The Stuff of Genius
Have you ever had an idea that seemed crazy -- maybe crazy enough to work? Every invention starts out as an idea, and it only takes a bit of genius to make it reality. See how some of the greatest inventions were brought to life ...
Have you ever had an idea that seemed crazy -- maybe crazy enough to work? Every invention starts out as an idea, and it only takes a bit of genius to make it reality. See how some of the greatest inventions were brought to life in The Stuff of Genius from HowStuffWorks.com. When George de Mestral and his dog set out on a leisurely mountain stroll, they returned covered in burrs. Learn how an afternoon walk inspired the creation of Velcro in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
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Revolution: Theophilus Kannel and the Revolving Door
Today, revolving doors are a common sight in large buildings ...
Today, revolving doors are a common sight in large buildings across the world -- but how did they get here? This episode ... wait for it ... revolves around Theo Kannel and his astonishing Stuff of Genius.
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Sylvan Goldman Presents: The Shopping Cart
As a grocer in Oklahoma, Sylvan Goldman had a hunch ...
As a grocer in Oklahoma, Sylvan Goldman had a hunch that he was losing business because customers only bought as much as they could carry. Check out this episode to learn how his Stuff of Genius saved his store and spread throughout the world.
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Napoleon and Canned Food: The Story of Nicolas Appert
Nowadays, canned food is everywhere -- but how did this ...
Nowadays, canned food is everywhere -- but how did this industry begin? Tune in to learn how Nicholas Appert discovered the principles used in canning food -- and why we have Napoleon to thank for this Stuff of Genius.
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How Rudolf Diesel Changed the World
Born in 1858, Rudolf Diesel was fascinated by engines from ...
Born in 1858, Rudolf Diesel was fascinated by engines from a young age. However, the engines of the time were incredibly inefficient -- at least, that is, until Rudolf's Stuff of Genius struck. Tune in to learn more.
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Otto's Awesome Auto Engine
Nikolaus Otto wasn't the first to design an internal combustion ...
Nikolaus Otto wasn't the first to design an internal combustion engine, but his improved design made the engine practical and popular. Learn more about Otto's auto-related Stuff of Genius in this episode.
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From Irritation to Innovation: The Band-Aid Story
Earle Dickson was exhausted. He spent nearly every night making ...
Earle Dickson was exhausted. He spent nearly every night making bandages for his accident-prone wife, and he knew there had to be a better, faster way. Learn how his Stuff of Genius healed cuts around the world in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
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The Father of Video Games
Ralph Baer was working for a U.S. defense company when ...
Ralph Baer was working for a U.S. defense company when he invented the world's first video game system. Luckily, this Stuff of Genius was too fun to remain locked away from the public. Learn more about video games in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
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Can we change the world one dollar at a time?
For most of the modern age, conventional bank loans have ...
For most of the modern age, conventional bank loans have been beyond the reach of the poor, forcing families across the globe to do business with loan sharks. At least, that is, until Muhammad Yunus invented microloans. Learn more in this podcast.
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Edmund McIlhenny and the Secret of Tabasco Sauce
You might be surprised to learn that the creator of ...
You might be surprised to learn that the creator of modern-day Tabasco sauce was once a banker. Yet when the Civil War wiped his fortunes away, Edmund didn't give up. He hunkered down in his garden and made the Stuff of Genius. Tune in to learn more.
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Sarah Goode and the Folding Bed
During a time when women were treated like second-class citizens ...
During a time when women were treated like second-class citizens and African-Americans were relentlessly persecuted, Sarah Goode built her own business from the ground up. Tune in to learn more about Sarah Goode and the folding cabinet bed.
