Fun fact: The global economy grew 25% over that time.

FORBES: Slinging It From Singapore

Tourists simply enter origin and destination points, and using a Google Maps interface, the global app creates a circuitous route, full of fun detours such as strolling through a nearby park or popping in to a new boutique.

BBC: Four apps encourage smarter detours

"The LEGO company is a renowned global brand, synonymous with quality, design and most importantly, fun, " said Patrick Sullivan, director of product management at Belkin.

ENGADGET: Belkin signs licensing deal with Lego, encourages you to brick your phone

While on summer break (why let the Germans have all the fun?) we got the news that a striking forbes Global cover in Asia last year was awarded first prize in an inaugural competition for specialized business press.

FORBES: Back to Work!

"SimCity Social will entice a new generation of urban planners with its easy-to-use tools that allow anyone to expand and grow their own unique sprawling metropolises and watch as it comes to life in fun and unexpected ways, " said Jami Laes, Vice President of Global Studios for Playfish.

ENGADGET: EA opens SimCity Social on Facebook, really, really hopes you'll 'like' it

For the 100m or so people whom the organisers said voted by Saturday night, and for the many who watch a global broadcast of the results, the benefit presumably matched that of the ancient Greek travellers: the fun of it all.

ECONOMIST: Listing the world's seven wonders