Man's Greatest Invention

[Vaquero]

Man’s Greatest Invention
Reading the ‘Instruction Manual’ thread reminded me of a joke I heard 40 years ago.

Three construction workers, Bob, Fred and Hank, were eating lunch at work. All week the TV news had been reporting on the recent Apollo 11 moon landing. As they discussed it Bob said, “If I had to pick Man’s greatest invention it would be the rocket ship. Just think, one day you’re climbing into a capsule at Cape Canaveral, and six days later you’re walking on the moon.”
This prompted Fred to speak up, “Yeah, that was pretty great, but I’d have to say the greatest invention has to be the computer. I mean you sit there and ask it a question, any question, some lights flash and tape spins around and a minute later it’s telling you the answer. To me that’s nothing short of incredible!”
These two guys look at the third man figuring he can’t possibly top their choices. After a minute Hank says, “I’d say man’s greatest invention has to be the thermos bottle.” Both Bob and Fred burst out laughing. Bob says, “How can you compare a thermos bottle to a rocket ship?” and Fred chimes in, “Or a computer? A thermos bottle is just a thermos bottle. It can’t take you anywhere or tell you what you want to know.”
Hank says, “You guys just don’t get it. If you poor hot coffee into a thermos in the morning you know it will be hot when you poor it out six hours later.” Bob says, “Yeah, so what.” Hank continues saying, “If you pour ice tea into your thermos you know it will still be cold six hours later too.” Again Bob says, “What is so remarkable about that?”
Hank smiles and says, “That’s what is so incredible, how does the thermos know which one to do?”

[Sir Henry]

I think slided bread is the greatest invention.

[cooperhawk]

I always tell my Grandchildren that man's greatest invention was indoor plumbing.
Strangely they don't understand.

[JEBar]

although the wheel and the printing press are worthy of consideration, as far as its impact on history over time, I believe that the invention of gun powder and its evolution over time to be one of the greatest

[North Country Gal]

The bicycle.

[GunnyGene]

Without any doubt, The Round Toit. . Infinitely adaptable to any need or circumstance.

[CT_Shooter]

1. Written language
2. Mathematics
3. Compass
4. Gunpowder
5. Printing Press
6. Electric Light
7. Telecommunication
8. Vaccines
9. Refrigeration
10. Mini-Skirt

[dave77]

I always tell my Grandchildren that man's greatest invention was indoor plumbing.
Strangely they don't understand.

I think the invention of TP goes along with and is just as important as indoor plumbing. Hasn't really been around that long but I can hardly imagine not having it. After the shortage of it during Covid I'm not exactly hoarding it but I do keep a several month supply on hand.

Imagine handing your Grandkids a magazine or newspaper on the way to the indoor plumbing and telling them it's not for reading.

[Rifletom]

Modern day vehicle tires. Any tires. They take scads of abuse and just keep going. Year after year.
I know, I know; there are MANY things more important, but, them tires just keep rollin'!

[GFK]

I always tell my Grandchildren that man's greatest invention was indoor plumbing.
Strangely they don't understand.

I think the invention of TP goes along with and is just as important as indoor plumbing. Hasn't really been around that long but I can hardly imagine not having it. After the shortage of it during Covid I'm not exactly hoarding it but I do keep a several month supply on hand.

Imagine handing your Grandkids a magazine or newspaper on the way to the indoor plumbing and telling them it's not for reading.

Bidet, I learned about this, the first time that I visited Europe. Thought about getting one, during our COVID-19 response. Yet, they were in short supply. I have still been keeping an eye out for one though. My wife even reminded me about it. I may get around to it one day. So far, TP has been in pretty descent supply.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidet

[dave77]

I've also considered a bidet but unless it had it own warm water reservoir it would be kind of shocking when first turned on, also everyone would probably want their own designated towel for drying off.

[Mags]

Once asked this question of my grandmother. She had been born in the 19th century and seen every technological development right up to the very beginning of the internet. To her personally the refrigerator was life changing. None of the other things had a personal impact on her day to day life.

[GFK]

I've also considered a bidet but unless it had it own warm water reservoir it would be kind of shocking when first turned on, also everyone would probably want their own designated towel for drying off.

Yes, designated towels seem like a must and warm water would be nice, that is the type that I have been looking at.

[cooperhawk]

I've also considered a bidet but unless it had it own warm water reservoir it would be kind of shocking when first turned on, also everyone would probably want their own designated towel for drying off.

Well, just keep a garden hose handy in the bathroom.

[markiver54]

The mattress. Nothing better than a good night's sleep up off the ground. Think I'll go enjoy mine again soon.

[Sir Henry]

Can I change my vote to cataract surgery.

[Travlin]

Precision made parts so that they don't have to be fitted and the assembly line to put all of our needs and wants together at a reasonable cost. This applies to the tooling and machinery to build all of the aforementioned products. This is known as the American System whereas in the rest of the world everything had to be hand fitted before the automobile in this country and Henry Leland and Henry Ford along with the Colt factory in Hartford changed all that.

[clovishound]

Duct tape and WD-40.

Without them half of civilization would come to a grinding halt, and the other half would fly away.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

FIRE............Without fire........

Nothing would have been cooked
Nothing would ever have been melted......Metal.......Glass.........plastic

And FIRE keeps you warm at night

[Redthies]

Bidet, I learned about this, the first time that I visited Europe. Thought about getting one, during our COVID-19 response. Yet, they were in short supply. I have still been keeping an eye out for one though. My wife even reminded me about it. I may get around to it one day. So far, TP has been in pretty descent supply.

Add one to most any terlet…

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tushy+bidet& ... hdwo28a4_e