Thank the Phoenicians


During the 1990s, several enhancement projects were undertaken to help fill in some of the wide open spaces between Epcot pavilions with interesting bits. One such project was the Epcot Discovery Tiles.

At the center are inspirational quotes from notable scientists in history. This particular quote by Sir Isaac Newton gets right to the heart of the Future World story: "If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." The world we live in today has been created for us by those who came before. It is our responsibility to build the future on the strong foundation which has been laid for us.


Supporting this story, tiles representing significant discoveries or innovations in human history are organized in concentric circles, building out from the center. The circle closest in acknowledges significant achievements of the Prehistoric Era: the wheel, fire, and standardized alphabet.


Next are discoveries of the Renaissance Period...


Followed by the Industrial Revolution of the late-1800s...


And the advances made during the 20th century...


One note about the Discovery Tiles:
Since the tiles signify the discoveries themselves, the dates and countries listed refer to when and where a particular discovery or invention took place. For example, Alexander Graham Bell was Scottish, but his work on the development of the telephone took place in America.

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