i think tents are a great invention, and tepees easy to put up, can shelter, even can be used to quarantine. the fact that they can 'pop up' and are light to carry and portable means you can have a temporary home anywhere.
that menstrual underwear. Hmm it does wears out after a few washings. there is a place for Tampax.
nz economy was built on refrigeration, before that, frozen and chilled meat couldnt be exported, (a byproduct of the wool industry) everything had to be canned for salted and it would go off on a long ocean voyage.
the wardian case (basically a greenhouse tent for plants) was another clever invention. before that only seeds could be transported not live plants.