Tag Archives: Invention

Burr Puzzle

By | |
Leave a comment
Burr Puzzle

Is the Burr puzzle too puzzling?

  • Burr puzzles are interlocking puzzles, assembled by placing notched wood, plastic or metal  sticks together strategically, to make a type of open cube or rectangular prism.
  • A burr puzzle most commonly has 6 pieces and quality burrs are made very accurately allowing pieces to fit together snugly while easily sliding on each other.
  • The term ‘burr puzzle’ is probably reference to the shape of the puzzle being similar to a burr from certain plants, and has been adapted for use with other puzzles without sticks.
  • Although the origin of burr puzzles is unknown, one is depicted in the 1968 engraving by Sébastien Leclerc entitled L’Académie des sciences et des beaux-arts meaning ‘The Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts’.
  • It is said that there are 837 different pieces that could be made for a 6 piece burr puzzle, and there are almost 6 billion possible ways to fit these together to make a puzzle.

Burr Puzzle, Wood, Two, Notches, Skeleton, Light, Dark, Ten Random Facts

  • Some suggest that burr puzzles are of Chinese origin, like many other puzzles, such as tangrams, and reference to traditional Chinese yarn winders, furniture and other items that are constructed in a similar style point to that theory.
  • There are many types of burr puzzles, ranging from 3 to at least 12 pieces, diagonal burrs and holey burrs, and other varieties are also available.
  • With some burr puzzles, pieces are turned or twirled to move them into the correct position, however this is not the case with traditional burrs.
  • The first accepted patent for the burr puzzle was in 1916 by O W Brown, an American, although an earlier patent by J W Keiser was filed.
  • A burr puzzle is known by many other names including ‘six-piece interlocking cube’, ‘puzzle knot’, ‘six wooden sticks’, ‘Devil’s knot’, ‘Lu Ban locks’, ‘Kong Ming locks’ and ‘Chinese Cross’.
Bibliography:
Burr Puzzle, 2013 Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burr_puzzle>
Traditional 6-Piece Burrs, n.d, Rob’s Puzzle Page, <http://home.comcast.net/~stegmann/interlocking.htm>

Amazon:     

Artificial Satellite

By | |
1 Comment
Artificial Satellite

Artificial satellites zipping through space.

  • Satellites are objects that orbit another larger object in space, launched by humankind and there are hundreds, if not thousands of satellites currently orbiting earth.
  • Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite to be successfully launched into space, by the USSR (Soviet Union) on 4 October 1957.
  • Satellites are launched into space by rockets, and orbit up to and beyond 35,786 kilometres (22,236 miles) in altitude.
  • Satellites can be very small, 10 cm (4 inch) cubes, or very large space stations, the largest being the International Space Station.
  • Satellites can be in networks of multiple objects, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) network or a digital or media systems.
Satellite, Out of Space, sideways, Earth, Boeing to build 4 satellites for Asia Broadcast Satellite/Satmex team, Ten Random Facts, Flickr
Satellite
Image courtesy of The Boeing Company/Flickr
  • The earth is not the only body that has orbiting satellites, as the sun, the moon and other neighbouring planets have orbiting artificial objects.
  • Satellites can be destroyed by missile shootings, as Russia, the United States and China have all proven.
  • Satellites have many capabilities and purposes, from navigation, monitoring and observation purposes including the weather, communication facilities, photography uses and space station homes.
  • Satellites rarely collide in space, as they are launched into a satellite-avoiding orbit, and the first accidental collision was in 2009.
  • Satellites are usually fitted with technology like computers that make use of radio signals to send or transmit data to earth.
Bibliography:
Satellite, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite>
What is a Satellite?, 2010, NASA, <http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/what-is-a-satellite-58.html>

Amazon:  

Facial Tissue

By | |
1 Comment
Facial Tissue

Achoo! At least I have a facial tissue.

  • ‘Facial tissues’ are also known as ‘paper handkerchiefs’, ‘tissues’, ‘paper tissues’ and ‘Kleenex’, after a popular brand name.
  • Facial tissues are soft, lightweight disposable paper used for the face, typically to blow one’s nose.
  • Facial tissues act as a replacement of a handkerchief and have the advantage of being disposable, rather than needing washing, and are said to be more hygienic as the used cloths are not left in pockets.
  • Facial tissues are usually made totally of pulp from wood chips and chemicals that break the chips down.
  • People of Japan have used facial tissues for centuries, although Europeans first discovered the practice on a 17th century voyage.

Facial Tissues, Small, Box, Closed, Soft, Panda, Blue, orange, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Kimberly-Clark Corporation invented modern facial tissues in 1924, calling them ‘Kleenex’, made for the purpose of removing makeup or cold cream.
  • Facial tissues can be printed, scented, covered with special lotions, and can be single, double or triple ply.
  • In 1926, a survey was conducted on the use of Kleenex facial tissue, and it was discovered that 60% of people were using the tissue to blow their nose, so Kimberly-Clark changed the way they marketed the product.
  • Facial tissues can be a flushable substitute of toilet paper or as a disposable substitute of a wiping cloth and can have various other uses around the home.
  • Facial tissues vary in size, from small to large, generally depending on the box the tissues are stored in, although a single tissue is generally palm or pocket sized.

 

Bibliography: Elizabeth J, Facial Tissue Facts, 2013, EHow, <http://www.ehow.com/about_5194620_facial-tissue.html>
Facial Tissue, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facial_tissue>

Amazon:     

Balloon

By | |
Leave a comment
Balloon

The balloon goes up, up and away!

