Small but significant inventions.

13 Little-Known Inventors of Common Things







1. MARGARET KNIGHT - FLAT-BOTTOMED PAPER BAG (1869)






A grade school dropout who lived in Springfield, Mass., Margaret Knight loved mechanical devices and machinery. From 1867 to 1869, she devised the heavy machinery necessary to produce the modern flat-bottomed bag. The practicality of Knight's paper bag was far superior to the existing paper bag, whose origin is unknown. For the paper bag and dozens of other inventions, she received very little compensation. At her death, her estate was valued at a mere $275.05.






2. JOSEPH GLIDDEN - BARBED WIRE (1874)





A resident of De Kalb, Ill., Joseph Glidden took a rudimentary version of barbed wire-first patented by Henry M. Rose-and changed it into a new type that became a commercial success. Glidden's wire, patented in 1874, featured a new way of holding the barbs securely in place. The improved wire allowed cattle ranchers in the Great Plains area to fence off cheaply and effectively large tracts of land. Glidden, who grew up on a farm in New York, disliked traveling and never visited the west, where his invention was most widely used.






3. WILLIAM PAINTER - CROWN BOTTLE CAP (1892)






A Quaker who lived in Baltimore, Maryland, William Painter invented the bottle cap, the machinery to manufacture it, and the method to attach it to bottles. Painter, an engineer, formed the Crown Cork and Seal Company to exploit his invention, which eventually made him a millionaire. Painter's bottle cap was the only one used for decades, until the appearance of the twist-off cap in the 1960s.






4. WHITCOMB L. JUDSON - ZIPPER (1893)






On August 29, 1893, Whitcomb Judson of Chicago patented the zipper-two thin metal chains that could be fastened together by pulling a metal slider up between them. Intended for use on boots and shoes, Judson's zipper was marketed in 1896 as the "universal fastener." However, the zipper as we know it today was designed by a Swedish engineer from Hoboken, N.J., Gideon Sundback. In 1913 Sundback patented his "seperable fastener," the first zipper with identical units mounted on parallel tapes.






5. JACQUES BRANDENBERGER - CELLOPHANE (1908)






As a hobby, aristocratic Swiss chemist and businessman Jacques Brandenberger spent nearly 10 years experimenting with the machinery needed to mass-produce cellophane, a material he had invented. In 1908 he patented the manufacturing process, and three years later he began to sell his product. At first the transparent sheets were expensive and used only as wrapping paper for luxurious gifts. Today cellophane is produced cheaply and is used primarily by the food industries. The enormous success of cellophane enabled Brandenberger to retire comfortably and collect Louis XV antiques.






6. ROSE CECIL O'NEILL - KEWPIE DOLL (1909)






Born in Pennsylvania, Rose O'Neill was educated in convents in Omaha, Nebraska and New York, NY. At age 15 she began looking for work as a magazine illustrator and by age 30 she was earning a sizable income. In December, 1909, the Ladies Home Journal printed one of O'Neill's poems with illustrations about a band of Kewpies (Cupid-like imps with tiny wings and curliques of hair on their foreheads) who stole a wealthy child's Christmas toys. She patented the dolls in 1913 and went on to write and illustrate four successful books that featured Kewpies.






7. GEORGES CLAUDE - NEON SIGN (1910)







French chemist and physicist Georges Claude invented an electric discharge tube containing neon, which resulted in the first neon sign in 1910. In the late 1920s Claude tried, unsuccessfully, to use seawater to generate electricity. During WWII, he believed that Germany would be victorious and collaborated with the Nazis. After the war, Claude was charged with treason, found guilty, and sentenced to life imprisonment.






8. WALLACE HUME CAROTHERS - NYLON (1934)


An extremely emotional, shy and humorless man, Wallace Hume Carothers worked as a research chemist for E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company. At Du Pont, Carothers invented the first nylon thread by squeezing a chemical solution through a hypodermic needle in 1934. Originally known as Polymer 66, nylon was first used for stockings and toothbrushes. Depressed over the death of his sister and feeling himself a failure as a scientist, even though he had been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, Carothers committed suicide in 1937. He never realized the full potential of his creation.






