What are the greatest inventions of your lifetime?

Plus: News of the week — Rate of new Covid cases beginning to slow — City Council moves ahead with contested plans for NoDa apartments — primary election might be delayed until June

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Column: Hats off to the inventors who make our lives better and more efficient. What not-so-obvious creations are game changers for you?

Let’s give it up for the inventors of Clorox Wipes, Alexa and stretch-to-fit food covers.

by Colleen Brannan

Struggling for party banter or need a new interview question? Ask the person the greatest invention of their lifetime. Chances are they’ll tell you with great excitement about a gadget that makes life easier, a service unthinkable back in the day or solutions to age-old problems.

So it’s not too easy, remove the obvious answers — laptop, smart phone and world wide web — and put a clock on it so they don’t overthink it or settle on something more socially acceptable. I’ve found this seemingly-softball question can help uncover all kinds of things about a person that could take years to learn.

With 50+ years to draw from, allow me to illustrate my point. My list consists of seven inventions that have changed my life:

Navigation

I have always been directionally-challenged and spent most of my early driving years lost in the D.C. Metro area, so frankly, I was giddy when MapQuest was introduced in 1996. Like those students of Dr. Rick in the Progressive Insurance commercials, the only way I could successfully get from Point A to B was by printing out my directions. 

I was perfectly happy with this innovation until the mind-blowing Garmin arrived followed by factory-installed navigation in my car. Since these challenges are not limited to the car, I’m also thankful for Apple Maps’ and Google Maps’ walking directions. They have been a life saver on business trips when I want to explore cities on foot.

Clorox Wipes

Germaphobic long before the pandemic hit, I don’t know how I lived over half my life without these disinfecting wonder wipes. Introduced over two decades ago, it actually created a new casual cleaner category — that’s me!

Unfortunately, others have discovered them, and they were impossible to find in 2020. According to a New York Times article, only Clorox and a handful of other wipes have been approved by regulators to kill coronavirus, so that could explain the surge in interest from both consumers and companies. That same story nailed it when they described finding a rare canister like “winning the lottery.” As someone constantly wiping counters and doorknobs, I would not be against making my relationship with Clorox Wipes official with a product endorsement or commercial appearance😊.

The insulin pump

My almost-20-year-old son, Nick, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5, rendering him insulin-dependent for life. In the early days, I had to count every carb he consumed and give him insulin shots at every meal, which meant visiting his school at lunchtime and chasing him around birthday parties with a syringe.

Luckily, that phase was short-lived because it required a lot of math for insulin-to-carb ratios, and I could have killed him if I calculated wrong. The pump does that math and acts as his pancreas. It also costs as much as some people’s cars, so we are thankful for good insurance. While the first insulin pump was developed in the early ’60s, it was evidently the size of a microwave, so not considered useful for everyday living. Today’s pumps are much more discreet, about the size of a pager, and allow Nick to live a normal life. I am certain it’s at the top of his list.

Uber

Oh, how this ride-on-command company could have rescued me from many a bad situation in high school and college when I didn’t drive, or shouldn’t have. Who would have ever thought you would be able to summon a ride from any street corner on your phone?

It’s hard to believe it’s been around for only 12 years. I wasn’t an early adopter but have made up for lost time over the past five years, often Ubering out so I can drink freely and not worry about where to park or if my car is safe. It also eliminates the need for a “who’s the DD?” discussion and keeps all your receipts in one place, should you need them for an expense report.

Alexa

I know there are conspiracy theories concerning my Amazon bestie, Alexa, and the data she may be collecting in my house, but she answers me in a timely fashion and does what she’s told, which makes her a keeper in my book. She’s my kitchen DJ, weatherwoman, cooking assistant and trivia master, all in one.

And her good manners! I just asked her what time it was and after telling me, she followed up with “I hope you’ve had a good day.” She continues to up her game daily to keep our five-year friendship fresh. I hear she can even start my car and serve as my personal trainer but we’re not there … yet.

