Top 10 Inventions of the 20th Century

A common household appliance found in virtually every kitchen, break room, and office, this is perhaps one of the more accessible but under-appreciated inventions on our list. First made available commercially in 1947, this is one of the early 20th century creations that had a concept and look ripped straight out of a science fiction story. Far more than a clock that occasionally cooks things, the microwave was actually born from radar technology. Were it not for this thermal wonder of convenience, reheating our coffee and lunch leftovers would be a hassle and popcorn would be a rarity. Still waiting on that food hydrator though...

Debuting in 1957 with the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik 1, this is the invention that brought forth life to many of the other inventionson this list. Arguably an underrated achievement, this is the star-bound handiwork responsible for most of the world’s communication, navigation, and research capabilities. Leading to other breakthrough orbital inventions such as space stations, this was truly the first small step for humankind to leap into the final frontier. With approximately 1000 in operation, satellites continue to play a vital role in our everyday lives, doing everything from keeping our precious internet and cellular devices operational, to notifying us of traffic jams.

While some of us remain cynical about the benefits or negative consequences of this invention, there’s no denying that nuclear power is an important and crucial innovation of our time. Providing electricity to just a little over 10% of the world’s population, nuclear power isn’t exactly the world’s favorite power source, even as an alternative to fossil fuels. Nevertheless, with its capacity to create massive amounts of energy with little to no carbon emissions or dependence on environmental conditions, it is generally seen as the ideal candidate for our ever-growing electricity demands.

Although they’ve technically been around since the 1860s in manual hand-pump form, we’re talking about the modern motorized cleaners invented by Hubert Cecil Booth in 1901. Introduced for domestic use four years after it was perfected, vacuum cleaners hit themarket as luxury items and did not become common among middle class households until after the Second World War. With hundreds ofvariations designed for all forms of surfaces in existence today, it’s truly befuddling that brooms and dustpans are not yet obsolete.

At one point in history, the idea of a person flying was nothing but a work of fiction. But for those who dared to dream, the sky truly wasthe limit. Such was the case with the Wright Brothers, who invented and flew the first successful heavier-than-air powered aircraft in 1903. Since then, the skies have been taken by force, with these technological marvels utilized for both good and not so good reasons. Nevertheless, there’s no question that these artificial birds have done us more benefit than harm, continuing to broaden the horizons for travel, communication, and commerce with their continued evolution.

First demonstrated by Motorola in 1973, these handheld communicators have come a long way since their original “antenna on a brick” design. At one point simply a flashy gadget to own and show off, regardless of the brand, cell phones have since become a dime-a-dozen gizmo found in the pockets of basically anyone. Reaching a new peak with smartphones, mobiles have essentially evolved into all-in-one tech tools, with most consumers using them for games, taking photographs, filming, maps, web-browsing... essentially everything except actually making a phone call.

Ever evolving since the 1930s, these algorithm juggling wonder-works are without question some of the more complex creations on this list, if not throughout all of history. Becoming increasingly accessible with each generation, the modern personal computer has made thelives of so many users of all tastes and needs a lot more fun and/or convenient. It’s perhaps the most important technology on our planet today, as it plays a part in virtually every other technological marvel or industry in existence. Whether it’s filmmaking, amusement park rides, or a Mom and Pop style operation, computers – personal or otherwise – are guaranteed to be in the mix.

Derived from the fungus of the same name, penicillin was among the first group of antibiotics discovered to have an effective use in combating malignant microbes. Though its roots date back to the late 1890s and the findings of French physician Ernest Duchesne, penicillin development for medical use and mass production would not be built-upon and perfected until the 1930s. Though numerous bacteria have since developed immunities, penicillin and its enhanced derivatives are still used to treat a wide range of infections and conditions - hence its continued presence in virtually every pharmacy, hospital, and household.

Here it is: the original tube that skyrocketed pop-culture and mass media to a whole new level, reducing the radio to road trip background noise. Becoming a commonplace commodity since the mid-20th century, this is the invention that paved the way for other home entertainment innovations, including VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, cable and even streaming services such as Netflix. Today, it is estimated that 79% of the world’s households own at least one set. Thus it continues to be the primary medium for influencing public opinion as well as a potent force for the visual and dramatic arts.

Before we unveil our favorite 20th century brainchild, here are some honorable mentions:
Rocketship [aka Spacecraft]
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Video Game
Video Camera

Earning the top spot on this easily, this is the quintessential invention that ushered in the information age. Garnering initial fame from theburst of the dot-com bubble, the World Wide Web has since bloomed into a cyber utopia meeting virtually all the needs of any and all kinds of users. Whether it’s entertainment, shopping, communication or research, the Internet can cater to all of the above and so much more with its near infinite number of sites and possibilities. Firmly entrenched in our daily lives, a day without the web can feel like a trip to the dark ages.

Do you agree with our list? Which 20th Century Inventions would you go nuts without? For more innovative top 10’s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.