NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm trying to find a topic that is interesting. Seems to be a real dearth of those sorts lately.

How about this for a try? What is the best technology that was developed in the twentieth century? What makes it the best?

My vote would be for the transistor. That completely changed the way computers were built, allowing Apple to build the tremendous G5 desktop...Sorry, different topic.

It completely changed the way computers were built and as LSI gave way to VLSI, digital technology revolutionized the way we live. I don't think there was any other technology that even comes close to having the amount of positive impact that the transistor did.

I second that.

I third that, althought fiber optics are a close second, given the invaluable effect they have had on global communications and the Internet (which was dependent on the transistor for the computers to run it).

Uh ya...computer. In little over 50 years it has changed the world forever and has evolved at a rate that is greater then expotentially. From barely any memory to ones pushing 2+ terrabytes.

The toaster.

More people use toasters than computers.

Computer is big, but only in the second half of the twentieth century. The connected world thing really got started in the early twentieth century with air travel.

Counter Strike.

When I was still working at Georgia Tech, we had a older foreign product in the lab. I was fiddling around with some of circuitry and one of our newly hired engineers came over to see what I was doing. He graduated from Tech with a MS degree in EE about 1998, maybe? He didn't recognize the part I was replacing so he asked what it was. When I told him it was a PNP transistor, he replied that he had never seen one in real life. I was one surprised guy to hear that. I guess Tech was just teaching transistor theory, then using more complex gates in the labs.

actually, i can't vote for the transistor. I'd have to vote for the integrated circuit. While the transistor itself was smaller and used less heat/energy than the vacuum tude, its use did not bring on the computer revolution, or much decrease in size of the computer. The IC, on the other hand, revolutionized computing. Think about it, older computers used slow tape for their storage, and memory. ICs allowed memory to be on fast, high density modern RAM. CPUs would never have reached millions of transistors without the IC. Fiber optics was not truly possible until the IC allowed high enough processing power.

I could go on.

The combination of electronic amplifier and loud speaker.*




* well, probably penicilin, but it is debateable whether that fits into your definition of technology.

actually, i can't vote for the transistor. I'd have to vote for the integrated circuit. While the transistor itself was smaller and used less heat/energy than the vacuum tude, its use did not bring on the computer revolution, or much decrease in size of the computer. The IC, on the other hand, revolutionized computing. Think about it, older computers used slow tape for their storage, and memory. ICs allowed memory to be on fast, high density modern RAM. CPUs would never have reached millions of transistors without the IC. Fiber optics was not truly possible until the IC allowed high enough processing power.

That's true, but it required the transistor to exist. I suppose you are also correct, however, because the IC had considerable and revolutionary effects beyond those of the transistor; we wouldn't have minicomputers without them, nor would we have modern telecommunications.

Computer is big, but only in the second half of the twentieth century. The connected world thing really got started in the early twentieth century with air travel.
air travel barely took off until the last half of the century. It got a start with the DC-3 in the 1930s, the first "modern" airliner, but then WWII came along, and air travel got put on hold.

Computer is big, but only in the second half of the twentieth century. The connected world thing really got started in the early twentieth century with air travel.
Airplanes are my second choice. I hadn't thought about fiber, it did make transoceanic communications commonplace. There have been a lot of really slick things invented.

I was watching a History or Discover channel show about some things that were discovered and dated to about Archimedes time. The device was called the Antikythera device and it appeared to calculate orbits. Of course, the part I enjoyed was watching this guy make all the gears with a file.

actually, i can't vote for the transistor. I'd have to vote for the integrated circuit. While the transistor itself was smaller and used less heat/energy than the vacuum tude, its use did not bring on the computer revolution, or much decrease in size of the computer. The IC, on the other hand, revolutionized computing. Think about it, older computers used slow tape for their storage, and memory. ICs allowed memory to be on fast, high density modern RAM. CPUs would never have reached millions of transistors without the IC. Fiber optics was not truly possible until the IC allowed high enough processing power.

I could go on.
You know that ICs are just gazillions of transistors that are very tiny. Don't mean to sound pedantic, just making sure. But you're right that VLSI was certainly a necessary step toward modern computing.

You know that ICs are just gazillions of transistors that are very tiny. Don't mean to sound pedantic, just making sure. But you're right that VLSI was certainly a necessary step toward modern computing.
I realize that the IC is just a packaging of a great many transistors, but I consider it to be a more important development, as the IC represented truly new capabilities, where the transistor brought nothing really new over the vaccuum tube.

The microwave. Without microwaves, I would have to eat my Hunan Phoenix left overs cold, with a microwave I can warm it right back up.

