One would hope that the inventors of the ballyhooed “Golden Goose” device that scrambles eggs inside their shells would acknowledge an intellectual debt to Ron Popeil, whose inside-the-shell egg-scrambler was heavily advertised on American TV several decades ago. The devices operate on different principles, but are clearly stops on the same technological history highway. Mr. […]
Tag: invention
Hydraulic invention: No need to clamber for theater seating
Next time someone disrupts your evening by clambering in or out of a nearby theatre seat, remember: it needn’t be this way. In 1924, Louis J Duprey of Dorchester, Massachusetts, patented a system that “permits any patron of the theatre to enter or leave his place without at all disturbing other patrons”. You, the patron, entered vertically, […]
A newly patented use for old new teeth
If you’ve ever been at a loss for ideas when it comes to finding a use for a child’s discarded primary teeth – a new US patent (#8661849) provides suggestions (though you might want to check with the inventor as to royalty arrangements for using his invention): “The invention discloses jewelry made of disinfected, pulverized […]
A circumcision device “similar to a pizza cutter”
New technology to watch out for: “CIRCUMCISION DEVICE AND PROCEDURE,” US patent application 2012/0303040, R. Michael Johnson, York, PA, (US); Pietro Ranieri, Haddonfeld, NJ (US); Kristin Chrouser, Baltimore, MD (US); Sheila Green, November 29, 2012. The document includes this passage: “Several alternative cutting means can be used to make the circumcision cut around the circumference […]
To hasten the birth of a child, apply centrifugal force [Blonsky!]
While some persons in Britain eagerly await the birth of a royal child [if you are one of those persons, see the live webcam provided by The Sun newspaper], we remind you that George and Charlotte Blonsky solved the general problem. Their patent, granted in 1965, is for a device to assist in birthing a […]
Showcasing the Venturi Didgeridoo (new patent)
Dr. Charles Adams Eaton, who is an instructor at the University of New Mexico, has invented the “Venturi Didgeridoo” (or “Reverse Didgeridoo”) for which a US patent 8,466,361 was granted June 18, 2013. The new didgeridoo not only manages to produce much lower tones than would normally be expected for its length, it also converts […]
Technical innovation: Combined life preserver and traveling bag
No matter what you may think, this is described as a combined life preserver and traveling bag. See it, and read a description, on page 679 of the November 1915 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine.
Patent for a Jerkmeter
If you study jerks in a formal way, you are probably familiar with jerkmeters. Here’s a comforting treasure, the 1966 patent for one of the most beloved of all jerkmeter designs: 3,230,777 JERKMETER. Jacob Chass, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Robinson-Halpern Company, West Conshohocken, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Dec. 17, 1962, […]
A Tool for Removing Stubborn Nuts
Society needs a tool for removing stubborn nuts. And thanks to William R. Lamphere, society has one. Here’s the patent: “Tool for Removing Stubborn Nuts,” William R. Lamphere, US patent #4446622, issued May 8, 1984.
Some vexed machines
Donald Simanek compiled a long, yet undoubtedly very, very partial list of patents for machines that do not and, by their nature, cannot work as described. (Thanks to investigator Timmy Barton for bringing it to our attention.) Here’s one item: 1857 [No. 1330] Peter Armand le Comte de Fontainemoreau of London, Agent. Hydraulic motor. The “bucket […]