Great News For The Environmentally Unconscious

I know you're sitting there thinking "what can we do to make it more energy efficient to drive our cars rather than riding our bikes or walking." You're thinking that because you're lazy and don't want to give up the luxury of automated transportation. Oh. You weren't thinking that? That was just me? Figures. But there's some good news for me. Britain's Environmental Transport Association may have come up with a solution. Piezoelectric crystals. The idea is to embed a stretch of highway with the crystals, then each car that drives over a crystal contributes a tiny bit of energy, such that a single kilometer of roadway could generate 400-kilowatts of energy. That energy could then be collected, stored and used for any number of functions. But will it work? Absolutely. A Sainsbury's supermarket in Gloucester, UK has already put it into use, powering their checkout lanes.

Posted By: Nethie - Tue Jun 16, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, Science, Technology, Natural Resources

On or Off caffeine?

As promised, here's another step forward thanks to technology. The only problem is I am not sure what ON and OFF really mean. When you fill the empty cup with hot liquid (coffee?), it changes from OFF to ON. Does that mean you are now ON caffeine, maybe as encouragement to co-workers to let you do the work? Do you have a better interpretation?



Here's the link if you want to buy the mug -- check out the dry erase clock!!

http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_ON%20OFF%20Mug_10451_10001_46603_-1_11557_16151____66901

Posted By: gdanea - Sun Jun 14, 2009 - Comments (0)
Category: Technology

One Step Closer To The Matrix

Maybe we're already in the Matrix. How would we know? While you ponder that, scientists at the University of Florida are developing a neural implant that can think independently. This is not just an implant that deciphers brain signals, but one that can learn, adapt to various scenarios and help the host achieve certain goals. The initial technology is being developed for therapeutic applications, such as allowing paraplegics the ability to control their own limbs again. You can read more about the Neural Implants here. Of course, giving such a "machine" partial control of your brain could lead to any number of problems; questions about who is really in charge. Which version of the future would you prefer to live in: I, Robot, 2001: A Space Odyssey or The Matrix?

Posted By: Nethie - Thu Jun 04, 2009 - Comments (1)
Category: Medicine, Science, Technology, More Things To Worry About, Brain

Follies of the Mad Men #68

[From Life magazine for September 10 1956. Two scans, top and bottom.]

Yes, yes, this is precisely how we are all living, here in 2009!

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 02, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Business, Advertising, Domestic, Family, Technology, 1950s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Super Clarinet

A reader named Luke--thanks, Luke!--points us toward this triple-sized musical instrument. It reminds me of something Dr. Seuss would've drawn.

Posted By: Paul - Fri May 29, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Music, Technology, Reader Recommendation

Monorail!

June 2009 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Disneyland Monorail System. Let's all let out a lusty cheer for the mass-transportation breakthrough of the future which is always and forever just around the corner of feasibility. Maybe you'd even like to join THE MONORAIL SOCIETY to celebrate.

Or listen to this:

Posted By: Paul - Wed May 27, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Fairs, Amusement Parks, and Resorts, Futurism, Music, Technology, Cartoons, 1950s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Flexi Discs

Vinyl records maintain a certain level of popularity these days. But I don't think anyone plans on reviving the Flexi Disc, which ceased production in the year 2000.

Visit this great site for a history of this odd phenomenon. Be sure to look at the Flexi Disc stamps from Bhutan!

Posted By: Paul - Sun May 24, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Music, Technology, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

A Case of Spring Fever

The MST3K crew tackled this one years ago, but here's the raw original so you can insert your own funny talkback.

Posted By: Paul - Sat May 16, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Dreams and Nightmares, Technology, 1940s

Weird Cars: Steam Powered Cars

At the beginning of the 20th Century, gasoline was difficult to store safely and therefore was considered a bad choice for a motor vehicle fuel. Steam engines were a highly refined technology and widely understood by the public. Steam powered cars ran on kerosene, which does not explode when burned. The one drawback was that you had to let your car build up a head of steam for up to half an hour before you could drive it. The car pictured below is a Stanley Steamer. Stanley made cars from 1896 to 1924.



More in extended >>

Posted By: fyshstyxx - Wed May 13, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Technology, Cars

They Had That Back Then? #2

Today's lesson: Musical Ring Tones.


(from the May 1956 issue of Popular Science)

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Tue May 12, 2009 - Comments (4)
Category: Inventions, Music, Technology, 1950s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows