• On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10
July 3, 2009 7:00 AM PDT

Friday Poll: We the ppl--imagining a digital 1776

by Matt Hickey

CNET News Poll

Digital in 1776
Which use of a modern-day tool would have most influenced the course of American history?

Jefferson using all@KingGeorgeSucks.com to keep in touch
Google Docs to keep changes to the Constitution in order
Benjamin Franklin inventing the Internet
George Washington chopping down a cell tower
Adams tweeting "Jefferson still survives" on his deathbed



View results


American flag

Happy (almost) Fourth of July!

Two hundred thirty-three years ago, our nation's founders declared independence from Great Britain. But nailing down a final version of the Declaration of Independence took time, with the writers (or more likely their couriers) flitting about on horses with drafts, as the authors debated phrasing and passed edits around.

That got us thinking: which tool of the Digital Age would have had the greatest influence on the course of American history? Vote in our poll, and as always, chime in with your own ideas in the TalkBack section below.

With more than 15 years experience testing hardware (and being obsessed with it), Crave freelance writer Matt Hickey can tell the good gadgets from the great. He also has a keen eye for future technology trends. Matt has blogged for publications including TechCrunch, CrunchGear, and most recently, Gizmodo. E-mail Matt.
Recent posts from Crave
Ricoh goes modular for GXR camera system
Moxi cuts price on its DVR, adds step-up model with a triple tuner
2010 Tesla Roadster Sport first drive
Sneak peek: Xobni e-mail app for BlackBerry
The DIY secret-knock door lock
New BlackBerry software will make your phone cooler
The 411: Storage limits and more on data plans
Can Bheestie Bag save your soaked device?
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by philmmaker July 3, 2009 11:52 AM PDT
Why would anyone vote for Franklin inventing the Internet? If you're using Google Docs then the Internet already exists. Not to mention the fact that Ben Franklin would have been quite distracted from his work by all that access to yebuxomwench.com
Reply to this comment
by DWes July 3, 2009 7:05 PM PDT
All but #'s 3 and 4 could not happen until Franklin invented the internet. And I don't think an axe could take out a cell tower.
Reply to this comment
by mbrewthx July 3, 2009 9:26 PM PDT
Paul Revere Tweets "the British are coming, the British are coming"
Reply to this comment
(3 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

After 5 years, Firefox faces new challenges

Mozilla helped reshape the Web since releasing Firefox 1.0 five years ago. Now it's got a reawakened Microsoft and Google Chrome to reckon with.

There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone?

Almost every handset comes with mapping software these days, but standalone GPS devices are becoming more affordable than ever.