>>> The US is not particulary known as an innovative country you'd like to think of. A few examples:
>>
>>Honestly Walter - these examples are ridiculous.
>
>Not more than the originating message saying that europe is not innovative. I'd like add one another example. Our national Philips holds an awfull lot of soft and hardware patents which were really innovative. Like for example the Audio tape, DCC, Compact disc.
>
>>Picking a few subjective examples to back up an already silly statement. The US is clearly a huge source of innovation in a large number of fields. It's not all research done by others with US funding. (But even if it were it shows that the US apparently know how to make the money :)
>
>The US by its size probably has developped numerous innovative technologies. I have trouble to think of specific ones. My statement is however that innovation does not neccesarely happen in the US, and certainly not more than elsewhere. There certainly are areas where the US is NOT innovative.
>
>- Environmental.
>- Alternativate sources of energy
>- Adapting world standards of measurements (Metric system)
>- Multimedia (not meaning graphical card in computers), Asia is better at it.
>- Infrastructure (E.g. Heavily outdated phone network, power network, trains, dikes (except planes))
>- Healthcare system. Though technically the most advanced in the world, also the most costly and a significant number of people excluded from healthcare.
>
>
>>The US has very, very much to admire, as does Europe. And both have enough problems that "throwing stones in glass houses" is a saying that comes to mind.
>
>Sure. I totally agree. Europe has to build up its European union, that is for sure.
>
>Walter,

Walter;

I can think of a few inventions attributed to the United States, and since my time is limited here is a list off the top of my head.

Eli Whitney the Cotton Gin and mass production. He also created the manufacture of rifles with interchangeable parts. Until Whitney, rifles were handmade and therefore the parts would only work with the original weapon.

Winchester – along with his employee Henry, developed the repeating rifle.

Telegraph

Telephone

Ford – automobile assembly line.

Wright Brothers – First successful airplane.

Radio communications

Television

Worlds first nuclear bomb.

First audio tape recorder for the market, first video recorder, first instrumentation tape recorder and a lot more – Ampex Corporation, Redwood City, California

How about computers? Main Frame, and even PC’s?

Putting men on the Moon

iPod :)

We have been an innovative nation. Our problem is that to make a profit we sell our technology.

Tom