What is the most benefitial technological advance ever created?

[Mike Ciance]

Chiefdelphi, obviously!

Depending on where you draw the borderline for "technological," but i'd have to say that written language is the greatest thing to ever happen to humanity.

If you are going by actual technology, i'd have to say the the button has been the most important technological advance ever. I don't know about you, but i can't imagine typing with a scrollwheel.

[Richard Wallace]

The development and widespread installation of flush toilets during the 19th century probably did more to reduce disease and extend average lifespan than any other single invention.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Richard

The development and widespread installation of flush toilets during the 19th century probably did more to reduce disease and extend average lifespan than any other single invention.

except for that little thing called penicillin.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Kyle

except for that little thing called penicillin.

Look here for a historical perspective.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by Richard

Look here for a historical perspective.

Since penicillin wasn't used until the 1940's, you win this time...

Thanks for the history lesion I guess you really do learn something new everyday.

[dubious elise]

Very interesting about the toilet... I now have a newfound appreciation for my own loo!

In a similar line of thought as Kyle, and to quote "Donnie Darko" nonetheless, I'm going to have to say antiseptics. Joseph Lister did us a great favor in developing antiseptics. Before them, medicine itself was almost a complete failure (eg: The Middle Ages).

[Jay TenBrink]

I think that man’s ability to mine and smelt iron and later on to create steel is pretty much my favorite technological breakthrough. It is a fundamental building block of civilization and has been since the iron age.

[Daniel Brim]

Let's not forget about fire. It has paved the way to most (if not all) technological breakthroughs, such as electricity, and has saved countless lives and made infinitely many more lives possible. And just think, the inventor of one of the most important things is unrecognized even today. Thank you, java man!

[JackN]

Definitly the combustion engine. It takes you from point a to point b. With out it we would still be using horse and buggy.

[Rich Kressly]

The Gas Grill. C'mon people, it's the coolest thing going. I'll shovel snow to get to mine

[Beth Sweet]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

The Gas Grill. C'mon people, it's the coolest thing going. I'll shovel snow to get to mine

Ok, so Rich officially has an obsession with his grill. Someone get this man some steaks and bbq sauce!

[Richard Wallace]

Maybe the "most beneficial invention" award should go to whichever of our primate ancestors was the first to use a rock to bang a chip loose from another rock, and then notice that the sharp edge just created could be used to cut things. He or she had just invented machining and made the first tool.

[mathking]

Agriculture. And certainly the most important development therein is the iron/steel plow, so you have to give a tip of the hat to the development of the ability to forge iron.

[Not2B]

Originally Posted by Karthik

In 1436, German inventor Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press.

I can't think of anything more important. The transfer and storage of information for the masses is HUGE. Heck, the internet is just a fancy printing press.