What are the most important scientific discoveries of the twentieth century?

Quantum theory was the most significant, followed by DNA and Einstein's theory of special relativity. Quantum theory gives you the key to all atomic phenomena, and that in turn gives you the key to chemistry and biology. dna is fundamental to biology, and special relativity is essential for exploring nuclear physics. And the century's greatest inventions? The airplane, the transistor, and the computer. The airplane gives us communication with the whole world. The transistor is fundamental to all electronic communication. And computers - it's obvious. Was it right to build the atom bomb? Yes, because it ended the war against Japan quickly, with fewer Japanese casualties than would have occurred if firebombing of Japanese cities had continued. Atom bombs also helped ensure that the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union never became a hot war. How do you feel about President Clinton's push to revive the Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars")? I argued strongly ...  more