First

In human history, 'first' symbolizes innovation and origin, referring to pivotal events that led to paradigm shifts across science, technology, culture, and society.

First

Overview

'First' is a concept referring to the earliest events, inventions, discoveries, or actions in the development of human civilization. Beyond mere chronological precedence, it is evaluated as a turning point that fundamentally changed the course of history. 'First' serves as a symbol of innovation and a milestone of human progress in all fields, including science, technology, culture, politics, and art.

Main Content

1. Firsts in Science and Technology

  • First use of tools: About 2.6 million years ago, Homo habilis created the Oldowan stone tools, the first known tools, by breaking stones. This laid the foundation for human brain development and cooperative societies.
  • First use of fire: About 1.5 million years ago, Homo erectus began controlling fire, which played a crucial role in protection from wild animals, improved nutrient absorption through cooked food, and the formation of social groups.
  • First writing: Around 3400 BCE, the Sumerians developed cuneiform, recognized as the first writing system. This enabled record preservation, the establishment of legal systems, and the spread of civilization.
  • First printing: Around 1040, Bi Sheng in China created movable type printing, the first printing technology, which later led to Gutenberg's metal movable type printing (1450), promoting the popularization of knowledge.
  • First steam engine: In 1712, Thomas Newcomen invented the atmospheric steam engine, marking the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, and James Watt's improvements (1769) ushered in the era of mechanization.
  • First light bulb: In 1879, Thomas Edison commercialized the practical incandescent light bulb, a symbolic event heralding the electric age.
  • First computer: In 1946, ENIAC was developed as the first general-purpose electronic digital computer, laying the foundation for subsequent innovations including the transistor (1947), integrated circuit (1958), and microprocessor (1971).
  • First internet connection: In 1969, ARPANET was established as the first packet-switching network, and in 1991, Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web (WWW), initiating the information revolution.
  • First artificial satellite: In 1957, the Soviet Union's Sputnik 1 was launched as the first artificial satellite, opening the space age.
  • First human spaceflight: In 1961, Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1 became the first human in space, and in 1969, Neil Armstrong of Apollo 11 took the first steps on the Moon.

2. Firsts in Culture and Art

  • First literary work: Around 2100 BCE, the Sumerian 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is recorded as the first epic poem, an early literary achievement exploring human life, death, and relationships with gods.
  • First film: In 1895, the Lumière brothers screened 'The Arrival of a Train,' achieving the first film screening, which opened a new chapter in popular culture.
  • First television broadcast: In 1936, the British BBC began the world's first regular television broadcasts, leading to the popularization of audiovisual media.
  • First sound recording: In 1877, Thomas Edison invented the phonograph and made the first sound recording, laying the foundation for the music industry.
  • First Olympic Games: In 776 BCE, the first Olympic Games were held in ancient Olympia, Greece, and the modern Olympics were revived in Athens in 1896.

3. Firsts in Politics and Society

  • First democracy: In 508 BCE, Cleisthenes in ancient Athens introduced the first democratic system, originating citizen political participation and the rule of law.
  • First constitution: In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was enacted as the first written constitution, providing the basic framework for modern states.
  • First declaration of human rights: In 1789, during the French Revolution, the 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen' was adopted, later expanded into the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • First women's suffrage: In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote, which later spread worldwide.
  • First abolition of slavery: In 1833, the UK passed the Slavery Abolition Act, and in 1865, the U.S. abolished slavery with the 13th Amendment.
  • First international organization: In 1920, the League of Nations was established as the first international peace organization, succeeded by the United Nations in 1945.

4. Firsts in Medicine and Life Sciences

  • First vaccine: In 1796, Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine using cowpox virus, marking the beginning of immunology.
  • First antibiotic: In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, and in 1941, it was first used in humans, revolutionizing infectious disease treatment.
  • First discovery of DNA structure: In 1953, Watson and Crick elucidated the double helix structure of DNA, laying the foundation for genetics.
  • First organ transplant: In 1954, Joseph Murray performed the first successful kidney transplant, and in 1967, Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant.
  • First gene editing: In 2012, CRISPR-Cas9 technology was developed, opening possibilities for gene therapy.

5. Firsts in Philosophy and Thought

  • First philosopher: In the 6th century BCE, Thales is recorded as the first philosopher, making the first attempt to explain natural phenomena through reason rather than myth.
  • First university: In 1088, the University of Bologna in Italy was established as the first university, providing a venue for systematic transmission and research of knowledge.
  • First encyclopedia: In the 18th century, the 'Encyclopédie' compiled by Diderot and d'Alembert in France was the first modern encyclopedia, spreading Enlightenment ideas.

Latest Trends

As of 2024-2025, the concept of 'first' is being rapidly redefined in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and space exploration.

  • First copyright recognition for AI creations: In 2024, the U.S. Copyright Office issued the first precedent recognizing partial copyright for AI-generated content where human creative contribution is clear. This opens a new chapter in intellectual property discussions in the AI era.
  • First private Moon landing: In 2024, the Odysseus lander from the U.S. private company Intuitive Machines successfully landed on the Moon's south pole, setting the first private Moon landing record. This presents a cooperation model between NASA's Artemis program and the private space industry.
  • First commercialization of quantum computers: In 2024, IBM commercialized a quantum computer with over 1,000 qubits, achieving the first quantum advantage. This is expected to accelerate innovation in drug development, climate modeling, and cryptography.
  • First brain-computer interface (BCI) clinical trial: In 2024, Neuralink received approval for the first human BCI chip implant clinical trial, and in early 2025, the first patient underwent successful implant surgery. This heralds a new era in neurological disease treatment and human-machine integration.
  • First synthetic human genome: In 2024, an international research team successfully created the first fully synthetic human genome. This is expected to maximize possibilities for personalized gene therapy and synthetic biology.
  • First international law recognition of climate refugees: In 2025, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is promoting an international convention to officially recognize people displaced by climate change as 'climate refugees' for the first time. This demands a new paradigm in international law.
  • First commercial electric aircraft operation: In 2024, Airbus and Heart Aerospace began the first commercial operations of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This marks the dawn of the urban air mobility (UAM) era.
  • First approval for fusion power plant construction: In 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy approved the construction of the first commercial nuclear fusion power plant. This is expected to accelerate the realization of unlimited clean energy.

Related Topics

  • [[Innovation]]
  • [[Invention]]
  • [[Scientific Revolution]]
  • [[Industrial Revolution]]
  • [[Digital Revolution]]
  • [[Space Exploration]]
  • [[Artificial Intelligence]]
  • [[Gene Editing]]