While a communications product, the iPhone, garnered Time magazine’s Invention of the Year honor, the transportation sector also saw a vast number of invention accolades as well.

I can remember, as I’m sure many of you can, when “bigger is better” was synonymous with cars and personal transportation. Today, when there is such a huge focus on green energy and carbon emissions, “compact” is the new Cadillac.

Just turn on the television during any prime-time show and you’re likely to see a hoard of hybrid SUV commercials, pitches for incandescent light bulbs and recycling promotions.

Time magazine certainly noticed the trend since they included a number of “green” transportation options on their annual Best Inventions of the Year list. Here are two to keep an eye out for in the coming years:

• The Venturi Eclectic car runs solely on wind and solar power. Plus, the Venturi doesn’t need to be “refueled” with hydrogen or ethanol. This French-produced, three-seat concept car is due out in 2008.
• The City Car from MIT’s Media Lab is a two-seater, stackable electric car that can be checked out from a designated location, then returned (like a shopping cart) to any other station in the city. Due out in 2011, this innovative concept could reduce another massive problem in mass transit – parking.

With the way things are going, expect more big changes in the way we communicate and the way we get around. Be sure to check out our next InventHelp blog, where we’ll explore more transportation innovations, including a new way to fly in style!