15th-century inventions
21 inventions and discoveries: year, what it is, what it evolved from and what it led to.
| Year | Invention | What it is | Evolved from | Led to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1411 | Matchlock | A lock that ignites the powder with a smouldering match. | Wheellock | |
| 1430 | Mainspring | A spiral spring that stores a clock’s winding energy. | ||
| 1440 | Gutenberg printing press Johannes Gutenberg | A machine for reproducing text: type set from letters, ink and a screw press. | Rotary printing press | |
| 1441 | Rain gauge | A precipitation meter (Korea). | ||
| 1450 | Caravel | A light sailing ship of the Age of Discovery. | Galleon | |
| 1450 | Hygrometer | Measures air humidity. | ||
| 1450 | Anemometer | Measures wind speed (Alberti; the cup anemometer — Robinson). | ||
| 1450 | Typography | The art of setting text in type. | Desktop publishing | |
| 1470 | Billiards | A table with balls and a cue. | ||
| 1492 | Globe | A model of the Earth (Behaim). | Map | |
| 1498 | Rifling | Helical grooves that spin the bullet. | ||
| 1500 | Guitar | A plucked string instrument. | Harp | Electric guitar |
| 1500 | Wheellock | A lock that strikes a spark with a spinning wheel. | Matchlock | Flintlock |
| 1500 | Screwdriver | A tool for driving screws. | ||
| 1500 | Carriage | A covered horse-drawn coach on springs. | Cart | Stagecoach, Car |
| 1500 | Towel | Terry cloth. | ||
| 1500 | Xylophone | A percussion instrument with bars. | ||
| 1500 | Wall calendar | A printed calendar. | ||
| 1500 | Vice | A clamping device with a screw. | ||
| 1500 | Heating stove | A stove for warming a home; the Russian stove, the Franklin stove. | ||
| 1500 | Bag | A bag for belongings. |