Greatest inventions?

walshb · 30-03-2009 10:38AM #1

Excluding the wheel, which was always there, what is the worlds greatest
invention, not discovery, invention.

I am going with Concrete, or the production of concrete.
Any others?

Man made, being the real criteria!

Sam Vimes · 30-03-2009 10:39AM

The programmable microprocessor

javaboy · 30-03-2009 10:39AM

The condom.

KTRIC · 30-03-2009 10:40AM

My top two

- The Cumbustion engine
- Silicon micro chip

Tech3 · 30-03-2009 10:40AM

The transistor.

well in theory the transistor was the greatest invention ever and also the process of making it smaller. There is a couple of hundred thousands of these in silicon chips today. If it wasnt there we wouldnt have any electronic systems like we do currently.

3qsmavrod5twfe · 30-03-2009 10:41AM

Internal Combustion Engine.

redout · 30-03-2009 10:41AM

The Shower.

irishgrover · 30-03-2009 10:41AM

probably a bit obvious, but none the less, for me, it would be the printing press...

CreepingDeath · 30-03-2009 10:42AM

The printing press was a huge turning point, as was the invention of the steam engine.

My name is URL · 30-03-2009 10:42AM

The printing press. Because it ended the churches rule over literature, and allowed everyone to gain knowledge on subjects, not to mention universalizing literacy.

edit - damn you Creeping Death!

junior_apollo · 30-03-2009 10:43AM

Sorry but nothing can beat this...

Copy and Paste... saved many a students life...

Sabre0001 · 30-03-2009 10:44AM

The slicer for bread...It gave us the bar against which all other things are measured.

GLaDOS · 30-03-2009 10:44AM

Toilet roll

walshb · 30-03-2009 10:45AM

I have to say, on a personal level, I am sure many will agree with the remote control for the tv. How the hell could you do without it now!

Dancor · 30-03-2009 10:47AM

walshb wrote: »

I have to say, on a personal level, I am sure many will agree with the remote control for the tv. How the hell could you do without it now!

I use a big stick when my romote is broke. So for me the greatest invention is a big stick, Handy for beating things too.

Turd Ferguson · 30-03-2009 10:48AM

Pornography

/thread

redout · 30-03-2009 10:48AM

The Toilet must be it..........

CR 7 · 30-03-2009 10:48AM

http://dooleysak.com/nss-folder/hats/Propeller-Cap1-S4.95.jpg

Case closed.

Hagar · 30-03-2009 10:49AM

Sliced bread.

walshb · 30-03-2009 10:49AM

Turd Ferguson wrote: »

Pornography

/thread

So, the Video/DVD I assume you mean?

Quazzie · 30-03-2009 10:51AM

dancor wrote: »

I use a big stick when my romote is broke. So for me the greatest invention is a big stick, Handy for beating things too.

The finglonger is better

A Primal Nut · 30-03-2009 10:53AM

In terms of importance I'd say transistor which covers aforementioned silicon micro chip, programmable micro-controller and so many other things.

In terms of sheer "incredible-ness" probably jet engine or anything related to airplanes.

Toilet roll is pretty handy too.

A Primal Nut · 30-03-2009 10:55AM

walshb wrote: »

I have to say, on a personal level, I am sure many will agree with the remote control for the tv. How the hell could you do without it now!

Not much good without the tv itself so surely thats a greater invention.:p

Saibh · 30-03-2009 10:57AM

Electricity

walshb · 30-03-2009 11:00AM

Saibh wrote: »

Electricity

Discovered and produced, not invented as far as I know

Saibh · 30-03-2009 11:06AM

walshb wrote: »

Discovered and produced, not invented as far as I know

http://listverse.com/science/top-10-greatest-inventions/

Electricity existed all along, but the system of devices needed to generate this force and distribute it to individual buildings was an invention, launched initially by Edison