The Best Inventions Of The Year

Computers

Bending Reality

Copyright Sony Corporation
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Imagine a cell phone you could roll up like a sheet of paper, or a computer screen flexible enough to wrap around a pillar. This spring LG.Philips and Sony demonstrated flexible displays that can do just that. Both ultra-thin screens use organic leds that display 16.7 million colors. Flexible screens have been shown before, but these mark a step up in durability and quality, and bring us closer to a future when the unyieldingly rigid gadgets we now covet will be obsolete.
Available Prototypes
lgphilips-lcd.com

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Cast Your Vote

Vote for the Gadget of the Year

What was the most revolutionary gadget that you just can't live without? Browse through the nominees and make your vote

Invention of the Year

The iPhone

The iPhone is more than just a gadget. It's a genuine handheld computer, the first device that really deserves the name

Video

How We Chose The List

Lev Grossman discusses the process of choosing the Best Inventions of the Year

Shopping

Tech Buyer's Guide

All the details on the newest products to help you decide how to spend your money wisely

Photo Essay

Emotive Clothing

A research team at Philips has developed clothes that look good and let others know how you feel

Photo Essay

The X-48B

NASA, Boeing and the U.S. Air Force are teaming up to develop a Blended-Wing Body aircraft for the military

Timeline

Best Inventors

From Leonardo DaVinci to the YouTube gurus, read about how these inventors changed our lives

Viewpoint

Warren Buffett, Adjust My Bra

Scientists in Hong Kong have discovered there's a better way to build a bra. How will the lingerie industry respond? An open letter to the one man who can help