3 most significant invention in the last 30 years

[rkim291968]

What do you think are the most significant inventions in the last 30 years?

My list are:

- Internet/Broadband/PC - massive amount of information exchanged at speed of light, google (enough said)

- Cell phones - changed our lives for better or worse

- Cable/Satellite TV

Honorable mention:

- Microwave oven (could be older than 30 years)

[metrocorazon]

I think that Internet/PC is the only thing that is SIGNIFICANT. All the other things you mentioned we can do without. I mean if you didnt have cellphones you just use a regular phone. And if you didnt have cable you can just watch broadcast tv. If you didnt have PC/Internet basically every thing we do knowadays would take alot longer to do and some you might not be able to. Like corporations quickly communicating through emails, graphic artist quickly developing materials, ability to research things at all levels from K-Professionals, you can buy obscure things you normally would have to call around shops to order for you, etc.

Internet PC developed a new industry and way of doing things that completely revolutionized the way we LIVE and do BUSINESS. I cant think of anything else that is as worthwhile. I can things of many things that made things easy and convinitent, or things that improved our lives a bit. But none that revolutionized it like the Internet/PC did. Basically its on the same level as the Steam Engine, Replaceable Parts, Fire, etc..

[Danks81]

I think the invention of an OS for PC's has gotta be in the top 3. Without it computers would be far too cumbersome for the average Joe to operate let alone utilize as an effective tool.

[MikeLastort2]

GPS navigation systems.

[amerifolklegend]

~EasyMac
~Listerine Breath Strips
~Convection Microwave

[skipshady]

- Cell phones - changed our lives for better or worseI'd say the Walkman is more significant because it basically created the market for personal electronics, including the cell phone (remember, wireless telephones were used in Vietnam - they just weren't used by civilians until later).

Yeah, you had transistor radios, but the Walkman made music truly personal.

[rkim291968]

I think that Internet/PC is the only thing that is SIGNIFICANT. All the other things you mentioned we can do without. I mean if you didnt have cellphones you just use a regular phone. And if you didnt have cable you can just watch broadcast tv. If you didnt have PC/Internet basically every thing we do knowadays would take alot longer to do and some you might not be able to. Like corporations quickly communicating through emails, graphic artist quickly developing materials, ability to research things at all levels from K-Professionals, you can buy obscure things you normally would have to call around shops to order for you, etc.

Internet PC developed a new industry and way of doing things that completely revolutionized the way we LIVE and do BUSINESS. I cant think of anything else that is as worthwhile. I can things of many things that made things easy and convinitent, or things that improved our lives a bit. But none that revolutionized it like the Internet/PC did. Basically its on the same level as the Steam Engine, Replaceable Parts, Fire, etc..

Yeah, I know what you mean. I still don't have a cell phone and I don't think it will change my life as it did for internet/PC. However, I cannot live without a microwave machine. :o

[Alan S]

This would be my three.

#1) Internet - for the reasons mentioned previously on this thread.


#2) Polymerase Chain Reaction(PCR) - Is the basis on which the genome project is built. We haven't felt the full impact of this invention yet and the mapping of the Human Genome, it will take several more decades. It will ultimately lead to cures for cancer, alzhiemer, and many other diseases.


#3) Quantum computers - They currently exist, but only in labs at the moment. When Gordon Moore's Law runs its course with the silicon transister giving into quantum mechanics - like leakage current due to tunnelling effects - then these types of computers will take over.

[Barbara]

I think that Internet/PC is the only thing that is SIGNIFICANT. All the other things you mentioned we can do without.

And yet the human survived for thousands of years without the internet or PCs.


Oh, microwave ovens have been around for a lot longer than 30 years.

[fdp]

1. The George Foreman Grill

http://www.grills-101.com/Graphics/George%20Foreman%20Family%20Size%20Plus.jpg

2. The clapper

http://www.savontv.com/google/nwimages/the-clapper.jpg

3. BS Message Boards

http://www.bigsoccer.com/newstore/header-bs-logo.gif

:D

[metrocorazon]

And yet the human survived for thousands of years without the internet or PCs.


Oh, microwave ovens have been around for a lot longer than 30 years.
WHat I mean is that now that we have it if it goes away pretty much economies would colapse and there would have to be a reorganization of the entire business industry. If you take away all the other things mentioned it doesnt have the same impact. cellphones forinstance will bankrupt a few companies and make life a little less inconvinient(depending on who you ask) but people will still be able to communicate through relugar phones.

[AFCA]

Did we have synthesizers & drum computers 30 years ago? I believe not just yet.

1. Internet, the possibilities are incredible and remain huge eventhough the initial hype has calmed down now.
2. synthesizers/drum computers/etc... they paved the way for nowadays music and especially the non-vocal genres of house, techno, etc, etc. It all leads to (semi-professional) music production being something that everyone can do which I think is a good thing with music being the one true universal language etc.
3. Microchip technology although it was probably around earlier

[Chicago1871]

http://www.events.clowningaround.com/images/Carnival%20Store/smile%20face%20slap%20bracelets.jpeg

Multiple angle DVD porn

http://glasspac.com/shineawards/images/winners/2000/guinness.jpg

Brilliant

[skipshady]

WHat I mean is that now that we have it if it goes away pretty much economies would colapse and there would have to be a reorganization of the entire business industry. If you take away all the other things mentioned it doesnt have the same impact. cellphones forinstance will bankrupt a few companies and make life a little less inconvinient(depending on who you ask) but people will still be able to communicate through relugar phones.
If it weren't for the internet, we'd be posting on BigSoccer by mail.

[IASocFan]

My microwave is over 30 years old. It's been moved from New York and North Carolina, and has been in the present location almost 28 years.

The internet was first developed in the 50s and 60s (by Al Gore :))

Computer enhancements have been extensive over the last 60 years.

Wireless technology is definitely a new development.

[skipshady]

My microwave is over 30 years old. It's been moved from New York and North Carolina, and has been in the present location almost 28 years.

The internet was first developed in the 50s and 60s (by Al Gore :))

Computer enhancements have been extensive over the last 60 years.

Wireless technology is definitely a new development.
Well, I think when people say "internet", they mean the world wide web and consumer ISPs. And when they say "computers", they mean personal computers with graphic user interface.

So I think the topic of this thread isn't so much about inventions per se, but the innovations that made these inventions more accessible to the regular folks.

And wireless phones have been around as long as the internet, haven't they?

[Nanbawan]

Internet and GSM. It is just to answer the question..Because there hasn't been much more significant invention, it's just by default.

As far as I'm concerned : game consoles, CGIs, driving and airplane simulators...

But compared to last century achievements : refrigerator (the biggest life saving device on Earth), airliners and moon rocket, well...

[Val1]

Cloning.

[rkim291968]

Cloning.

What's impact to society until now?

[yimmy]

If it weren't for the internet, we'd be posting on BigSoccer by mail.

nah, we'd be posting on bigsoccer as a BBS.

One significant one (for me at least) is the video game. :o