Inventions for which you feel grateful

[Dagger]

The basic question: What inventions have inspired you to glance up at the heavens (or wherever) and thank the person who came up with them?

For me, one of the big ones is definitely ant traps--you know, the kind that have inviting little openings and poisoned bait stored inside them. I really, really hate ants, and being able to guard every corner of my room against them leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Plus, the traps are very effective.

I was planning to create a nice template for the format of this thread by describing the traps and then talking about the dude or lady who invented them, except that either I suck at finding information online or the name of the doer of this noble deed has been lost to time. Or it was just a group-designed, corporate kind of thing. Anyway, I'm sure you all will fare much better than me, so say a little about your invention of choice.

~Dagger~

[Anime Dreamer00]

I would have to talnk Rlfaph Bearfor making one of the frist video game systms ever made,Thne magnavox Odssey,Tjhis little black & whitre machince had some werid games like tic tac toe on the tv but it is on of the first granddads of the systems we know & Love today.It was made in 1972,1973.Lets all thank this man for one of the favotie past times of otakus & non-otakus alike. :cool:

[Gavin]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting.

Tough one, for me it's probably a tie between the remote control, thus making life so much easier, especially modern ones that can work multiple pieces of equipment from one remote and the razor. I know the razor isn't that new, but my current Mach 3 pwns the rival Quattro because the Quattro's blades are too close together, seriously, three razor blades for one shave is enough to make me go back to growing a beard.

In the end, suppose it's got to be the remote, on account of my utter laziness when it comes to watching TV.[/SIZE]

[BlueYoshi]

[color=#8B0000]Yeah, the TV remote control has got to be up there with engines and toilet seats.

The invention that I'm most thankful for is the microwave. If there's one thing that I like to do in life, it's eat -- and I do a hell of a lot of it. I eat for pleasure most of the time, and if it wasn't for the microwave, I wouldn't be able to quickly heat up my favourite snacks, or leftovers from my mom's cooking, or tea that's half made and gone cold (happens a lot with me).

So yeah, to the microwave. And nuked food.[/color] :beer:

[The13thMan]

[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Uhm...i'm going to have to go with lubrication. I guess God knew that it would get red after a while without some lotion.

GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTERS YOU PERVS!!!

I'm also very grateful for the internet. Unlimited information and pornography, what's better than that?

Oh, and music + iPods + Limewire.

Later.
[/FONT][/COLOR]

[pooperson]

I'm in marching band, so I am overly thankful for water coolers & such. OMG... they're the best ever. And water bottles... and water.
Also, I LOVE sunscreen! I would DIE without it!!!!!
Not to mention frozen grapes. If you've never had them, you need to try them. They're like eating a drop of wonderful.
And... dixie cups. Oh-so small & reusable, cheap & reliable... and easy to carry at football games. Plus, if you spill your water.... you can get more. =]

[Albert Flasher]

[QUOTE=The13thMan][COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]

I'm also very grateful for the internet. Unlimited information and pornography, what's better than that?
[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
Vritual-Reality Net. If you know what I mean. :animeshy: :animenose

Anywhoo, I think the most useful invention of all time would have to be language. I mean, the guys who came up with that were HELLA smart, yo. Wouldn't get much done without it. Everything we have probably wouldn't even exist witout language, so obviously it's a very critical part of my life, seeing as I'm quite fond of things.[/COLOR]

[The13thMan]

[QUOTE=Red 6][COLOR=Sienna]
Vritual-Reality Net. If you know what I mean. :animeshy: :animenose

Anywhoo, I think the most useful invention of all time would have to be language. I mean, the guys who came up with that were HELLA smart, yo. Wouldn't get much done without it. Everything we have probably wouldn't even exist witout language, so obviously it's a very critical part of my life, seeing as I'm quite fond of things.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]I agree that language was a very important invention and is great...but it has many great and evil flaws. Look at how much languages creates barriers between people of different countries and languages. It creates many misunderstandings and is a major cause of racism. It also has many limitations. It cannot truly express some ideas and feelings. It's also complicated like a mother...and i'm very willing to admit that i haven't mastered English. Even know i feel limited by language...i can't fully express myself because of it.

On the other hand it's truly wonderful, without it rational thought would be nearly impossible. I mean...how would one think without language? We would be simple beasts without it.

Sorry for going off on a tangent, it's just something that's been on my mind recently. ^L^

Later.


[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Albert Flasher]

[QUOTE=The13thMan][COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]I agree that language was a very important invention and is great...but it has many great and evil flaws. Look at how much languages creates barriers between people of different countries and languages. It creates many misunderstandings and is a major cause of racism. It also has many limitations. It cannot truly express some ideas and feelings. It's also complicated like a mother...and i'm very willing to admit that i haven't mastered English. Even know i feel limited by language...i can't fully express myself because of it.

