Popular Mechanics released a list of the 65 best inventions of the past 65 years. By “best” they mean the degree to which they impact our everyday lives. Taken as a whole, these inventions have completely reshaped the world we live in. Many of them have changed society itself.

Others, like the microwave, have just made everyday things, like making popcorn or reheating coffee, so much darned easier.

20 of the Best Inventions from the last 20 Years

We’ll share the best inventions from the past 20 years, 1999 to 2018. To check out the complete list, click here.

2018 – Metal 3D Printing

2017 – Tesla Model 3

2016 – Oculus Rift

2015 – Reusable Rockets

2014 – Hemopurifier

2013 – Atlas

2012 – Google’s Machine Learning

2011 – Curiosity Rover

2010 – Siri

2009 – Bitcoin

2008 – Large Hadron Collider

2007 – iPhone

2006 – Wii

2005 – Google Maps

2004 – Facebook

2003 – The Human Genome Project

2002 – IEEE 802.16

2001 – Wikipedia

2000 – PlayStation 2

1999 – Bluetooth Version 1.0

About IRD Glass

For over 33 years, IRD Glass has done things that virtually no one else has with glass and ceramics. Our engineers use state-of-the-art sapphire machining equipment to achieve exemplary parallelism and typical flatness of 1/4 to 1/10 wave flatness, while also reducing cycle time, reducing variations, and eliminating defects and waste.

We manufacture numerous sapphire components, custom sapphire windows up to 8” in diameter, and  stock sapphire windows, which are available with:

  • Next-day shipping
  • Significant cost savings compared to custom small volume production
  • Immediate small volume pricing—useful when incorporating into your own quotes/ budget

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