The essential elements of building civilization involve making stuff by hand. You can't build "machine construction systems that can be used to build any machi

The essential elements of building civilization involve making stuff by hand. You can't build "machine construction systems that can be used to build any machine whatsoever" unless and until you know how to make those machines. If you can't make a Jacquard loom or an electric motor, your machine sure can't either. My list of essential machines are the ones I'd need: Metalworking: before you can make cars and transistors, you have to get your hands dirty, make steel and machine gears. First, Lathe. kerkeslager is right, it's the foundation tool of machining. 2: Blacksmith's forge. You can make a lot of useful starting tools with one. Just slow. 3: Steam engine. Even a crappy one is a game changer. 4: Bessemer furnace, for larger scale. It was the backbone of the Industrial Revolution. 5: Milling machine. You can make about anything, including basic gears. Agriculture 1: Combine 2: Cotton gin Misc 1: Windmill 2: Electric motor 3: Battery. 4: Internal Combustion engine 5: Printing Press 6: Waterwheel. (But I live in Florida.) 7: Jacquard loom