On the other hand it's truly wonderful, without it rational thought would be nearly impossible. I mean...how would one think without language? We would be simple beasts without it.

Sorry for going off on a tangent, it's just something that's been on my mind recently. ^L^

Later.
[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=Sienna]

Look at it this way. If language was never devloped, people would all have a different way of saying everything. Which would mean that everyone would have different grunts for different things, which would cause everyone to be hate everyone for having a different way of speaking, which would only cause MORE racism. Plus if that happened someone would have to go around the world and make like a Sears Chrismas Catalog of them or something equally extravagant, and there is NO way in hell I'm reading through that thing...

I also think that the guitar should be added to the list of Greatest Inventions Ever. I mean, where would civilization be without the opening riffs to Voodoo Child? Or without that guitar solo from Comfortably Numb? Without the talking guitar of Peter Frampton, we'd practically be animals! I shudder to think it![/COLOR]

[The13thMan]

[QUOTE=Red 6][COLOR=Sienna]

Look at it this way. If language was never devloped, people would all have a different way of saying everything. Which would mean that everyone would have different grunts for different things, which would cause everyone to be hate everyone for having a different way of speaking, which would only cause MORE racism. Plus if that happened someone would have to go around the world and make like a Sears Chrismas Catalog of them or something equally extravagant, and there is NO way in hell I'm reading through that thing...

I also think that the guitar should be added to the list of Greatest Inventions Ever. I mean, where would civilization be without the opening riffs to Voodoo Child? Or without that guitar solo from Comfortably Numb? Without the talking guitar of Peter Frampton, we'd practically be animals! I shudder to think it![/COLOR][/QUOTE][COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Well, if everybody had a different language then they would all be very under developed and we'd still be animals. So we'd only be as racist as an animal can be. In other words we'd all be hissing at each like fudging cats and be eating dirt and berries. And think about it, we do all have different words for different things, just on a smaller scale. When i say we i mean a group of people and race that share a language, not the individual.

And i second the guitar thing. I ****ing love my guitar and all music with guitar in it. Do you play guitar? Or are you just a huge flippin' music fan? Either way and i'll love you a bit more than i already do.

Later.


[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Albert Flasher]

[QUOTE=The13thMan][COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Well, if everybody had a different language then they would all be very under developed and we'd still be animals. So we'd only be as racist as an animal can be. In other words we'd all be hissing at each like fudging cats and be eating dirt and berries. And think about it, we do all have different words for different things, just on a smaller scale. When i say we i mean a group of people and race that share a language, not the individual.

And i second the guitar thing. I ****ing love my guitar and all music with guitar in it. Do you play guitar? Or are you just a huge flippin' music fan? Either way and i'll love you a bit more than i already do.

Later.


[/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=Sienna]
Who says animals cannot be racist? Ever put a Chinese Tiger in a cage with a Tibetan Buddhist Monk? It ain't pretty. Spit and tiger bones everywhere, it's disgusting.

And yes, we do have different words for things to a certain extent. But something that we call an ocellating fan most likely doesn't mean "Your mother is a hamster." to someone else who speaks English, whereas that would probably be a major issue without language.

I dabble in guitar... I lack the requisit dexterity and motor skills required to play the instrument, plus I have stubby fingers. But sometimes I take my dad's old acoustic guitar from when he was a kid and pretend that I'm jamming away on it while making the guitar sounds with my mouth. It fools more people than you think. Bass is my favourite instrument, though, because a bass player will generally have to repeat the same chords over and over in a song to keep the beat. Just seems easier. [/COLOR]

[The13thMan]

[QUOTE=Red 6][COLOR=Sienna]
Who says animals cannot be racist? Ever put a Chinese Tiger in a cage with a Tibetan Buddhist Monk? It ain't pretty. Spit and tiger bones everywhere, it's disgusting.

And yes, we do have different words for things to a certain extent. But something that we call an ocellating fan most likely doesn't mean "Your mother is a hamster." to someone else who speaks English, whereas that would probably be a major issue without language.

I dabble in guitar... I lack the requisit dexterity and motor skills required to play the instrument, plus I have stubby fingers. But sometimes I take my dad's old acoustic guitar from when he was a kid and pretend that I'm jamming away on it while making the guitar sounds with my mouth. It fools more people than you think. Bass is my favourite instrument, though, because a bass player will generally have to repeat the same chords over and over in a song to keep the beat. Just seems easier. [/COLOR][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkOrange][FONT=Century Gothic]Well, when i said we can only be as racist as animals can be, i didn't mean we wouldn't be racist. It's obvious that cats and dogs will never get along. Anyways, i'm just saying that language is good and evil. There's no arguing that. Neither am i saying i'm ungrateful.

