Technology, Ranked
The world is filled with amazing technologies, many that are so old we don’t even think of them as technologies at all.
The Story of the American Inventor Denied a Patent Because He Was a Slave
The world of invention is famous for its patent disputes. But what happens when your dispute wasn’t with another…
Thomas Edison Predicted Nobody Would Be Able to Make Phone Calls Across the Atlantic Ocean
Never say never. Thomas Edison was both a great inventor and an amusing prognosticator. But nobody, no matter how…
What Inventions Do You Hate?
“If I had to tell you, what invention I don’t like I would say that I don’t like the phone,” wrote a second grader in…
Tesla Should Consider Building This Car Powered By a Giant Mouse Trap
On its quest to free the world from the burden of fossil fuels, Tesla has unfortunately hit some speed bumps with the p…
Crafty Hack Turns a Mouse, Salad Tongs, and a Bar Stool Into a Video Game Steering Wheel
If you don’t feel like spending $150+ on a steering wheel controller after already dropping $80 on a video game, you…
Aspiring Tony Starks Made a Jet Suit to Fly Like Iron Man (Underwater)
I am, admittedly, a very weak swimmer, and at this point in my life I don’t see myself signing up for Summer swim…
Mad Genius Builds a Drivable Hot Tub That Could Make Traffic Enjoyable
Colin Furze is back with another bizarre invention that will make you wonder why more mad scientists haven’t embraced…
Ten Deliberately Stupid Inventions That Are Still Better Than Half of Kickstarter
Thanks to crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the internet is flooded with ridiculous gadgets, devices…
This Human-Powered Paper Centrifuge Is Pure Genius
Inspired by an ancient toy, researchers from Stanford University have developed an ingenious hand-spun paper…
This Prohibition-Era Alarm Was For Catching No-Good Soda Pop Thieves
Are you a soda fountain owner? Did you just time travel from the year 1919? Then have I got an invention for you!
Brilliant Trash Stomping Robot Takes Care of Your Nastiest Chore
Like most of Colin Furze’s creations, the Stomp O Matic trash compactor almost ends up self-destructing in a ball of…
This Overhead Wire Electric Car Thing-a-Ma-Jig Was Way Ahead of Its Time
This “electric carriage,” which appeared in the July 27, 1889 issue of Scientific American was way ahead of its time.…
You'll Probably Lose a Finger, But This Toilet Paper Machine Makes Life So Much Easier
Life is all about compromises and trade-offs. The Useless Duck Company is back with a new and improved version of its au…
Ridiculous Contraption Takes All the Learning Out of Learning the Guitar
Being able to play music is a gift, but learning to play an instrument is morass of frustration—especially teaching…
10 Inventions That The Simpsons Totally Predicted
The Simpsons have been around for so long (since 1989!) that it’s no surprise that they’ve influenced our culture so…
Why Time Is One of Humanity's Greatest and Most Important Inventions
Without the pendulum clock, the Industrial Revolution doesn’t happen. Without the quartz clock, the technology in the…
This Website Is Using Math to Create Every Possible Patent
It’s widely accepted that the United States patent system is broken. Alexander Reben agrees, and his response has been…
How to Build a Mini Catapult Straight From the Mind of Leonardo da Vinci
In his spare time—which was presumably limited—Leonardo da Vinci was fond of drawing plans for contraptions and…
The Simplest Way Out of Bed Is a Car Jack and an Impact Hammer
Self-employment is rough. One day you’re sleeping in for an extra half hour, and the next you’re staying up until 5am…