TechCrunch

Tech = technology
Crunch (v) = to crush or grind noisily
1. Look at the list of inventions and discuss what they may be used for.
2. Put these inventions into two columns – the best and the worst.
Some of them may appear in both columns.
3. Explain your decision.

bicycle, radio, nuclear

weapons, plastic bag,
computer, penicillin, internal
combustion engine, landmine,
‘tetra-pak’ carton, internet,
light bulb, speed camera,
cat’s eye, car alarm,
telephone, mobile phone,
television, Sinclair C5 electric
car.
Try to guess the secret innovative objects.
Tip: these objects were invented some years ago and are widely used nowadays

• a. What did you miss most about not having use of the object on your
card?
• b. Could you spend more than one day without the object?
• c. How would your life be different if the object had never been invented?
• d. What do you think people used before the object was invented?
• e. Would you agree or disagree that the object is important in your life?
What about your friend’s lives?
• f. Which of the objects on the cards would be most difficult for you to not
have in your life?
Look at the following items and speculate on their possible uses.
Imagine you are an inventor who’s going to present the new tech crunch
(choose one from the previous slide) at the Start-Up conference.

• The sphere of application

• Resources required for production
• Environmental friendliness
• Possible ways of improvement user’s well-being
• How you are going to improve the prototype in future?
Discuss the following questions in groups

• What are the best and most useful inventions of the

mankind in XX and XXI century?
• How did the invention of TV change people’s life? Do
you think TV is a useful invention?
• When did you get or buy your first mobile phone? How
was it?
• Do you think you can live without it?
• Are you anxious when the battery is flat or you are put
of reach?
• Do you remember the first tme you used the Internet?
If so, describe your experience.
• How did the Internet influence such things as
communication, privacy, entertainment?
• Can you name some inventions you are looking
forward to?