Guitar is great. I want to brag and say i'm awesome...so i will. I'm ****ing awesome.

Ok, i'm not that great. But i'd say i'm pretty decent...i can play some Metallica solos. But i'm not like spanish guitar awesome.

There are some people that would be pissed that you just said bass is easier than guitar....but i'd have to agree. But in this case i also need to admit to my ignorance. I'm not a bass player and i know very little of it. It's simply first impressions. 4<6

Later.


[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Pumpkin]

[SIZE=1]Let's see...inventions eh?

I would definately be greatful for the modern toliet being invented. I mean, if you think about it we coud be going in a little dirt hole like some of the countries in the east, that I am thankful for. Also, automobiles because without them transportation would be slow since we would either be walking, on trains, or riding a bycle. Another one that is a bit more vain, would be my hair straightener. Honestly, I'm suprised I don't burn my hair up, I really love this invention which turns my wavy locks into straightened goodness. You really don't know what my hair looks like in the morning. That and whoever invented cheesecake...I so love you. [/SIZE]

[Retribution]

[size=1]I'm grateful for the Ford Model T. Ford mass-produced the automobile for the first time, making it affordable enough so that most Americans could buy one.

Needless to say, this revolutionized transportation. Although I couldn't profit from the Model T (nor would I really want to) directly, it's invention and marketing has led to the mass-production of all goods after other companies saw how it increased production [i]and[/i] the beginning of the automobile industry.

Ford's in his flivver, and all's well with the world.

(Did anyone get the Brave New World reference? No? ;__;)[/size]

[Anime Dreamer00]

I would like to thank who ever Made Japan!!!Yes the firdst person to makejapn a counrty should be prayed to for with out him & the way Japan has become how would we have Anime Manga or video games.

[Mariskah]

[COLOR=Navy][quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1']In the end, suppose it's got to be the remote, on account of my utter laziness when it comes to watching TV.[/SIZE][/quote]You forgot to mention the most important feature of the remote control. The MUTE button. Without it I would not even bother to watch TV since the commercials are always louder and almost always obnoxious. And the way they insult one?s intelligence is a bit annoying as well. The psychological manipulation of buy this and girls will attack you because you smell so good or wear this and guys will think you are sexy! Or how about the one where freaking five year olds are strutting in front of the mirror because their underwear makes them so sexy! :animesigh

So in my opinion the mute feature of any remote, though mostly the TV one is the one invention I thank God for each and every day. :p

Oh and poison is great too because those stupid snails think my garden is just for them![/COLOR]

[Dagger]

[QUOTE=Mariskah][COLOR=Navy]
Oh and poison is great too because those stupid snails think my garden is just for them![/COLOR][/QUOTE]
Not to go off on a crazy insect-slaying tangent here, but snails are fairly similar to slugs, right? *waits to be shot down*

Anyway, we usually get slugs out of the garden by laying beer traps. See, slugs [i]love[/i] beer, so what you do is take old margarine tubs or something of similar dimensions, bury them so that the lip of the container is exactly at ground level, and fill them with beer. The slugs rush over to drink it, fall in, drown in it and die happy.

I don't know whether this would work as well for snails, but it might be worth trying just for the fun of it. :)

~Dagger~

[Drix D'Zanth]

Yes, Dagger, Snails and Slugs are both Gastropods.

Inventions for which I feel grateful? That's a tough one.

Let me list a few off the top of my heads:
-Language: despite an earlier debate over the merits of language, I consider it probably the most fundamental invention to human as a social animal. Remember, language is sinless... people are not.
-Pasteurization: Nobody likes bacteria-flavored milk.
-The Vaccine: Thanks again, Pasteur (You too, Jenner).
-The printing press: Like your manga? Thank Gutenburg.
-Music
-Antibiotics: Doubling our life expectancy since 1928. All thanks to fungi.
-The refrigerator: Because we have enough salt in our diet.
-The Academy: And I do mean Plato.
-Modern science
-Newtonian Physics: Now we're gettin' somewhere!
-Asexual reproduction: More of a "natural invention". Because as much as people would love to deny it, their garden is as much for the snails and slugs as it is for anything else.
-Poetry

Oh yeah, 2 more inventions that I like,
-Ninjitsu
-Piracy

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue]My landlady uses beer traps just like Dagger mentioned in her garden. And it?s surprisingly effective. She just uses a little net for getting fish out of a fish tank to get the dead bugs out each day. It gets far more than just slugs and snails too. The only thing you have to worry about is if you have pets they might get into it.

