Top Inventions

Inventions may be old ideas or techniques applied in new ways: they are very often combinations of old, and even highly familiar, ideas. To some degree almost all human behavior is inventive, for it is seldom strictly repetitive and is aimed at contingencies which, though small and trivial, nevertheless require invention even if of a humble kind. The outstanding inventions, such as the phonograph of Thomas Alva Edison, represent the extension of abilities to some degree possessed by us all.

"In the five years that Popular Science has run the Invention Awards, we’ve seen a lot of remarkable things come out of people’s garages. Some are designed to treat the sick or save the planet. Others are simply fun to play with. But no matter what the purpose, the brilliance of the inventions and the dedication of the individuals behind them are always inspiring.This year’s 10 honorees carry on the tradition: a pen that can screen for prenatal diseases for less than a penny, a machine that uses a boat’s exhaust to treat onboard waste, and even a jet-propelled body board light enough to carry from your car to the water. Each of this year’s inventions takes on a different challenge—and solves it in its own ingenious way" Read more