown reason it was brought to life only in 90s.
Exactly. F.e. beforementioned laser does not exist even in the form of concept or idea before 1954. In mid-60s we already had mass-manufacturing of things that use lasers for one ot another purpose. And that change nearly everything. That is how important inventions or discoveries work. Something that was completely unknown yesterday, change everything around soon after discovery.
You will not find something similar after 70s, despite all technological advances that should make doing such discoveries/inventions much easier. But there is absolutely nothing since 70s. No any device, principle, whatever, that could be named real game changer. No new engines, power sources, tools based on new principles, etc.
Even if you will try hard and allow very far-stretched assumptions, the only thing of similar importance you could find is an idea of 3D-printer. Importance is in that it allowed to create physical parts that was impossible to create using other methods of manufacturing.
I do not think I can explain well enough to justify something. To me, your definition would suggest that lasers are little more than focused light, which I think the Greeks are famous for reflecting and amplifying sunlight.
I was thinking additive manufacturing but that is just a revolution of the existing concept of subtractive manufacturing so that should not count either.
I will withdraw from this discuss since I think I have hit my conceptual wall of English.
No. The main property of laser beam is coherence that gives it all other important properties, including incredibly low divergence you absolutely could not achieve focusing light.
Additive manufacturing is known from ancient times. Humans build houses with additive manufacturing since the beginning. 3D printer really just automates that process, that is why I mentioned far-stretching. Of course it is not a real breakthrough or discovery, but at least it is some noticeable advance in a technologies of making things. Especially interesting that today 3D printer was perfectly possible with only pre-70s technologies of CNC. But for some unknown reason it was brought to life only in 90s.