Modern great inventions are many but a microwave would NOT be top of my list and I'd never think of it as an alternative to a kettle for boiling water. The BALL-POINT PEN was revolutionary in my life time and I haven't used a bottle of ink since then. I would not wish to be without my SPIN DRIER either.
Fire and the wheel are things we all use constantly now whereas all our other suggestions are more important to certain individuals than others are.
I think that most youngsters would say 'the worldwide web' was top of their list.
Houses or heaters.
Imagine living in caves with no heat but a fire. If I lived in a one room cabin with no running water, electric or anything I would be fine with that and a wood stove or gas heater of some kind. Indoor lighting like candles or gas lights stretched the day into the night.
Writing was another major since we could pass down knowledge easier.
The wheel is the basic mechanical thing along with levers.
I really like chain saws over any other method of cutting wood.
I grew up without microwaves and don't have use of one now, I am redoing my kitchen so the microwave isn't plugged in, not worth dragging and extension cord so far but I do like them.
The internet is the best since I was born.
I was watching "The HIstory Channel" yesterday and it had a program "101 most important inventions." The number one invention, as declared by a number of noted science professionals and historians, was the wheel. The basic criteria used to determine the importance of these inventions was their total global impact and the historical contribution towards progress. I can't argue with the decision.
It is quite okay for me to live without the microwave or the internet.
But I can't go back to the days when we had no air-conditioning or toilet flushing.
These two are the best all time inventions ever made.
The wall, damn handy with a roof.
Making fire, heat plus cooking plus scaring away predators.
The pointy stick - go away mister lion without losing my arm.
The thrown thing - mister bird became chicken drumsticks.
No one ever sees the BASIC inventions as the irreducible moment of genius.
You are mistaking a development, for an invention. I'd suggest that the wheel was the greatest invention of all time.
I agree with Dick....The wheel is the greatest invention ever.
Where would we all be without the wheel?
Its along way to ride a horse or walk hundreds of miles and it would take so long.
I would be lost without my vehicle.
The wheel was, without it we wouldn't have allot of other things today, the second best invention was the roof, without it, we'd be all wet.
For me, the best invention is the Toilet. This goes without saying and for reasons obviously known.
On a small scale I would also go with the microwave.
I know this is not the best one ever but I cant remember life without the microwave
it takes the place of other things like boiling water in a pot or cranking up that big oven just to heat something up.
Close to the top of the list has to be the automatic washing machine - better than television!
I would have to say language, levers, fulcrums, and the wheel. Secondary inventions would be medicines, water purification, and books.
The Swiss Army Knife.
I luv my coffee pot.............
I like my microwave too. I'm snacking on "Movie house" flavored microwave popcorn as I type. I wish there was an invention that could magically clean up buttery greasy screens like on my phone. It would work on laptops and tablets and any other screen you touch.
I think the internet is one of the best inventions though. And of course smartass phones and all these other gadgets we can "reach out and touch someome" on.
I guess I can't decide what I think is the best invention of all. We take so many things for granted, that it seems like they were always here.
Gotta jam. Doing laundry. Love that guy who invented washing machines.
Writing.
my washing machine and dryer. Gosh, I can't imagine how I'd manage without them.
Indoor plumbing.
If we're talking appliances, I'd also have to say the microwave. When I finally got a microwave in the early 80s I was astonished at how many less meals I had to make from scratch, because I was heating up leftovers more. Helped a lot with the food budget. I've never really cooked a whole meal in the microwave, but for warming things up there's nothing better - and less dishes to wash, to boot. (If you had asked my mother this question, I'll bet she would have said her clothes dryer. She loved that thing, and I don't blame her.)
Language, followed firstly by fire and then by the wheel..
The only way you could possibly answer this question would be based upon knowing all the inventions that have or will be made.
Pipes that bring clean water to your home and pipes that take sewage water away from you home. Before the pipes, disease and non-drinking water was rampant every where.
The automobile
The mute button on the remote control!
Indoor plumbing.
The automobile
Self powered vehicles.
Indoor plumbing.
Indoor plumbing.
well its a toss up between the tin opener and tin baked beans