If Computer Keyboards Existed 185-Years-Ago, This is What They Might've Looked Like

In 1829, William Austin Burt patented a machine called the "Typographer" which, in common with many other early machines, is listed as the "first typewriter". The keyboard remained the primary, most integrated computer peripheral well into the era of personal computing until the introduction of the mouse as a consumer device in 1984.

By this time, text-only user interfaces with sparse graphics gave way to comparatively graphics-rich icons on screen. If computer keyboards existed 185-years-ago, this is what they might've looked like.

Source:

Read More

Video Provides a Terrifying Look at Verruckt, the World's Tallest and Fastest Waterslide

Verruckt means insane in German, and that's exactly what this crazy water slide is, at 17 stories high. It's taller than Niagara Falls and the Statue of Liberty from toes to torch, as well as twice the height of the tallest wave ever surfed. Before even reaching the ride, you'll need to climb a towering 264 stairs, and then, a specially designed raft will take you and three other riders plummeting down in speeds excess of 65mph. This attraction is set to open in May 2014 at Schlitterbahn in Kansas City.

According to Layne Pitcher, Schlitterbahn's director of marketing and sales: "Verruckt is designed to attract adrenaline junkies who are always looking for that next biggest, coolest thrill. The company decided to go with four-person rafts because they want to encourage people to share the experience. It's more fun if someone is screaming in your ear."

Source:

Read More

Philips SlimStyle LED bulb drops the heat sink, looks like it’s from the future

The SlimStyle is a 60W-equivalent LED bulb that produces 800 lumens and operates at 10.5W (76 lumens-per-watt). In many ways it’s a standard consumer LED bulb: it’s rated for 25,000 hours of life, it’s dimmable, it has an omnidirectional light pattern, and it has a CRI (color accuracy) rating of 80. All this means that Energy Star certification isn’t just possible… it’s pending. But after a single glance at the SlimStyle you’ll know that it’s not just another LED bulb. In fact, the term “bulb” isn’t exactly appropriate…

When looked at straight on, the SlimStyle appears to be bulb-shaped, but that’s actually only true in 2D. When turned, it’s clear that the lamp is flat on both sides and has a ring running around its outside which serves as a light guide. The design is unlike anything else found in the LED market today but not only because of its unique aesthetics, it’s also missing a part found on every one of its competitors: a metal heatsink.

Basically, LEDs don’t like to get hot — the heat decreases lifetime and brightness (I’ve spent a lot of time explaining that) so a metal heatsink is used to disperse heat, moving it away from the sensitive LEDs. With the SlimStyle Philips was able to move to an all-plastic body and still keep the LEDs cool enough to promise a 25,000 hour lifetime. And, in doing so, the company was able to move to this cool new design. Best of all: not only does the flat design help conduct heat away from the LEDs, says Philips, it also helps cut down on costs.

Source:

Read More

Another Look at Dragon Skin, Body Armor That Can Stop AK-47 Bullets

Dragon Skin is basically a type of ballistic vest made by Pinnacle Armor. It's known for its two-inch-wide circular discs that overlap like scales. This design creates a flexible vest that allows a good range of motion and can allegedly absorb a high number of hits compared with other military body armor.

The armor is available in three basic protection levels: SOV-2000, which has previously had certification to Level III protection; SOV-3000, which is rated as Level IV by the manufacturer, but has not officially certified as such; and a rating-unspecified "Level V" variant not available to the general public. Dragon Skin has been worn by some civilian contractors in Iraq, some special operations forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, some SWAT teams, nine generals in Afghanistan, bodyguards tasked with protecting generals, and U.S. Secret Service personnel. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has also purchased Dragon Skin.

Source:

Read More