THE BEST INVENTION??

[numkitchen]

According to BBC-UK national survey the humble bicycle is voted as the most significant innovations since 1800.
What is your choice?

Computer (memory chip) gets my vote!

WHAT IS YOURS?

[gaddeswarup]

I am not too clear about the difference between 'invention' and 'innovation'. Can you clarify a bit? Thanks.
Swarup

[Rohit]

I am not too clear about the difference between 'invention' and 'innovation'.

Dear gaddeswarup

Invention means creating something completely new (of course from available raw materials), which did not exist before. Like the inventions of Wheel, Spear, Light bulb, Electron tube, Transistor etc.

Innovation means building or designing something newish or better but from existing ideas and/or technology like Integrated Circuits (ICs) and Memory Chips, which is basically millions and millions of transistors or similar active devices integrated in a single package for performing specific analogue or digital functions, which were previously implemented using discrete components.

Using theses basic inventions as raw materials or building blocks, Radio, Radar, TV and host of other electronic equipment were invented and are being invented.

In that context, bicycle comes more under invention, but innovative element is also there, such as use of wheels, which is an ancient invention.

[nirosha sen]

My vote goes for the telephone Pa!! Whatever would we do without this most essential item anywhere now???!!!

[podalangai]

Ennai poruttha varil idhu internet thaan paa! No internet, no forumhub.

[Idiappam]

I think the idli panai (steamer) is the greatest invention of all! The best we can think of! What else could we do with steam?? Or what else can steam do?

[Surya]

Anywayz,
I agree with podalangai, The Net.

[Niranjana]

Safety pin!
So small yet so useful!

[nirosha sen]

I think the idli panai (steamer) is the greatest invention of all! The best we can think of! What else could we do with steam?? Or what else can steam do?

Now, why does that sound in echo of M R Radha's line from some movie, Pa????!!!

Didn't he say, the White Man launches submarines with steam, but the Indian is good at only cooking "puttu" with steam, instead???? Correct me, if I'm wrong, Pa!!!!