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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Thomas Adams, Santa Anna and Chewing Gum
Before his Stuff of Genius struck, Thomas Adams had already ...
Before his Stuff of Genius struck, Thomas Adams had already lived a very interesting life -- in fact, he even spent time with the infamous Santa Anna. Tune in to learn how Thomas failed at making synthetic rubber and ended up with chewing gum.
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Ed Acheson and the Carborundum Condundrum
Although silicon carbide occurs in the natural world, it's extremely ...
Although silicon carbide occurs in the natural world, it's extremely rare. Tune in to learn how Edward Acheson got struck by inspiration and learned how to manufacture this substance, which he called carborundum.
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Al Gross and the Walkie-Talkie
When Al Gross was nine years old, he wandered into ...
When Al Gross was nine years old, he wandered into a steamboat's radio room while vacationing with his family. For the rest of his life he was fascinated by wireless communication. Tune in and learn more about Al's Stuff of Genius.
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Daniel Fahrenheit and the Mercury Thermometer
Daniel Fahrenheit built several types of thermometers, but his Stuff ...
Daniel Fahrenheit built several types of thermometers, but his Stuff of Genius wasn't restricted to a few temperature measuring devices. Tune in and learn how Daniel Fahrenheit invented the system that bears his name today.
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Cabin Fever and Softball: The George Hancock Story
As a reporter in Chicago, George Hancock was resigned to ...
As a reporter in Chicago, George Hancock was resigned to the bitter, snowy winter weather that trapped people indoors and stopped them from playing outdoor sports like baseball. At least, that is, until his Stuff of Genius struck. Tune in and learn more.
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Peter Safar and CPR
In emergency situations, CPR training can make the difference between ...
In emergency situations, CPR training can make the difference between life and death. This episode explores the work of Peter Safar, who combined preexisting medical techniques and worked with his colleagues to produce the Stuff of Genius we call CPR.
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Charles Drew and the Modern Blood Bank
Before the advent of the modern blood bank, blood could ...
Before the advent of the modern blood bank, blood could only be stored for about two days. Luckily, when Charles Drew began researching ways to prolong the usefulness of stored blood, his Stuff of Genius struck. Tune in and learn more in this episode.
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John A. Roebling and the Brooklyn Bridge
When New York's leaders contacted John Roebling for help on ...
When New York's leaders contacted John Roebling for help on the Brooklyn Bridge, he was already a well-known engineer -- but was he up to the task? Tune in and learn how Roebling used his cable designs to spin the Stuff of Genius in this episode.
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Joshua Silver and the Self-Adjustable Glasses
Professor Joshua Silver isn't an optometrist, but his self-adjustable eyeglasses ...
Professor Joshua Silver isn't an optometrist, but his self-adjustable eyeglasses have improved the vision of people across the developing world. Tune in and learn how this Oxford physicist plans to improve the vision of a billion people by 2020.
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How William Burroughs Made It All Add Up
Although numerous inventors had devised adding machines of some sort, ...
Although numerous inventors had devised adding machines of some sort, William Seward Burroughs invented the first practical calculator. Tune in to learn more about his Stuff of Genius in this podcast.