9-10. CARLSON MAGEE and GERALD HALE - PARKING METER (1935)






In the late 1920s, Carlson Magee, a newspaperman and member of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, asked mechanical engineering professor Gerald Hale to devise a timing mechanism to regulate parking. Fascinated with the project, Hale invented the parking meter. In 1935, 150 were installed on streets in Oklahoma City. People disliked the new invention, and when similar meters were put on streets in Mobile, Ala. that same year, a group of concerned citizens chopped them down with axes.






11. SYLVAN GOLDMAN - SHOPPING CART (1937)






Oklahoma City supermarket owner Sylvan Goodman looked at a pair of folding chairs in his office and was inspired to invent the shopping cart. On June 4, 1937, he utilized the first shopping carts in his own Standard Supermarkets. Today there are 30 to 35 million shopping carts in the U.S. and 1.25 million new ones are manufactured each year. Goldman became a millionaire.






12. CHESTER CARLSON - XEROGRAPHIC COPIER (1938)







The son of a Swedish immigrant barber, physicist Chester Carlson invented the dry, or xerographic method of copying in the back room of his mother-in-law's beauty salon in the Queens borough of New York. The patent royalties on the invention, which was bought by the Haloid Company (later Xerox) in 1947, made Carlson a multi-millionaire. His first copier is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.






13. ROBERT ABPLANALP - AEROSOL VALVE (1949)







A 27-year-old mechanical engineer and machine shop owner, Robert Abplanalp revolutionized the aerosol spray can industry in 1949 with his 7-part leakproof valve. Abplanalp started the Precision Valve Corporation to manufacture, market and sell the valve which has since earned him well over $100 million. Every year Precision Valve manufactures one billion aerosol valves in the U.S. and one-half billion in ten foreign countries. Abplanalp, one of ex-president Richard Nixon's closest friends, commented on his success: "Edison said genius was 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. I say it's 2% inspiration, 8% work and 90% luck. I'm a lucky guy." But the world may not be so lucky. Many scientists believe that the fluorocarbons, which were used in spray cans for almost 30 years, are destroying the earth's protective ozone layer.

INVENTION OF THE ICE CREAM SCOOP

Alfred L. Cralle


Inventor, ice cream scoop, U.S. Patent #576,395
 

 
born on September 4, 1866 in Lunenberg County, Virginia.



attended the local school and worked with his father in the carpentry business as a young man.


when he was older, he became interested in mechanics.


attended Wayland Seminary in Washington, D.C., one of many schools created to help educate African-Americans after the end of the Civil War.


moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where he worked as a porter in Markell Brothers' drug store and the St. Charles Hotel.


While working at the drug store, he noticed that everyone enjoyed eating ice cream but it was difficult to scoop because the ice cream seemed to always stick to the spoons and ladles.


invented a mechanical device called the ice cream mold or disher to keep ice cream from sticking, which was strong, inexpensive, and could be shaped like a cone or a mound, and was so well designed we still use the same design today.


He received a patent on February 2, 1897, patent number 576,395.

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Plants react to sound, make noises

