-
Jan 1, 1440
Printing press invented
Invented by a Johannes Gutenberg, a German. The invention was a turning point in European history because it made information directly available to the masses. More people were educated and had access to books and bibles, and such. -
Jan 1, 1465
Drypoint Engravings invented
This is a technique of the Intaglio family, where a picture is carved into a plate or "matrix" with a pointed needle or sharp metal. the plate is usually copper and the technique was much easier to ace than engraving. -
Jan 1, 1482
Congo River Exploration
Diogo Cao, an experienced Portugese sailer was sent to open up the coast furthur South of West Africa. This is how the mouth of the Congo River was discovered. He traveled a short ways down the river, and came in contact with the Bakongo Kingdom, beginning a trade with them. -
Jan 1, 1485
First parachutue
The first modern-type parachute was thought up and designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It involved a sealed linen cloth that was held open by a pyramid of wood poles, each about 7 meters long. -
May 1, 1492
Columbus discovers Americas
Columbus' first encounter with the New World was landing in the island of Guanahini, (present day Bahamas). He named the island San Salvador and made friends with the natives, who were the Lucayan, Taino, or Arawak. -
Jan 1, 1510
Leonardo's Water wheel invented
The water wheel used the power of a flowing river and used paddles to direct the flowing water through a system of gears and a cutting blade of some sort. His early design was aided in the invention we now use for hydroelectric power. -
Aug 10, 1519
Magellan round-world expedition
Magellan's voyage was the first to sail from the Atlantic Ocean onto the Pacific Ocean. The goal, according to the Spanish king was to find a Western route to Asia from Spain, The fleet consisted of 5 ships, and 270 crewmen. Magellan died on the trip. After nearly 6 years, the number of survivors who made it back to Spain was 38. -
Jan 1, 1565
Graphite pencil invented
Konrad Von Gesner, a German-Swiss scientist invented the first graphite pencil, which was a piece of wood enclosing a piece of graphite. A huge graphite deposit was found in England in the early 1560s which made this modern pencil possible. -
Stocking Frame invented
A mechanical knitting machine, used in textiles manufacturing. Was first known as "framework knitting". The invention was a major part in the textile industry, and also played a huge role in the early history of the Industrial revolution. -
Death of Elizabeth I
The reign of Queen Elizabethe I in England was the golden age of England. The country prospered under her rule. At the age of 70, she died. She was depressed from the death of Robert Devereux, and gradually lost the firm grip she alwasy had on running her country. After her death, the throne was given to King James IV of Scotland, who became King James I of England.
