RE: [OPE] one of the great inventions of the 20th Century?

[GERALD LEVY <gerald_a_levy@xxxxxxx>]

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa121599a.htm

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A few additional comments:

 

 

Moving beyond the issue of NIPA, the above list raises a

number of issues. To begin with: who decides what are

the "great" innovations and what are the criteria used?

To believe that there could be a non-biased and non-

arbitrary listing (let alone ranking) is folly.  The above

listing is clearly US- (and Euro-) centric. After all, how

did Mr. Potato Head, PEZ candy, and the Barbie Doll profoundly

impact lives internationally in the 20th Century?

Even in the US - where they are more iconic -

on what basis could they be said to be great inventions? 

The unstated criteria for their inclusion is that

they were products which were _profitably_ produced

and marketed. I guess from that perspective a "pet

rock" might have made the list. But, could it

legitimately have been said to be a great invention?

 

 

In addition to having a cultural bias the listing also strikes

me as more nostalgic than credible: thus, note the large

numbers of toys and candy listed as "inventions".

 

 

If a product does not have the consequence of representing

an entirely new product or process can it be said (in

retrospect) to have been a great invention?  In Marxian

terms if the diffusion of that innovation does not

transform the forces and relations of production then

how can it be said to be of great consequence?

 

 

Also incorporated within the listing is the belief that a

_theory_ can be an invention. Thus, Einstein's Theory

of Relativity (1905) was listed as a great invention.

But, is  the discovery of a new theory or conception

the same thing as an "invention"? 

 

 

In solidarity, Jerry

 

 

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The above is an onlist list.  Some of the  "great inventions"

included:

 * the teddy bear (1902)

 * cornflakes (1906)

 * Life Savers candy (1912)

 *  the drug 'ecstasy' (1913)

 * PEZ candy (1927)

 * the Yo-Yo (1929)

 * the game 'Monopoly' (1934)

 * slinky and silly putty (1943)

 * Mr. Potato Head (1952)

 * Barbie Doll (1959)

* Cabbage Patch Kids (1983)

 No mention  of GDP.  After all, who could possibly say that GDP

was a greater invention than any of the above?

 

 

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