Short stories of human inventions
Archive for February, 2009
Depression and Divorce – 3 Steps to Easing Depression During a Divorce, Part 2
Feb 23rd
Depression is a common occurrence for people who are facing the process of divorcing form a spouse. There are many changes and feelings of loss involved. Relationships with mutual family member and friends, living arrangements, access to children, finances, and a sense of lifestyle and the ideal of family life are impacted in significant ways. Lingering sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, low energy, anxieties about the future, and changes in sleep or appetite can signal that depression is settling in. For severe cases, medical invention might be needed, but for many milder cases of depression, more More >
5 Ways to Keep Relationships Strong During Tough Economic Times
Feb 21st
How are you doing in your relationship during these difficult economic times? It is normal to be concerned, scared, and even terrified to lose your job, home, retirement fund, etc. However, I imagine that you do not want to also lose your partner. Is your relationship suffering, or are you dealing with the issues constructively? Working together during hard times can actually strengthen your relationship, as it does any successful business.
The following guidelines will help you maintain a healthy, strong, partnership.
1. Avoid Blame.
Pointing your finger at others or yourself will only hurt everyone involved. Fear based anger and guilt feelings More >
The Invention and Inner Workings of the Fluorescent Lamp
Feb 18th
One of the inventions that did not make it into the book was the fluorescent lamp (or tube). That is not to say it isn’t a fascinating story – it certainly is. The trouble is that there is not one big “eureka” moment. It could be said that the fluorescent lamp was never really invented at all but that it evolved over time.
The creation of the fluorescent lamp was a truly joint effort spanning a century: Here are the milestones:
1675: Jean Picard, a French astronomer, noted that mercury in a barometer tube would glow when shaken. He recorded this observation More >
A Hundred Years of Invention – The First Computer
Feb 8th
There’s been a controversy in the computing world when discussing what was the first computer invented.
For years, the accepted pioneer of the digital age was the ENIAC, short for Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer, perhaps because the story associated with the development was one worthy for tabloids and television.
As World War II was coming to a close, the Army had run short of mathematicians and were willing to recruit women. Six women were accepted to work on “Project PX” at the University of Pennsylvania’s Moore School of Electrical Engineering, under John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert. The woman’s job was More >
Evolution of Business in the United States
Feb 3rd
?I. Introduction
The history of modern American economy traces its roots in the 16th century when migrants from Europe came to settle in the country. At that time, the nation was inhabited by Native Americans — indigenous peoples who were recognized according to tribes. Prior to the arrival of European settlers, tribes traded among themselves.
When the Europeans came they established economic interaction with the natives thru the barter or trading of commodities. Such interaction increased tremendously over time – thus becoming the cornerstones of commerce and the foundation of a nation. From the early trading systems, business in America progressed to More >