From the Quadcopter Drone to the Bionic Eye, These 15 Patents Changed the World
By Jay Bennett
of Esquire
|
Forget the image of the lonely inventor tinkering away in a workshop. Today, it’s more common that numerous technologies developed by a variety of inventors suddenly come together to form a cohesive whole, such as the iPhone or the self-driving car. Other inventions, such as the quadcopter drone and 3D printer, were designed decades before the surrounding technology suddenly transformed the core device into a worldwide phenomenon.
Innovation may be different today, but it is alive and well. Here are 15 patents that shaped the modern world.
![Amazon, that humble online retailer you may have heard of, sells just about anything. Clothes, cleaning supplies, gym equipment, you name it, Amazon's probably selling it (and with next-day delivery for Prime members). Now, that includes tiny houses. Why buy a tiny house, you my ask? For starters, it makes for a great secondary residence to add to your backyard, whether you're looking to add a pool house, mother-in-law suite, or a detached home office (especially given that WFH is here to stay). And rather than spending a fortune on contractors to make a custom tiny house, buying one from Amazon is relatively more affordable. Many of these top-rated homes come with DIY building kits, faster-than-usual shipping times, and multi-year warranties. Keep in mind though, that if you want a completely functional tiny house, you'll need to add plumbing and electricity yourself. Ahead, we found some of the best tiny houses on Amazon to add to your cart now. [product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]](http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAW8Eah.img?h=66&w=88&m=6&q=60&u=t&o=t&l=f "10 Tiny Houses You Can Buy on Amazon to Add a Guest Room or Office to Your Backyard - Courtesy of Retailer")
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![With the weather getting warmer, experienced and novice gardeners alike are returning to their gardens, tending to their herbs, veggies, and flowers to bring them life once again. Even if nurturing a rosebush or growing your own produce isn't your thing, you might just want to start seeding and watering your lawn so it's looking lush again by summer. And if you want to ensure that your plants and grass are looking their best by the time the first garden party of the season rolls around, you're going to need a solid garden hose—and finding one that's on sale certainly wouldn't hurt, either.[product-summary-view][/product-summary-view]While tending to your outdoor space can get pricey, the hose you settle on doesn't have to be; they’re meant to make your life easier—and your space livelier—so the one you choose should be durable, flexible, and versatile without breaking the bank. Right now, Amazon is having a sale on a variety of garden hoses ideal for any outdoor setup, from small gardens to acres of grassy lawn. Read on to discover the best garden hose deals on Amazon right now—and act fast, because prices this good won't last long!](http://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAWevA6.img?h=66&w=88&m=6&q=60&u=t&o=t&l=f "Amazon is Having a Sale on Garden Hoses Just in Time for Spring - Staff, Courtesy of Flexzilla")
