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View Full Version : What was the last brand new invention that rocked the world?


ironguy
02-26-2003, 03:55 PM
We were talking about this subject at work.

What was the last new invention that changed the world, or at least impacted it greatly?

Not an improvement over a current item, but a brand new thing?

The cotton gin? Transistor? Light bulb? PDA?

Rirath
02-26-2003, 04:27 PM
The Segway, of course! :lol:

don dre
02-26-2003, 05:02 PM
Either the Internal Combustion Engine or the microprocessor. The question is really impossible to answer since everything is an improvement over something that came before it...that's just how we work. For all the environmentalist gripe about the internal combustion engine we should really appreciate just how much this invention has done for us. What seperates us from the Romans? I'd say Ben Franklin and his hobby electricity. The microprocessor is certainly the driving force behind technological change right now.

Pat Logsdon
02-26-2003, 05:16 PM
Plastic, the publicly-held corporation, and Spam.

ux4484
02-26-2003, 05:20 PM
whatever it is, Al Gore invented it ;)

SofaTater
02-26-2003, 06:38 PM
Sliced bread??? :lol:

Kevin C. Tofel
02-26-2003, 06:43 PM
My votes go to:

Duct tape and velcro

KCT

Steven Cedrone
02-26-2003, 06:48 PM
That's a tough one...

GPS - no, just a new twist on navigation...
Space Shuttle - no, just a new twist on space flight...
Nukes - no, just a new twist on weapons...
The list goes on, and on...

What has been introduced that isn't a take off on something that already exists???

Oh well, my vote: the microwave oven and the TV remote (so, I'm a couch potato)...

Steve

ux4484
02-26-2003, 09:51 PM
the clapper :D



c'mon.....you gotta admit.....you're hearing the song in your head right now :D:D:D

Janak Parekh
02-26-2003, 09:55 PM
the clapper :D
If you want to go there, how about "The Companion"? "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" :lol:

Seriously, your comment about Al Gore was closest to the mark: I say the Internet. ;)

--janak

Busdriver
02-26-2003, 09:59 PM
Airplanes. They have fundementally changed the world. And 2003 is the 100th anniversary of that invention.

Transistors maybe.

KDF9511
02-26-2003, 11:06 PM
How about the flush toilet. I think it may be one of the greatest inventions ever for men. It makes a great place to get away from the wife. :lol: It is even better if you have a PDA with wireless access. You can surf the web from your throne :wink:

Master O'Mayhem
02-26-2003, 11:44 PM
VIAGRA!!

cmchavez
02-26-2003, 11:47 PM
My vote would be for NCSA (I think those are the right letters in the right order) MOSAIC. One of the first, if not the first widely used graphical web-browsers. The old websites may not have been pretty, but this baby opened up the information superhighway to the masses.

(And no, AOL does not count as the invention that opened up the info highway to the masses. It was the inventor of the cheap and readily available coaster!) :P

Master O'Mayhem
02-26-2003, 11:51 PM
The Personal Computer

Jason Dunn
02-26-2003, 11:54 PM
Why, the Pocket PC of course. Duh. :wink: :lol:

Janak Parekh
02-26-2003, 11:57 PM
Why, the Pocket PC of course. Duh. :wink: :lol:
Nope. The Pocket PC inherited from the PSPC, so it's not "original". :D

--janak

garrans
02-26-2003, 11:59 PM
a) The mobile phone (yes its an evolution of the phone but as others have said before....)

b) Post-it Note

c) Answering Machine / Voicemail

Paul
02-27-2003, 12:01 AM
Calculus.

Without it, most of the stuff listed and will be listed are not possible.

Paul P
02-27-2003, 12:04 AM
Implants.........................oops, did I just say that outloud? I meant to say emoticons. :D :) :o :lol: 8O

AKBishop
02-27-2003, 12:07 AM
the clapper :D
c'mon.....you gotta admit.....you're hearing the song in your head right now :D:D:D

I wasn't hearing the song until you mentioned the song specifically. :roll:

I'd have to say the Printing Press

vincentsiaw
02-27-2003, 12:16 AM
ah not to forget the deadliest stuff, Credit card....

