Category: Technology
The Hopkins Beast
Back in the early 1960s, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab created one of the first autonomous robots. They called it "The Beast." From Popular Science, Sep 1964:A computer brain and a flexible arm with microswitch fingers enable a robot to "stay alive" at the Johns Hopkins physics lab. Called "The Beast," the wheeled, two-foot high robot "senses" when its batteries are beginning to run down. It then feels its way along a wall until its fingers find an electrical outlet, plugs itself in and gets a revitalizing charge. "The Beast" has no function other than to satisfy the impish sense of humor of the Hopkins scientists.
The picture of "The Beast" comes from frc.ri.cmu.edu.
Soviet Space Stamps
saert.
Click on the image twice, to get them really big!
Posted By: Paul | Date: Thu Dec 11, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (8)
Category: Art, Communications, Postal Services, Stamps, Futurism, Patriotism, Technology, Space Travel, 1960's, Yesterday's Tomorrows, Russia
Category: Art, Communications, Postal Services, Stamps, Futurism, Patriotism, Technology, Space Travel, 1960's, Yesterday's Tomorrows, Russia
Phone Spell
What phonespell does: "Enter a 6 to 10 digit phone number and we'll show you what words and phrases your phone number spells."The only semi-meaningful phrase in my phone number was "alpa".
Please don't leave your full number (spelled out) in the comments, even if it is something really cool. We don't want to be responsible for crazy people calling you.
High Cost of Electronics
In a recent post featuring a typewriter advertisement, the discussion turned to the high cost of electronics in past eras.Check out the price for this early calculator. The ad dates from "the early 1970's," according to the site where I found it. The Online Inflation Calculator says:
"What cost $345 in 1974 would cost $1435.60 in 2007."
Posted By: Paul | Date: Tue Nov 04, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (19)
Category: Business, Products, Technology, 1970's
Category: Business, Products, Technology, 1970's
Hoberman Arch
Six years have passed since the whole world saw the wonderfully weird portal created by Chuck Hoberman, but it's never too soon to admire it again.Wouldn't you want a small version of this in your home?
Posted By: Paul | Date: Thu Oct 30, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (14)
Category: Inventions, Sports, Television, Technology
Category: Inventions, Sports, Television, Technology
Spring Heel Shoe
The verdict is still out, however, on whether wearing them will turn you into the mythic monster known as Spring-heeled Jack.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Wed Oct 22, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (21)
Category: Fashion, Shoes, Flight, Human Marvels, Stupidity, Technology, Fictional Monsters
Category: Fashion, Shoes, Flight, Human Marvels, Stupidity, Technology, Fictional Monsters
Follies of the Mad Men #36
Because satyriasis and nymphomania are such funny hooks with which to pitch a lubricant.
Posted By: Paul | Date: Sun Oct 12, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (13)
Category: Addictions, Sex, Business, Advertising, Products, Technology, 1980's
Category: Addictions, Sex, Business, Advertising, Products, Technology, 1980's
Survival Under Atomic Attack
A reader named John, commenting on the WHY STUDY SCIENCE? thread, asked to see a film about surviving atomic attack. Here it is, John!(There's no static image on the screen, but just click the PLAY button on the bottom of the viewing window.)
Posted By: Paul | Date: Wed Sep 24, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (13)
Category: Armageddon and Apocalypses, Disasters, History, Military, Movies, Patriotism, Technology, War, Weapons, Reader Recommendation, 1950's, Yesterday's Tomorrows
Category: Armageddon and Apocalypses, Disasters, History, Military, Movies, Patriotism, Technology, War, Weapons, Reader Recommendation, 1950's, Yesterday's Tomorrows
Why Study Science?
Has science ever looked duller than in this video?
Posted By: Paul | Date: Fri Sep 19, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (6)
Category: Boredom, Education, Family, Children, Parents, Futurism, Pop Culture, Yesterday's Tomorrows, Science, Technology, Video, 1950's
Category: Boredom, Education, Family, Children, Parents, Futurism, Pop Culture, Yesterday's Tomorrows, Science, Technology, Video, 1950's
Kiddie Treadmills
Posted By: Paul | Date: Thu Sep 18, 2008 | Permalink |
Comments (22)
Category: Business, Products, Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Family, Children, Parents, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Technology
Category: Business, Products, Exercise and Fitness, Fads, Family, Children, Parents, Frauds, Cons and Scams, Technology
Category: Robots, Technology