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Ask HN: Inventions from history that might've never happened?

Are there inventions from history that might've been delayed 10+ years without the work of 1-2 people?

I'm hoping to identify examples of people doing things that aren't merely redistributive

e.g. if if one ride sharing company never started, it is and was a crowded enough space that there'd still be someone who runs/owns a $10bn+ value ride sharing company.

I'm looking for examples from history where "if person X didn't do Y, then thing Z wouldn't have happened for at least ~20+ years"

( 1 comment | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: Inventions from history that might've never happe... by ParameterOne on Saturday April 01, 2017 @10:23PM (#14015407)
Henry Ford making a V8. Everyone told him it was impossible to cast an eight cylinder engine block in one piece. He did it anyway. http://dreamdolivelove.com/do-it/choosing-setting-goals/the-...