Sheynk
02-27-2003, 12:18 AM
How about the flush toilet. I think it may be one of the greatest inventions ever for men. It makes a great place to get away from the wife. :lol: It is even better if you have a PDA with wireless access. You can surf the web from your throne :wink:

I second that one.

My vote goes to: (drumroll) the Sharper Image Q-ball :!: :!:

.....wait its just a spin off of the the 8 ball.......which is a spin off of a chinese cookie.. ( it will never end) ..which is a spin off of everything else that came before that predicted future........like those religoius prophets and stuff like that :roll: ........

Hawkeyes
02-27-2003, 12:20 AM
Like it or not, MS Windows.

Without it, PCs may not be as prevelant as they are, the internet may have remained an obscure meeting place for the uber nerd, and millions of us Software Developers would be on the factory floor.

Ed Hansberry
02-27-2003, 12:23 AM
Cheese sticks.

They are yummy, come in a nice plastic wrapper that serves as a holder, can be peeled for entertainment, are healthy (milk!) and are quite affordable.

felixdd
02-27-2003, 12:35 AM
Something we all use everyday.

Language.

rlngstrt
02-27-2003, 12:36 AM
Tivo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't live without it :)

Ethan
02-27-2003, 12:39 AM
The birth control pill!

Technically contraceptives already existed before that but the pill was a revolution.

masseym
02-27-2003, 12:39 AM
Me :)

bandersnatch
02-27-2003, 12:50 AM
I'll go with the transistor. When it was invented, there were no practical applications for it. It was invented by a scientist probing the nature of the subatomic world. Now it's the basis for pretty much the entire information infrastructure around the world. It's such a fundimental invention and so much is built on it.

EscapePod
02-27-2003, 12:57 AM
whatever it is, Al Gore invented it ;)

:wink: Not necessarily an invention, but nonetheless, opening the Internet in the graphical form of the World Wide Web to the public, by somebody, seems to have definitely changed the world.

JonnoB
02-27-2003, 12:58 AM
This planet... without it we would not be here.

Bandito
02-27-2003, 12:58 AM
The printing press. It brought the concept of automation to reality.

cmchavez
02-27-2003, 12:59 AM
whatever it is, Al Gore invented it ;)

:wink: Not necessarily an invention, but nonetheless, opening the Internet in the graphical form of the World Wide Web to the public, by somebody, seems to have definitely changed the world.

Like I said earlier, MOSAIC (the web browser!) I concur with you! :)

T-Will
02-27-2003, 01:04 AM
I say Tuna in a pouch...
http://www.starkist.com/images/pouch/pouch_top.jpg
http://www.starkist.com/images/pouch/pouch_bottom.jpg
No Draining Required

...and crustless bread.
http://www.ironkids.com/new/bread_info_r3_c4.gif
http://www.ironkids.com/new/bread_info_r4_c4.gif
http://www.ironkids.com/new/bread_info_r5_c4.gif
http://www.ironkids.com/new/bread_info_r6_c4.gifhttp://www.ironkids.com/new/bread_info_r6_c5.gif
No eating within the crust required

MooseMaster
02-27-2003, 01:06 AM
"The Princess Bride" by S. Morgenstern is by far the best invention in the modern day and has unquestionably had the most impact on my life above any other item listed here or in the history books.

derosnec
02-27-2003, 01:14 AM
I would have to say online forums :P

Rob Alexander
02-27-2003, 01:18 AM
There are lots of good world-changing things listed, but the question does ask for the last one. As such, there's really only one answer and that's (as a few have already noted) the Worldwide Web. One could argue for the Internet in the broader sense, but any academic who was around on the pre-WWW Internet knows that it was really the WWW that made the earth-shaking impact.

rdrose61
02-27-2003, 01:20 AM
I would vote that the consumer products that had the most impact in the last 20 years have been the Microware Oven, the Personal Computer, the VCR and the Cell Phone (I think that is the correct chronilogical order although you can argue the "true" inception of each).

