Digital Chaos Media

There are few things that we of the technological age love more than our gadgets. Whether they are meant to make life easier, enhance the world around us, or simply to waste time with, these are the top ten gadgets of all time:

1) Ipod -  Apple: Clearly this now ubiquitous music player needs to be on this list. Perhaps no other music player, be it record, 8-track, cassette, CD, or even a live band has allowed access to music the way this little white piece of metal, plastic, and carcinogenic materials has. One could argue that it was marketing that really brought the Ipod to the forefront of society, but really it was that little korean hard drive that set it apart from the Rio (remember that piece of crap). While it may have spawned some pretty ridiculous add-ons, it continues to innovate and impress.

2) Cotton Gin - Eli Whitney: Ok, I know what you are thinking. Its a gadget throught and through though. This thing was never a neccessity, but it sure as hell made the job easier. Imagine what Gizmodo would have had to to say about this bad boy when Eli really got it going.

3) Snuff Box- Various: If you don’t know what snuff is, then you are probably a normal person. Basically,

it was tobacco that you snorted Marion Barry style. And if you didn’t have one of these fancy little carrying cases with easy access you were a dandy. These things were decked out with Jacob the Jewler felon style engravings and jems the size of bo jangles.  It was utilitariean and useless at the same time. Great gadget.

4) Nintendo Entertainment System- Nintendo: While there were gaming

platforms before this one, and certainly ones after, the NES set the standard for all of them. Its controller style, fluid play, and cartridge blowing tecnique were all revolutionary. There was also never a better Who Framed Roger Rabbit game ever made.

5) Swiss Army Knife - Karl Esener: This is perhaps the ultimate multi purpose gadget. Some are bigger than others, but they all now have a toothpick and tweezers. Don’t accept imitators.

6) Star TAC -  Motorola: The first flip phone made it virtually impossible to accidently call someone and make them listen to your jeans ruffling as you walked. Forget its stylish black casing and pull up antenna. It set the stage for the blackberry flip phone that just came out…and subsequently made irrelevant by the storm.

7) Commodore 64 - Commodore International: This may have been your first computer, as it was mine. It had funny cartridges for loading and a terrible blue screen, but it was the first powerful (64 bits!) gaming computer. Mail Order Monster, Marble Madness, and Summer Games. What more could you ask for.

8) Zippo Lighter - George Blaisedell: This gadget let our boys in the army smoke in the trenches without having to light 17 matches. Now it is the subject of trick videos and adoration from all kinds of smokers.

9) Abacus -Really Old Dudes: Its the precursor to the TI-83 Plus and its made out of wood. Its the ancient accountants best friend. Its the abacus. Can someone teach me how to use one?

10) Laser Watch - Q: Ok, so not a real thing, but man, a watch with a laser in it. That would be sooooo sweet. You could like break out of evil lairs, and cut stuff, and tell time. Man I wish I had one.

So another DCM list come and gone, you may agree, you may disagree, but either way, let us know what you think.

-Von Heezy