What do you consider the greatest invention of our generation?

Answer 1

Well, I thought Goldwing offered the most thought-provoking argument for the computer, then I read Noonecanne's about medical technology. Gosh! They're BOTH right!

Answer 2

I don't think I could pinpoint one invention, but the advances in the medical field have been lifesavers. My grandmother died from breast cancer in the early 1960's. At that time there was almost no hope for survival. I am a survivor of breast cancer ... 3 years now. Without new technology, I may have also been a statistic. People with many other diseases have been, and will be helped due to today's technology. An open mind and a good education will prove to be the best invention ever.

Answer 3

I just can't name one thing.

When I was born, it was thought that the Model A and Model T was the greatest.

Then the refrigerator.

In door plumbing in the rural areas.

Penicillin

Automatic Washers

Then came the dryer.

Television.

Polio Vaccine

The Space Age.

I think the space age was the beginning of the high tech technology.

You are asking a very broad question for someone who is 72 years old.

If a very young person could see the world through my eyes, I do believe it would possible scare them.

Wow, you have given me the opportunity to look back to when our family used a commode at night and had a weekly bath in a # 2 wash tub.

Thanks for the memories and a great question.

Answer 4

The inventions that have had the greatest impact on my life have been the automatic clothes washer and dryer and automatic dishwasher. With out this "household help" I would never have been able to pursue a very time consuming career and raise a family.

Off the three the clothes dryer has bought me the most extra time. Any one who recalls the amount of time it takes to hang clothes out of doors and then IRON (not just touch-up) everything .... will really understand my love for this machine.

Answer 5

Depends on which generation you refer to. And by greatest, do you mean the most famous, the most popular, the most environmentally friendly, the most profitable, etc etc.
All that being said, the 1800's was the steam engine, the 1900's was anti-biotics, the gas engine, and digital storage.
So far, in 2000's, it is the discovery that saltwater will release hydrogen when exposed to radio waves. Basically, saltwater will burn. This is a little known and underappreciated discovery, but one that will lead to great things soon. Like zero emissions cars, to begin with..........and hopefully not too late environmentally!!!!!!

Answer 6

By far, the computer in all is incarnations. IF we didn't have computers, with our population, we would be paralzyed. The computer has enabled us to advance to the Internet, and that gives us worldwide communication and hopefully, growing understanding. No longer are we isolated groups within areas. Business is run via networks operating over the INternet, entertainment, even the desk top computer cna operate a huge business if it had to. The average desk top computer today is millions of times more powerful that he best military computers of the 70's, maybe even the 80's! Goldwing

Answer 7

Computers!

Back in the early 60's, I worked at the Computer Research Center at the University of Chicago. The computers were huge monsters. I remember how we all screamed and jumped for joy one day when one of the programmers was able to finally get the main computer, "MANIAC II", to play music. It sounded like a kid playing a toy piano...tinkle, tinkle. We thought it was the greatest thing in the world! LOL

Boy, have computers come a long way since then!

Answer 8

I suppose if I could only pick one then I'd go with computers.

But, oh my goodness, there are many more wonderous inventions:

duct tape

velcro

transisters and integrated circuits

Post-it Notes

modems

satellites

cardiac defibrilators

CPR

chitosan bandages

home devices for testing blood insulin levels

methods to purify water for drinking and other uses-reverse osmosis, ozone generaters, etc.

devices that decrease energy use or decrease pollutants-for example, air conditioning and refrigeration that doesn't use CFCs.

radar

Kevlar and Nomex

Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Fiberoptics

hand held GPS

digital cameras

lasers

hula hoop and frisbee

materials used for grafting, for example for by-pass surgery

car seats, booster seats, air bags, seat belts

nitrile gloves

Smoke and Carbon monoxide detectors

carbon-composite materials, like those used for light weight bikes.

Sony Walkman

I'm not nearly done with my list, but I'll force myself to stop now.

Answer 9

My generation? Has to be Velcro and the microwave that came out of the space race. I see this is the senior Citizen section but from the answers I see looks like I am the old one tonight and I am still young only 55.
WR

Answer 10

Im not a senior citizen... and I'm not sure how many senior citizens spend their time on Yahoo! Answers ((not to offend))

I think the greatest would be the internet. But the worst is the internet too.... it does lots of good, lots of evil. It's like Darth Vader... Good at first.... slowly becoming evil.

I just came up with that analogy... can someone give me props for that one?