Time magazine likes lists and its recent selection of the Top 50 inventions of 2009 is no exception. Although I thought there was still about a month and half to go in the year, I think there are 10 lessons to be learned from the Time selection. So here is my list about their list.
 

• Simplicity. Simple inventions are in. Big complicated NASA-like projects are simply beyond the scope of the great majority of inventions. Cheapo knee replacements (sign me up) and wooden bones are my favorites.

• Energy fixes. Going green is all the rage and energy fixes were quick to make the list. An energy thermostat dashboard and a long life, low energy lightbulb are the best here.

• Financial fixes. This is a tougher problem to solve. But at least one approach got a mention, even if it is a new federal agency.

• The next step in social nets. Why bother typing Tweets when you can just think a tweet? Do we really need this? One scientist thinks so.

• Cool bikes, cheap cars and a transportation invention revolution. I’m a biking fan and electric bikes are just coming onto the stage and cheap electric cars have moved from idea to manufacture. I like the bike the best.

• Education. Schools may be the most bureaucratic institutions ever invented. You’d think the Internet is going to have a big impact here. The school of one is really inventive, but can you cut classes when you are the whole school?

• Food, the final frontier. First there was tuna in a can and now tuna in a pen. Doesn’t sound like much fun for the fish. I’ll stick with the veggies from the vertical farm.

• Floating along through life. This gets into the far out category. Add magnets to mice and you get levitating mice. I’m not ready for this.

• My favorite. I like inventions that are practical and have an easy to understand application. How about using solar shingles on your house instead of those old asphalt shingles that don’t do anything more than keep the rain out. This one gets my vote.

• Time’s favorite. OK, so not all inventions are simple. How about a new, cheap rocket? That is beyond the scope of most of us, but it is Time’s favorite.