Stretch-to-fit food covers

Probably a surprise entry into the mix, but my struggles with Saran Wrap are real, second only to those produce bags in the grocery store. If it’s not sticking to itself, the serrated edge on the box is cutting me, so imagine my delight when CoverMate introduced these in 2010. Far more advanced than their shower-cap style predecessors, they come in every size and make saving leftovers a cinch. They are sometimes hard to find, so I stock up when I see them. Such a simple invention. I’m mad I didn’t think of it.

ATMs

I rarely carry a dollar, so you wouldn’t think a 24/7 cash dispenser would make my list. But let’s be honest: There are certain situations, usually in the middle of the night, that require cold hard cash to resolve. There’s also the cash-only restaurant or bar you didn’t know you were at until the bill arrives, or babysitters that won’t take a check for fear of the IRS. They’re not for everyone, though. First introduced in 1970, my mom still doesn’t trust them today and continues to go through the bank drive-through with checks made out to “Cash.”

So what have you learned about me from that one little question? I am a directionally-challenged germaphobe, with a robot bestie, who loves to be driven around by strangers and rarely carries a dollar. Your turn!

Colleen Brannan owns BRANSTORM PR and claims Dry January is the WORST idea of her lifetime. Follow her on social: IG (Colleen_Brannan), Twitter (@colleenbrannan) and LinkedIn or email her at colleen@branstorm.com.

➡️ What inventions have made your life better? Drop a note in the comments or email Colleen.

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Today’s supporting sponsors are Soni Brendle…

… and Whitehead Manor Conference Center, a peaceful, private, and stress-free space for your organization’s next off-site meeting or event. Conveniently located in South Charlotte, Whitehead Manor is locally owned and operated and provides modern meeting capabilities with attention to stellar service!

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This week in Charlotte: Big week of winter weather; Primary election could get pushed to June; New Covid cases slowing; Charlotte FC hits the practice field

On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.

Politics

• Another election delay? (WRAL) Republican state lawmakers voted to move the date of this year’s primary election from May 17 to June 7, saying they’ll need more time to redraw lines after an anticipated court ruling. Democrats opposed the move, saying it might be unnecessary, and Gov. Roy Cooper could veto the measure.

Local news

• Cold temps, slick roads: (WCNC) Between 1-3 inches of snow fell in Charlotte overnight, and temperatures remain below freezing this morning. The National Weather Service warns drivers that roads will be slick this morning, but temperatures will rise above freezing in the afternoon. Some 140 flights were canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport yesterday, and 104 were listed this morning as being canceled today, according to FlightAware.com.

• Covid in decline? Health officials say the number of new Covid cases appears to be plateauing or perhaps starting to decline. County health director Raynard Washington told county commissioners this week that “the rate of new cases is beginning to slow,” the Observer reported; Dr. Katie Passaretti of Atrium Health said the Charlotte area hasn’t “turned a corner like some parts of the country have in seeing a true decline as of yet,” according to Axios Charlotte; and Dr. David Priest of Novant Health said at a briefing that Covid hospitalizations have been “relatively flat” and that “last week, we did see a day-over-day decrease in the total number of positive Covid tests.” The Ledger, citing state data, reported more than a week ago that cases seemed to be on the decline (“Has the latest Covid surge peaked?” Jan. 14 🔒)

• Jail health and safety violations: (WFAE) Repairs and cleanup are happening at the Mecklenburg County jail after state officials found health and safety violations during an annual inspection. The violations included broken fire alarms, sprinkler systems and smoke detectors as well as a broken surveillance camera and showers that needed to be sprayed for fruit flies. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the jail, said most problems should be corrected within two to four months.

