The innovative application of vacuum in a gap between two bottles is attributed to Sir James Dewar in 1892. The underlying technical innovations followed through numerous patents that have often driven the remarkable progress in different fields. An examination of the past century of progress is indeed an exciting venture which manifests the state of the art of contemporary vacuum science and technology. The review of operational principles, main technical difficulties and future trends of developments are presented for: 1) cryogenic scientific instrumentation, where the insulating value of the single gap is improved by insertion of multiple reflectors. This was first done in the mid of the last century offering the lowest thermal flux in "super insulated" cylindrical vessels. Well proven solutions in this field seems to have an impact on potential storage of liquid hydrogen as it can become the automotive fuel of the future. 2) everyday thermos bottles became in last few years light and durable by replacing the glass wall with the thin stainless steel. This valuable change did not affect the price, but manifests better evacuation methods and application of new getters. 3) evacuated insulating flat elements with high insulating value are an efficient alternative for polymer foam panels. Longevity sets still very strict requirements for selection of highly porous filler material, as well as for envelope tightness and permeation rate. Anyhow, vacuum panels are already built in energy efficient home appliances and will soon spread in cargo containers and buildings. 4) transparent and translucent vacuum glazing were proposed for over a century in improving concepts in patents. Beside a still limited application in passive solar energy capture elements, the commercial vacuum window glazing, with point supported two sheets of glass, appeared in the last five years. Today performances may be thus optimistically envisioned for tomorrow.