Technology
Mystery Gadget 99
What tha--?Answer is here.
Or after the jump.
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Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 12, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Technology, 1940s
The Microsoft Hinged Box
Microsoft received its first patent in 1986 (Patent No. 4,588,074). By this time it was already a huge company, having released Microsoft Windows the previous year. But its first patent wasn't for anything related to computers or software. Instead, it was for a kind of hinged box designed to store and support books and articles.It then didn't receive any more patents for another two years.
I'm curious about the backstory of this hinged box. What inspired its invention? Did Microsoft ever attempt to manufacture or sell it? And why did the company feel compelled to patent it?
Posted By: Alex - Thu Jan 06, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Technology, 1980s
Earth’s Black Box
On an empty plain in Tasmania there now sits a metallic structure filled with storage drives that is recording "every step we take" toward climate-change catastrophe. Its creators — marketing communications company Clemenger BBDO in collaboration with University of Tasmania researchers — describe it as "Earth's Black Box".Perhaps I'm too cynical, but I predict that the project is abandoned within 20 years and this turns into an architectural curiosity sitting in the middle of nowhere. I was going to say 10 years, but I'll be charitable.
More info: cnet.com, EarthsBlackBox.com
Posted By: Alex - Tue Jan 04, 2022 -
Comments (3)
Category: Architecture, Armageddon and Apocalypses, Technology
Rejuvenique Facial Toning Mask
Still being made and sold! Get yours via the Amazon link below!
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jan 04, 2022 -
Comments (3)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Body Modifications, Inventions, Technology, Twentieth Century, Twenty-first Century
Ads between telephone rings
I can only imagine how annoying it would be to have to listen to advertisements between rings whenever you phoned someone. And unfortunately the technology to do this has been developed. Neil Sleevi was granted a patent for it in 1989 (Patent No. 4,811,382), and Bell Atlantic promptly bought the rights to it.
Faced with public outcry, Bell Atlantic subsequently claimed that, even though they did buy the rights to the patent, they never had any intention of inserting ads between telephone rings, dismissing the entire notion as a silly rumor. But I'm pretty sure they would have done it if they had thought they could get away with it.
Baltimore Sun - Dec 14, 1991
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jan 02, 2022 -
Comments (5)
Category: Technology, Telephones, Advertising, Patents, 1990s
Merry Christmas 2021!
Have a wonderful holiday!
Posted By: Paul - Sat Dec 25, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Holidays, Christmas, Music, Technology, 1970s
The Mailomat
Very handy for Xmas rush!Article source: Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California)10 Dec 1939, Sun Page 59
Another good article here, with more pics.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 24, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Technology, 1930s, 1940s, Postal Services
Mystery Gadget 98
What function is the large and complicated box performing?Answer is here.
Or after the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Thu Dec 23, 2021 -
Comments (6)
Category: Technology, 1940s
Hotel Automat
Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 19, 2021 -
Comments (4)
Category: Inventions, Technology, Hotels, 1960s
The Gramocar or Record Runner
The Gramocar has gone under a variety of different names: Chorocco, Record Runner, Soundwagon, and Vinyl Killer. But I like Gramocar the best.It was invented in the 1970s by a team at Sony who had the idea that instead of playing a vinyl record by spinning the disc and keeping the needle stationary, it would be possible to keep the disc stationary and move the needle. They designed the moving needle as a miniature VW van, with built-in speakers, that drove in circles around the surface of a record.
Sony got a patent on the invention (US4232202) but was initially reluctant to manufacture it, saying, "We are a hi-fi company, not a toy company." But they changed their mind, and some were sold in Japan. In that way, the Gramocar gained enough of a following that other manufacturers eventually began making them. And you can still buy one today at RecordRunner.jp.
More info: New Scientist - Feb 5, 1981
Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 08, 2021 -
Comments (1)
Category: Music, Technology, Patents, 1970s, Cars
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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 |