The Best Inventions Of The Year

From the phone that has changed phones forever, to futuristic cars, to a building made of water, to a remote-controlled dragonfly—a dazzling display of ingenuity

By Maryanne Murray Buechner, Kristina Dell, Andrea Dorfman, Lev Grossman, Anita Hamilton, Rebecca Winters Keegan, Jeffrey Kluger, Michael D. Lemonick, Coco Masters, Lisa McLaughlin, Alice Park, Julie Rawe and Deirdre van Dyk

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Expensive, yes, but then again so are MRIs. The HITS helmet (for Head Impact Telemetry System) monitors the precise location and severity of impacts to little Johnny's noggin. After the high-tech headgear wirelessly uploads data—gleaned from the same sensors found in car airbags—to a PC, a Web-based analysis may suggest seeking medical attention. The goal is to help parents look for signs of a concussion; peace of mind not included.
Available November
riddell.com

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