—Welcome to TIME’s annual round-up of the best inventions making the world better, smarter and—in some cases—a little more fun.
The Real-Life Hoverboard
The hoverboard—a type of skateboard that levitates like a magic carpet—had been a pipe dream since its fictional debut in 1989′s Back to the Future Part II. Now California-based tech firm Hendo has built the real thing. Granted, there are caveats. Hendo’s hoverboard can float only an inch or so above the ground, and even then only over conductive material like copper or aluminum. Just 10 are being made to order (so far). And battery life is 15 minutes—barely enough time to zoom past your enemies à la Marty McFly.
