Improvements in these mechanisms provided a consistent power source for grinding grain, sawing wood, and draining mines.
The introduction of cannons and muskets revolutionized warfare, making traditional knightly armor and stone castles obsolete.
Allowed for higher temperatures in metalworking, leading to better quality iron and steel for tools and weapons.
Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, it allowed for the mass production of books, drastically increasing literacy and spreading scientific ideas.