by Drew Killien
Mythology, period 5
1. The A-Bomb
For the first time in history, gave governments the ability to publically threaten the destruction of the world (or, at least, human civilization). The entire second half of the 20th century was lived under the shadow of nuclear annihilation.
2. The Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Cold War was the defining conflict of the fifty year period. It also separated the world into two large areas between which very little physical or cultural communication was allowed. The fall of the wall signals the end of this era and the collapse of these barriers and will change the world in ways we can only begin to imagine.
3. Telephone
Yes, it was invented in the previous century, but it is one of those inventions that only becomes significant when it becomes widespread. Two hundred telephones are a novelty. Two hundred million telephones are a revolution. The ease of communication between ordinary people separated by vast distances has done more to tie families and friends together than any of the 20th century revolutions in transportation.
4. Television
Again, this is something that became important only as it became ubiquitous, at least throughout the developed world. The creation of a mass culture that everybody has access to ties societies together in the same way that the telephone ties individuals together.
5. Personal Computer
This will be more important to the next 50 years than to the last, but we're already beginning to see the effects: Email taking the place of the telephone, video games and online services taking the place of the television. Plus, now you don't have to try to read your students' handwriting.