Thinking about the NY Times piece we touched on last week -- what are the greatest inventions of the 20th (and 19th, or even all-time) century. Why don't you do a global thoughts posting posing that same question. I think the responses would be fascinating. You can pose it to include reasoning, and reasoning as to why they excluded other choices (e.g. the Internet as unnecessary, or even the computer as overrated....).

Sam Mosenkis, Attorney, New York City

The Poll Question: the new york times recently posed the question: what was the greatest invention of this past century or of the millennium? many inventions were discussed. some were nominated and others rejected. i've been asked to run a poll and find out what you think: What was the greatest (most important) invention of the twentieth century or of all time up to the present? If you eliminated certain things after a lot of thought or straight out decided that a certain thing should NOT be considered all-important (but you think others might think otherwise), state your argument for eliminating that item from your consideration.

Just for starters, I will propose a few items for your consideration:

Electricity (invented last century but used this century; Powered Mobility (ie: auto, airplane; spaceship); Computer; Internet; Atomic Bomb.

Responses will be posted to the global thoughts website to the extent you permit.

the greatest "inventions" are discoveries: entities already out there but not previously recognized for their usefulness. In my Medically biased opinion, Antibiotics are the greatest discovery in the past century. No other has contributed to saving as many lives nor has any other wiped out so many devastating and life-claiming illnesses as have Antibiotics. the irony is that they'll likely be the greatest failure of the coming 
century, as more and more bacteria are growing out with genes for Antibiotic resistance. 

Ethan Ciment, Medical, New York City

I choose the computer as the most important invention of the century. Many of the items on your list couldn't be achieved without the computer - internet, modern airplanes and cars, atomic research etc.
The computer is on other dimension as it is not only a tool but also a concept, a language, a way of life, communication, social relation. It is possible to think of our life without many of the other tools but the computers took control of us in work, for instance, i can't imagine working without it.

Gilead Hellman, Business Consultant, Jerusalem

The transistor, of course, that was easy... I am an electrical engineer. Aside from that, I may go with the flush toilet. 

Joe Wetstein, Computer Networking, Washington DC

Joe forwards these other replies: Disposable diapers... I do not believe that electricity was invented. It was discovered and harnessed. My vote is for beanie babies.

Gustavo Arnavat, Investment Banker, New York City

The toilet bowl and indoor plumbing. Best invention hands down.

Avi Ciment, Business, Miami Beach

State of Israel (re-invented), Theory of Relativity and Computers. If I Have to Choose One: Computers

Isaiah Jenks, Business, Miami Beach

in my opinion the most important thing in this millennium, to let the peace be around the world specially in palestine, and the people take there right. 

Soha Ed-Dridi, Hi-Tech, Dubai

The "greatest invention" (measured by assisting human progress /making life more pleasant & fun) ever is probably the wheel or perhaps a metallurgical invention like the blade or nail (God, what I'd give for the patent on any of these). Greatest invention this century using the same advancement/fun definition above would be electricity/effective contraception, or in the perfect symbol of both electricity and fun: the electric guitar (what blessed joy). 

Richard Pratt, Attorney, Washington DC

20th century: the computer. (Remember that ENIAC, the first [insert twenty adjectives here] computer, was born a few blocks from our former abode at Penn.) All time: agriculture, followed by writing.

John Ashbrook, Insurance, New York City

Personally, I can't decide between the tampon and the contact lens.

Daniel Tunkel & Rachel Wetstein, London

Are discoveries included, or just inventions? For example, the discovery of DNA would be my choice for the biggest scientific development this century. If we stick to inventions, my heart tells me the telephone (invented by a Scot albeit while he was living in America). My head tells me its electricity.

Brian Slater, Patent Law Attorney, New York City

Feminism

Jason Ciment, Business, Los Angeles

we could eliminate feminism on the ground that its been going on since before this millennium 
.......Brian Slater

Antibiotics.

Enrique Aresti-Gutierrez, EEC Attorney, Brussels

the telephone

Lawrence Burian, Attorney, New York City

I did not have time to write anything untill now and my vote for the 20th century invention, which as was pointed out would be something which did not exist and was not found in any other way previously.
Even though Solomon stated quite eloquently "There is nothing new under the sun" which we read this weekend.  I admit the electric guitar is impressive, as is anything electric, but if electricity was around forever only the harnessing of it was finally formalized. Thus not an invention. The Atomic Bomb could get a vote, but I would not want to be so dark, although it is an impressive invention. Toilet Paper gets my vote

Keith Brooks, IBM-Lotus, London

Most Intriguing Suggestion I've Read so far in print (Haaretz Magazine): The compass..without it we could never have moved beyond familiar surroundings to have later created maps so that people could think about going places.

Ivan Ciment