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The 50 Best Inventions of 2009
From a rocket of the future to a $10 million lightbulb, here are TIME's picks for the best new gadgets and breakthrough ideas of the year
The $10 Million Lightbulb
With the flick of a switch, Philips Electronics may have just dramatically lowered America's electric bill. In September the Dutch electronics giant became the first to enter the U.S. Department of Energy's L Prize competition, which seeks an LED alternative to the common 60-watt bulb. Sixty-watt lights account for 50% of the domestic incandescent market; if they were replaced by LED bulbs, the U.S. could save enough electricity per year to light 17.4 million households. If Philips wins the L Prize, it will claim a cash award and federal purchasing agreements worth about $10 million.
Philips' LED bulb emits the same amount of light as its incandescent equivalent but uses less than 10 watts and lasts for 25,000 hours or 25 times as long
View the full list for "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009"Special Features:
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Photos: The Ares Rocket Launches
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Photos: Inventors and Their Inventions
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Photos: A Steam-Powered Car Sets a Land Speed Record
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Photos: The Robo-Penguin
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The Five Worst Inventions
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Video: The Telescope for Invisible Stars
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Video: Best Inventions of 2009
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Video: The Ares I Rocket
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Video: Five Worst Inventions
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50 Best Inventions 2008
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