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85 Big Ideas that Changed the World

Posted by michael on from the mass-spectrometer dept.

ccnull writes "Forbes just put out its well thought-out list of 85 breakthroughs since 1917 (sneakers) that have revolutionized the way we live. This is interesting on a number of levels -- crazy trivia (the microprocessor and the answering machine invented in the same year!?), a reminder of the past (the modem: 1962), and a frightening realization that not much of interest has come out of the last 10 years (a whopping 4 of the 85 ideas). Easily digestible and worth discussing."

8 of 439 comments (clear)

  1. Spandex by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why isn't spandex on the list???? The person who invented that should get a few medals. Why, women actually WEAR the skintight stuff. Bless you, Mr. spandex.

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    1. Re:Spandex by Pope · · Score: 5, Funny

      You apparently haven't been to a Wal-Mart recently. Many women who are wearing spandex shouldn't.

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  2. Umm... missed one by m_smitty · · Score: 5, Funny

    Umm... I didn't see the female thong on the list.

  3. Others that didn't make it by Znonymous+Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    #86 - The Beowulf cluster.
    #87 - The first post robot.
    #88 - The last post robot.
    #89 - Underpants gnomes (Phase 1, 2, 3, etc).
    #90 - Microsoft Tablet PC.
    #91 - Microsoft .Net

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  4. Re:The problem with recent ideas... by bryanp · · Score: 3, Funny

    VIAGRA? I'm sorry, but the ability for an old man to get an erection is not one of the greatest innovations of the last 85 years.

    Depends. If you happen to be an 85 year old man who can't get an erection then it's one hell of an invention. Probably beats the internet all to hell.

    Now we just need a pill that makes old men attractive to their wives again. :)

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  5. Re:Recent Ideas by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Has it revolutionized the world? I've never used a cell phone in my life and have no intention of ever buying one. There are pay-phones on almost every corner everywhere in the world."

    So what you're really saying then is that you're the only person on the whole planet?

  6. And Then, Chillingly... by duck_prime · · Score: 3, Funny
    "...I've never used a cell phone in my life and have no intention of ever buying one. There are pay-phones on almost every corner everywhere in the world."

    So what you're really saying then is that you're the only person on the whole planet?
    ... and then, chillingly ... the pay-phone rang!
  7. Re:Exactly by evilviper · · Score: 3, Funny
    these days we know more ways to avoid premature ignition

    Uhh... think about baseball?
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