San Diego Reader

Stories

What's your favorite modern invention?

Text size: A | A | A
E-mail the Editor
Bookmark and Share

What's your favorite modern invention?

If it’s a recent invention, I’d have to say the cell phone. I’ve had one for so long now and can’t imagine what I’d do without it. I have two of them while I’m at work. We’re not supposed to be on it while we work or are driving. And when I’m driving, I’m not hands-free either. Sometimes I’ll be talking and a cop comes by and I have to tell the person to hold on, as I put the phone by my side. You can accomplish a lot while talking on the phone when you’re in your vehicle.

Chris Shipp

Construction

El Cajon

There are so many. I would say electric cars, but they have too many problems. I’m thinking wind-power energy, those things that turn and the turbines create energy. I really like those big Slurpee straws that are made of aluminum. They stay cold. You can use them over and over again. My man bought me two dozen of them, and they work well for other drinks, too.

Tracy Lindsley

Hod Carrier

Crest

Maybe I’m just saying this because I had one a few minutes ago, but those blue mountains on the Coors cans. It lets you know when the beer is ice cold. When it gets warm, it changes color. But it’s so hot today that I’m thinking the best invention ever is probably air conditioning. Nothing beats that on a warm day.

David Sawyer

Construction and Flooring

El Cajon

This might sound weird, but I’m going to say this meat slicer I have. My dad’s old buddy was a butcher and had a shop in the ’20s and ’30s. He boxed that thing up, but I recently started using it. It’s 70 years old, and it hasn’t been sharpened and still works like brand new. I’m assuming these things were invented in the ’20s because electricity had only been used a decade earlier.

Kevin Henderson

Caterer

El Cajon

I’m a bit older, so I saw a lot of things invented. I remember our first little black-and-white TV. I remember when the microwave was invented. Imagine people today trying to go without one of those. But I have to say, I get the most use out of my cell phone. I frequently drive people to our church, and often that’s the only way people can get a hold of me is by calling my cell.

Beverly Nurse

Retired

El Cajon

It would be two things that I would’ve killed for back in college — a computer and a photocopy machine. The computer because of how much easier it is to write things on. We had to type things out on special paper, since we didn’t even have White-Out then for mistakes. It’s so much easier now. And when going to a library to research something, you’d have to write out all these notes in longhand. Now you can pay a nickel or a dime and just have copies made in the research section.

Michael Bush

Retired

Escondido

Comments

  1. Nobody picks the car? Without it we wouldn't have the economy and lifestyle we all enjoy. There's so much we take for granted.

    By rickeysays 12:06 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  2. Remembering that I grew up in a time of ditto machines, black and white television, dial telephones, manual typewriters and the electric percolater, the single most amazing thing to me was the hand-held electronic calculator.

    By refriedgringo 1:57 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  3. My favorite modern invention was Michael Jackson. Apparently, he has just died.

    By SDaniels 3:03 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  4. Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. We have lost two great modern inventions on a single day.

    By SDaniels 3:35 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  5. The worst invention...the nose created for Michael Jackson. They said he wasn't breathing when they showed up. I wondered if they just popped his nose off, and tried to give him air thru that (what? too soon?)

    By JoshBoard 3:40 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  6. Ahhhggg. I told you to be nice, JB! One nice in memoriam coming right up, m'am!

    By SDaniels 3:44 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  7. These things come in threes. As Obi-Wan once said, "There is another."

    Asides: Ms. Daniels, I'm assuming that majics went up north after all. I hope she has fun and returns soon. And Josh, we need to exchange book reports in a few weeks. After all, we are seemingly exchanging representations of our ideologies.

    By refriedgringo 4:13 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  8. Now that we are buddies, gringo, you are going to call me Ms. Daniels? I don't even allow my students to call me that.

    No, she is still in town, but has no Internet access. She was interested in getting together tonight, but has not contacted. I assume it is getting too late for you to make it into town?

    Btw, I started the Bukowski, and already assigned Josh his book report.

    By SDaniels 4:22 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  9. I call you Ms. Daniels out of respect and admiration, but I'll certainly call you whatever you would like.

    It is far too late, I really need a full day's notice to be able to consider it. It's quite a journey from here to there. We'll get together again soon, at your convenience.

    And I look forward to our book reports.

    By refriedgringo 4:46 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  10. Yes, Gringo. I'm searching for Kurt Vonnegut Cliff Notes, as we speak!

    I just did the Michael Jackson blog. I intended to be nice, but here's what happened.

    Callers on TV shows were crying, as if it was Mother Theresa that passed away. And then I heard Al Sharpton speak, and I think I got sick to my stomach at that sight. And, that's what inspired the writing that came out of my computer. Sorry if I offend anyone with it.

    By JoshBoard 4:46 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  11. I'm truly afraid to read the MJ blog, lost as I am in memories of my 12-year-old self, singing with hairbrush in hand, and dancing on the bed to "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough."

    Hey refried, I appreciate the respect, truly. I guess the 'Ms Daniels' thing bugs me because I only hear it when the credit card companies want to do something vicious with my APR. Just call me "SD." Understood that it is too late for you, and to tell the truth I'm pretty tired tonight myself. Let us know when you want to come down and make a day of it.

    By SDaniels 5:17 p.m., Jun 25, 2009 > Report it

  12. favorite modern invention? two words: the pill

    By shizzyfinn 5:17 p.m., Jun 26, 2009 > Report it

  13. The greatest invention was Al Gore. Without him there would be no internet.

    By Ponzi 9:37 a.m., Jun 27, 2009 > Report it

  14. Paper towels for a simple invention.

    Refrigeration. Next time you're in you air conditioned car or open a cold beer.

    The transistor, which replaced the vacuum tube and made miniature electronics possible. "Solid state" electronics was born and soon the "integrated circuit" which opened the door to micro-processors and memory chips... personal computers, cell phones, iPods....

    By Ponzi 9:43 a.m., Jun 27, 2009 > Report it

  15. the ped egg...hi everyone, i'm home :(
    xoxo

    By magicsfive 1:33 p.m., Jun 27, 2009 > Report it

You must be a registered member to post comments.

Not a member? Sign up here!

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

Comment:

Search

New & Improved Coupons

Classifieds

Contests

Win Movie Passes to Armored!

A crew of officers at an armored transport security firm risk their lives when they embark on the ultimate heist ... More

Subscribe & Win!

Enter your e-mail: