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Most important American inventions
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besson3c
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:25 AM
 
Perhaps this should be made into a poll, but I'm sure I'll forget certain things or others will want different things in the list, so how about this... What do you think should be in the list?

I would say American music - specifically swing and the blues (which propelled rock and many proceeding forms), and the personal computer (and eventually the internet).
     
tightsocks
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:46 AM
 
In no particular order:
Freedom, Baby Jesus, Freedom.
     
Sealobo
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Nov 15, 2010, 02:05 AM
 
double standard.
     
Doofy
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Nov 15, 2010, 02:10 AM
 
Quantitative easing.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 02:15 AM
 
Oprah.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
besson3c  (op)
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Nov 15, 2010, 02:35 AM
 
Why does it seem like the Canadian is the most patriotic American-type person here? Don't you guys love your country?

I hope you are wearing your flag pins right now.
     
TheWOAT
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Nov 15, 2010, 03:20 AM
 
Dylan
Dylan
Dylan
I SPIT HOT FIRE
.......
     
Sealobo
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Nov 15, 2010, 03:22 AM
 
kindly define "american-type".
     
besson3c  (op)
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Nov 15, 2010, 03:44 AM
 
Originally Posted by Sealobo View Post
kindly define "american-type".

Canadian citizen who has been living in the US for the last 10 years and hasn't gotten around to getting his US citizenship.
     
Captain Obvious
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Nov 15, 2010, 04:19 AM
 
The morning after pill

Barack Obama: Four more years of the Carter Presidency
     
Doofy
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Nov 15, 2010, 04:28 AM
 
Originally Posted by besson3c View Post
Why does it seem like the Canadian is the most patriotic American-type person here? Don't you guys love your country?

I hope you are wearing your flag pins right now.
Originally Posted by Voltaire
It is lamentable, that to be a good patriot one must become the enemy of the rest of mankind.
Capsquote
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That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
moonmonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:27 AM
 
Cable TV
Cordless Telephones
Webmail

etc. etc. etc.
( Last edited by moonmonkey; Nov 15, 2010 at 08:57 AM. )
     
mattyb
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:54 AM
 
Originally Posted by moonmonkey View Post
TV
Telephone
Web

etc. etc. etc.
Baird
Lots of others
Tim Berners-Lee
     
Shaddim
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Nov 15, 2010, 07:08 AM
 
peanut butter
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
- Thomas Paine
     
Laminar
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Nov 15, 2010, 09:10 AM
 
Red Green.
     
mattyb
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:06 AM
 
     
Wiskedjak
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:11 AM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Red Green.
I don't think you could get any less American than Red Green.
     
osiris
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:16 AM
 
Flexible Urethral Catheter, 1752 by Ben Franklin.
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:27 AM
 
That mounted bass fish that sings.

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osiris
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:34 AM
 
Low plasticity burnishing
(perhaps used to make the aforementioned mounted bass fish that sings)
"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
Doofy
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Nov 15, 2010, 10:37 AM
 
Killing people in their sleep at Christmas.
Been inclined to wander... off the beaten track.
That's where there's thunder... and the wind shouts back.
     
imitchellg5
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Nov 15, 2010, 11:20 AM
 
Democracy, sex, drugs, flags, freedom, war, weapons, the internet, food, wine, beer, food, trucks, cars, airplanes, Britain, electricity, thunder, rain, lightning, sunshine, clothing.
     
Chongo
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Nov 15, 2010, 12:30 PM
 
Pong (AKA the grand daddy of all video games)
45/47
     
Eug
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:00 PM
 
Apple ][ of course.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:05 PM
 
Canada

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
Eug
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:05 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
Canada
That's a British and French invention.
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by Eug View Post
That's a British and French invention.
That's a myth.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
angelmb
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:11 PM
 
Basketball, Black Friday online shopping and Mickey Mouse.
     
ctt1wbw
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:21 PM
 
Definitely the atomic bomb. The R&D that stemmed from this project created so much stuff we use today it's crazy.

Another one would be the use of the rotating gun turret and metal armor on ships such as the Monitor, plus the invention of the steam catapult on aircraft carriers. Hell, the invention of the plane and it's first flight in Kill Devil Hills would be a great one, too.

Oh, and Twizzlers.
     
subego
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:35 PM
 
I'm afraid all of those are canceled out by Circus Peanuts.
     
Stogieman
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:40 PM
 
Fast food/drive-thru window.

Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 01:41 PM
 
Twinkies

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
Oisín
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Nov 15, 2010, 02:38 PM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
That's a myth.
True. It’s not an invention at all.
     
Oisín
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Nov 15, 2010, 05:57 PM
 
Slight PWL-ish intermission had no permission, and has been decommissioned. Let’s stick to submissions of non-political missions, shall we?
     
glideslope
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:00 PM
 
Gerry Garcia. ( ...and his line of Ties).
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
Sun Tzu
     
Laminar
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:01 PM
 
Oisín
     
Oisín
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:02 PM
 
Originally Posted by Laminar View Post
Oisín
That’s an Irish invention, silly.
     
glideslope
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:05 PM
 
Ok, seriously. Being one who Packs, and Navigates:

1st- The Sextant

2nd-The Colt Revolver.
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
Sun Tzu
     
glideslope
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Nov 15, 2010, 06:07 PM
 
Originally Posted by imitchellg5 View Post
Democracy, sex, drugs, flags, freedom, war, weapons, the internet, food, wine, beer, food, trucks, cars, airplanes, Britain, electricity, thunder, rain, lightning, sunshine, clothing.
+1
To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”
Sun Tzu
     
SpaceMonkey
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Nov 15, 2010, 07:14 PM
 
Jorts.

"One ticket to Washington, please. I have a date with destiny."
     
Spheric Harlot
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Nov 16, 2010, 03:11 AM
 
Originally Posted by ctt1wbw View Post
Another one would be the use of the rotating gun turret and metal armor on ships such as the Monitor, plus the invention of the steam catapult on aircraft carriers. Hell, the invention of the plane and it's first flight in Kill Devil Hills would be a great one, too.
The first ironclad battleship, La Gloire, was launched by the French Navy in 1859.

The first turret ship was the HMS Trusty in 1855. Royal Navy.

The Germans used steam-powered launchers in 1933, but the modern steam catapult is a British invention.

Patriotism fail.

Greatest American invention: Total ignorance?

(No: idiots abound everywhere)
     
Spheric Harlot
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Nov 16, 2010, 03:15 AM
 
Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey View Post
Jorts.
And T-Jirts.
     
CRASH HARDDRIVE
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Nov 16, 2010, 04:16 AM
 
To name a few, without which we wouldn't be here discussing this:

The Internet (algore? )
The integrated circuit
The microprocessor
The Personal Computer
     
ctt1wbw
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Nov 16, 2010, 08:02 AM
 
Originally Posted by Spheric Harlot View Post
The first ironclad battleship, La Gloire, was launched by the French Navy in 1859.

The first turret ship was the HMS Trusty in 1855. Royal Navy.

The Germans used steam-powered launchers in 1933, but the modern steam catapult is a British invention.

Patriotism fail.

Greatest American invention: Total ignorance?

(No: idiots abound everywhere)

I think your name should be Spheric WHORELOT.
     
ctt1wbw
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Nov 16, 2010, 08:06 AM
 
Oh, and don't question my patriotism.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Nov 16, 2010, 08:41 AM
 
I'd never!

It's obviously great enough to warrant making a complete fool of yourself!

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw View Post
I think your name should be Spheric WHORELOT.
I have no idea what that's supposed to mean, but it's funny because you don't even seem to know what a harlot is.

(Hint: it's not an American invention, either)
     
Doc HM
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Nov 16, 2010, 08:44 AM
 
The burger

This space for Hire! Reasonable rates. Reach an audience of literally dozens!
     
badidea
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Nov 16, 2010, 08:52 AM
 
^No

***
     
Spheric Harlot
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Nov 16, 2010, 09:03 AM
 
Actually, the hamburger *does* appear to be an American invention.

It's derived from Hamburg Steak, which was the name given to beef patties by German immigrants and sailors.

Possibly.
     
Wiskedjak
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Nov 16, 2010, 09:11 AM
 
Originally Posted by ctt1wbw View Post
Oh, and don't question my patriotism.
Your patriotism wasn't being questioned. It was being *blamed* for your lack of knowledge.

Even with the invention of the airplane your patriotism-induced lack of knowledge is apparent. The Wright brothers hardly invented the airplane, as there are many airplane designs preceding theirs (some quite similar). They may not even have the first flight, as there are many other competing claims. At best, they have the first *properly documented* successful flight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_flying_machine
( Last edited by Wiskedjak; Nov 16, 2010 at 09:24 AM. )
     
 
 
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