Throughout history, some inventions have revolutionized the world, making profound impacts on the lives of millions. On the other hand, there are inventions that, while not necessarily essential, have still left a lasting imprint on modern society. In this article, we explore a variety of such inventions that, although not critical, have nonetheless changed the way we live.
Disposable Cameras
Fujifilm developed the modern disposable camera in 1986, quickly making photography accessible to millions of people worldwide before the digital era. These cameras were popular with tourists and weddings, where guests would have a camera on the table to capture their perspective of the event.
Energy Drinks
Energy drinks existed for decades before Red Bull began operating in America in 1997. Since then, they have become associated with extreme sports, gaming, and nightlife. Their high caffeine and sugar content has made them controversial, with concerns focused on their popularity among children.
Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic shopping bags became popular in the mid-1980s and have been used worldwide to carry groceries for decades. However, their environmental impact became clear in the 1990s, and many countries have gone on to ban single-use plastic shopping bags, promoting reusable “bags for life” as a sustainable alternative.
Fidget Spinners
Fidget spinners had a meteoric rise in 2017 and were promoted as a tool to help people with anxiety and ADD. Scott McCoskery, an IT worker in Washington, created the toy to satisfy his tendency to fidget in meetings and later began selling it online. Their popularity peaked in May 2017.
Smart Speakers
Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home introduced voice-activated technology into everyday life in the 2010s, making information access and home automation simpler. However, there have been privacy concerns surrounding the devices, with some users worried about companies like Amazon’s data collection practices.
The Pet Rock
This toy was created in 1975 by advertising executive Gary Dahl, who sold rocks and pet carriers. Dahl sold over a million of the rocks in the first year, which sold for $4, making him a millionaire. ABC News notes the toy was “a key innovation of the 1970s, [and] tongue-in-cheek humor for a post-Watergate world.”
Reality Television
Reality television first arrived with ABC’s 1948 program Candid Microphone, but it was MTV’s The Real World in 1992 that set the stage for the genre. Britannica notes that reality TV has a range of subgenres, including “competition shows, dating shows, self-help or makeover shows,” and shows about celebrities’ daily lives. Reality TV has kickstarted celebrities’ careers, including the Kardashian family and Paris Hilton.
Vaping Devices
E-cigarettes, or vapes, were first designed in 1963, but they didn’t become common until the 2000s, when Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik developed the modern smoking alternative. Today, millions of people worldwide vape, which is promoted as less harmful than cigarettes.
Selfie Sticks
Selfie sticks became a global phenomenon in the 2010s and have been an indispensable tool for smartphone users trying to get the perfect picture. Reactions to them have been mixed. Many criticize them as vain, and they have been banned in some museums, galleries, and historical sites.
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters have been a popular form of urban transportation since 2000, challenging traditional concepts of city commuting. Companies like Lime offer customers short-term electronic scooter rentals, but they have been controversial and banned in many cities worldwide.
GPS Navigation Systems
The U.S. Department of Defense developed the Global Positioning System (GPS) in the 1970s, which now provides location and time information. NASA explains that the GPS receiver in a phone will listen for signals sent out by the system of over 30 navigation satellites and then determine the phone’s location.
Streaming Services
Streaming services exploded in popularity in the 2010s, with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ providing viewers instant access to a wide range of series and films, as well as original programming. These services have changed consumer expectations around television shows, with one episode per week becoming less popular than binge-watching.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that work as a medium of exchange that is not reliant on a central authority like a bank or government, offering decentralization and financial freedom. Since the release of Bitcoin in 2009, tens of thousands of cryptocurrencies have entered the marketplace, and they have been controversial for their involvement in fraud.
Social Media
Since Talkomatic, the first multi-user online chat system, launched in 1973, social media has gradually become a part of daily life. People and companies communicate across it daily and post updates and stories for their followers. According to Investopedia, more than 4.7 billion people use social media, which “typically features user-generated content that lends itself to engagement via likes, shares, comments, and discussion.”
Smartwatches
Smartwatches have become an integral part of personal technology for millions around the world. They offer many of the services of a smartphone as well as tools like heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. The Apple Watch is a favorite among Apple users, and Samsung and Google also offer a range of smartwatches.
Drone Delivery Systems
Delivery drones were used during the COVID-19 pandemic in America to make medical deliveries of personal protective equipment. Today, drone delivery systems are being developed to revolutionize logistics, offering potentially faster and more efficient package delivery.
AI Assistants
AI assistants have evolved from simple voice commands to increasingly complex conversational agents, with companies like OpenAI and Google offering systems capable of learning and adapting to user preferences. The technology is polarizing; many developers are concerned with the possibility of AI leading to human extinction, but it is seen as an invaluable tool that boosts worker productivity.
3D Printing
3D printing has gone from a previously niche manufacturing process in the 1980s and 1990s to a useful tool for the mainstream production of tools, furniture, and toys. 3D printing is used in the automotive and aviation industries for parts, and paleontologists are printing duplicate fossils.
