TIME’s Best Innovations Of 2008
From a genetic testing service to an invisibility cloak to an ingenious public bike system to the world’s first moving skyscraper — TIME’s picks for the top innovations of 2008.
Yesterday, we talked about the number one choice. Today, we’ll look at a couple of other innovations.
Montreal’s Public Bike System
When lots of people use a communal resource — like, say, a cheap public bicycle-rental program — they tend to abuse it. So when the city of Montreal built its Public Bike System, nicknamed Bixi, the designers packed in all the technology they could find, in a desperate attempt to out-engineer human iniquity. The modular bike-rack stations are Web-enabled and solar-powered. The bicycles are designed with tons of sealed components to resist the savage beatings they will undoubtedly receive, and they’re equipped with RFID tags so they’re easily trackable.The Memristor
Scientists have known it was possible for 37 years, but it took them that long to actually make a memristor, a new kind of circuit that remembers its history even when turned off. One possible application: a computer that flicks on instantly, like a lightbulb, with no boot-up required.Photo by TIME.
Jaclyn on November 4th, 2008 2:09 pm
I think the Bixi system is a good idea. Everyone could use a little exercise for one, and for two…it’s a great idea to have a bike that will actually withstand the beatings the public will give it and one that can also be tracked so there’s no possibility of theft.
CoolProducts on November 5th, 2008 3:33 pm
“One possible application: a computer that flicks on instantly, like a lightbulb, with no boot-up required.”
A totally great idea: saves time, energy, money. Definitely a winner in my books!
Cassy on November 5th, 2008 7:27 pm
The idea sounds really great,one thing that a person can do as an exercise. More saving’s in money, energy and more fun to do.
jeffrey on November 8th, 2008 7:14 am
this idea has been in Paris for a while now
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