When we talk about great inventors, the imagination immediately draws the image of a lonely eccentric who has closed himself from the whole world in his workshop. However, the modern world of innovation is far from alienated; most technologies are developed not by one person, but by a whole group of scientists who combine their ideas for the invention of such things as an iPhone or an unmanned car. Some miracles of technology, for example, a drone or a 3D printer, were invented many years before they were recognized as a global phenomenon.
Thanks to innovations, our life has become much easier and more comfortable. Here are 15 modern inventions without which the current society cannot be imagined.
15
Magnetic Levitation (Maglev)
Patent name: “Electromagnetic inductive suspension with stabilization system for a land vehicle”
In our country, the production of Maglev trains has not yet been launched, although their tests were carried out in the USSR, but Western society has already managed to appreciate this technology. The history of these trains began with the work of Eric Leightwaite on the creation of full-sized asynchronous linear motors. The scientist came to the conclusion that the linear motor, without the obligation of contact with the railway tracks, could be the impetus for the creation of a transport system based on magnetic fields. Latewait tested linear asynchronous motors, which with the help of magnets could perform both propulsion and lifting thrust.
The scientist's studies were studied by Gordon Danby and James Powell, who in the second half of the 60s of the XX century received the first patent for the creation of the Maglev train. Their design involved the operation of magnets to hold the train above the ground, and a rocket or jet engine should have been the driving force. We can say that the Maglev train became the fruit of the “scientific merger” of Latewait with Powell with the design assistance of Danby. The first testers were the British, who launched a small shuttle in 1995, later the Germans who built the Transrapid train adopted the technology. This train was later acquired by the PRC, it belongs to Shanghai, and is capable of speeds up to 435 km / h. The Japanese prototype Maglev (L0) is considered the fastest, its speed reaches 600 km / h. In the future, these technologies are planned to be introduced in the production of marine vessels. Scientists also promise to make vacuum tubes for transporting passengers at a speed of 1200 km / h. The future is not far off, we hope it will not pass us by!
By the way, there is a very interesting article on the fastest trains in the world on our site thebiggest.ru.
14
IPhone
Patent Name: “Electronic Device”
Despite such an uncomplicated name for the patent, the iPhone can be safely called the revolutionary invention of the 21st century. The patent itself consists only in maintaining the rights to the original design, further referring to other patented inventions, which allows this smartphone to have all the functionality. Although the “iPhone” was not the first smartphone, it became the embodiment of our desires regarding the functions and appearance of the modern device. Today it is more like a handheld computer than a mobile phone. There is no doubt that iPhone manufacturers have had a strong influence on our communication, navigation capabilities and even thoughts.
13
Motorized exoskeleton
Patent Name: “Assistive Device and Method of Mobility”
The first exoskeleton prototype was invented in 1890 by Russian inventor Nikolai Yagn. He called his invention an elastiped. The device used compressed gas, which accumulates energy during movement, and was intended to facilitate the walking of soldiers. After 70 years, the first exoskeletons appeared in the United States, they had a mechanical drive and were also intended for soldiers who could use the invention to lift weights to 680 kg. However, he did not pass the testing stage due to loss of control when turned on at full power (the exoskeleton did not even reach the testing stage together with the person).
Over the years, the technology improved until ReWalk patented its development of an exoskeleton in 2014 to help people with paralysis move around. The device is used in rehabilitation centers, it helps people sit down, get up and even climb stairs. The work does not stop even for a minute, and in the future, the inventors promise to present exoskeletons for builders, soldiers and astronauts.
12
Drone quadrocopter
Patent Name: "Vertical Lift Omnidirectional Unmanned Helicopter"
Drones buzzing in many city parks were patented back in the early 60s of the 20th century by Edward G. Vanderlip. He was the first to think of using helicopter blades to ensure the movement of an aircraft in case of failure of the main power.
Vanderlip later decided to create a miniature copy of his invention, which could be controlled using a remote control. His patent describes an aircraft characterized by ease of control. The design of the UAV includes four rotors located at different ends of the product, which allows the vertical axis to always be perpendicular to the surface. Thus, the quadrocopter always maintains the horizontal platform. As soon as electronic companies and manufacturers of GPS-navigators have figured out what Vanderlip’s invention is capable of, the influence of drones on our lives has noticeably increased.