The Hindu : Sci-Tech : Plants react to sound, make noises

Aspartame..Sugar Free tab;ets

The invention An artificial sweetener with a comparatively natural taste widely used in carbonated beverages. The people behind the invention Arthur H. Hayes, Jr. (1933- ), a physician and commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) James M. Schlatter (1942- ), an American chemist Michael Sveda (1912- ), an American chemist and inventor Ludwig Frederick Audrieth (1901- ), an American chemist and educator Ira Remsen (1846-1927), an American chemist and educator Constantin Fahlberg (1850-1910), a German chemist. Sweetness Without Calories People have sweetened food and beverages since before recorded history. The most widely used sweetener is sugar, or sucrose. The only real drawback to the use of sucrose is that it is a nutritive sweetener: In addition to adding a sweet taste, it adds calories. Because sucrose is readily absorbed by the body, an excessive amount can be life-threatening to diabetics. This fact alone would make the development of nonsucrose sweeteners attractive. There are three common nonsucrose sweeteners in use around the world: saccharin, cyclamates, and aspartame. Saccharin was the first of this group to be discovered, in 1879. Constantin Fahlberg synthesized saccharin based on the previous experimental work of Ira Remsen using toluene (derived from petroleum). This product was found to be three hundred to five hundred times as sweet as sugar, although some people could detect a bitter aftertaste. In 1944, the chemical family of cyclamates was discovered by Ludwig Frederick Audrieth and Michael Sveda. Although these compounds are only thirty to eighty times as sweet as sugar, there was no detectable aftertaste. By the mid-1960’s, cyclamates had resplaced saccharin as the leading nonnutritive sweetener in theUnited States. Although cyclamates are still in use throughout the world, in October, 1969, FDA removed them from the list of approved food additives because of tests that indicated possible health hazards. A Political Additive Aspartame is the latest in artificial sweeteners that are derived from natural ingredients—in this case, two amino acids, one from milk and one from bananas. Discovered by accident in 1965 by American chemist James M. Schlatter when he licked his fingers during an experiment, aspartame is 180 times as sweet as sugar. In 1974, the FDAapproved its use in dry foods such as gum and cerealand as a sugar replacement. Shortly after its approval for this limited application, the FDA held public hearings on the safety concerns raised by JohnW. Olney, a professor of neuropathology at Washington University in St. Louis. There was some indication that aspartame, when combined with the common food additive monosodium glutamate, caused brain damage in children. These fears were confirmed, but the risk of brain damage was limited to a small percentage of individuals with a rare genetic disorder. At this point, the public debate took a political turn: Senator William Proxmire charged FDA Commissioner AlexanderM. Schmidt with public misconduct. This controversy resulted in aspartame being taken off the market in 1975. In 1981, the new FDA commissioner, Arthur H. Hayes, Jr., resapproved aspartame for use in the same applications: as a tabletop sweetener, as a cold-cereal additive, in chewing gum, and for other miscellaneous uses. In 1983, the FDAapproved aspartame for use in carbonated beverages, its largest application to date. Later safety studies revealed that children with a rare metabolic disease, phenylketonuria,could not ingest this sweetener without severe health risks because of the presence of phenylalanine in aspartame. This condition results in a rapid buildup in phenylalanine in the blood. Laboratories simulated this condition in rats and found that high doses of aspartame inhibited the synthesis of dopamine, a neurotransmitter. Once this happens, an increase in the frequency of seizures can occur. There was no direct evidence, however, that aspartame actually caused seizures in these experiments. Many other compounds are being tested for use as sugar replacements, the sweetest being a relative of aspartame. This compound is seventeen thousand to fifty-two thousand times sweeter than sugar. Impact The business fallout from the approval of a new low-calorie sweetener occurred over a short span of time. In 1981, sales of thisartificial sweetener by G. D. Searle and Company were $74 million. In 1983, sales rose to $336 million and exceeded half a billion dollars the following year. These figures represent sales of more than 2,500tons of this product. In 1985, 3,500 tons of aspartame were consumed. Clearly, this product’s introduction was a commercial success for Searle. During this same period, the percentage of reduced calorie carbonated beverages containing saccharin declined from100 percent to 20 percent in an industry that had $4 billion in sales. Universally, consumers preferred products containing aspartame; the bitter aftertaste of saccharin was rejected in favor of the new, less powerful sweetener. There is a trade-off in using these products. The FDA found evidence linking both saccharin and cyclamates to an elevated incidence of cancer. Cyclamates were banned in the United States for this reason. Public resistance to this measure caused the agency to back away from its position. The rationale was that, compared toother health risks associated with the consumption of sugar (especially for diabetics and overweight persons), the chance of getting cancer was slight and therefore a risk that many people wouldchoose to ignore. The total domination of aspartame in the sweetener market seems to support this assumption.

