Cotton gin, microchip, dishwasher—three U.S. inventions—top a Wall Street Journal reader survey on technological impact. The poll, part of the WSJ’s US Business section, asked Americans to name innovations with the greatest market and societal influence. While the list includes lesser-known tools, the results highlight devices that reshaped industries and daily life.

The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, revolutionized agriculture by automating seed separation, boosting cotton production and entrenching slavery’s economic role. Its ripple effects extended to global trade, cementing the U.S. as a textile powerhouse. Similarly, the microchip, developed in the 1950s, became the backbone of modern computing, enabling advancements in everything from smartphones to aerospace. Its invention spurred trillion-dollar industries and redefined global supply chains.

Even mundane devices like the dishwasher made the cut. Introduced in the early 1900s, it transformed household labor and commercial kitchens, freeing time for workforce participation and boosting efficiency in food service. These inventions, though decades old, continue to influence business strategies and consumer expectations.

The survey underscores how seemingly simple technologies can drive economic shifts. By focusing on deal values and regulatory impacts, the WSJ’s analysis invites reflection on innovation’s long-term legacy. As industries evolve, these foundational tools remind us that today’s breakthroughs may tomorrow’s staples.