11
3D printer
Patent name: “Apparatus for the manufacture of three-dimensional objects by the method of stereolithography”
A patent for a 3D printer was issued in 1986, but humanity was not ready for this invention. The main components of modern 3D printers were already present in the patent 30 years ago. The mobile platform receives data from the computer and places a “foundation” under the nozzle, which builds the object from molten resin. The model rises layer by layer, freezing under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
The development of computer technology has breathed new life into 3D printers. The use of metal instead of resins makes it possible to produce things such as rocket engines, bridges, and more with this invention.
10
Bionic eye
Patent name: “Retinal prosthesis and method for manufacturing a prosthesis”
The first attempt to restore vision using a visual prosthesis dates back to 1968, when an operation was performed to implant an implant in a middle-aged patient, and the electronic device was installed not in the human eye socket, but on the lobe of the brain responsible for optical vision. Stimulation of brain neurons helped to ensure that the patient began to distinguish light spots.
In the photo: Artistic image of the bionic eye
Today's visual prostheses use much less electronics, and are implanted directly into the retina. The bionic eye was patented in 2013, its work involves the use of a camera that records a “picture” and transfers it to an implant that stimulates the photoreceptors of the eye. This technology has helped completely blind patients to begin to distinguish between forms and light. The development of more compressed electrodes in the future will allow scientists to stimulate more distant photoreceptors, improving the technology of the visual prosthesis.
9
Satellite Navigation System (GPS)
Patent name: “Navigation system operating satellites and positional ranking methods”
GPS satellites were invented by the US Navy, and today the Air Force is widely used. The main project manager was Roger Lee Easton, who noted in the 1950s that the signals from the first satellite launched by the USSR had different frequencies depending on its distance. This allowed Easton to produce a surveillance system that involved tracking all objects in orbit over the United States. Subsequently, Easton used satellites to track objects from space and determine their location. Thus, the navigation technology with satellites, patented in 1974, was invented, and the first location data was transmitted after 3 years.
Around the same time, the Soviet Union launched the GLONASS satellite, operating on a principle similar to GPS. Today, both GPS and GLONASS have 24 satellites, which are almost never out of reach, which guarantees accurate navigation on any terrain.
8
CRISPR genome editing
Patent name: “CRISPR-Cas systems and methods for editing expression of gene products”
A product for editing genes that allow modification of unicellular organisms was released under the name CRISPR-Cas9. After its development at the University of California, other scientists improved the invention, allowing modification of multicellular organisms, and patenting the find in 2014. Now CRISPR is used to modify crops and various animals, also helping in the treatment of leukemia and other diseases.
The operation of the system consists of three processes: determination of the required DNA site, its removal and replacement of the deleted site. CRISPR can be injected into embryos or injected into cells of the immune system, so that it can then be administered to a patient. The invention of the method allows doctors to confidently declare the possibility of finding a medicine against incurable diseases of the present.
7
Electronic Brain Implants
Patent name: "Three-dimensional electronic device"
Doctors of the 19th century found that stimulating the brain with electricity can cause people and animals to perform physical movements. In the next century, scientists were able to create implants that affect the behavior and even mood of the patient. The device, patented in 1993, was called "Utah Array", in a later patent it was called "an implantable integrated device that connects the brain with a large number of metal needles that find electrical signals or direct signals to the brain."
Since then, electronic implants have improved to the point that patients can print text with the power of thought. In the future, it is planned to create devices that allow a person to "synchronize" with a computer using his mind.
By the way, you can use your mind right now by reading an article on thebiggest.ru about 10 entertaining paradoxes that can blow your brain.
6
Graphene
Patent name: “Nanoscale graphene plates”
Perhaps we are entering the graphene era. This composite material, which has a honeycomb structure and consists of single-layer carbon molecules, is unusually light but incredibly hard. Its strength indicators are 200 times higher than steel of the same thickness, graphene conducts electricity well and is characterized by increased heat resistance. Such characteristics make graphene an ideal material for computer chips, airplane wings and other purposes.