  • Balloons are like an artificial sac and are inflated by filling with a type of gas, so that they become 25 – 3o cm (10 – 12 inches) in diameter, although larger and small size balloons are manufactured.
  • Historically, balloons were made from dried animal bladders or intestines and modern balloons are made from rubber, latex, polychloroprene, nylon fabric or foil.
  • In 1824, modern style rubber balloons were invented by an English scientist, Michael Faraday, who was using them in his gas related experiments.
  • Party balloons, the most common type, are typically made of latex and are inexpensive.
  • Balloons will naturally deflate, because the gas inside eventually escapes through the balloon wall, although foil balloons will hold the gas in for much longer periods of time.

Balloon, latex, inflated, deaflated, lotes, small, tied, waterballoons, Ten Random Facts, Australia

  • Balloon modelling involves long tubular balloons that are inflated, that can then be twisted into animals or objects, and are common at parties or fairs.
  • Dropping or releasing balloons outside is popular at celebrations, such as New Year’s Eve or weddings, although many authorities disagree with releasing balloons as they can damage wildlife, environment or power lines.
  • Some balloons are intended to contain water and are easily popped, and are great for throwing at each other, creating a water ‘fight’.
  • Balloons are commonly filled with air or helium, but other gases include oxygen, nitrous oxide and hydrogen.
  • Large balloons have been used in transportation, and are generally known as hot air balloons.
Bibliography:
Balloon, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon>
The History of Balloons, 2002, Balloon HQ, <https://www.balloonhq.com/faq/history.html>

Amazon:     

Coat Hanger

By | |
Leave a comment
Coat Hanger

Need something to stop those creases? Use a coat hanger.

  • ‘Coat hangers’ are also known as ‘coathangers’ or ‘clothes hangers’ and have become an almost essential item in homes and clothes shops throughout the world.
  • Coat hangers act like the shoulders of humans, to hang jackets, coats, jumpers, shirts, dresses or blouses and by adding clips, skirts, kilts and trousers can hang from the waist.
  • Coat hangers are typically shaped as a triangle, or they have two rod like pieces joined at an angle.
  • Coat hangers are designed in all sorts of styles and sizes and are typically made from wire, wood or plastic materials, with plastic being the most popular material.
  • Coat hangers have been used for many things beside hanging clothes, such as cooking food over a fire, locking (and unlocking) mechanisms, connecting electrical circuits, welding and performing emergency lung surgery.

Coathanger, Clothes Hanger, Wooden, Plastic, Black, Brown, Kid, Bear, Metal, Ten Random Facts

  • Coat hangers are said to have been first used in the mid 1800s, which became popular due to the fancy Victorian dresses, and our modern hangers are believed to be based on a clothes hook invented in 1869.
  • Albert J Parkhouse designed a coat hanger in 1903, which was later patented, by twisting wire to hang his and his co-workers clothes on because they were running out of clothes hooks, although it is believed that the owner of the company, John Timberlake, was the one that profited from the design.
  • In the first six years of the 20th century, more than 180 patents were lodged for coathangers.
  • Some wooden and wired coat hangers are padded and covered in fabric or other material to protect delicate garments, to help keep the clothes shape in good condition and so that less creases are formed in the garment.
  • Some coat hangers have become collectible items, due to their age and uniqueness, and there are some manufacturers who encrust their hangers with Swarovski crystals or cover them in gold leaf.
Bibliography:
Clothes Hanger, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothes_hanger>
Deen J, Hanger History, 2006, Displayarama Store Fixtures <http://www.displayarama.com/hangers.htm>
Wire Coat Hanger, 2007, The Great Idea Finder, <http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/coathanger.htm>

Amazon:     

Yo-yo

By | |
Leave a comment
Yo-yo

Spin, spin… Can you do tricks on a yo-yo?

  • Yo-yos are essentially toys, generally composed of  two cylindrical discs connected by an axle, with an attached string.
  • Terracotta examples of yo-yos have been found in Ancient Greek art dating between 400 – 500 BC.
  • The first modern patent of a yo-yo was in 1866 by James Haven and Charles Hettrich, and it was named a ‘whirligig’ and a ‘bandalore’.
  • International yo-yo competitions, where performance is judged, are held all over the world every year, with contestants from many backgrounds.
  • The term ‘yo-yo’ possibly came from one of the languages spoken in the Philippines, from a word meaning ‘come back’ or ‘spring’, although its origins are uncertain.

Easing rebound, Yo-yo, Ned Boomerang, Brand, Trick, Special, Ten Random Facts

  • A yo-yo has also been called a ‘bandalore’ (a French term) and a ‘quiz’, and was named a ‘yo-yo’ in 1928 in the United States, by Pedro Flores, who was a Filipino immigrant.
  • Japan has some of the best yo-yo masters, most notably world champion Shinji Saito.
  • One of the most common yo-yo tricks is ‘walk the dog’, which is when the toy appears to be spinning along the ground in front of your feet.
  • Cheap yo-yos can spin approximately 10-20 seconds, with a record of nearly 4 minutes, while professional ball bearing yo-yos can spin for 1-4 minutes, with a record of just over 21 minutes.
  • Yo-yos are generally symmetrical, with weight distributed more on the edges of the discs, although this can vary.
Bibliography:
Behar, S & Yarham, R 2008, Great Inventions, Igloo Books Ltd, Cottage Farm, Sywell
Yo-yo, 2013, Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yo-yo>

Amazon:     

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...