Today is Wright Brothers Day, which celebrates the brothers’ first successful airplane flight in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina!

Both Orville and Wilbur Wright have been given credit for inventing the world’s first airplane that was equipped with aircraft controls for steering.

The famous aircraft, otherwise known as the “Flyer” made history when its flight lasted 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet on December 17, 1903.

Though this is a feat in and of itself, the Wright brothers’ first flight is even more meaningful for inventors who are actively pursuing their dreams.

In previous blogs, we’ve provided you with tips like how to tune out skeptics and the five qualities of a successful person to name a couple.

Today, to celebrate the inventive spirit of this creative duo who took a chance, defied the odds and revolutionized modern transportation as we know it, we want to share with you three things you might not have known about the Wright brothers.

1. A toy sparked the curiosity to fly.

Intriguing as it is, a toy is what sent the Wright brothers airborne! Both brothers received a toy helicopter that was made from bamboo, cork, paper and a rubber band. A gift from their father’s travels in France, this toy left them amazed as they watched it flutter in the air before it fell to the ground. You could say that it was at this moment that their invention dreams took flight.

2. Genetic geniuses.

Though their father’s toy sparked their interest, it is said the Wright brothers actually inherited their inventive nature and handy-work from their mother, Susan Koerner Wright, who could make almost anything by hand.

3. One and done.

Once the Flyer made its successful flight in addition to a few other flights that day, it was never flown again. This was due in part to the fact that the aircraft was struck with a strong gust of wind and flipped several times. The damage was far too immense and the Flyer was sent back to Ohio and was never flown again.

Because Orville and Wilbur Wright dared to invent, we can admire these two everyday people who on this day 112 years ago decided to follow their invention dreams and become two remarkable inventors.

Will you dare to invent like the Wright brothers?

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/wright-brothers-day

http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-wright-brothers

http://mentalfloss.com/article/72273/15-uplifting-facts-about-wright-brothers

Media:

http://www.wright-brothers.org/Information_Desk/Help_with_Homework/Wright_Photos/Wright_Photos_images/1902_Glider_Launched.jpg

http://cp91279.biography.com/5-Facts-About-the-Wright-Brothers_HD_768x432-16×9.jpg

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So, with the official start of summer beginning on Saturday, June 21, and bathing suit season on the horizon, we thought we would feature more health inventions that might help boost your efforts. Did you ever hear the saying, “Don’t drink your calories?” Well, this new invention allows you to drink your calories, just in moderation!

A new startup by the name of Vessyl may be hitting the market with their sensor-enabled cup, also called Vessyl, that can perform a detailed analysis of the contents inside.

The way that this invention works is that the Vessyl is outfitted with an array of sensors that analyze what’s inside of the cup by volume, nutritional information and beverage type. In fact, this innovative invention can even analyze the brand and flavor of the drink.

To use this invention, first, the user would pour a drink into the cup and lift it up. The cup’s exterior would display the name of the beverage and its relevant nutritional information. Let’s say for example, you pour a glass of orange juice into the Vessyl. The cup will then show you the calorie count as well as the sugar content of the orange juice.

Additionally, the Vessyl has its own mobile app, which can display your stats as well as contextual information. For instance, it will tell the user if they are getting close to their protein goal or their caffeine intake.

Since activity trackers are commonplace in this day and age, Justin Lee, the CEO and cofounder of Mark One, the company behind the invention of the Vessyl, notes, “We are in this next phase of what we can track to really make an impact on our physical health.”

The Vessyl hopes to do just that, help people realize and be aware of the importance of the calories that they consume in their food and beverages.

The company is hoping to raise $50,000 to fund the first stages of production for this latest invention in the health industry. Once it’s all said and done, this device will eventually retail for $200.

Here’s a quick clip to get a better look at how the Vessyl will work!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2014/06/12/vessyl/

http://techcrunch.com/2014/06/12/the-vessyl-is-a-smart-cup-that-knows-your-body/

Media:

http://media1.s-nbcnews.com/i/newscms/2014_24/505591/vessyl_dd05e00b4ffc63a8ea06f347983b8d12.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu4ukHmXKFU

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Although all of the players are integral pieces of the puzzle towards the quest for the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy, none of these games could be played without the most important piece, the actual soccer ball.

