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.
Show all Visit Show Website http://www.howstuffworks.com/Recently Aired
-
HD
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.
-
HD
The Safety Pin
With patents on everything from fountain pens to rifles, Walter ...
With patents on everything from fountain pens to rifles, Walter Hunt has sometimes been called "America's forgotten inventor." However, his most successful invention is incredibly commonplace -- tune in and learn more about the safety pin.
-
HD
Zhang Heng and the Seismometer
Centuries before the European Renaissance, Zhang Heng had all the ...
Centuries before the European Renaissance, Zhang Heng had all the makings of a Renaissance man. Learn how this statesman, scholar and inventor invented the first seismometer in this episode.
-
HD
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.
-
HD
Biro and the Ballpoint Pen
In one form or another, pens have been around for ...
In one form or another, pens have been around for centuries. Unfortunately, they've also been messy, inconvenient and unreliable. Learn how Laszlo Biro's Stuff of Genius brought pens into the modern age in this episode.
-
HD
Windshield Wipers
When Mary Anderson traveled to New York, she noticed that ...
When Mary Anderson traveled to New York, she noticed that traffic jammed as drivers stopped to wipe their windshields in snowy weather. Learn how her Stuff of Genius made roads safer -- and windshields cleaner -- in this episode.
-
HD
Band-Aids
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 episode.
-
HD
Headphones
Nathaniel Baldwin was always an exceptional inventor. Regardless of his ...
Nathaniel Baldwin was always an exceptional inventor. Regardless of his day jobs, Baldwin continued tinkering until he hit upon the Stuff of Genius that would literally change the way modern civilization approaches music. Tune in and learn more.
-
HD
Cyril Callister: The Man Who Made Australia Vegemighty
Today, Vegemite is an iconic Australian condiment and a piece ...
Today, Vegemite is an iconic Australian condiment and a piece of the country's national identity. Yet this wasn't always the case. Tune in and meet Cyril Callister, the genius behind Vegemite.
-
HD
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.