Cracknell
02-27-2003, 01:22 AM
-the net
-Gen engineering

Cypher
02-27-2003, 01:25 AM
It's hard to think of something that's not derivative in some sense. The TV is based on radio. The transistor is a solid-state valve (vacuum tube). The computer had a long string of innovations and evolutions to its present state. So, we may have to play fast and loose with "original".

These are relatively obscure, but where would we be without them?
interchangable parts, the assembly line, CAD/CAM
the valve (vacuum tube), the transistor,
integrated circuitry, logic circuitry
high-level computer languages, optimized compiling

If you want to go much further back, you cro-magnons had a pretty significant effect :) You might also include farming, cities, the rule of law, and scientific method.

The computer has probably had the greatest effect on those living today and will continue to be a significant part of the near future. I can't think of any one technology that has had such a profound and universal effect, even on other technologies. The shift from corporate/governmental resource to personal computer, as a subset, also had quite profound repercussions.

I suspect that nano-technology may eventually match or exceed the wide-spread effect of computers, but that's probably at least another generation away.

jerryb
02-27-2003, 01:26 AM
Breast Augmentations

ux4484
02-27-2003, 01:28 AM
Why, the Pocket PC of course. Duh. :wink: :lol:
Nope. The Pocket PC inherited from the PSPC, so it's not "original". :D

--janak


heh.....I see janak shows no mercy in his corrections of others :D

Ed Hansberry
02-27-2003, 01:33 AM
This planet... without it we would not be here.
Then we would be.... there! :wink:

Ethan
02-27-2003, 01:33 AM
Gunpowder changed the world forever!

Paragon
02-27-2003, 01:35 AM
VIAGRA!!

:D

You're too young to appreciate that YET! Viagra is more for someone my age.........not that I need it,.....yet :D


Actually my vote is for the internet. No invention can go far or be used by others unless it is communicated to them in some way. As man has progressed through time it has been along side advances in communications. Today something new can be invented, and the whole world knows instantly. It can then be used or improved on just as quickly.

Dave

Mike Wagstaff
02-27-2003, 01:37 AM
Relatively modern: The car.

Modern: The Internet.

Future: Space tourism.

acronym
02-27-2003, 01:40 AM
/posted whilst waiting for dinner to warm

the microwave oven, without it - I'da starved to death years ago

resume eating

ombu
02-27-2003, 01:43 AM
The mother of everything else:

http://www.vcalc.net/images2/hp35.gif

I mean the real world.

Cheers.

Cracknell
02-27-2003, 01:57 AM
let me try another shot:

Dot.com !

dean_shan
02-27-2003, 02:02 AM
The Handyman's Secret WeaponDuck Tape. Nothing beats duck tape. You can do any thing with it. You can make anything with it and fix anything with it.

ziggy
02-27-2003, 02:05 AM
The birth control pill

rgremill
02-27-2003, 02:08 AM
My vote is for the cell phone. I can't believe how fast these devises have spread throughout the world during the last 10 years. Just look around while your driving (if you're not busy on the phone), they're everywhere.

In the long run though, it's a tie between the Internet and biotechnology.

ctmagnus
02-27-2003, 02:37 AM
The Handyman's Secret WeaponDuck Tape. Nothing beats duck tape. You can do any thing with it. You can make anything with it and fix anything with it.

Not to mention taping up ducks.

I believe you were referring to duct tape. :D

ctmagnus
02-27-2003, 02:39 AM
I vote for the CRT and consequently the LCD. How else would millions have witnessed the first man on the moon?

paris
02-27-2003, 03:15 AM
the Internet of course

MaestroXTreme
02-27-2003, 04:17 AM
After thinking about all of the possiblities that could be mentioned, one hasn't been which is my vote...