To begin, a standard soccer ball is a sphere that is made of 32 smooth panels, 12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons. However, this conventional soccer ball design is a thing of the past.

Over the years, Adidas has designed the soccer balls that are used in the World Cup. During the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Adidas designed the Jabulani ball, which was intended to be aerodynamic in comparison to other soccer balls. However, the players in the tournament begged to differ, saying that the ball was actually “terrible” and that it changed directions mid-flight.

So, for this year’s World Cup, Adidas tweaked their soccer ball invention and created the Brazuca, the official ball of the 2014 World Cup. This soccer ball consists of six textured panels that are shaped like stylized Xs.

In order to perfect this invention, Sungchan Hong and Takeshi Asai, a pair of researchers from the Institute of Health and Sports Science at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, analyzed the aerodynamic properties of the Brazuca ball. Through their research, they put five soccer balls through a series of tests in order to observe their performance.

Their analysis compared the results of wind tunnel tests with actual trajectories through the air. The wind tunnel test results revealed that the Brazuca was the front-runner when it came to the stability of the drag forces, otherwise known as air resistance acting on the ball.

Another set of tests were conducted and each soccer ball was struck 40 times (20 times in each of two orientations) by an “impact-type kick robot” that carried the ball to a goal net 25 meters away. In this test, the Brazuca and a conventional ball were most likely to wind up in the same part of the net after each kick.

Through this battery of tests, the Brazuca soccer ball came out on top.

As previously mentioned, the invention design of the Brazuca includes six panels which distribute the seams differently, creating a smooth flight path. However, the key innovation on this soccer ball is the intentional roughing of the ball’s surface.  On the surface, the Brazuca is covered with small polyurethane nubs that imitate the effect that stitches create on a traditional 32-panel ball. These nubs are used to even out turbulence and cut down on what some experts refer to as knuckleballing.

Through all of these design innovations and with the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicking off today, we are anxious to see if the Brazuca soccer ball will score with the players!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/why-this-years-world-cup-soccer-ball-may-fly-more-predictably-than-the-2010-dud/2014/06/09/37468bee-ea6f-11e3-93d2-edd4be1f5d9e_story.html

http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-world-cup-soccer-ball-brazuca-20140603-story.html

Media:

http://c.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/inline-large/inline/2013/12/3022879-inline-s-6-2013-fifa-world-cup-brasil-ball.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup#mediaviewer/File:WC-2014-Brasil.svg

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Let’s say that you are driving home from work and you enter the seven-mile radius from your house; the Lyric thermostat will start to cool off or heat up your house based solely on the weather outside.

This is the first product of its kind that relies on proximity rather than predictability. The Lyric thermostat will work with both iOS and Android devices so that a user can utilize their smartphone or tablet in order to adjust temperatures remotely.

The built-in proximity sensor signals the display, which turns on and shows current temperatures and statuses that include heating up and cooling down. The edge of the device lights up when certain temperature adjustments occur. For instance, the device turns orange when heating, blue when cooling and green when away/saving energy.

Though all of these features of this invention sound or, in this case, “feel” very innovative, it doesn’t stop there. One of the most unique features of the thermostat is that it works with AccuWeather to take into consideration the humidity outside and other weather elements.

For example, let’s say that it’s a rainy day and it’s 72 degrees and humid. That day definitely feels different than a sunny, 72 degree day. So, the Lyric thermostat adjusts the temperature accordingly.

This invention also is environmentally-friendly and cost effective, because it senses when the house is empty and switches to energy-saving mode. Furthermore, this smart thermostat offers a safety feature as well through a text notification that is sent when someone in your family hits the threshold or arrives home. This is a great feature to use to tell when your kids get home safely!

All in all, this hot idea is translating into a cool invention and the Honeywell Lyric Thermostat will hit stores in August!