As for inventions I?m grateful for. Mine would have to be medicines. I?ve had asthma since I was a kid and though it?s gotten less severe as I?ve gotten older, I can?t imagine what my life would be like with out my inhaler. It?s a great relief to know that if I ever have trouble breathing I have something that can make that better in a jiffy. Feeling like you are suffocating is very unpleasant.

The other thing, well I?m in agreement with Mariskah on the Mute button feature of the TV remote. Who ever invented that deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. It?s probably the most used button on my remote as I too find commercials annoying. Especially how some of them seem to be at a volume level that is twice what the show you are watching is. So when it goes to commercial you get deafened by not only the sheer level of the stupidity of the commercial but the noise as well.

Pity we don?t have a mute button for the movie theaters though. I?m old enough to remember when waiting to watch a movie didn?t include thirty minutes of commercials and previews. The previews I can handle but the commercials? It?s irritating that here you are paying to see the movie and they still have to shove advertising in your face. [/COLOR]

[Sara]

[color=#b0000b][size=1]Not to get too far off of the world-bettering tangent that everyone seems to be on, but I'm a big fan of the [b]eletric kettle.[/b] While I would ideally have a proper kettle on a stovetop, we can't have open heat sources in the dorms, and even a plastic water-boiler beats the pulp out of having to microwave my tea.

[quote name='some site']The first electric kettle was developed in Chicago in 1891, by the Carpenter Electric Company of the United States. It took twelve minutes to heat the water because the element was in a separate compartment, and not immersed in the water as it is in modern kettles. It was shown at the Chicago World fair in 1893. It used the electrical heat radiator concept designed earlier by R.E.B. Crompton. This was welded to the kettle's bottom and led to a large loss of heat.[/quote]

However, according to the [url=http://www.industryplayer.com/licenceinfo.php?licid=012021]same site[/url], the incarnation closest to my electric plastic pot was first seen in the 1950s, and invented by [url=http://www.russell-hobbs.com/]Russel Hobbs[/url].

Thanks, Russ![/size][/color]

[lea]

[quote name='Mariskah][COLOR=Navy']Oh and poison is great too because those stupid snails think my garden is just for them![/COLOR][/quote]

... You know, salt works just as well, if not better, than poison. Just seems better for the envioronment, and your garden in general. o.o;;

Salt for the win.

[Sara]

[QUOTE=lea]... You know, salt works just as well, if not better, than poison. Just seems better for the envioronment, and your garden in general. o.o;;

Salt for the win.[/QUOTE][color=#b0000b][size=1][url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salting_the_earth]On that note...[/url][/size][/color]

[Horendithas]

[COLOR=DeepSkyBlue][quote name='Sara][color=#b0000b][size=1]Not to get too far off of the world-bettering tangent that everyone seems to be on[/size'][/color][/quote]Well I suppose I could mention the other invention that I?m grateful for that isn?t quite the world-bettering item. ;) And that would be the backscratcher. I love those little things as they do such a wonderful job of really scratching those hard to reach places. I?m pretty flexible anyway, but it does a much better job of scratching a hard to reach itchy spot.

They?re also great for snagging your TV remote when you accidentally drop it off the bed and it falls out of reach. Especially when you?re all wrapped up in comfy blankets and don?t want to get up. I just use it to drag the remote back into reach and continue watching my show. [/COLOR]

[sikaurai]

[QUOTE=Dagger]Not to go off on a crazy insect-slaying tangent here, but snails are fairly similar to slugs, right? *waits to be shot down*

Pretty sure . . . but I eat snails every chance I get, with garlic and butter sauce. It doesn't sound as appetizing when you say "slug".

Anyway. . . inventions . . . my favorite invention is the portable keyboard. It means I can do two things at once, and it keeps my kids from accidentally putting their two cents worth in on my work. . .

Disposable diapers! I like disposable diapers! And to all you tree-huggers out there, they ARE biodegradable. LEt's see how you like cloth diapers after your kid eats a double-helping of split-pea soup with apple juice. . .

[Andy]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]Hmmm....I find it rather amusing that a lot of people are saying that they are grateful for the invention of the remote. Because, no one has mentioned the t.v., where would the remote be without the t.v.? So, i'm grateful for the invention of television, for several reasons. 1. Watch your favorite sports games right in the comfort of your home. 2. Watch your favorite television shows. and 3 just to watch whatever else entertains you. But those are just a few of the reasons televison is awesome. So, the invention I am most thankful for at this moment is none other than the television.
Oh, and the computer too, because without it, we wouldn't be replying to this post. [/COLOR][/SIZE]
[QUOTE=Mariskah][COLOR=Navy]
So in my opinion the mute feature of any remote, though mostly the TV one is the one invention I thank God for each and every day. :p
[/QUOTE]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]And on a side note, I just figured out i'm an idiot, again....[/COLOR][/SIZE]