Which region has contributed the most innovations to modern manufacturing?

[Kris10]

Take our poll and give us your thoughts on the state of manufacturing today.

[j10asen]

The greatest innovation to modern manufacturing was the industrial revolution and part interchangability. Manufacturer by the masses for the masses.
What will be the downfall of modern manufacturing ? Greed and exploitation humans and natural resources in 3rd world countries.

[keith]

The US has led for a long time. Edison, Ford, Hewlett and Packard, the amazing WWII-time production including Rosie the Riveters' contributions.

The Japanese did some amazing things in the 70s and 80s...much of that, though, by adopting Demming's principles that Americans didn't listen to - until Japan kicked some automotive butt.

I'm wondering where the innovations in manufacturing will come from in the next 20 years. We're doing a great job harnessing technology for greater productivity in many cases and we seem well poised to continue (nanotech, biotech, stereo lithography...) to innovate. Plus, we've cleaned up our acts a great deal by adopting cleaner manufacturing processes. I think the US will remain a leader. From tinkerers, to garage start-ups, to the Intel-type companies - it seems to be in our nature to innovate.

Regards,
Keith

[AJE]

What or whom do you feel contributed the most valued of inventions to our modern world? There are a lot of folks we need to recognize as coming up with innovating ideas but these developments are the ones I feel are greatest pertaining to my life:

Fire is indeed the base to all life, it holds the power to destroy but to also survive...the art of ancient man is the sold proof that fire was used and thus a turning point in man's history. Living in the dark was horrible until Thomas Edison manufactured our first Light Bulb in 1878...I can see the Light! Or we can reel in the lightning to create electricity thanks to genius Ben Franklin. Fellow American Elias Howe, contributed the sewing machine in 1819, sorry I need cloths. Can’t have our food spoiling American Oliver Evans designed the first refrigeration machine.

The circumference of the wheel has really made transporting life easier thanks to the Mesopotamian empire invention some 5000 years ago. American Henry Ford drove the way to vehicles!

Hygiene I send gratitude to the folks of 7th century AD Europe for crafting Soap, but many cultures came up with their own variety. English resident William Addis God bless him allowed for a clean mouth with the toothbrush in the later 1700s. Thanks to 2nd centuray Chinese Yuan Dynasty, humans no longer need to use leaves or hands YUK to wipe after the lavatories.

Chocolate, the way to the women’s heart was first concocted by Central American Mayan Indians. Also since I hate being sick, I'd have to say Alexander Fleming, masterminded Penicillin antibiotic in 1928 thus saved many lives…although again many cultures had their own remedies.

I don’t know up to date how many thousands we use on a daily basis but each and every invention deserves a pat on the back.