Here is a quick clip to see this innovative invention in action:

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/10/honeywell-lyric-thermostat/

http://mashable.com/2014/06/10/honeywell-lyric-thermostat-smart/

Media:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2459192,00.asp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spu8KZvWxGw

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This three-day weekend is the perfect time for people to get outside and cook up some deliciously juicy burgers and hot dogs on the grill.

The roots of American grilling are entangled in life after World War II. When the soldiers returned home, many lived in small bungalows with small backyards. From that point on, all that they wanted was peace and quiet and a place to unwind and relax; thus, the backyard became sacred territory. At first, simple free-standing metal braziers began to replace the traditional barbecue pit. Then, the way food was cooked shifted from slow-cooking techniques to grilling, which as we know, entails cooking meat over high heat.

All inventions go through rounds of varying ideas until the final product can come to fruition and this was exactly the case when it came to the grill. George Stephen was a father with a growing family and enjoyed the taste of grilled steak; however, he struggled with his flat, open brazier. So, rather than continue fighting, he decided to take matters into his own hands and come up with a better way to grill.

Would you believe us if we told you the first gas grill was actually made from a buoy that was cut in half? Although this may not sound like the safest mode of grilling, the invention idea for the grill was born from a buoy!

It all began in 1952, when George Stephen was working at Weber Brothers Metal Works in Chicago, Illinois. At the time, Stephen was working on marine buoys for the Coast Guard when he came up with the invention idea for a better way to grill. His invention was a dome-shaped grill that was equipped with a lid that would protect the cooking food from the elements and seal in the barbecue flavor. The buoy was cut in half and Stephen added air vents, three legs to the bottom and a handle on top of the prototype. Eventually, he cooked up an invention that we know and love today, the grill.

For over 60 years, one man’s passion for grilling has turned into an invention that is a staple of most households around the world. In fact, today, Weber grills in particular are sold in more than 72 countries!

So, this weekend as you fire up your gas grill, just think that Stephen’s invention that started in a marine buoy is still helping to keep your bellies full and your grilling dreams afloat!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://www.weber.com/about/weber-story-1950

http://www.weber.com/about/weber-story-today

Images:

http://www.weber.com/images/singles/weber_story/weber_grill_1952.png

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-goldwyn/all-hail-the-iconic-weber_b_1590457.html

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREIMX7rGscoAyJWAwfRsmCbbc-ogiwrqoCien_z4bVXQJSHeo17Q

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Although they might seem like mundane everyday duties, they wouldn’t be possible without the invention idea of Lewis Waterman, who patented the first practical fountain pen in 1884.

Writing instruments that were designed to carry their own supply of ink had been in existence, in principle, for over one hundred years prior to Waterman’s patent. In fact, the oldest known fountain pen dates back to 1702 and another inventor by the name of Peregrin Williamson, a shoemaker from Baltimore, received the first American Patent for a pen in 1809. These early invention designs had their flaws, which included ink spills and many other failures that illuminated their impracticality and made them hard to sell.

Prior to the fountain pen, for thousands of years, any form of writing was done by way of a quill pen. Some of the early inventors observed the apparent natural ink reserve that was found in the hollow channel of the bird’s feather. From their observations, they tried to replicate and produce a similar effect with a man-made pen that would hold more ink and would no longer require constantly dipping into the ink well.

But, as well all know now, a feather is, in fact, not a pen. So, someone had to come up with a better way to write. The story goes that Lewis Waterman, who at the time was an insurance salesman, had an appointment with an important prospect. As he was making his way to the meeting, he decided to buy a new fountain pen that had just come onto the market. This is where the blot, oops, we mean the plot thickens! Waterman was in the process of sealing the deal when he handed the prospect his new pen to sign his name. However, all the pen would do was blot, which means, no signature, no policy.

Though this may sound like nothing more than just an over-dramatized story, the fact still remains that Waterman discovered the fundamental problem to the already existing invention.  With the help of his brother, Elijah, they handmade their first fountain pen and used it until a customer persistently asked to buy it. The first sale of the fountain pen forced Waterman into making another pen for himself, after which he began a business of making and selling fountain pens.