The seperate inventions of the ball-point pen and pencil. Without them we would still be writing with a feather and a little cup of ink. I know it's a revolution of the writing instrument, but it's enabled people to write faster with more content.

One could also argue the tablet PC as a more modern revolutionary invention. I think if Microsoft markets them correctly, and prices drop ala age, the Tablet PC could replace notebooks and pens in both school and the workplace.

Master O'Mayhem
02-27-2003, 04:50 AM
VIAGRA!!

:D

You're too young to appreciate that YET! Viagra is more for someone my age.........not that I need it,.....yet :D


Actually my vote is for the internet. No invention can go far or be used by others unless it is communicated to them in some way. As man has progressed through time it has been along side advances in communications. Today something new can be invented, and the whole world knows instantly. It can then be used or improved on just as quickly.

Dave

Well at least i know it will be avaible if I ever need it :) PC is my choice

Cortex
02-27-2003, 04:56 AM
1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

2. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy/imaging

3. Wireless phone

4. Personal computer

5. Semiconductor transistor/microelectronics

6. Telephone

7. Antibiotics (mustard/penicillin)

6. Printing press

Steven Cedrone
02-27-2003, 05:40 AM
Cameras (still and video)...
Motion pictures...

Plus my other suggestions: the microwave and the TV remote...

And perhaps the most important: the recliner(lay-z-boy, barcalounger<sp>, etc.) :wink:

Steve

Oh, and Doritos (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8898)... :wink: :wink: :wink:

Shadowcat
02-27-2003, 05:54 AM
1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)



I second that! :D

dean_shan
02-27-2003, 06:15 AM
I believe you were referring to duct tape. :D

I like to call it by the name brand. (http://www.ducktapeclub.com/) Another example of this is with tissues. Some people call them tissues (http://www.puffs.com/index/index_flash.html) some people call them Kleenex (http://www.kleenex.com/).

spg
02-27-2003, 06:15 AM
Well, while not exactly and invention (unless you ask Gore), the internet would get my vote. Close behind would be the motor vehicle (car). And I also like the idea of whoever said Emoticons. :) :D :P :idea:

CharlesWilcox
02-27-2003, 06:51 AM
synthetic <non-skin> banjo heads... and doritos. :oops:

Pat Logsdon
02-27-2003, 07:15 AM
synthetic <non-skin> banjo heads... and doritos. :oops:
<homer simpson voice>Mmm...banjos...</homer simpson voice>

ctmagnus
02-27-2003, 08:21 AM
some people call them Kleenex (http://www.kleenex.com/).

Hee hee... My old Ukrainian aunt calls them Kleenex if more than one is involved but if she just needs one, it's a Kleenek.

ctmagnus
02-27-2003, 08:22 AM
I'm throwing another one in:

Telecommunications.

TheWolfen
02-27-2003, 08:54 AM
My votes:

1. The transistor
2. The World Wide Web
3. The zero gravity chair (http://www.perfectchair.com/consumer/zerogravity/index.html), which allows me to enjoy the above (but so few people know about them!)

dMores
02-27-2003, 09:54 AM
bluetooth !

no, not really.

<hmm what could i not live without>
computers and the internet !

:)

jayman
02-27-2003, 12:33 PM
PORN

Lots and lots of PORN!

(you know i'm right!)

nGage
02-27-2003, 01:08 PM
"The Princess Bride" by S. Morgenstern is by far the best invention in the modern day and has unquestionably had the most impact on my life above any other item listed here or in the history books.

