It’s that time when most articles are either about the best of the year that is ending or predictions/resolutions for the year that is about to start. Given I’m not a big fan of New Year’s predictions or resolutions, I thought I would create a “Best of 2014”.
As I was doing some research, I stumbled upon Time Magazine’s 25 Best Inventions of 2014. I like their list – and it saved me quite a bit of work – so I’m recreating it here:
- The Real-Life Hoverboard
- The Supersmart Spacecraft
- A Reactor that Could Realize Nuclear Fusion
- Wireless Electricity
- 3-D-Printed Everything
- Watches that Redefine Smart
- The Smartphone that Puts Privacy First
- The Cooler that Powers Your Party
- The Chip that Stops Your Slouching
- The Car that Makes Electric Enticing
- The Tablet that Replaces Laptops
- The Ring that Alerts You in Style
- The Pillbox that Gets Personal
- Bananas that Prevent Blindness
- The Wheel that Gives Bikers a Boost
- The Seamless Sign-Language Translator
- The Filter that Fights Ebola
- The Selfie Stick (and Hairbrush)
- The AC that Lowers Your Energy Bills
- The Prison Room that Helps Inmates Relax
- The Tablet Toy that Gets Physical
- The Coaching Basketball
- Wrappers You Can Eat
- Screens that Showcase Digital Art
- Action Figures that Empower Girls
Each of these inventions are a breakthrough in their own right but will have a different impact on the world and on me personally. The kid in me is partial to the Hendo Hoverboard (Back to the Future is real!) but at $10,000 I don’t think I will pre-order one. I am probably most intrigued by the WiTricity (wireless electricity) technology which can already power devices from as far away as 8 feet (2.4 meters). Constant connectivity and non-stop power would certainly change the way we all work.
Which invention do you think is the best of 2014?
This blog was originally posted on Manage by Walking Around on December 28, 2014.
Hi Jonathan,
nice blog.
Wireless electricity, this is how radio was invented and it is possible to make a radio receiver which is powered only by the radio waves.
Best regards,
Andy.