The microwave. Without microwaves, I would have to eat my Hunan Phoenix left overs cold, with a microwave I can warm it right back up.


just how well would a microwave do without ICs and transisters? trust me, "...stuff don't work when It can't take orders." (forgot his name, but i'll think of it)


but over all I'd say that the risister is the best. why do I say that? becous even the things that don't have ICs still have risisters. pop open you PC, the risister is the most commen part in the mother board, CD drive, floppy drive, ETC (even the Power supply!). and I can't beleave I'm saying this becouse the risister is so small that some times it's almost impossable to put on the F$#&!% board! :headbang:

Squeezable catsup bottles. Before you had to wait an eternity and a half to enjoy catsup with your food.

Squeezable catsup bottles. Before you had to wait an eternity and a half to enjoy catsup with your food.
actually, that brings up a very interesting invention (although technically it was started at the end of the 19th century)

PLASTIC

Plastic is used just about everywhere today. That squeezeable bottle, plastic
go to a hospital, plastic is everywhere
Plastic is truly amazing, with many different properties and abilities shared by no other material family

I say they were sort of invented in the 19th century because that is when celluloid, one of the first plastics, was invented. I would still call it mostly a 20th century thing because so much of the rest of the plastic family, and its widespread use, did not start until then.

If you want some evidence over how much plastic is in your life, look around you. I bet that within 10 feet of yourself you can find at least 3 different plastics in use, possibly even in your clothing (polyester is a plastic, as almost everything starting with "poly" is)

The birth control pill.

Electrical outlets in our homes, and everything that goes with making Electrical power available...

Electrical outlets in our homes, and everything that goes with making Electrical power available...
most of that was invented before the 20th century, so it doesn't count.

most of that was invented before the 20th century, so it doesn't count.

Electrical outlets in every house did not come before the 20th century. I'm talking about the availability of electricity in our households (and the electrical delivery system nation-wide), not the invention of electricity itself.

(To clarify, I'm referring only to the implementation and invention of delivery processes that make the electrical standards and thus, the modern world, possible)

Electrical outlets in every house did not come before the 20th century. I'm talking about the availability of electricity in our households (and the electrical delivery system nation-wide), not the invention of electricity itself.

(To clarify, I'm referring only to the implementation and invention of delivery processes that make the electrical standards and thus, the modern world, possible)
I still say its 19th century. 18th century for the invention of electricity. 19th century for the development of standards such as AC, modern power generators, etc. Nationwide wiring also began at this time. The only thing on your list from the 20th century is the outlet itself.

I'm gonna be a major douche and give you the typical douche American answer:

Ready for it?


Laser Guided Missiles.

Sorry all you guy and gal geeks. It was the the Big Mac without a doubt!!

The birth control pill.
Now we are on the right track. I would have to go with plastic. I think that resistors and transistors have plastic in them.

I still say its 19th century. 18th century for the invention of electricity. 19th century for the development of standards such as AC, modern power generators, etc. Nationwide wiring also began at this time. The only thing on your list from the 20th century is the outlet itself.

Isn't that what I said? Electrical outlets in our homes...? That's all I was talking about, the electrical outlet and what it signifies.

Electricity. Hello.

have another. The Labradoodle.

A three way tie between the auto mobile, electricity and the internet.

internet pornography.

The toaster.

More people use toasters than computers.
I beg to differ
You Ever drive

YOu ever use a calculator
or a TV or a VCR ... just about anything electronic nowadays has SOME sort computer controll

I mean the energy output you use to power the toaster is kept up and producing by computer controll (so you could argue they are "using" a computer even when using a toaster)

C'mon peeps, by far the greatest thing to come out of the twentieth century is..........

Toilet Paper.


Now can we really live without it? :D

Without all the vaccinations and anti-biotics invented/discovered in the twentieth century, many of those who invented all the fancy computer stuff may not have even reached adulthood.

C'mon peeps, by far the greatest thing to come out of the twentieth century is..........

Toilet Paper.


Now can we really live without it? :D
Nope

Toilet paper was invented in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty so not in twentieth century

The atomic bomb. Seriously, has any one invention scared the crap out of more people (other than maybe reality tv)?

have to say the aeroplane, completely revolutionised travel, warfare, and made the world seem a whole lot smaller, also was a primary reason for making radar smaller than a bus, and radios portable, as well as the guided missile technology.

Nope

Toilet paper was invented in 1857 by Joseph Gayetty so not in twentieth century

Thanks for correcting me. :eek:

I guess that would make it the greatest technology of all time. :rolleyes:

Thanks for correcting me. :eek:

I guess that would make it the greatest technology of all time. :rolleyes:
:D that it might be :)

Sure is better then using water....a leaf, or a furry animal!

Even though toilet paper when first invented are like those industrial strength brown pads....Then the type we use for oil-pastel holding. Then the soft white single ply.....now TRIPLE PLY QUILTED! Feels like silk for your butt!

Sure is better then using water....a leaf, or a furry animal!

Even though toilet paper when first invented are like those industrial strength brown pads....Then the type we use for oil-pastel holding. Then the soft white single ply.....now TRIPLE PLY QUILTED! Feels like silk for your butt!

