Slowest advancing technology ever?

[MarillionFan]

The needle. Fairly certain it's been the same for about 3000 years.

[yasockie]

Arguably. Although modern cars are more efficient, fuel injected, electronically controlled and have a more efficient shape generally from those in 1950.

Funny enough I've had the same discussion over the weekend, IRL.
We might have reached some interesting conclusions, but I don't remember any of it...

[doodab]

I think there is quite a lot of technology that has advanced more slowly. The clay pot for example. Or the pencil. Or beer. The flushing toilet also predates the bicycle and hasn't undergone nearly as much innovation.

Modern bicycles make extensive use of high tech materials, much more so than the average car. The latest ones have electronic gear systems.

[doodab]

Finally, the frame has been put together with a technique which is (as far as I know) not used any more as it's been superseded by other methods which save on weight.

Actually lugged steel frames are still available. They are a bit of a rarity though.

[mudskipper]

Actually lugged steel frames are still available. They are a bit of a rarity though.

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive

[TimberWolf]

The needle. Fairly certain it's been the same for about 3000 years.

I've got an easy threading needle. You force the thread into the head of the needle rather than threading it through. It might be argued that the needle developed into the sewing machine and loom.

I saw a comb and dice in the Egyptian museum which looked quite modern.

[doodab]

The cup hasn't evolved a great deal since the invention of the handle.

One day we'll perfect the portable computing device and that'll cease to evolve as well, probably around the time it becomes a bit smarter than us but not so smart as to take the piss.

[d000hg]

Modern bicycles make extensive use of high tech materials, much more so than the average car. The latest ones have electronic gear systems.

Only top-end ones. Your basic bike is still metal and low-tech. Comparing a modern expensive bike isn't fair. Unless that WAS a top-end bike but I doubt it.

[TimberWolf]

I think there is quite a lot of technology that has advanced more slowly. The clay pot for example. Or the pencil. Or beer. The flushing toilet also predates the bicycle and hasn't undergone nearly as much innovation.

Modern bicycles make extensive use of high tech materials, much more so than the average car. The latest ones have electronic gear systems.

Well a clay pot is a clay pot by definition so that will never change.

Essentially the bike looks the same as that of 70 years ago though, even with electronic gubbins. What I found interesting is that something that would appear wanting in the aerodynamic department (the changes you mention are pretty insignificant) hasn't evolved the shape of the average bike or use of fairings for example. Did you know a bike is less aerodynamic than a car for instance? It is aerodynamically tulip, but yet it hasn't evolved.

[mudskipper]

Sliced bread hasn't evolved much.