Interesting facts in geography.

Iceland is the world's oldest functioning democracy







Mongolia is the largest landlocked country






Because heat expands the metal, the Eiffel Tower always leans away from the Sun






There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower






In Calama, a town in the Atacama Desert of Chile, it has never rained






The only man-made structure visible from space is the Great Wall of China






Birth-control campaigns in Egypt in the late 1970s failed because village women ended up wearing the pills in lockets, as talismans






Niagara Falls has moved about ten miles upstream in the last 10,000 years. The falls are eroding at the rate of 5 feet per year






The Sahara desert is expanding half a mile south every year






The Channel between England and France grows about 300 millimeters each year






The Hudson River along the island of Manhattan flows in either direction depending on the tide.






There is now an ATM at McMurdo Station in Antarctica, which has a winter population of 200 people






The Australian term for extras in cricket are 'sundries'






In early Rome, March 1 was New Year's Day. Later, the ancient Romans made January 1 the beginning of the year






Ancient Persians gave New Year's gifts of eggs, symbolizing productivity






Due to precipitation, for a few weeks K2 is bigger than Mt Everest






Vietnamese currency consists only of paper money; no coins






Canada declared national beauty contests canceled as of 1992, claiming they were degrading to women






There are more Rolls Royce cars in Hong Kong than anywhere else in the world






Until 1896, India was the only source for diamonds to the world






It snowed in the Sahara Desert in February of 1979






Australia's national anthem is called Advance Australia Fair






The only nation whose name begins with an A, but doesn't end in an A is Afghanistan






The Atlantic Ocean gets wider by a little more than one inch every year






The world's only city whose name consists solely of vowels is Aiea, in Hawaii, USA.






Soldiers in the Netherlands are not required to salute officers






Los Angeles' full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula" . In English this means 'The City of Angels'






The Netherlands has built 800 miles of massive dikes and sea walls to hold back the sea. If it wasn't for these walls, 40% of the country would be flooded.






Big Ben is actually the name of the largest bell inside the London clock tower, not of the clock itself.






In 1867 the United States paid Russia only $7.2 million (2 cents an acre) for Alaska






Every year in France there is a "Thieves Fair" where people are encouraged to try to steal things from the stalls






The world's longest street is in Canada. Toronto's Yonge Street runs 1,190 miles






In the kingdom of Bhutan, all citizens officially become a year older on New Year's Day






Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, was born in the ancient southeastern Turkish town of Lycia early in the fourth century






Belgium is the only country that has never imposed censorship for adult films






The Nullarbor Plain of Australia covers 100,000 square miles without a tree.






Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country






Australia is the only continent on earth without an active volcano.






In Turkey, in the 16th and 17th centuries, anyone caught drinking coffee was put to death






There are twice as many kangaroos in Australia as there are people.






There are no public toilets in Peru






Mickey Mouse is known as "Topolino" in Italy






The oldest national flag still in existence, that of Denmark, dates back to the 13th century






Nepal is the only country that doesn't have a rectangular or square flag






In 1949, the temperature in part of Portugal soared to 158 degrees F for a couple of minutes. No one knows why






Nauru is the only country in the world with no official capital






Windmills always turn counter-clockwise. Except for the windmills in Ireland






It was once against the law to slam your car door in a city in Switzerland






In 1980, Bhutan was the only country in the world with no telephones






There is a hotel in Sweden built entirely out of ice; it is rebuilt every year.






In the great fire of London in 1666 half of London was burnt down but only 6 people were injured.






The longest fence in the world is in Australia and it runs for over 3,436 miles (5,530 km)






In Switzerland, it is illegal to flush the toilet after 10 P.M. if you live in an apartment.






