Category:
Technology
Technology
A typewriter for people who don’t know how to read
In its Apr 20, 1972 issue, New Scientist magazine drew attention to Mildred Olsen's unusual invention (Patent No. 3,501,849):The Olsen invention is intended to help illiterates learn typing. (Why we need illiterate typists the patent doesn't explain.) It divides the keys of a typewriter keyboard into eight sectors, each including several individual keys. Each sector has a different colour. The would-be typist wears coloured rings on her fingers and watches a visual indicator, which shows a colour either with or without an arrow. Where there is no arrow, the typist presses her finger with the associated colour directly downwards. Where there is an arrow, the typist first moves the correct colour finger up, down or along one key in the direction of the arrow.
I think New Scientist was being overly harsh. In the patent itself, Olsen explained that she believed her invention could help students learn to read, as they simultaneously grew familiar with using a typewriter. I can't find any more info about her invention, but I'd be curious to know how students responded to it.
Posted By: Alex - Sat Feb 15, 2025 -
Comments (1)
Category: Technology, Patents, 1970s
The Tel-Tech Multiplexer is like the ideal wife
The ad below reminded me of the "How to choose a pot like you choose a husband" ad we posted recently.The requirements for a good husband were: One you don't have to replace every few years (durable), not flashy, not troublesome, steady and well-balanced.
The ideal wife, on the other hand (according to the Tel-Tech Corporation), was exciting and beautiful in the integrity of design, required no periodic maintenance, and served you with absolute trust and dependability year after year.
Also: "You recover the cost in just a few months and then you are dollars ahead every day. Perfect host to any terminal, handles intermixed speeds, and adapts easily from 2 to 38 channels. Available immediately. Just plug in and go."
Sounds like a sexbot.
Computerworld - Sep 10, 1969
Posted By: Alex - Sat Feb 08, 2025 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Wives, Marriage, 1960s
Two-Way Records
What could this image possible convey? Using two styli at the same time on the same record? No, that was only fanciful and metaphorical.Let's let this website explain:
When stereo was introduced, Design tried to claim that their records were compatible mono/stereo, and could be played on either mono or stereo players. The public soon found out that mono players would damage these records just as easily as other stereo records, so after reissuing or simultaneously issuing about 50 of their albums on a new series (the DCF-1000 Series), they abandoned the compatible stereo series in favor of the normal mono and stereo issues. The good part was, that for folks with stereo players, these records worked fine and were in true stereo, as far as we have heard. The bad side is that by the time the series was winding down, about 1960, the quality of the vinyl had deteriorated to the extent that right out of the wrapper the records were noisy.
So: another technology too good to be true, for which early adopters paid the price.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 29, 2025 -
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Category: Frauds, Cons and Scams, Inventions, Music, Technology, Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, 1950s, 1960s
Control your mobile phone with your feet
Researchers are developing a way to input commands on your phone as you walk by altering your stride, or moving your feet in various ways. They call these "gait gestures."So if you see someone walking funny, perhaps they're just sending a text.
More info: "Gait Gestures: Examining Stride and Foot Strike Variation as an Input Method While Walking"; Waterloo News
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jan 26, 2025 -
Comments (6)
Category: Technology, Telephones, Feet
Automan
As Wikipedia tells us:Automan is an American superhero television series produced by Glen A. Larson. It aired for 12 episodes (although 13 were made) on ABC between 1983 and 1984. It consciously emulates the visual stylistics of the Walt Disney Pictures live-action film Tron, in the context of a superhero TV series.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 14, 2025 -
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Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Motor Vehicles, Police and Other Law Enforcement, Technology, Computers, Television, 1980s
The Timberjack Walking Machine
Also known as the John Deere Walking Tractor. It was like a real-life version of the walkers from Star Wars (minus laser cannons). Details from Forestry Thoughts:It was made by a subsidiary of Timberjack, called Plustech Oy, and designing began in 1995 and the following prototype, called Plusjack was presented in 1999. Deere & Company purchased the company Timberjack in 2000. And in 2005, Timberjack Oy became John Deere Forestry Oy. Actually the designing department of John Deere´s forestry machines still is in Tampere, where they design everything.
There were few reasons why there were only two ever made. One was high price and other main one was its slowness in the field. It is a remarkable piece of engineering ahead of its time. One of these machines is at display at the Lusto, at the Finnish Forest Museum. And the other one I think, was shipped to USA to be displayed at some John Deere exhibition.
There were few reasons why there were only two ever made. One was high price and other main one was its slowness in the field. It is a remarkable piece of engineering ahead of its time. One of these machines is at display at the Lusto, at the Finnish Forest Museum. And the other one I think, was shipped to USA to be displayed at some John Deere exhibition.
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 03, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Robots, Technology
A Double Barrel Blast
Side 2 is particularly relevant to today's AI debate.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 03, 2024 -
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Category: Death, Technology, Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, 1960s
Mystery Gadget 113
The purpose of this contraption? The answer is here, or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 06, 2024 -
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Category: Technology, 1940s
Clamp for Male Urinary Incontinence
I think you could substitute something like this from the hardware store.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 29, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Hygiene, Technology, 1950s, Men
Miss General Electric
In 2017, Alex reported on "Miss Food Freezer," who also held the title of "Miss General Electric." I thought I'd try to find other winners of the latter title. But references are few and far between.The earliest citation is 1925; the latest, 1968.
I am not sure about "Miss General Electric Torch" being the same honor.
Miss General Electric Torch and Miss Bell Torch presenting $507,412 and $630,943 to the United Fund. Two women holding a sign.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Sep 24, 2024 -
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Category: Awards, Prizes, Competitions and Contests, Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Technology, Appliances, Twentieth Century
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |