We were having a discussion the other day and someone brought up the best and worst inventions of the past 150 years or so. Universally we all agreed it was the Integrated Circuit because it makes all modern electronics possible and launched computers, the web, enabled huge advances in medicine, communications, etc. I thought I'd toss it out here. Other than the IC, what inventions do you think are the best and worst?
The Best
1. The Safety Bicycle - or the modern day bike. What a brilliant invention! Usable to for, play, general transportation or exercise, its an invention thats more relevant today than it was when it was invented. Immensely green, it solves many traffic problems, helps with health, encourages shopping locally and is just plain fun. Nearly every time you ride you're brought back to when you were 10 and discovering the world with the wind in your hair and the new found freedom it enabled.
2. Modern air-conditioning: Willis Haviland Carrier was a freaking genius! It's 85 and humid outside but I am sitting comfortably in a 70 degree room with no moisture. Air conditioning makes life better for everyone. It saves marriages and keeps people from getting beaten to a pulp, especially by those of us who get cranky from the heat.
Worst:
During our discussion, a woman jokingly said she thought the wonder bra was the greatest invention of the 20th century. I promptly told her it was the worst and she was shocked that a man would think that. So I said, well think about it, who is the wonder bra for? Pam Anderson? A wonder bra is like the most beautifully wrapped Christmas present someone puts under the Christmas tree for you 3 weeks early. You look at it and wonder what's in there. Your desire grows and your imagination flows. You think about what's in there and get excited through out the build up to Christmas! You can't wait to open it! Then finally, the day comes and...
You tear off the ribbon! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Rip through the paper! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Open the box! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Toss out the tissue and find...
plain old tube sox.
The Best
1. The Safety Bicycle - or the modern day bike. What a brilliant invention! Usable to for, play, general transportation or exercise, its an invention thats more relevant today than it was when it was invented. Immensely green, it solves many traffic problems, helps with health, encourages shopping locally and is just plain fun. Nearly every time you ride you're brought back to when you were 10 and discovering the world with the wind in your hair and the new found freedom it enabled.
2. Modern air-conditioning: Willis Haviland Carrier was a freaking genius! It's 85 and humid outside but I am sitting comfortably in a 70 degree room with no moisture. Air conditioning makes life better for everyone. It saves marriages and keeps people from getting beaten to a pulp, especially by those of us who get cranky from the heat.
Worst:
During our discussion, a woman jokingly said she thought the wonder bra was the greatest invention of the 20th century. I promptly told her it was the worst and she was shocked that a man would think that. So I said, well think about it, who is the wonder bra for? Pam Anderson? A wonder bra is like the most beautifully wrapped Christmas present someone puts under the Christmas tree for you 3 weeks early. You look at it and wonder what's in there. Your desire grows and your imagination flows. You think about what's in there and get excited through out the build up to Christmas! You can't wait to open it! Then finally, the day comes and...
You tear off the ribbon! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Rip through the paper! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Open the box! (what's it gonna be? what's it gonna be!)
Toss out the tissue and find...
plain old tube sox.
