There are always those great inventions that change the world...the car, computer, air flight, bread slicer, duct-tape, iPod, etc. These are truly life changing products that have altered mankind in some fashion. Then there are those improvement-type inventions that can make a difference; are not earth-shattering; might even improve one's quality of life; but aren’t always openly noticed. They just kind of appear in life and maybe offer a ah-ha moment.
 
I started thinking about this the other day when I finished a medication distributed in a pill bottle from the pharmacy. Normally when I finish a prescription, I always remove the medication label and recycle the plastic bottle. I do not like to keep the prescription label on the bottle for privacy/security reasons. Not too many years back, this was a pain because the label was basically glued to the bottle. You had to fight to get the darn thing off. But somewhere in the past couple decades or so, they created a sticky-back label that easily peels off for removal. Now-a-days the label removal is clean and quick. It is these little inventions that got me thinking. I came up with a couple more...
 
- Similar to the prescription bottle label, they now make car stickers (e.g., city vehicle registrations) for the windows that just peel right off. Like the prescription bottle label, just grab a corner with your finger nail, peel off, and you can move it to a new spot or even a new vehicle. Very handy. In the past I had to get out a razor blade and practically destroy the sticker when removing it.
 
- A few years back the guitar store salesperson talked me into buying a guitar cord that has an on-off switch built into the plug. What a great concept. Just turn it off before removing or inserting the cable and no noise. Great improvement!
 
- What about guitar amp mike-stands? Those short ones about one-to-two feet tall. Maybe these have been around for decades but they were not mainstream items as they are today in any big musical equipment store. They make it easier to work with and more organized.
 
-Still keeping to music, the on-the-floor guitar tuner that also lets you disconnect the signal flow to the amp so you can noiselessly tune up without everyone hearing you. When I got my Boss tuner some years back and realized this feature, my impression was “very cool”.
 
-I have to add the automobile key-fob. Many late model cars are now converting to push-button access and ignition starting (i.e., keyless control), the concept being an electronic signal passes from a key-fob in our pocket or purse that authorizes the action to the auto’s internals. Therefore no fumbling around for the key. Once you have this, it is a “very cool” feature. 
 
-The upside down ketchup bottle. Now they make the bottle so it stands upright on the opening so the ketchup is always ready to flow. Simple concept; great improvement.
 
Have any of your own?
   
 

Powdered water.

I started thinking about this the other day when I finished a medication distributed in a pill bottle from the pharmacy. Normally when I finish a prescription, I always remove the medication label and recycle the plastic bottle. I do not like to keep the prescription label on the bottle for privacy/security reasons. Not too many years back, this was a pain because the label was basically glued to the bottle. You had to fight to get the darn thing off. But somewhere in the past couple decades or so, they created a sticky-back label that easily peels off for removal. Now-a-days the label removal is clean and quick. It is these little inventions that got me thinking. I came up with a couple more...

don't fool yourself...they didn't create the easy peel stickers for your benefit!  they changed because the current labels/glue is cheaper for the manufacturer!
 

- Similar to the prescription bottle label, they now make car stickers (e.g., city vehicle registrations) for the windows that just peel right off. Like the prescription bottle label, just grab a corner with your finger nail, peel off, and you can move it to a new spot or even a new vehicle. Very handy. In the past I had to get out a razor blade and practically destroy the sticker when removing it.

obviously you don't live in Texas!  in Texas the vehicle registration and inspection stickers are designed NOT to be removed without destroying the sticker so that you CAN'T move them from one vehicle to another.  they have slits in them in a star pattern so that if you try to remove from any corner or side that you'll tear it when you get to the slit intersection.

I have a capo that is also a tuner.  That is cool.  Works on the headstock or across the strings.

Indoor plumbing.
 
The Lovely Lady wishes we can get it soon.

bapu
Indoor plumbing.
 
The Lovely Lady wishes we can get it fixed soon because bapu keeps clogging it up...

phyxed.

jamesg1213
Powdered water.

Yes. To activate, just add ....
Realizing this is somewhat different, but did you see that some company is attempting to market 'powdered alchohol' mixes (Palcohol)? I don't know if this is a good or bad thing, but there can be a convenience factor. Like for hikers who want to get buzzed up in the mountains after a day of trekking.  
 

auto_da_fe
I have a capo that is also a tuner.  That is cool.  Works on the headstock or across the strings.

Interesting. A great convenience factor.
 
Some of the pics I see they look rather bulky (compared to just a snap-on capo). Is this something you get used to rather quickly?

Beagle
obviously you don't live in Texas!  in Texas the vehicle registration and inspection stickers are designed NOT to be removed without destroying the sticker so that you CAN'T move them from one vehicle to another.  they have slits in them in a star pattern so that if you try to remove from any corner or side that you'll tear it when you get to the slit intersection.

Interesting to see how different areas of the country think differently about some things. But it probably is also the sticker purpose. As you mentioned, inspection stickers. I can see a bit of permanancy being intended for those.
Bapu,
Yes. Indoor plumbing goes into one of those great mankind changing inventions. Hope you get it soon. Or stay in a warm climate.  

I think we need to have a proximity alarm built into cell phones for pedestrians that cross the road and never look to see if there is any traffic..it could say something like, "look up dumb a**"....maybe even give them a small electric shock. I only bring this up because my van has a blind spot and I have darned near killed a few.