The hottest Industrial Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Reading List 11/15/25

Construction Physics • 13988 implied HN points • 15 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Industrial
  1. Israel is trying a new way to refill the Sea of Galilee by pumping desalinated seawater into it. This is the first time any country has attempted to put processed seawater into a freshwater lake.
  2. Iran is facing a severe water crisis, especially in Tehran, which could become unlivable if the drought continues. Mismanagement and overuse have made the problem worse for many years.
  3. South Korea is now able to build nuclear submarines after getting approval from the US. This is a big step for South Korea, which has been wanting nuclear powered submarines for defense reasons.

What Progress Has There Been in Industrial Robots?

Construction Physics • 18999 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Industrial
  1. Industrial robots have become more cost-effective over time, making them more accessible for various applications.
  2. Advances in industrial robots have led to significant improvements in precision and smooth, continuous motion capabilities.
  3. There has been a trend towards standard robotic architectures, with modern robots primarily consisting of robotic arms with electric drives and servo motors.

#106 Design stinks!

Design Lobster • 299 implied HN points • 04 Apr 22
🪑 Design Industrial
  1. Consider incorporating scent into your design to evoke emotions and memories.
  2. Explore the creative possibilities of using machines with scent-detection capabilities in various industries.
  3. Good design is often overlooked when it works well, but stands out when it fails.

How a Norwegian chemist defeated lead paint

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🔬 Science Industrial
  1. Lead paint was commonly used because it dried quickly and had durable properties, but it was very poisonous, especially to children.
  2. A new, safer paint alternative was created using titanium dioxide, which became popular because it was cheaper and non-toxic.
  3. The shift from lead paint to titanium white was important, as it offered similar benefits for painting while being much safer for health.
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Some thoughts on industrial policy and green energy

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Industrial
  1. Shifting to green energy entails new products, manufacturing processes, and economic shifts.
  2. Industrial policy includes a range of government actions, such as subsidies, export support, and tariffs to promote specific industries.
  3. A carbon tax could drive a transition to green energy by making fossil fuels cost-prohibitive and encouraging the development of alternative energy sources like hydrogen and solar power.

#104 Design that flies

Design Lobster • 199 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
🪑 Design Industrial
  1. Bringing fun into the research process can lead to creative insights.
  2. Design choices can reflect myths about society or culture.
  3. Imagination is a powerful tool for design and creativity.

#12 Rounded buttons, lighters & design intent

Design Lobster • 59 implied HN points • 17 Apr 20
🪑 Design Industrial
  1. Designers use rounded edges on buttons to influence how users perceive them, based on psychological associations with shapes.
  2. Adjusting the scale of a design can impact how it is interacted with and perceived, like in the case of the Braun T2 Table Lighter designed by Dieter Rams.
  3. Maintaining clear intent in design decisions is crucial, as intentional choices are key to successful and impactful design outcomes.

Why You Should Join Traba

Why You Should Join • 3 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Industrial
  1. E-commerce is driving the growth of the logistics industry, with significant potential for expansion.
  2. Warehousing is crucial for e-commerce, with a substantial rise in warehouse employment and demand for space.
  3. Traba is innovating industrial staffing with technology, offering better experiences for both workers and businesses, which makes it a promising solution in a large and growing market.

A Sweet Catastrophe

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💾 History Industrial
  1. Sometimes things aren't built as well as they should be, check twice before planning.
  2. Unexpected conditions can create disasters, always be prepared.
  3. In times of crisis, people can come together to help each other.

Industrial LLMs: Automation Apprentices

Exponential Industry • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Industrial
  1. Automation apprentices powered by large language models speed up industrial automation integration.
  2. Large language models improve development, deployment, and training phases in factory automation.
  3. LLMs simplify operator interaction with the system, providing guidance and troubleshooting assistance.