As National Inventors Month is slowly, but surely, coming to an end, Lewis Waterman is a true testament to the fact that inventions can come in all shapes and sizes and out of varying circumstances. In his case, although it might be a dramatized story, Waterman needed a pen to seal his business deals; so, he took it upon himself to invent a better way to write through his invention of the fountain pen.

To this day, more than 130 years since this invention discovery, Waterman fountain pens are still being sold! We can only wonder if Lewis Waterman ever had an “ink”ling that his invention would become such a hit!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa100897.htm

http://calibremagazine.com/node/270

http://www.waterman.com/en/content/9-the-heritage

Images:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lewis_Edson_Waterman.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvWfT5lU38c4JY3RV-keJwtZ_RuYYxHWyIshbvIqUXOhDHTLnY

The post Penning Invention Success! appeared first on Davison.

The World Health Organization has reported that 780 million people do not have access to clean water and 3.4 million people die each year due to water-borne illnesses.

As you can see, finding a clean water source is a large problem for many people. But, an Israeli company believes that they might have found a solution to the problem by producing drinking water from the air that we breathe.

Water-Gen has invented an Atmospheric Water-Generation Unit by using its “GENius” heat exchanger to chill the air and condense it into water vapor.

The process begins when the clean air enters the GENius heat exchanger system, where it is first dehumidified. The water is then removed from the air and is stored in a collection tank inside the unit. Once the air is in the tank, the water is then passed through an extensive water filtration system, which cleans it from possible chemical and microbiological contaminations. Finally, the clean, purified water is then stored in an internal water tank that keeps it continuously preserved, in order to keep it at high quality over time.

The generator-powered invention can produce up to 450 gallons of clean water a day for as little as eight cents a gallon, which is perfect for those areas in the world that feel the immense burden of economic distress.

Additionally, Water-Gen has already sold units to militaries in several countries. Due to the fact that troops can’t always transport their own water, they can now transport a water maker, thanks to this invention.

Often times, soldiers get their water from the tap or from water tankers. However, soldiers can get disconnected from their organic units. Even though there are water sources in the field, the soldiers don’t know the quality and don’t want to expose themselves to contaminated water.

While capturing atmospheric humidity itself isn’t an earth-shattering invention, Water-Gen has said that its water generation is more energy efficient than other generators out there, because it uses the cooled air that was created by the unit to chill incoming air.

Despite the fact that the Water-Gen’s developments aren’t a solution for the water crisis just yet, the innovation can help not only soldiers but also countries that lack clean water, such as Haiti. This innovative invention goes beyond just being used to filter water, it also can save lives.

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://us.cnn.com/2014/04/24/tech/innovation/machine-makes-drinking-water-from-air/index.html

http://time.com/75612/atmospheric-water-generator-watergen/

http://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/2014/water-gen

Media:

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/140423151101-water-gen-atmospheric-generator-horizontal-gallery.jpg

The post This Invention is Adding the “O” to H2O appeared first on Davison.

Imagine this; you are sitting in a room with a NeuroSky electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor pressing against your temple and forehead. Across from you is a TV screen that is showing abstract shapes as they swell and mutate in 4K resolution.

All the while you are sitting there, a computer is measuring your brain activity and mapping it as a 3D model. Initially, the model looks a lot like a piece of paper with a flat surface. However, that doesn’t last long because as soon as your brainwaves register a sense of concentration, a dimple appears on the surface. Next, when feeling a sense of calmness, the surface is pushed upward into a peak. Since emotions can’t be measured, intensities are used instead.

This is just the first step in artist Ion Popian’s art project, Mental Fabrications that turns brain maps into 3D objects.

The maps are edited in a 3D modeling program where Popian and his programmer, Thomas Martinez, convert the data into a smooth, rippling landscape that is then 3D-printed. Once it’s printed, it essentially creates a tangible model of your mind. So, in essence, your mind is a piece of art.

Popian wants to turn the models into something that is more three-dimensional by morphing them into free-standing figures rather than the rolling planes.

