Short stories of human inventions
Archive for October, 2009
EKG Strips – Recording Heart Waves Through EKG Strips
Oct 31st
Getting an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is standard treatment procedure for handling heart ailments. An electrocardiograph works to monitor your heart’s electrical activity and from the data printed out on the EKG strips, the doctor pinpoints distress signals such as abnormal rhythms caused by possible cardiac problems. In some disorders as in the case of mycardial infarction, recordings on the graph can actually determine which heart muscle is damaged.
How it works
These days, EKG readings can be recorded both through a computer and through EKG strips or graph paper. An ECG paper is composed of small blocks that measures 1 mm2. More >
The Timeline of the Telescope
Oct 30th
It is actually quite easy to make a time line with regards to the invention of the telescope as well as how it has evolved over the years. Much has been written about the telescope and good records have been kept with regards to new technologies and inventions. Basically, the telescope time line looks something like this:
1609 – Galileo first invented the telescope. Though it was crude, it still did the trick and allowed him to look into space for the very first time other than with the naked eye. Galileo’s telescope was a reflecting one causing light to bounce More >
Tips on Low Cost Invention Prototyping and Small Volume Production Runs
Oct 26th
Introduction
The purpose of this article is to provide an outline on techniques that can be used to prototype an invention and make a small volume production run. This article will not cover the techniques in detail. There are multiple resources available online for each of the techniques mentioned in the article. Rather this article will show how to combine the techniques to produce a prototype and multiple copies. By using these techniques or variations, an inventor or entrepreneur would be able to make a prototype and multiple copies. In addition, by using the techniques I outlined in a previous article More >
New Invention – Whole House Humidifiers
Oct 25th
We should be grateful to the ever-developing technology for the invention of the whole house humidifier. It is a great thing to have at home for leading a healthy life. The benefits of the whole house humidifiers make us all crave for it.
Whole house humidifiers were made with the motive of regulating the presence of humidity in our homes. But it comes with additional features like purification of air and making the furniture last for a longer period of time. These humidifiers do not allow air borne diseases to enter the house. Consequently, this reduces the occurrence of diseases like More >
4 Simple Inventions That Changed the World
Oct 16th
There are many conveniences that we take for granted these days. In fact, it’s hard to imagine life without many things that were cutting edge long ago! Computers, vehicles, gas and electric ranges, sewing machines and ballpoint pens are just some of the innovations that influence daily life.
They say the simplest inventions are the cleverest. I agree. There is a recent story about a three-year old kid who invented a double-ended broom, one for a coarse brush and one for a fine brush. It’s amazing that he’s the first to patent that. Throughout history, such simple inventions changed the lives More >
Past, Present and Future of Railroads and Rail Construction
Oct 15th
With renewed interest brewing in railroads and rail construction, it would be prudent to look at the history of railroads and rail construction and see how far the technology has come.
Invention
The first signs of a primitive rail system came out of Europe in the 1500′s. This consisted of wooden rails which helped horse drawn wagons to move more smoothly over ground. In the 18th century, iron became more prevalent in use and iron wheels on iron rails was in use by this time. However, horses were still the main means of power. In the 19th century, everything changed with the More >
Discount Drug Stores
Oct 11th
Nowadays, life has become busy and lifestyles have changed from the traditional to the modern. The changed life style and imbalanced diets have tied our life with medicines. The technological growth in the medical field and new medical inventions demonstrate the seriousness of ill health. As a result, the number of drug stores and pharmacies has increased rapidly in numbers.
In 1969, the first discount drug store was opened in Elyria and Ohio. This discount drug store had two subsidiaries. One subsidiary, called Immediate Pharmaceutical Services (IPS) deals with mail order prescriptions.
The other was called Immediate Pharmaceutical Network Services (IPNS). The More >
Lessons in Invention Development – Part 2
Oct 7th
The thought entered my mind that perhaps price, place, and promotion weren’t the only lessons to master. But I did redesign the product, too, in search of the right equation. Still, all of my attempts had failed. I had been blinded by my own dogged perseverance, causing me to fail the most crucial lesson of all. But what could that lesson be? I strained to find the answer, but it seemed time had run out. Then it was confirmed: offers for additional financial backing from my investor, representation, and free trade shows ceased, and with them my excitement and enthusiasm. More >