The first invention I learned about this week was the Jackhammer. Jonathan Couch followed a chain of steady advances to invent the jackhammer in 1848. It’s a high-powered hammer drill that pulverizes hard surfaces by smashing them at over 20 times per second. The steam power was replaced by compressed air, and demonstrations were performed before investors. Massive tunnels were built, large structures can be demolished, and road construction is much less disruptive to our lives.
The second invention I learned about this week was the Pin tumbler lock. Linus Yale Sr. invented the pin tumbler lock in 1843 to serve the growing banking industry. Pin-tumbler locks are diffuclt to pick and provide good security, as well as easy re-keying. Linus Yale Sr., used to advise to promote the benefits of his locks and expose the weakness of competing locks. Pin-tumbler locks are one of the most common kinds of locks today.
The third invention I learned about this week was the safety pin. Walter Hunt was a prolific inventor who had experience in sewing, and he invented the safety pin to pay off a debt. They prevent the sharp head from sticking you, and they reliably fasten materials or paper together, or to each other. They were advertised to nurses and housewives early on. They remain in use today in largely the same ways, such as for cloth diapers and clothing repairs.
The fourth invention I learned about this week was the gyroscopes. Leon Foucault invented the gyroscope in 1852 as simplified, smaller experiments to demonstrate earth’s rotation. There are spinning discs installed in gimbals that provide stability and can be used to maintain direction. Their use spread with the rise of electricity and aircraft. They are popular in consumer electronics.
Something I found interesting this week was that gyroscopes are in satellite systems and toys. The reasons I found this interesting was because gyroscopes are in kid toys, but it is still in something as complex as a satellite. That is the something I found interesting.
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