"Necessity is the Mother of Invention"

Who Invented

Who said "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" - The Quote:  The famous quote, saying or proverb "Necessity is the mother of invention" was coined by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato (c. 429–347 B.C.). The phrase was documented as a form of dialogue with another ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (c.470-399 BC). The work was entitled 'Republic' and written around 380 BC.

What is the meaning of "Necessity is the Mother of Invention":  Explanation: The meaning of the saying refers to a situation when the need for something becomes absolutely imperative then someone will try to find a way of doing it. The expression is especially relevant when people are faced with a an extremely serious problem that they are forced to overcome or the need for a solution is essential.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples: There are many examples that highlight the relevance of the famous saying particularly in the field of weaponry during times of war when people, nations or states engage in armed conflict as a form of attack or defence. Another specific example is the use of the saying is when lives are significantly at risk from life threatening illnesses and deadly diseases. There are many examples of "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" in the field of medicine. Simple inventions such as the humble Traffic Light also saved lives. And the invention of items such as Braille served to improve the lives of blind people. 

 

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention" saying

 

 Inventions and Inventors Index

 

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples: Fire *** Wheel *** Tools *** Bronze *** Norman Invasion of England *** American Civil War *** World War 1 *** World War Two *** Cold War Inventions *** Space Race *** Anesthesia *** Penicillin *** Braille *** Elevator *** Guillotine *** Traffic Light *** Insulin *** Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples ***

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Fire: It was an important advancement for mankind to harness the power of Fire which provided our earliest descendents with warmth during inclement weather, light in dark caves or at night, the ability to cook their food and finally as protection against attacks from savage animals.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Tools: Early Tools were made from stones and bones. Flakes of stone were broken off the of the original piece of flint to produce Stone Tools. The more experienced Flint Knappers discovered that they could make weapons for fighting, hunting, fishing, drilling, engraving and carving wood. The better the tools, the better the lifestyle. The better the tools, the better the weapons which could mean the difference between life and death.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - The Wheel: The invention of the Wheel was made in Mesopotamia c.3500 BC. The discovery of the wheel followed observations that wooden logs could be rolled and used to haul heavy loads. This method was used to move the massive stones from Wales to one of the oldest sites in the world - Stonehenge.  Ancient Romans, Greeks, and the Chinese used wheelbarrows and wheels were used as a form of transportation, and a weapon of war, in the form of chariots. The wheel was also used by Potters to create various containers and drinking vessels.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Bronze: The invention of bronze by melting copper and tin was used to make strong, metal weapons which could easily defeat those who just had stone weapons. To survive in the Bronze Age (1800 - 600 BC) people had to adapt to this new form of technology, a clear example of "Necessity being the Mother of Invention". 

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Papyrus: The Papyrus was first used c. 3000 BC during the Early Dynastic period of the Ancient Egyptians (3100 - 2686BC).  The Ancient Egyptians had invented a form of writing known as Hieroglyphics which adorned the walls of tombs. As the ancient Egyptian civilization developed it became necessary to record important events and make preparations for the afterlife, such as protective spells in the Book of the Dead. The invention of Papyrus provided the Egyptians with an easily portable substance to write on.      

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - 1066 Norman Invasion of England: The Norman Invasion of England in 1066 was made possible when the Normans fleet of ships led by William the Conqueror not only carried soldiers and weapons but also a form of wooden prefabricated castles!. These were quick and easy to erect and served as a temporary safe haven for the Norman invasion force.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - The American Civil War Inventions (1861 - 1865): As in all wars the American Civil War witnessed the North and the South desperately trying to gain dominance over the other with the invention of new weapons. New Inventions in weaponry emerged during the American Civil War including aerial reconnaissance using hot air balloons, vessels for naval warfare called 'Ironclads', the first submarines and under-water Mines, Rockets and Rocket launchers, hand grenades and  Gatling Guns.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - World War 1 Inventions (1914 - 1918): The Great War, WW1, initiated many inventions in the field of weaponry including the first Guided Missile infantry rifles and artillery and new, powerful machine guns. Tanks played a major role in WW1 and were fitted with guns, armor plating, and their caterpillar tracks enabled tanks to cross trenches. New submarines and the German U-Boat were developed as weapons of war and the development of anti-submarine weapons were invented to combat the deadly threat.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - World War Two Inventions: WW2 led to the development of the Atomic Bomb. The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was developed in order to make military calculations. Radio navigation, RADAR and SONAR were invented as was the aircraft carrier. New forms of Rocketry were invented such as the V-1 flying bomb (the buzz bomb), the V-2 rocket and the Bouncing Bomb. Self-guiding weapons were introduced and the first electronic digital computers were developed to break secret codes.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Cold War Inventions (1945 - 1960): This was the highly dangerous, historical period of "non-hostile belligerency" primarily between the USA and the USSR who competed to stay ahead of the 'enemy' producing new technological and industrial innovations which included space exploration, satellites and the race to the moon. It began with supersonic flight, the first robots, the creation of nuclear fusion, nuclear-powered submarines and the hydrogen bomb. The Space Race began with the launch of first artificial satellites (Sputnik I).

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Space Race: The Space Race began with the launch of first artificial satellite (Sputnik I) by the Russians and first Manned Moon Orbit by the Americans when man walked on the moon.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Anesthesia: Early surgical procedures and amputations were undertaken when the patient was still conscious, with only a piece of wood to stop from screaming. This highly distressing and agonizing process led to the discovery of Anesthesia which was made in 1846 by Thomas Green Morton.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Penicillin: The discovery of Penicillin was made by Alexander Fleming in 1928 used as an amazing antibiotic drug used to treat deadly infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Braille: The invention of the Braille was made in 1824 by Louis Braille who was a blind man who desperately wanted to improve his education but was unable to read conventional books. Louis Braille therefore invented a system of reading for the blind in which the characters are represented by patterns of raised dots to represent letters and numerals.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Elevator: The invention of the easy process for producing steel led to the building of skyscrapers but the height of the buildings was limited because people could not manage the stairs on a regular basis. The Elevator was invented in 1852 by the American inventor Elisha Otis during the Second US Industrial Revolution (1850 - 1914).

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Guillotine: During the French Revolution a law was passed making beheading the only form of execution in France. It was impractical to execute such a staggering number of condemned persons during the Terror by the axe or sword as this required a strong, skilled executioner. Dr. Joseph Ignace Guillotin recommended the use of a device for beheading people which was named the Guillotine.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Traffic Light: The invention of the Traffic Light was made by African American Garrett Morgan in 1923 controlling the flow of motor vehicles at intersections necessitated by the invention and massive use of automobiles.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples - Insulin: The invention of the Insulin was made in 1921, by scientists from the University of Toronto. The life-saving hormone for diabetics that keeps blood sugars in check.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples: We hope that this article has provided a sufficient number of examples to explain the meaning of the quote "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" and they were provide inspiration to write a speech or an essay on this famous quote.

"Necessity is the Mother of Invention" Examples: *** Fire *** Tools *** Bronze *** Norman Invasion of England *** Wheel *** American Civil War *** World War Two *** Cold War Inventions *** Space Race *** Penicillin *** Elevator *** Guillotine *** Traffic Light *** Insulin *** Braille *** World War 1 *** Anesthesia *** Necessity is the Mother of Invention Examples ***

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