A condensed timeline highlighting some of the most significant breakthroughs that have had a profound impact on human civilization:

1. Prehistoric Era (2.5 million years ago – 3000 BCE):
   • Fire Control (circa 1.7 million years ago): Mastery of fire allowed early humans to cook food, stay warm, ward off predators, and expand into new habitats.
   • Agriculture (circa 10,000 BCE): The transition from hunting and gathering to farming led to the establishment of settled communities, the rise of civilizations, and the development of social complexity.
2. Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE – 500 CE):
   • Writing (circa 3200 BCE): The invention of writing systems such as cuneiform, hieroglyphics, and alphabets enabled the recording of information, the preservation of knowledge, and the dissemination of ideas.
   • Wheel (circa 3500 BCE): The invention of the wheel revolutionized transportation, trade, and agriculture, laying the foundation for technological progress.
   • Ironworking (circa 1200 BCE): The widespread use of iron tools and weapons transformed warfare, agriculture, and craftsmanship in ancient civilizations.
3. Classical Era to Middle Ages (500 CE – 1500 CE):
   • Mathematics and Science in the Islamic Golden Age (8th – 14th centuries): Scholars in the Islamic world made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, preserving and building upon knowledge from ancient civilizations.
   • Printing Press (1440): Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press revolutionized the spread of information, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge, ideas, and cultural developments during the Renaissance and beyond.
4. Early Modern Era (1500 CE – 1800 CE):
   • Scientific Revolution (16th – 17th centuries): The Scientific Revolution, marked by discoveries such as heliocentrism, laws of motion, and the scientific method, laid the groundwork for modern science and the Enlightenment.
   • Industrial Revolution (late 18th – early 19th centuries): The Industrial Revolution transformed society with innovations such as steam engines, mechanized manufacturing, and urbanization, ushering in an era of unprecedented economic growth and technological progress.
5. Modern Era (1800 CE – Present):
   • Electricity (late 19th century): The harnessing of electricity revolutionized communication, transportation, industry, and daily life, leading to the development of electric lights, telegraphs, and eventually electronic devices.
   • Information Age (late 20th century): The advent of computers, the internet, and digital technologies revolutionized communication, commerce, and information access, shaping the modern world and accelerating globalization.
   • Biotechnology and Genomics (late 20th century – present): Advances in biotechnology, including gene editing, DNA sequencing, and personalized medicine, hold the potential to revolutionize healthcare, agriculture, and the understanding of life itself.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the diverse range of breakthroughs that have shaped human destiny over millennia, illustrating the ongoing quest for knowledge, progress, and innovation throughout history.

Also, from another source:

A broad overview of key technological advancements and their diffusion throughout human history:

1. Prehistoric Era (2.5 million years ago – 3000 BCE):
   • Stone Tools: Stone tools, such as hand axes and spears, were among the earliest technological innovations used by early humans for hunting, food processing, and defense. These tools spread across different regions as human populations migrated and expanded.
2. Ancient Civilizations (3000 BCE – 500 CE):
   • Writing Systems: Writing systems, such as cuneiform in Mesopotamia, hieroglyphics in Egypt, and the Indus script in the Indian subcontinent, emerged independently in various ancient civilizations. Writing facilitated communication, record-keeping, administration, and the transmission of knowledge.
   • Metallurgy: The smelting and working of metals, particularly bronze and iron, revolutionized toolmaking, weaponry, agriculture, and trade in ancient societies. Metallurgical techniques diffused across cultures through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange.
3. Classical Era to Middle Ages (500 CE – 1500 CE):
   • Papermaking and Printing: The invention of papermaking in China and later the development of printing technologies, such as movable type in East Asia and the printing press in Europe, transformed communication, education, and the dissemination of knowledge.
   • Navigation and Maritime Technology: Innovations in shipbuilding, navigation instruments, and maritime technologies, such as the astrolabe and compass, facilitated long-distance trade, exploration, and the exchange of goods and ideas across continents.
4. Early Modern Era (1500 CE – 1800 CE):
   • Scientific Revolution: The Scientific Revolution in Europe led to breakthroughs in mathematics, astronomy, physics, and biology, laying the foundation for modern science and technology. The diffusion of scientific knowledge and methodologies accelerated through academic institutions, scientific societies, and correspondence networks.
   • Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution brought about a wave of technological innovations, including steam engines, textile machinery, iron and steel production, and mechanized agriculture. These innovations originated in Britain but soon spread to other parts of Europe and North America, transforming economies and societies worldwide.
5. Modern Era (1800 CE – Present):
   • Electricity and Telecommunications: The harnessing of electricity and the development of telecommunications technologies, such as the telegraph, telephone, and internet, revolutionized communication, transportation, and commerce on a global scale.
   • Information and Digital Technologies: Advances in information and digital technologies, including computers, semiconductors, software, and the internet, have fueled the digital revolution, leading to rapid innovation, globalization, and the emergence of the knowledge economy.
   • Biotechnology and Medicine: Breakthroughs in biotechnology, genetics, and medicine have led to advancements in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. These innovations have diffused globally through research collaborations, academic exchange, and multinational corporations.

Throughout history, the diffusion of technology has been driven by a combination of factors, including trade, conquest, migration, cultural exchange, scientific collaboration, and technological transfer. As societies interacted and interconnected through trade routes, exploration, colonization, and globalization, technological innovations spread and adapted to diverse cultural, environmental, and socio-economic contexts, shaping the trajectory of human civilization.