1721 in science
The year 1721 in science and technology involved some significant events.
Medicine
- The use of ether is developed as a pain-killer.
- Lady Mary Wortley Montagu introduces the Ottoman Turkish method of inoculation against smallpox - variolation - to London.
- Thomas Guy founds Guy's Hospital in London to treat "incurables" discharged from St Thomas'.
Psychology
- A suggestion box is developed under the eighth shōgun of Japan, Yoshimune Tokugawa.
Technology
- Richard Newsham of London obtains his first patent for a manual fire pump.