Graphene is made from particles of graphite, which you can find in the core of your pencil. The problem is the isolation of one layer of carbon molecules, whose thickness does not exceed one atom. This was possible to Konstantin Novosyolov and Andre Geimu, who in 2004 produced graphene crystals in a single layer using an adhesive tape, calling the process “adhesive tape method”. The result of their labors was the receipt of the Nobel Prize in 2010.
5
Bluetooth
Patent name: “Peer-to-peer information exchange for mobile communication devices”
Jap Harsten invented The Blue Tooth in 1994, allowing electronic devices to transmit information in close proximity to each other using low-power radio waves. Harsten patented several Bluetooth-related devices, but they were blocked by lawsuits and patent trolls. We describe a 2013 patent explaining the technology as a way to transmit GPS data.
The system involves the use of small computer chips embedded in devices. They play the role of radios, launching the software needed to connect to each other. “Pairing” of devices occurs through the so-called piconet - a short-range network. This technology is used in all modern devices, including cameras, headphones and even multicookers.
4
Drone car
Patent name: “Vision system for autonomous vehicle”
Do you think the first unmanned car appeared recently? Whatever the case, their history goes back a little less than 100 years. The first “drone” was launched in Manhattan and controlled by radio signals transmitted by the car following it. The next such project was launched 70 years later and was called “Without Hands Across America”. A semi-autonomous car, traveled almost 5,000 km, while acceleration and braking were given to the person, and the steering wheel was controlled offline.
There are many patents for unmanned vehicles, but the Italian company VisLab made a real breakthrough. In the summer of 2013, their car without a driver in the cabin moved along the busy streets of the Italian city of Parma. The first patented invention of the company is the use of a camera and a sensor system that receives information around the car and transfers data to the computer. Today, giants such as Tesla, Amazon and Google are engaged in the development of unmanned vehicles, promising that they will quickly replace not only public transport, but also personal vehicles.
3
Solar battery
Patent name: “Device for the application of solar radiation energy”
At the beginning of the 19th century, French physicist Alexander Beckerel discovered that light can be converted into electricity. This allowed him to create the first photovoltaic cell in 1839 by combining silver chloride in an acid solution with platinum electrodes. After half a century in America, the first patent for the manufacture of a solar battery was issued. Edward Weston described the device as a thermoelectric element of two kinds of metal, attached on one edge and insulated in the remaining parts, used to generate electric current under sunlight. Weston also prophetically remarked that this energy could accumulate in sunny weather to illuminate streets at night or on cloudy days.
For decades, the technology of solar cells has improved, until it appeared in its modern form as silicon panels. Today, the world's largest solar power plant, located in India, covers about 10 km² and boasts a capacity of 650 MW.
2
Third Generation Wireless (3G)
Patent Name: “Access to Mobile Internet”
The first generation of wireless technology has allowed the use of analog cell phones. The development of the second generation “cut a window” to digital mobile phones, but it was the 3G connection that finally changed the gadget in the pocket of almost every inhabitant of the Earth.
3G connected smartphones to the Internet and GPS, which appears in the patent of the early 00s. This enabled streaming data and video communications on portable devices. Improvements in the form of 4G continue to change our smartphones, turning it into a wallet, personal assistant and a portable toy.
1
The virtual reality
Patent name: “Virtual reality generator for transmitting abstract information”
The first virtual reality headset was not intended for video games or watching sports channels, but to help analyze financial calculations.The patent “virtual reality generator” was granted in 2000 to inventor Paul Marshall. It describes the computer world in which a user navigates using devices such as a trackball, magnetic head tracker, electronic glove, keyboard, steering wheel or joystick.
Marshall improved the technology to create a three-dimensional information landscape, which was supposed to help analyze financial data. The technology was “stunted” in the world of finance and settlement, until the Oculus Rift offered their vision of the utility of the invention by launching the VR gaming headset in 2016. Later, many virtual reality systems were developed using a smartphone to display the computer world. Scientists announce the development of augmented reality (AR), which provides the imposition of virtual data on a real image.