Distinguished panelists from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania will use carefully determined criteria to select The Top 30 Innovations of the Last 30 Years. The major questions that make up this criteria are listed below.

The judges will ask the following about the innovations being considered:

1. Did it improve quality of life, having a direct and/or material effect on quality of life?

2. Did it address a compelling need? solve a compelling problem?

3. Was it a fresh breakthrough with a "wow" factor?

4. Did it change the way business is conducted?

5. Did it increase the efficiency of how resources are used?

6. Did it spark an ongoing stream of new innovations on top of the original innovation?

7. Did it lead to the creation of a vast, new industry?