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Features & Commentary

The Top 30 Innovations

The 30 Tab
Photo GalleryView slide show

The Top 30

View the slide show to find out how the judges ranked the finalists and
to see the #1 innovation.

The Finalists

Fiber optics Open source software
Biofuels Mobile phones
Microfinance Photovoltaic cells
Anti-retroviral AIDS treatment LCDs
Bar codes E-mail
Media file compression GUI
Microprocessor Digital photgraphy
Internet RFID
Office software E-commerce
Non-invasive surgery PC/Laptops
MRI DNA sequencing
SRAM/Flash memory ATMs
Wind turbines Stents
GPS LEDs
Genetically modified plants Social networks on Internet
Blog Entries Tab


Producer Melissa Harmon talks about the Top 30 Innovations project and invites you to talk back. Photo of Melissa Harmon.

Our Top 30 Innovations Have a

Fabulous Future

Innovation... what does it really mean? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as the introduction of something new - a new idea, method or device. To mark NBR's 30th anniversary we looked at the ideas, methods and devices introduced over the last three decades that have changed our lives. And boy did we have a bunch to choose from! Our viewers submitted thousands of suggestions from... + More

Extras Tab


The spot to access goodies, like behind-the-scenes photos and extended interviews, from NBR's specials. Extras Graphic

Judging Criteria

What criteria will the judging panel use to select the Top 30 Innovations?

25th Anniversary Special

NBR's 25th Anniversary Special identified "The 25 Most Influential Business Persons of the Past 25 Years."
Celebrating 30 Years of NBR
Intro Tab

In celebration of our 30th year on television, Nightly Business Report partnered with Knowledge@Wharton to identify "The Top 30 Innovations of the Last 30 Years." What innovations have changed the way life is lived and the way business is done since NBR premiered in 1979?

Thank you to everyone who recommended an innovation via the Knowledge@Wharton website. A panel of judges at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania reviewed the thousands of submissions and selected the top thirty. NBR previews the winners by sector the week of February 9, 2009. And, the Top 30 Innovations will be revealed on air and online February 16, 2009.

Reports Tab


Play video.

Top 30 in Technology

Premieres February 10, 2009

Scott Gurvey looks at some of the computer-related innovations that made the list.
Read Transcript | Video

Play video

Top 30 in Medicine

Premieres February 11, 2009

Jeff Yastine looks at some of the medical advancements that made the list.
Read Transcript | Video

Play video

Top 30 in Energy

Premieres February 16, 2009

Stephanie Dhue looks at biofuels -- one category of energy innovation that made the list.
Read Transcript | Video

Play Video

A Top 30 Day

Premieres February 16, 2009

A lighter look at some of the Top 30 Innovations in action with Dana Bate.
Read Transcript | Video

Play video

Wharton Roundtable

Premieres February 16, 2009

Susie Gharib asks the judges why they selected some innovations over others.
Read Transcript | Video

Play video

One on One with Thomas Okarma

Premieres February 16, 2009

The CEO of biotech firm Geron on the next, big medical innovation.
Read Transcript | Video

The Panel Tab


Learn about the judges who selected the Top 30 Innovations. Includes some behind-the-scenes interviews.

Play Video

Ian MacMillan

Director, Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Research Center

Bio | Video

Play Video

Thomas Colligan

Vice Dean, Wharton Executive Education


Bio | Video

Play Video

Kevin Werbach

Professor, Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department

Bio | Video

Click to review the complete panel.
Co-Presented By:
NBR and Knowledge@Wharton logos.