ATM machines (the phrase being a good example of what Dragan was talking about a while back -- translates to "automated teller machine machines") are a classic example of the real potential of new technology not being understood at first. Initially they were just what the name implies -- machines to take the place of bank tellers. They were available inside bank lobbies during banking hours. The real potential was the ability to get cash in many places at any time of day.
>Yes I saw that but it was never followed up and withdrawn after a few months because no-one used it.The first used ATM service was in the UK. But it is arguable who could be said to have invented it.
>
>As to the internet I don't think you can really say anyone invented it (apart from Al Gore) but Berners Lee was certainly an influential figure.
>
>
>
>
>>Not sure either of those is really true. The first ATM was patented in New York by Luther George Simjian.
>>
>>There is a difference between the 'internet' and the 'www'. Lee may have created hypertext and the ensuing WWW, but the internet itself already existed. He just attached his ideas to it.
>>
>>>And you invented inventing
>>>
>>>Actually the ATM seem to be a UK invention
>>>
>>>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_teller_machine>>>
>>>and the internet
>>>
>>>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Berners-Lee>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>OK, I've had enough of this.
>>>>
>>>>The references to paychecks and "check is in the mail" are for the most part just language vestiges. Just like I use the word "record" sometimes when referring to CDs.
>>>>
>>>>Reminder, you yahoos - we invented the internet. We invented the ATM. I'm not sure but we probably invented online banking.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Here I go again,
>>>>>
>>>>>You will find lots of these kind of examples. Though they claim to be innovative, actually a small percentage reaches normal life and even then on a small scale. Seeing that most powerlines are above ground, even in cities, while up here every small village have them underground make you wonder.
>>>>>
>>>>>There is a reason to that... Infrastructure is at the end of the list. We spend money to improve our society. They are spending money to make even more money. Plus that US americans on the average dont trust the government to wisely spend their tax money.
>>>>>
>>>>>Walter,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>what do you think of the statement "The US became the most advanced society in the world because the framework of the country turbocharged invention and innovation, that's why"?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>This statement is typical for someone coming from a country where they still use personal checks, and have paper money as small as 1USD. Let's sit down and laugh at their ignorance and arrogance. They will never understand what is meant by advanced technology. I can send you money in a few seconds, in the US "the check is in the mail"...! Ha-ha!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Hi Tore
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I also hear quite often "When I receive my pay-check (cheque)" and I've often wondered if this is just an antiquated expression, and they don't actually receive a piece of paper with numbers on it, or they have no BACS system.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>No, they actually still pay most of their bills by cheques. My brother-in-law worked in Washington DC a few years, and when his landlord told him to pay his rent by cheque every month, he started to laugh, When his landlord asked him why he laughed, and said he was serious, my BIL could not believe it. Personaly I haven't written a cheques in nearly 20 years. But "over there" a cheques is still high-tech. :-))
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>BTW, by all means send me some money in a few seconds! :-)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Terry
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>NB! With that said, I leave this thread.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>OK, I'll bite.....
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Why weep?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>...
