I've been reading the Wright Brothers biography and it got me thinking:

Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there were a series of inventions that revolutionized the world. Practical steam power, practical electricity, practical automobile and motorcycle. The telephone, electric power distribution the airplane.

In each of these cases, thousands of people literally traveled to eye witness these wonders first hand. In the case of the Wright brothers, sometimes upwards of 5000 people would gather for demonstrations, often having to go home without seeing anything if conditions weren't ideal.

My question is: Are there any inventions yet to come that will revolutionize the industrial world as these have? Will people literally flock personally to meet and witness these mechanical miracles? Is mechanical innovation basically played out? Has the Internet ruined this phenomenon since everyone can just sit back and watch video from the comfort of their homes?

Back in the Wrights time, they were basically the only ones in the world having positive success. Today, it seems like everyone has an idea for something and everyone knows about it.

The closest thing I can think of right now are the advancements in personal space travel and the practical electric car.

What say you?

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250