Name five inventions that changed your life.

[pm01]

As the title says, I'm interested in reading what five inventions has really changed your life. It can be as significant as penicillin or the zipper but try to make it personal. Just let us know what has really impacted your life for which you're grateful (or not so grateful--the door is wide open).

Internet - the instant access to the world

Computer/smart phone - I flat out love this age. I can store, retrieve all sorts of data at my finger tips. Regardless of the risk, my cell carries my life.

Modern medicine, dentistry included (pretty broad and vague, I know) - I've needed it more than I prefer.

Air conditioning - I've practiced enough in heat and I hate it anymore.

Automobile - I love the freedom it provides. I almost listed modern travel so it would encompass both the car and air but decided to be a little specific. But I love being able to board a jet and in twelve hours be on the opposite side of the planet.

[Spider]

Television - I grew up in front of it and I still fall asleep with it on.

Novocaine and other local anesthetics - my job would be very unpleasant for me and my patients without it.

Eyeglasses - my windows to the world.

The flush toilet - maybe it didn't really change my life, but it allows me to stay indoors with increasing frequency.

The condom - no explanation should be needed (but it relates in part to penicillin and the zipper).

[vaisforlovers]

When Al Gore invented the internet, my world changed forever.

[UGLY]

power tools- makes work much easier and less intimidating

cell phone- constant contact makes a difference now that I have kids

Goretex- the ability to stay dry was key in the military

Leatherman- carrying a multi-tool makes all the difference in any scenario

music media- having the ability to find almost any song you have heard or loved once but lost that cassette or CD. The songs can now be stored and never lost again.

[quinn14]

There are two ways to answer this question. What inventions changed the world or what changed our own lives. I don't know for sure how old everyone is, but the automobile was invented in early 1900s and so was a flushing toilet and television. Unless PM&Spider are 90, I am guessing they grew up with this stuff and therefore it didn't "change" there lives.

I will answer for inventions since I've been alive.

Graphite tennis racket&aluminum baseball bats- I list them the same because I discovered them at the same time

Battery powered lanterns- Always hated the smell of oil lanterns

Cell phones- I fought it until 2008, but haven't looked back since

Fix-A-Flat- Not sure when it was invented, but I didn't find it until the mid-late 80's. Helps a lot with a 3-wheeler in the woods

DVR/Tivo- Anyone who has it knows what I'm talking about

[pm01]

Okay just to eliminate any confusion, I didn't intend the question to be so narrowly interpreted as to mean only those inventions created in your lifetime, but rather through which its existance and enhancements has really impacted your life, good or bad. Dang I dislike the invention of the "small print".

Ugly-the Leatherman is a good one. I carried one on my duty belt for years and don't think a day went by without using it.

Spider-just think of it, without novocaine you might have developed really mad wrestling skills that would have catapulted you into a multiple NCAA champion and world competitor.

Quinn-I really need to discover DVR/TiVo but we just don't watch much tv at all.

[quinn14]

Okay just to eliminate any confusion, I didn't intend the question to be so narrowly interpreted as to mean only those inventions created in your lifetime, but rather through which its existance and enhancements has really impacted your life, good or bad.

Okay. Well, with that interpretation, I would definitely say automobiles, airplanes, computers and telephones for the grander stage. For me:

seat belt- It's the only reason my wife is still alive
Life jackets- I've been caught in an undertow before and it really did save my life
nail gun- Roofing a house without it SUCKS
chainsaw- Cutting down trees without it SUCKS
sunscreen- Sounds gay until a friend or loved one dies of skin cancer

[arm-spin]

The cell phone. I'm not that old but I still remember the old, hassle-filled days of leaving notes for people, trying to get a hold of them on the phone, and not knowing where they are.
Mapquest/google maps, for the same reason
The airplane, because I do a lot of overseas travelling