Inconcievable! :!:

rfischer
02-27-2003, 02:35 PM
Uh... The Anna Nicole Show? (Heck, you only said "changed" the world, not improved) I know I'll never be the same after seeing one episode. My shrink says I'll get over it in time... :lol:

uvahoos
02-27-2003, 04:03 PM
I'll put in my vote for rubber. Kind of along the same lines as plastics, but think how many materials and coatings are made from natural or synthetic rubber.

myung
02-27-2003, 04:13 PM
My vote .... Air Conditioner.

Michael

GadgetDave
02-27-2003, 04:15 PM
Not an invention - but the DCMA. Looks more and more like it will have the biggest impact on how we use/communicate/protect ideas than anything in recent memory.

(You said impact, not improvement!)

luebster
02-27-2003, 05:06 PM
"The Princess Bride" by S. Morgenstern is by far the best invention in the modern day and has unquestionably had the most impact on my life above any other item listed here or in the history books.

Wandering off-topic: (is that possible in an off-topic thread?)
People are very passionate about their favorite movies and/or books. What's funny is more people are passionate about The Princess Bride than any other movie (that I've come in contact with, anyway).

I know this leads to the next obvious thread: "What's your fav movie?", but we'll leave that for someone else to start.

BTW, my wife and I hit it off on our first date because I answered the "What's your fav movie?" question with The Princess Bride.

Ed Hansberry
02-27-2003, 05:51 PM
Go ahead and start a thread on fav movies luebster. Sounds like a good topic.

luebster
02-27-2003, 07:06 PM
Since you twisted my arm... (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9384&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)

ntractv
02-27-2003, 07:35 PM
POCKET PC THOUGHTS

scrinch
02-27-2003, 07:40 PM
The chainsaw. (Goodbye Amazon jungle....Hello Amazon desert)

Mark (NL)
02-28-2003, 01:39 AM
The CD just 20 yrs old but see what an evolution :-)

Cudalac
03-02-2003, 07:39 AM
Not technically an invention, but without the inventions made to produce/harness it, most of the "inventions" mentioned so far wouldn't exist.
ELECTRICITY

Ed Hansberry
03-02-2003, 02:40 PM
Not technically an invention, but without the inventions made to produce/harness it, most of the "inventions" mentioned so far wouldn't exist.
ELECTRICITY
I think that was more of a discovery. :wink:

SteelForceX
03-02-2003, 09:01 PM
No one mentioned the CONDOM!!!!!!! I could live without computers but not without condoms!!!!!!

Kati Compton
03-02-2003, 11:47 PM
Computers (including transistors as well as moving from defense computers to personal computers)

Computer-based communication (WWW/Internet/gov't precursors)

Organ transplants

Optical storage media

Photography

Radio/TV

Roosterman
03-03-2003, 02:27 AM
Toilet paper, imagine where we would be with out it. :eek:

Cudalac
03-03-2003, 06:17 AM
Not technically an invention, but without the inventions made to produce/harness it, most of the "inventions" mentioned so far wouldn't exist.
ELECTRICITY
I think that was more of a discovery. :wink:

If you check for the roots for the word invent, you'll find it means "to find". (discover) :idea: My point being that without the invention of let's say the dynamo, most of the stuff in this list wouldn't work. Think of a world without the internet. Then think about the world without the capability to produce electricity. :wink:

orangehat
03-03-2003, 07:43 AM
Linux !!!!! (ok, maybe not an invention but it's rocking the world).

ironguy
03-03-2003, 04:06 PM
I've come up with the only answer that really fits...

geology (think about it! :D )

ctmagnus
03-03-2003, 10:55 PM
How about the machine in that movie that's in preview in theatres, where some group of "geniuses" manage to stop the rotation of Earth?

Kati Compton
03-04-2003, 04:26 AM
I've come up with the only answer that really fits...

geology (think about it! :D )

Ugh! You get slapped with a wet monkey for that one.

Steven Cedrone
03-04-2003, 08:40 AM
I've come up with the only answer that really fits...

geology (think about it! :D )

Oooohhh... :roll:

I oughta' lock the thread for that one... :wink: :lol:

Steve