This innovative usage of 3D technology shows that even art has the capability to find solutions to common problems. The problem at hand, as described by Popian, is that in architecture, emotion doesn’t usually factor in to how a structure is designed. Popian also says, “Architecture has a visual impact on whoever occupies it, which produces emotion.” The EEG technology could potentially affect how buildings in the future are designed. Because, as he explains,  if the subconscious relationships of people as they experience spaces like a hospital or airport are mapped, then there is the chance that architecture could be designed in order to be responsive to them.

Without further ado, here is a video of this innovative invention at work!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2014/04/03/3d-printing-brain-scans/

Media:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/12/5496656/mental-fabrications-3d-printed-brain-scans-art

The post This Invention Will Take your Thoughts to Another Dimension appeared first on Davison.

The invention of the ATM has allowed people across the world to access their money wherever and whenever they need it.
So, we are going to dispense some knowledge about the invention of the ATM. There are differing stories and timelines of when the idea for the invention of the ATM came to be.

Today, we are going to take a look at three of the most common invention stories. First, we are going to start with a not-so-successful attempt, Luther Simjian’s 1939 patenting of an early prototype of the invention. Then, we are going to explore the person who countless experts believe held the earliest patent for a modern ATM, James Goodfellow. Finally, we will take a look at John Shepherd-Barron, who also had an invention idea for a 24/7 cash dispenser.

Now, it’s time to withdraw some more details about each of the three most notable inventors of the ATM.

Let’s start with Luther Simjian. His invention idea was creating a “hole-in-the-wall machine” that would allow customers to make financial transactions. In 1939, he applied for 20 patents that were related to his invention. He also field tested his ATM machine in what is now known as Citicorp. However, six months later, the bank noted that there was little demand for the new invention idea and refrained from using it.

Next, James Goodfellow was given a project while he was a development engineer with Smiths Industries Ltd. in 1965. The project that he was given was to invent and develop an automatic cash dispenser. In conjunction with another company that would provide the secure physical housing, the team also was to develop a mechanical dispenser apparatus. The newly-designed system that he developed consisted of an encrypted card that the machine would read. To support this mechanism, he added a numerical keypad. This invention was given a UK Patent. Additionally, this invention also was covered by a US Patent and a few other patents that were granted by many other countries.

To this day, 40 years later, Goodfellow’s US patent still describes the basic ATM function.

According to BBC News, John Shepherd-Barron is widely credited with the actual invention of the ATM. In this case, the world’s first ATM was installed right outside of North London in a branch of Barclays Bank in 1967.

At first, his invention was known as De La Rue Automatic Cash System (DACS) which was named after the company who produced the first ATMs.

Despite the fact that many names have been credited with the invention of the ATM, whether it was Simjian, Goodfellow or Shepherd-Barron, there is one commonality and that is that all of their ideas were molded into the ATMs that we use in this day and age!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/atm.htm

http://www.atminventor.com/

http://inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/atm_2.htm

Images:

http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/top10_money/atm.jpg

http://blog.parkcommunity.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/atm1.jpg

The post Dispensing Some Facts about the Invention of the ATM appeared first on Davison.

Although this sounds like an invention straight out of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, an invention idea like this actually exists.

The phenomenon of the cupcake ATM invention has been sprinkled into cities like Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills and now the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Basically, the idea for this invention works just like you would walk up to your local bank that is usually a boring, run-of-the-mill-looking building; you will now be approaching a pink building instead that is filled with cupcakes, instead of money.

Next, the customer will simply have to touch the screen, choose from nine flavors that include black and white, chocolate coconut, Cuban coffee, dark chocolate, lemon meringue, red velvet, strawberry vanilla or vanilla milk chocolate! Then, the customer will swipe their card as they would at any other ATM, wait about 10 seconds and rather than getting money, a freshly-baked cupcake in a single-serve box will appear in a small door to the right of the screen.

The cupcakes are refreshed throughout the day, so that each consumer can enjoy a fresh cupcake. Now, let’s get a better look at this ‘sweet’ invention!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/cupcake-atm-pops-treats-10-seconds/story?id=23065509

Media:

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/2012/03/02/smallbusiness/cupcake_atm/cupcake-atm.top.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgzxHNq8Bek

The post Sprinkling Innovation in to this ‘Sweet’ Invention appeared first on Davison.