The steam engine was invented around 250 years ago and started the Industrial Revolution by allowing machines to do work that was previously done by hand. It used steam from boiled water to power factories, ships, and trains, significantly increasing production and the speed at which people and goods could travel. The telegraph was invented around 170 years ago and began the communication revolution by sending tapped messages over wires, preceding the telephone which was invented around 140 years ago and leading to modern smartphones and tablets.