Here are the highlights of 2021. What's next?

The question of the year: What are the biggest threats to humanity in 2022?, this is the biggest consumer tech expected to be revealed at CES 2022, here are the best futuristic gifts you can actually buy in 2022 Dec 31, 2021 [View on browser]( Good morning, and welcome to the last day of 2021. This was an unprecedented year: We explored uncharted territory, broke new grounds, and continued the ongoing battle against COVID-19. Despite many challenges, 2021 also promised hope in so many frontiers. Going into 2022, we’re closer than ever to discovering more about ourselves, our planet, and our origins. So, in today’s edition, we’ll look back on the year’s highlights and explore what's waiting for us in 2022. But before we dive in, Interesting Engineering wishes you good health, happiness, and success in the coming year. See you in 2022! This is The Blueprint. Thanks for reading. CULTURE [The Question of the Year: What Are the Biggest Threats to Humanity in 2022?]( [Rocket flies through the clouds on sunset 3d illustration.]( The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a stark reminder that humanity is far from invincible. Scientists are concerned that global warming, microbial mutations, or the rise of harmful AI could endanger billions in the coming years. - To save you the headache, we've explored what's just hype and [what the actual threats to humans are in 2022]( so we can be better prepared for the future. After all, apart from affecting millions of lives across the globe, the pandemic has also shown us that humanity is not so easy to defeat. If we can make a comeback against the coronavirus through science and innovation, then there are many reasons to believe that we can prevent or combat these other threats as well. [Read More]( INNOVATION [This Is the Biggest Consumer Tech Expected To Be Revealed at CES 2022]( [The CES 2022 will be one of the most anticipated events for technology enhusiasts.]( The biggest week in tech is fast approaching: This year’s CES [will offer a first peek]( at some of the most important trends and products that tech companies big and small will be pushing in the coming year. Let’s take a look at three huge areas to watch at CES in January — and (probably) in real life, too. - Transportation. Engineers will spend the entire week battling it out in the Indy Autonomous Challenge, which is the first-ever high-speed race featuring autonomous cars. And it looks like 2022 will be all about electric vehicles. - Artificial intelligence. AI will make a big impression at CES this year, with vendors showing off products in nearly every category that purport to use AI algorithms to solve an extraordinarily wide range of problems. - TVs. Of course, it wouldn’t be CES without new TVs. LG is bringing its new line of OLED TVs to Vegas, while Samsung is also expected to unveil a new generation of TVs. Needless to say, CES 2022 is going to be big, with more than 2,000 companies exhibiting products. Many companies that attend like to keep a few secrets to unveil at the show itself, so be sure to keep up with our coverage of CES 2022. [Read More]( CULTURE [Here Are the Best Futuristic Gifts You Can Actually Buy in 2022]( [Futuristic gifts.]( If you have loved ones who are into tech (or even sci-fi), we may have some suggestions for the best futuristic gifts you can get them in the new year. But we’re warning you — they're not cheap. Still, from Bitcoin to a clone of their beloved pet, the possibilities are endless. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS What do you believe will be a significant breakthrough in 2022? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Space tourism will get cheaper.]( [COVID-19 will be eradicated.]( [Cryptocurrencies will soar.]( [AI will be everywhere.]( [Autonomous driving will be more mainstream.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked you to name the biggest event of 2021 for you. And, according to the majority, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines takes the cake. COVID-19 vaccines being developed and distributed 44% NASA’s Parker Solar Probe touching the Sun 14% SpaceX's Starship prototype's first successful landing 12% NASA’s Perseverance rover landing on Mars 11% The Ever Given container ship blocking the Suez Canal 10% Facebook transforming into Meta 4% Blue Origin flying crews to the edge of space 4% [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Looking Back at 2021: the Breakthroughs, Highlights, and Discoveries]( We sure had our fair share of ups and downs. [Looking Back at 2021: the Breakthroughs, Highlights, and Discoveries]( HIGHLIGHTS OF 2021 - Engineers in Japan [shattered the world record for the fastest internet speed]( achieving a data transmission rate of 319 terabits per second. - A physicist [designed a new plasma thruster concept that]( make space travel 10 times faster. - A company unveiled [a tiny 22-pound hydrogen engine]( that may replace the traditional combustion engine. - Scientists developed [a novel drug capable of reversing paralysis]( in mice who'd suffered spinal injuries, allowing them to walk once more with four weeks of treatment. - A CRISPR breakthrough [allowed scientists to turn genes on and off at whim]( meaning CRISPR changes are now fully reversible. - Physicists [broke the laser-fusion record]( generating 700 times the U.S. energy grid by producing 10 quadrillion watts of fusion power. - Researchers achieved [the world's first transmission exceeding 1 petabit per second](Researchers%20from%20the%20Network%20System%20Research%20Institute%20of%20the%20National%20Institute%20of%20Information%20and%20Communications%20Technology%20(NICT,%20Japan)%20have%20achieved%20the%20world's%20first%20transmission%20exceeding%201%20petabit%20per%20second%20(125,000%20Gbps)%20in%20a%20single-core%20multi-mode%20optical%20fiber.) in a single-core multi-mode optical fiber. - A company made [a major breakthrough in nuclear fusion]( by inventing a new type of cryogenic power supply that's highly efficient at low temperatures. Prepared by Derya Ozdemir Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe [here.]( © Copyright 2021 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]