In 1979, the first spreadsheet software was introduced, Sony rolled out the Walkman and ESPN began broadcasting sporting events to cable TV companies.

PBS' Nightly Business Report has teamed up with Knowledge@Wharton, the online research and business analysis journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, to select the 30 most important innovations from the last 30 years.

Until Sept. 15, anyone can go to www.pbs.org/nbr and submit nominations.

The list of nominees will be judged by a panel from Knowledge@Wharton and will be announced Feb. 16.

"We're looking for breakthroughs that changed and improved the world. And while we expect many submissions will focus on technological innovations, we're also looking for social, political, artistic and other types of innovations," said Mukul Pandya, executive director/editor in chief of Knowledge@Wharton.

Each nomination will be judged by these criteria:

• Did it have a direct or material effect on quality of life?

• Did it address a compelling need? Did it solve a compelling problem?

• Was it a fresh, new breakthrough? Was there a "wow" factor?

• Did it change the way business is conducted?

• Did it increase the efficiency of how resources are used?

• Did it spark a stream of innovations?

• Did it lead to a vast new industry?

From staff reports

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