Triple ply is definately the bomb!

C'mon toilet paper is so unnecessary. All you need is leaves.

twist off beer bottle tops :p

Modern Concrete. Without it there would be no highways, no dams, no skyscrapers, and no large bridges.

I'd also vote for penicillin and tetracylcine (saved billions of lives)

C'mon toilet paper is so unnecessary. All you need is leaves.

hmm, I dunno if I want a tree in the bathroom. :D

C'mon toilet paper is so unnecessary. All you need is leaves.
What if you mistakingly wipe with poison ivy.

Termonuclear bombs.
Nuclear power plants.
Supersonic fighters.
MOAB (Mother of All Bombs).
Communication Satellites.
Cable television.

Too many to mention.


OH, and South Park. They killed Kenny! Bastards!

Modern Concrete. Without it there would be no highways, no dams, no skyscrapers, and no large bridges.

I'd also vote for penicillin and tetracylcine (saved billions of lives)
i think modern concrete may again predate the 20th century. Gotta love the anti-biotics though.

The electric guitar (and associated equipment).

And yes, I'm being serious.

I mean, think about it; yes, there were electrically amplified instruments before the electric guitar, but none every got quite as big. The electric guitar was the birth of real blues, jazz, rock and roll, everything. It revolutionized music and, therefore, human culture.

The electric guitar paved the way for every kind of music being made today except for the remaining classical orchestras and other acoustic-only types of music, none of which are in any way as wide-spread as, say, techno-synth music or heavy metal.

Cultural movements, at least in the Western world, are almost always associated with some kind of music. This music was always, inevitably, led by an electric guitar, or some other derivitive thereof.

The Beatles? They were a guitar band who not only made it in an era when guitar bands were the joke of pop music, but they utterly redefined music as we knew it became the biggest act...well...ever. They headlined one of the most culturally dynamic decades in history, they were responsible for a lot of what came after.

Punk music? Raw, guitar driven music that formed an entire sect of rebels against authority that has lasted until today and is still just as guitar-centric as the first time Richard Lloyd picked one up.

Heavy metal? From the licks of Jimmy Page to the dark tones of Tony Iommi, metal music has its foundation in the guitar. Metallica is nothing without its driving guitar riffs and not a single metal band on the planet would be anything near the same without their cruddy, distorted noise-machines. And since that dark night more than 30 years ago when Black Sabbath came together, and since those years when Deep Purple was the heaviest band of its time, metal has grown as an entirely seperate culture within other cultures. It has split-up, it has shoot-offs, it has rip-offs. Metal is a second-coming of the punk culture.

After 1950, hell, after the 1940's with the birth of the Les Paul, the guitar has been behind the music that has shaped and changes Western culture into what it is today.

The atomic bomb. Seriously, has any one invention scared the crap out of more people (other than maybe reality tv)?

Yes. The Hydrogen Bomb (aka Second Sunrise). Also the 100-megaton Tsar Bomba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_Bomba).

What if you mistakingly wipe with poison ivy.

You're going to have dirty fingers.

Yes. The Hydrogen Bomb (aka Second Sunrise). Also the 100-megaton Tsar Bomba (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_Bomba).
That Tsar bomb is a monster eh?

I would like to say the MOAB was just one bomb, and one bomb only, thay thought it would be funny becouse Mr. husain (or whatever) called the 1st gulf war "the mother of all wars". :mp5:

also toilit paper must have been great stuff becouse erly advertisments for big companis was "...our toilit paper has the least splinters!" obviasly, It was good eaven when you where better off using tree bark! :p

The scanning, tunnelling microscope. It can draw three dimensional maps of the surfaces of metals and it can build designer molecules atom by atom. It's ingenius.

The scanning, tunnelling microscope. It can draw three dimensional maps of the surfaces of metals and it can build designer molecules atom by atom. It's ingenius.

...until a light gust throws the damn thing off by a micron and renders it useless. I hate nanotechnology.

I'm going to say Air Conditioning...and no, that's not a joke response. :)

* well, probably penicilin, but it is debateable whether that fits into your definition of technology.

I second this, and think that bio-technology does indeed count.

I'm going to say Air Conditioning...and no, that's not a joke response. :)

LOL you can't be in that bad of shape in a place like wisconsin try comming to the centrall vally CA! in the summer we've had 120 degrees befor! we get 95 on a good day and you are garenteed to have a cold all summer becouse theres so much dust you can hardly breath, then if you live on a farm you have to do some good laber in those days 'couse it's harvist seasen!!!

What a lot of good ideas. Since I work with digital devices day in and out, I figured I'd be biased toward something electronic. Thanks for another, or fifty, perspectives on technology.

The internet was by far the single biggest invention of the 20th century. It connected people, made information extremely accesible, and is changing the well-established political and sociological landscapes for good and ill. Of course, the internet in its present form would not be as accesible without the web browser.