Holland is the lowest country in the world. It is estimated that 40 percent of the land is below sea level.






Tokyo has had 24 recorded instances of people either killed or receiving serious skull fractures while bowing to each other with the traditional Japanese greeting






Netherlands, most densely populated country in the world, followed by Belgium, then Japan






Perth, Australia, is the most isolated city on the planet..200 miles across impenetrable desert from the next city of any size.






Los Angeles's full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina delos Angeles de Porciuncula" . It means the City of Angels.






India never invaded any country in her last 10000 years of history.






In Thailand, it is illegal to leave your house if you are not wearing underwear






In Israel, picking your nose is illegal.






In Sweden, while prostitution is legal, it is illegal for anyone to use the services of a prostitute.






On every continent there is a city called Rome.






Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with a population of 1,000 and a size of 108.7 acres.






China has only about 200 family names.






The country with the most Post offices is India with over 152,792 compared with just over 38,000 in the United States.






Colombia produces the most emeralds of any country in South America.






The world's largest gold mine is in Juneau, Alaska






Namibia, Africa, supplies the most valuable diamonds of the 18 countries in southern Africa rich with diamonds.






Switzerland attracts the most suicide tourists.






India has no rabbits in the wild � only hares






In Tokyo, a bicycle is faster than a car for most trips of less than 50 minutes!






It's illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while you're sitting on a curb in St. Louis, Missouri!






It's against the law to pawn your dentures in Las Vegas!






It's against the law to burp, or sneeze in a certain churches in Omaha, Nebraska!






The state of Florida is bigger than England!






In Natoma, Kansas, it's illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suits.






It was once against the law to have a pet dog in a city in Iceland!






There are more plastic flamingos in the U.S, than real ones!






About 3000 years ago, most Egyptians died by the time they were 30!






In Bangladesh, kids as young as 15 can be jailed for cheating on their finals!






A company in Taiwan makes dinnerware out of wheat, so you can eat your plate!






Q is the only letter in the alphabet that does not appear in the name of any of the United States!






In Tokyo, they sell toupees for dogs!

George Washington Carver

                                         George Washington Carver in his Tuskegee Laboratory

It is rare to find a man of the caliber of George Washington Carver. A man who would decline an invitation to work for a salary of more than $100,000 a year (almost a million today) to continue his research on behalf of his countrymen.
Agricultural Chemistry







As an agricultural chemist, Carver discovered three hundred uses for peanuts and hundreds more uses for soybeans, pecans and sweet potatoes. Among the listed items that he suggested to southern farmers to help them economically were his recipes and improvements to/for: adhesives, axle grease, bleach, buttermilk, chili sauce, fuel briquettes, ink, instant coffee, linoleum, mayonnaise, meat tenderizer, metal polish, paper, plastic, pavement, shaving cream, shoe polish, synthetic rubber, talcum powder and wood stain.


However, Carver only applied for three patents.

God Gave Them To Me







Carver did not patent or profit from most of his products. He freely gave his discoveries to mankind. Most important was the fact that he changed the South from being a one-crop land of cotton, to being multi-crop farmlands, with farmers having hundreds of profitable uses for their new crops. "God gave them to me" he would say about his ideas, "How can I sell them to someone else?" In 1940, Carver donated his life savings to the establishment of the Carver Research Foundation at Tuskegee, for continuing research in agriculture.


Honors and Awards






George Washington Carver was bestowed an honorary doctorate from Simpson College in 1928. He was an honorary member of the Royal Society of Arts in London, England. In 1923, he received the Spingarn Medal given every year by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. In 1939, he received the Roosevelt medal for restoring southern agriculture. On July 14, 1943, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt honored Carver with a national monument dedicated to his accomplishments. The area of Carver's childhood near Diamond Grove, Missouri preserved as a park, this park was the first designated national monument to an African American in the United States.


"He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world." - Epitaph on the grave of George Washington Carver.