[sourcery]

How often has such a fundamental technological breakthrough been made outside the United States?

• Fire
• The Wheel
• Writing
• Printing
• Algebra
• Calculus
• Gunpowder
• The Bit (horses)
• The Plow
• The Screw
• The Gear
• The Clock

But you meant in modern times. Well, there are examples there also, but the US has contributed much more than its per-capita share over the last 200 years or so.

[jwh_Denver]

but the US has contributed much more than its per-capita share over the last 200 years or so.

My understanding is that %90 of all inventions happen in the US.

[Yossarian]

I'm sorry, I have to disagree with the ordering of your list.

I submit that 'The Screw' would have been the very first thing ever invented...