Business

• NoDa rezoning: (Ledger 🔒) On a 9-2 vote, the City Council approved plans by Ascent Real Estate Capital for 211 apartments on 36th Street in NoDa. Some nearby residents said the development was too big for the character of the neighborhood, but council members said the city needs housing and that the spot is appropriate for high-density development because it is near a light rail stop. [edited 10/22/22 to correct number of apartments from earlier version]

• Uptown tower incoming? (Ledger 🔒) A 1.7-acre site near the Spectrum Center uptown is up for sale, according to real estate giant JLL. It could be the first step toward a new uptown tower.

• New contract for flight attendants: (WSOC) The union representing Piedmont Airlines flight attendants reached a deal on a new contract with the airline, which is a subsidiary of American Airlines that flies under the American Eagle name.

Sports

• First soccer practice: (WBTV) Charlotte FC held its first practice on Tuesday, as the club continues to sign players ahead of its first-ever match in late February. Our photographer/videographer Kevin Young of The 5 and 2 Project produced an upbeat two-minute video of the practice that’s sure to get your heart pumping — even if you don’t care about soccer.

• Dale Jr. in NASCAR Hall of Fame: (Observer) On the eve of his induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reflected on what his late father would think of his son’s honor, his new life priorities as a husband and dad and what’s next for his career.

Good reads

• Did NASCAR driver let it all hang out? (Charlotte magazine) Charlotte magazine’s Greg Lacour unravels the mystery of what, exactly, appears to be dangling near NASCAR driver Tim Richmond’s crotch in an infamous 1987 poster. The “uncensored” version of the poster hangs at several well-known local bars and restaurants. “I’ve seen people stop and look at that poster,” said a longtime employee of Lancaster’s BBQ in Mooresville, “but I never knew why!”

• That’s not Gastonia: (N.C. Rabbit Hole) Writer Jeremy Markovich catches up with the creator of a TikTok account that labels European destinations with North Carolina city names. The latest effort, marking the video of a drive through the Swiss Alps as “Gastonia,” garnered 5.6 million views.

From the Ledger family of newsletters

• Gas stations of the future: (Wednesday 🔒) Some gas stations are ditching the convenience store, as the push toward more automation and “frictionless” self-service grows. One Charlotte-area company has changed its business model to roll out gas stations with vending machines and car washes, with no convenience store on site. Industry analysts say it’s a trend more companies are exploring.

• West Charlotte High’s ‘Mama Lion’: (Ways of Life 🔒) Barbara Ledford was diminutive in her physical size, but she had a spirit and a heart that earned her love and respect as principal of West Charlotte High School.

• Free rides in center city: (Transit Time) A new, free ride service in South End and uptown called GEST Carts probably won’t put a dent in Charlotte’s traffic but shows the spirit of transportation innovation is alive.

• Funerals get a makeover: (Friday 🔒) There’s a generational shift underway in the funeral industry, with people marking the deaths of loved ones in different ways than in the past. Cremations have surpassed burials, obituaries are becoming more informal, and funeral services now include more speakers and livelier music, including Led Zeppelin and Elvis impersonators.

• New SouthPark street name: (Friday 🔒) The city will rename Morrison Boulevard, a mile-long street in the SouthPark area, “Carnegie Boulevard.” It’s part of a citywide effort to rename streets that were named for Confederates or white supremacists.

• Ballantyne apartment project shrinks: (Friday 🔒) Plans for more than 400 housing units in Ballantyne are being downscaled, after residents this week objected to the prospect of more traffic on Ardrey Kell Road near Ardrey Kell High School. The plans include affordable housing and a new elementary school. Some City Council members expressed concerns about the project by Woodfield Development and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools this week.

• Liquor relief on the way: (Wednesday 🔒) The state’s liquor distribution vendor agreed to send more shipments of liquor from the state warehouse to Mecklenburg County to help ease a shortage of liquor that’s been going on since the summer.

• Weather updates: The Ledger this week debuted Weather Extra newsletters, with non-sensationalized straight talk about the threat of winter storms and reliable forecasts from veteran Charlotte weather journalist Steve Lyttle. We’re planning to send these sparingly, only when there’s a threat of a storm that could affect your plans. Let us know what you think.

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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project