Technology
Abacus vs. Calculator
Nov 1946: In a contest of old vs. new technology, the abacus beat a calculator in a contest of speed in all categories (addition, subtraction, and division) except multiplication.I'm assuming a modern computer should now be able to outperform an abacus, though I suppose it would depend on how quickly one can input the numbers.
More info: Abacus vs. the Electric Calculator
The Californian - Nov 11, 1946
Detroit Free Press - Nov 4, 1946
Posted By: Alex - Wed Dec 02, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Computers, 1940s
My Girlfriend in Walk
For those who would like to hold someone's hand as they walk around, but can't find anyone human who will oblige, engineers at Gifu University in Japan have invented the "My Girlfriend in Walk". It's a robotic hand covered in soft, skin-like gel that will grip your hand. Plus, it emits the scent of a woman's shampoo, and (through a smartphone app) can simulate the sounds of breathing and rustling clothes.The inventors hope that it might help people who have been isolated due to the pandemic.
More info: SoraNews24
Posted By: Alex - Sun Nov 08, 2020 -
Comments (5)
Category: Technology, AI, Robots and Other Automatons, Love & Romance
All Things Fall
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 06, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Death, Technology, Special Effects
Mystery Gadget 88
What's going on with these airplanes?The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 22, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s
The Techno-Chemical Receipt Book
This is one of those volumes you pack away for when civilization collapses, as it give the formulas for making from scratch glass, nitroglycerin, glue, and a thousand other handy things.
Read it here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 13, 2020 -
Comments (2)
Category: Science, Technology, Books, Nineteenth Century
The Chelsea Flash Pistol
Source of first pic.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 22, 2020 -
Comments (0)
Category: Death, Destruction, Photography and Photographers, Technology, Nineteenth Century
Hand Taser, 1935
Source.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Aug 21, 2020 -
Comments (1)
Category: Crime, Inventions, Police and Other Law Enforcement, Technology, 1930s
Mystery Gadget 87
This device measures something. What?
The answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 19, 2020 -
Comments (3)
Category: Technology, 1900s
Mystery Gadget 86
What's going on here?
Answer at the link, or beyond the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 01, 2020 -
Comments (5)
Category: Technology, 1930s
Accidental Prophets
From 1966.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 31, 2020 -
Comments (8)
Category: Fashion, Technology, Telephones, Zeitgeist, Advertising, Anomie, Exhaustion, and General Malaise
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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 |