10 Hugest Inventions Since the Year 2000

4) Uber

While Uber’s idea isn’t new, they were really the first company to have a successful approach to what work-trending would eventually know as a gig-economy. Uber has introduced a revolution in terms of people becoming their own bosses, by giving workers the ability to seamlessly start a company and work as an independent contractor. No longer do you need to worry about requesting vacation or working a schedule non-conducive to your family life.

This trend in gig-economy has taken off in a way which experts believe will eventually occupy 40% of jobs in the next 5 years. While Uber focuses on the neighborly “cabbie” type experience, other start-up companies such as Delivery-Fleet in Houston, Texas, focus on same-day and on-demand delivery services that enable businesses to provide consumers with the instant gratification they seek.

Much like Apple is to technology, Uber is to trend-setting the work-life balance companies have been preaching the last half decade. Although, now, it seems the reality has come to fruition.