The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years

The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years ....do you agree?

Any that you think they overlooked?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/200...KN3W6sRSLMF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

 

While not overly popular, the mini-disc recorder/player (Sony) is one
fanatastic gadget. It would be in my top 50 for sure.

 

They list the Apple Newton at #28 and indicate that it "paved the way
for smaller, simpler devices like the PalmPilot", but in fact like many
of the things that are hyped as being invented by Apple, the Newton was
once again a rehash of someone else's product.

The Casio Databank PF8000 predated the Newton by nearly a decade, I got
mine in about 1985, had handwriting recognition remarkably similar to
the "graffiti" that showed up in the PalmPilot much much later and a
whopping 4K of memory with the extra 2K expansion pack.

For those who never saw the PF8000, it is/was about 5" wide, 3" high and
1/4" thick with a 2" square or so touch pad area at the right which
functioned both for handwritten text input without the need for a
stylus, and also doubled as a calculator touch pad. The Databank watches
came quite a bit later.

For those who think the somewhat ill fated Apple Newton was a technology
leader way ahead of it's time, Casio beat Apple both by a decade and
with better functionality, usability and ergonomics.

Pete C.

 

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal written at the time the
Newton got the ax. It pointed out that the Newton enjoyed popularity
among young physicians working as interns and residents in hospitals.
They were sorry to see it go. I can't comment on the Casio. Probably
the same reaction.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/200...KN3W6sRSLMF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

Where is the Clapper ? Did I miss it ?

 

Found a link that shows the PF-8000

http://www.voidware.com/calcs/pf8000.htm
http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/article/read_about_featured_gadgeteer_evan_koblentz
http://pocketcalculatorshow.com/calculator/index5.html

One of those sites dates the PF-8000 to 1980 putting far far ahead of
the Newton.

Pete C.

 

I can't believe they forgot the Myfi.

 

I didn't see clip-in pedals or aerobars.

They rank right up near the top with me.

Lewis

*******

 

I doubt they polled any women - otherwise I would expect to see the BOB
(Battery Operated Boyfriend).

Ed

 

I'd have to take issue with the choice of Microsoft Intellimouse
Explorer (1999). The first optical mice were available at least 15
years (?) before, albeit with a metal pad and hefty price tag. I'm
still using a serial Mouse Systems mouse of that era. I also recall
paying about AU$40 for a Taiwanese serial optical mouse in 1990. I
can't understand why PC World believes that MS's product is "the first
mainstream optical mouse".

I'd also have given an award to the Casio and Sharp organisers of the
early 90's.

- Franc Zabkar

 

I had one of those optical mice with the metal pad, it worked well at
the time but the modern optical mice are infinitely better. They provide
the advantages of optical along with those of mechanical mice for the
best of both worlds. I was never fond of the Intellimouse Explorer
ergonomic design, in fact I didn't like it at all, but the standard
Intellimouse optical that was offered for a short time, as well as the
Logitech models are quite good.

 

What IMBECILE came up with this list? They are all TOYS!

Let's see, the jet engine is probably just a bit too old to stay on the
list. And, I guess the transistor has run off the edge, too. The
integrated circuit is still less than 50 years old. Microwave
oven? The internet? Solid state computers? Silicon memory technology?
Disk drives? laser printers? Ink jet printers? VCRs? Lasers?
CAT scanners, MRI, ultrasound?

Oh, I get it! Gadgets! Not just inventions, but gadget as "useless
gott-have-it junk". OK, now the list makes sense.

Jon

 

They arrived much earlier.

 

The list is of course limited to nerdy gadgets--"we considered only those
items whose digital descendants are covered in PC World"

Than again, I may have missed the vibrator issue...

-Has

 

The first in dash CD player should be on the list.

Also the first radar detector.

I'd nominate the hp 95LX as the first pocket computer, even before the
Newton.

I'd also put the Timex Ironman on the list. This little simple
multifunction watch is the best selling "computer" ever produced. I
own three including the one I'm wearing now which is 20 years old and
predates "Indiglo."

50 years is a long time. How about the Bullova Accutron "tuning fork"
watch.

No GPS? Surely I'd put the Garmin eTrex series on the list, or the
Gecko.

Bicycle computers.

Leatherman multi-tools.

That list is too far weighted towards audio and not broad enough in
scope.

 

Every House Wife's Dream "The Electric Can Opener" ~ RHF
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_appliance
Followed by every other "Time Saving" and "Work Saving"
Electrical Kitchen, Household and Personal Appliances :
including the Vacuum Cleaner and the Washer and Dryer

Plus Every Power Tool Know to Man !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Tool

READ - The List of Edison Patents
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Edison_patents

The Electric Light Bulb followed by the Compact Fluorescent
Lamp (CFL) and then the Light Emitting Diode (LED)

The Telegraph followed by the Telephone
and then the Cellular Phone.

The Phonograph Record followed by the Tape Recorder
and then the Video Tape and the DVD Recorder/Players.

The Radio followed by the TV Set
and then Digital Cable and Satellite TV Systems

The Home Computer followed by the Everything Digital !


For those Who Are Into Something - Low-Tech and No-Tech :

* Solid State In-Organic - The Pet Rock !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_rock

* Organic - The Chia Pet !
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chia_pet
http://www.cooltvproducts1.com/Category.asp?cat=38&parent=35?source=froogle

 

The first radar detector was developed around 1942!

Alan

 

Do you ever take a break from shooting speed?

This is the best can opener ever made:

http://www.ccrane.com/more-categories/kitchen-accessories/swing-a-way-can-opener.aspx

 

DaviD Asks Himself - " Do you ever take a break from shooting speed? "

DaviD - One of America's Many Freedoms :
Manual -or- Electric - The Choice Is Yours !

FWIW - My Manual Bottle Opener - Talks To Me ! )
{ It's Time For A Beer ! }

 

I disagree. Almost twenty years before (1974) that they had the HP-65.
It even had a magnetic card writer/reader for saving data or programs.

=====================================
HP introduces the first minicomputer to be based on 4K dynamic random
access memory chips (DRAM) instead of magnetic cores.

The world's first programmable pocket calculator, the HP-65, is
introduced at $795. Its programmability will later lead some to call it
the world's first handheld computer.

http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/timeline/hist_70s.html
====================================


I don't like the direction the company has taken. My experiences with
some of their printers have soured me on the 'new' HP. I loved their
products and philosophy until the end of the HP 41 era. They've turned
into just another mass marketer, with all the cheap plastic trappings
that accompany that mindset. .


mike