http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_train - The ability of a person to travel around the globe in 42 minutes would affect our lives. The ability to transport cargo that quickly would, literally, change everything. Think about how different food production would be and how short lead times for high technology products would be, just for starters. An interesting externality would be the continued accrual of advantages by "port" cities. Imagine the premium on a factory at a gravity train station.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducati_916 - The prettiest bike ever made. Every Ducati dealership has one of these on a pedestal. It's a wonder they don't bring it back into production.