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By Tim Wood
As we approach the millennium and look back upon the 20th century, I've found myself thinking about the greatest inventions of the century.
Oh, there are obvious choices for great inventions and discoveries- the airplane, penicillin, television, etc. However, there are many less known, but nonetheless very important inventions that we've come to take for granted.
Here is my list of the greatest unsung inventions of the 20th century. My personal bias obvious, so if you don't like it, make your own list. It's actually kind of fun.
* The string trimmer, often referred to by one manufacturer's trademark, "Weedeater.[TM]" Does anybody remember trimming with grass shears? Now, if someone will invent one that always starts and never runs out of string, it'll make my list for the 21st century.
* The push mower, or lawn mower that works without an engine. Come to think of it, this was invented before the power mower, and is often known as a push mower. You can still buy the things. They don't do as good a job of cutting as a power mower, but I own one, and it always starts. When my three power mowers are in the shop, backed up behind the other 3,561 lawn mowers up for repair, the push mower keeps my lawn looking passable.
* The cordless drill/screwdriver. Recently, I assembled an aluminum storage shed. There were about 8 zillion little screws to drive in. Without my cordless drill, which was loaded with a drill bit, I'd still be inserting screws. By the way, this was a spinoff of the man-on-the-moon program.
That leads us to:
* The home improvement store. Without the home improvement store, I would have had no clue as to how to get a storage shed up. These stores have incredible selections of items and instructions to inspire the home handyman to build projects. Thanks to the home improvement store, I have a shed in which to store my lawn mowers that won't start, the string trimmer that usually starts, and the push mower that always starts.
* The CPAP machine. This is a medical device that helps folks like me who have a sleep disorder. It's basically an air compressor connected to a face mask that blows air down my throat while I sleep. It keeps my airways from collapsing, and therefore I don't have to wake up every minute to take a breath. It has literally saved lives - maybe even mine.
Moving on to more cerebral pursuits, allow me list the benefits of the following:
* E-mail. So, this is a no-brainer. Like the copy machine and the FAX machine, we all wonder how we got along without it. Unlike the copy machine and FAX machine, it usually works. Granted, junk mail has migrated from the real world of paper to the cyber world of e-mail, but it's very useful.
* The public library. OK, so maybe they were around before the 20th century. But they really grew during this century to the point where almost every town has one. Unfortunately, not every town that has one sees fit to fund theirs adequately. Nonetheless, public libraries are wonderful places.
* The electric guitar and bass. Without these two instruments, there would be no rock and roll - there would have been no Jimi Hendrix - there would have been no heavy metal (hmmm) - there would have been no strange noises emanating from my bedroom when I was a teenager. (Now the strange noises come from my basement).
* Space is running out, so for my last great invention, I'll try the personal computer. The things drive me nuts at times. Nonetheless, they are amazing devices. Their potential is incredible, and they will be a driving force of the world in the beginning of the next millennium.
Published in the Columbia Daily Herald on Sept. 5, 1999.
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