Inventions that Enhanced Livability

When asked which inventions changed the world, the few that instantly pop in my head are: the telescope, computer and internet, printing press, penicillin, automobile, etc. However when I really sit down and start thinking about what things in my life really made a difference, my list is a bit different. I was born in a third world country, Karachi, Pakistan in 1975 and lived there till I was about 7 years old. Our life there was simple, my dad didn't and was unequipped with the modern gadgets and electronics.

Yet life was good, it was happy. We didn't have everyday "stuff" like a color tv, or vcr or even a car, my dad owned a motorcycle, but somehow we managed to get through peacefully and satisfactorily. I don't ever remember feeling a lack of these things, although I often wished there was more television to watch than one kid's show, a few times a day under a 1/2 hour slot! Less tv was good, it made us go outside and play more, spend more time with our grandparents and playing hide and seek with the neighborhood's kids. Like I said, life was simple but wholesome. It seems that the more "inventions" we have, the less time we have to enjoy the basic things in life. But I digress!

This blog is about inventions that enhanced livability. So based on my life experiences and really thinking about what we really take for granted (since I lived a childhood without some of these things), I came up with this short list:

1. Zipper
   
2. Cell phone
3. Hot water (heater tank)
4. Oven
5. Contact Lens