User Reviews

I always enjoy the countdown documentary programmes on television, it has become a trend in the last ten or so years, but it is not often when the list is not voted by the public, but the celebrity presenting it. So here established national treasure to Britain, comedian/actor/writer/presenter Stephen Fry presents this countdown looking back (and in a way forward) to the greatest gadgets in the world that we cannot imagine living without. The gadgets included in the list include inventions with electrical advances, tools, appliances, machines, simple ideas and much more that have shaped the way we live our lives and do seemingly everything. The gadgets mentioned but not listed include Grape Scissors, Glove Stretchers, the George Foreman Mean Lean Grilling Machine, Hair Straighteners, Electronic Pregnancy Test, Twist-up Lipstick and a couple of others. The listed gadgets include Karaoke Machine, Hairdryer, Corby Trouser Press, Garlic Press, Torch, Wheeled Luggage Suitcase/Bag, Toaster, Soda Stream, Remote Controlled Car, Metal Detector, Ultra-Portable Pop-up Tent, Breville Toasted Sandwich Maker/Toastie Maker, Electric Blanket, Chip and Machine Machine, Whistle, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), Scissors, Electric Shaver, Handcuffs, Night Vision Goggles, Glasses, Bell, Paper Shredder, Lawnmower, Thermometer, Tin Opener, Mousetrap (Nipper), Cine Projector, Microscope, Mechanical Fan (Rotating), Hearing Aid, Pager/Beeper, Food Processor/Blender, AIBO (Artificial Intelligent roBOt) ERS-7 dog, Cassette Boombox Radio, Answer Phone/Answering Machine, Portable Camping Stove, Patio Heater, Dictaphone, Electric Toothbrush, PVR (Personal Video Recorder), Binoculars, Sprinkler, Cordless Drill, Vacuum Cleaner/Hoover, Walkie Talkie, Polygraph/Lie Detector, Camcorder, Brassiere/Bra, Umbrella, VCR (Video Cassette Recorder), Burgler Alarm, Alarm Clock, Nintendo Game Boy, Baby Buggy, Polaroid Camera, Curling Tongs, Razor, Weighing Scales, Sony Walkman (Portable Audio Cassette), Coffee Maker, (Pocket) Calculator, Compass, Stapler and Staples, Electric Iron, Tape Measure, Instamatic Camera, Black & Decker Workmate, Fax Machine, BlackBerry, CD (Compact Disc) Player, Corkscrew, Remote Control, Mobile Phone, Teasmade, Sat Nav (Satellite Navigation)/GPS (Global Positioning System), Folding Bicycle, Vinyl Record Player, Electric Kettle, Sewing Machine, Swiss Army Knife, PC (Personal Computer)/Desktop Computer, Nintendo Wii, Digital Camera, Apple iPhone, Transistor Radio, Microwave Oven, Apple iPad, Apple Peeler, Ballpoint Pen, Telephone, Laptop Computer, Typewriter, Television, Apple iPod, Wrist Watch, and Stephen's choice for number one (slightly surprisingly) was the Lighter. With contributions from Blue Peter's Andy Akinwolere, Tony Blackburn, Heston Blumenthal, Hugh Bonneville, The Gadget Show's Jason Bradbury, Julia Bradbury, Jo Brand, Marcus Brigstocke, Charlie Brooker, Ed Byrne, Jon Culshaw, Flash Gordon's Peter Duncan, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Eamonn Holmes, Rufus Hound, Robin Ince, Embarrassing Bodies' Dr. Christian Jessen, Blue Peter's Gethin Jones, Russell Kane, Red Dwarf's Robert Llewellyn, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Kelvin Mackenzie, Al Murray, SMart's Kirsten O'Brien, Andi Osho, The Gadget Show's Suzi Perry, Rachel Riley, Brian Sewell, Blue Peter's Helen Skelton, Jon Snow, The Kumars at No. 42.'s Meera Syal, Mr. Bean's Martin Trenaman, Gok Wan, Reggie Yates and many more. Very good!