Top 30 innovations of the last 30 years

Early last year, Knowledge@Wharton released a list of the top 30 innovations over the past 30 years.

I’ve just discovered the article, but it’s still thought provoking to ponder the technological changes that have occurred in three decades.

The list is as follows, in their order of importance:

1. Internet, broadband, WWW (browser and html)
2. PC/laptop computers
3. Mobile phones
4. Email
5. DNA testing and sequencing/Human genome mapping
6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
7. Microprocessors
8. Fibre optics
9. Office software (spreadsheets, word processors)
10. Non-invasive laser/robotic surgery (laparoscopy)
11. Open source software and services (e.g., Linux, Wikipedia)
12. Light emitting diodes
13. Liquid crystal display (LCD)
14. GPS systems
15. Online shopping/ecommerce/auctions (e.g., eBay)
16. Media file compression (jpeg, mpeg, mp3)
17. Microfinance
18. Photovoltaic Solar Energy
19. Large scale wind turbines
20. Social networking via the Internet
21. Graphic user interface (GUI)
22. Digital photography/videography
23. RFID and applications (e.g., EZ Pass)
24. Genetically modified plants
25. Bio fuels
26. Bar codes and scanners
27. ATMs
28. Stents
29. SRAM flash memory
30. Anti retroviral treatment for AIDS

I was 12 years old in 1979. Computers didn’t exist as far as I was concerned. Color TV had just been introduced to Australia a few years previously. Mobile phones were unheard of.

Looking at the list of 30, I don’t have much argument with it.

I would personally rate digital photography higher than 22. I might add DVD to the list; it’s not only used with computers, of course.

I would also add the fax machine. It’s largely been superseded by email, but it was revolutionary when it hit the office scene.

Motor vehicle improvements probably need to be added too, like fuel injection, cruise control and LPG.