LONDON: Move over, smart phones. The humble paper clip, sticky plasters, and tissue papers are among the 40 breakthrough inventions most Britons can't live without , it has emerged.
From elastic bands to bubblewrap , experts have compiled a list of inventions that cost mere pennies but are a vital part of everyday life for billions of people. In fact, they may not be as revered as the latest iPhone, but are as much a "genius" product and possibly more influential.
Between them the items cost less than 100 pounds to buy and many would, individually cost less than a penny. They include: sticky tape, sticky plasters, tissue paper to teabags and light bulbs to barcodes, all of which have changed lives around the world, the 'Daily Mail' reported. The products were showcased at an exhibition devised by Hi-Cone , the little known manufacturers of the plastic ring carriers that hold six packs of beer or multiple packs of soft drinks.
Hi-Cone Director Ton Hoppenbrouwers said: "The objective of the Hi-Cone hidden heroes exhibition is to highlight genius of everyday things and remarkable technologies that sit behind contents of kitchen drawers."
