No Extinct Inventions??

NPR's science reporter, Robert Krulwich, has made a bet with WIRED Magazine's founding editor, Kevin Kelly. Their wager is about whether there are any inventions in human history that aren't still produced today. Robert believes that this must of course be true, and he said that he would easily be able to find a tool or invention that is no longer being made. Kelly says no. He hasn't been able to find any technology that is not currently produced by someone in the world.

So far, Robert hasn't been able to find anything ranging from paleolithic hammers to agricultural tools from the 1895 Montgomery Ward catalogue that isn't still made today. (Modern hobbyists interested in making stone arrowheads are the market for brand-new paleolithic hammers). Robert is calling on all of us for help in finding some tool that has become extinct.

If you can help, post your ideas here, and Robert will post the most promising candidates in his blog.

Accidental Inventions

I enjoyed this article on accidental inventions, most of which I had heard of, but not all. A few comments...

1) The #1 accidental invention, the microwave, was invented by a fellow native Mainer, Percy Spencer.

2) I wouldn't really call velcro an accidental invention. George de Mestral got the idea from walking his dog, but had to do a lot more work and experimentation to actually "invent" velcro.

3) I'm very surprised that Post-It Sticky Notes didn't make the list. In my opinion, it is probably the most well known story of accidental invention. The inventors were actually trying to make a strong adhesive when they instead created a reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive. They found when applied to paper, it could be used to stick the paper to surfaces multiple times. I've heard that the yellow color was just a coincidence as well - a lab next door had a bunch of scrap yellow paper lying around.

The good news of all these stories is that stimulus for new ideas surrounds us every day. Seek out new information, but also observe the everyday opportunities and challenges around you. Who knows what you will discover!

Frisbee Inventor Walter Frederick Morrison (1920-2010)

Last week, the inventor of the Frisbee, Walter "Fred" Morrison passed away at the age of 90. Fred came up with the idea for the Frisbee shortly after World War II. He realized that flinging cake pans through the air was a lot of fun, but a more aerodynamic "pan" would work a lot better. In fact, a lot of people and groups lay claim to "inventing" the Frisbee concept since tossing pie and cake pans was apparently a pretty popular activity on college campuses and beaches for many years. But, it was Fred Morrison, with the help of his wife and some colleagues, who developed a better flying disc made out of plastic.

He originally named the disc the "Pluto Platter" to cash in on the flying saucer craze of the 1950s. He sold the invention to the Wham-O toy company, which eventually changed the name to Frisbee because that's what college students in New England were calling it since they associated the toy with the tossed pies of the Frisbie Pie Company.

This innovation has created hours of enjoyment for people everywhere and for many happy dogs. Thanks, Fred, for all the fun!

Calling Women Inventors!

Kelly Ripa, yes, the woman who co-hosts Live with Regis and Kelly and magically flips cookies to the kids in those Electrolux commercials, has teamed up with TLC and the Home Shopping Network to give women inventors the opportunity to pitch their products on HSN.

The show will help the inventors get their inventions manufactured and marketed.

Here are the qualifications:

• You must be a woman 18 or older and a citizen of the United States
• You must have a unique invention or product, plus a working prototype
• You must have a great, outgoing personality and plenty of passion to back up your product or invention!
• All applicants are subject to background check and standard television release forms
• Prohibited products: weapons, alcohol, dietary supplements, weight loss products, medical devices and skin care products with aggressive claims

You can find information about how to audition here. There are some UMaine alumni who have been very successful in selling their products on television shopping networks, including the Slanket on QVC. Maybe this could be your chance!