The hottest Inventions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Age of Invention: How Coal Really Won

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 2145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💾 History Industrial Revolution Inventions Environmental Impact
  1. During the late 1500s, people in England started using coal instead of wood for heating. This change was not just about using a cheaper fuel; it actually transformed how land was used, allowing more space for crops.
  2. The rise of coal in households was influenced by advances in technology like chimneys and coal grates, which made it possible to burn coal more efficiently and with less smoke. These innovations helped shift people's preferences towards coal.
  3. Coal became popular in brewing and other industries because it was cheaper than wood. This increased demand for coal, eventually leading to a significant rise in its use in homes and cities.

The Indoor Plumbing Test

Freddie deBoer • 14170 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Inventions Hype Human Impact
  1. AI is being hyped as a revolutionary technology, but its real-world impact is limited compared to basic necessities like indoor plumbing. We often overlook how essential and transformative improvements in basic infrastructure have been.
  2. Many claims about AI's incredible benefits are overstated. In reality, AI does small tasks that people can already do themselves, which raises questions about its actual social importance.
  3. The ongoing hype around AI seems to come from a deep desire for a breakthrough technology that can change our lives. However, life is likely to remain mostly the same, with more focus needed on real improvements in areas like medicine.

Nikola Tesla Did Not Reincarnate As Elon Musk, He Reincarnated As Maxwell Chikumbutso.

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 54 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Energy Engineering Innovation Inventions
  1. Maxwell Chikumbutso has invented a new way to harness electricity from radio waves, which could be a big step towards energy independence for Africa.
  2. Tesla's ideas about free energy are being realized in this invention, which could change how we think about powering our homes and vehicles.
  3. The invention might disrupt current energy monopolies and could be crucial for Africa's recovery from historical exploitation.

Age of Invention: Unsung Materials

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1072 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💾 History Industrial Revolution Inventions Materials Patents
  1. The history of various industries from the period 1550-1650 is often overlooked.
  2. There were significant advancements in industries like iron, stockings and silk, saltpetre, glass, brass, and manure during this time.
  3. Exploring the development of these industries can provide insights into key historical innovations and societal changes.
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Age of Invention: Cort Case

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1297 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💾 History Inventions Industrial Revolution Research Narrative
  1. Henry Cort, a key figure in the British Industrial Revolution, may have stolen iron-making improvements from enslaved Jamaican metallurgists.
  2. The origin of Cort's inventions is still debated, with limited evidence to prove the claims made by Jenny Bulstrode in an academic paper.
  3. The narrative presented by Bulstrode requires multiple unproven assumptions and lacks concrete evidence.

What We Lost and Never Knew

Risk Musings • 916 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
💾 History Discovery Knowledge Survival Inventions Literacy
  1. Over the course of human history, a vast amount of knowledge and discovery has been lost due to the limited opportunities for people to pursue and share their ideas.
  2. Many brilliant individuals throughout history may have gone unrecognized and their innovative ideas lost, as they were focused primarily on survival rather than creativity and exploration.
  3. Today, we are fortunate to live in a time where access to resources like food, water, and shelter, along with advancements in medicine and technology, allow more individuals to focus on creativity and sharing ideas.

Space Tech and Science Fiction: Upgrading Your Inspiration through Sci-Fi

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Space Tech Science fiction Innovation Inventions Media influence
  1. Science fiction movies often inspire real-life inventions. Films like 'Star Trek' and 'Back to the Future' have influenced technologies like mobile phones and self-lacing shoes.
  2. Many iconic sci-fi movies predicted future technology, such as tablets in '2001: A Space Odyssey' and digital billboards in 'Blade Runner.' These films sparked ideas that led to actual developments.
  3. Sci-fi doesn't just inspire inventors; it also motivates scientists. Movies like 'Interstellar' and 'The Martian' have pushed researchers to explore black holes and even name new plant species.

We Are Vessels and History Flows Through Us

The Sunday Wisdom • 58 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture History Art Creativity Inventions Entertainment
  1. No single individual can take full credit for major achievements; success is often the result of collaboration and contributions from many.
  2. We are all influenced by our circumstances and the help we receive from others; no one truly achieves success alone.
  3. Recognize and appreciate the often unseen and unrecognized contributions of individuals in bringing about significant events or creations.

Between Research and Responsibility: The Invention of Dynamite

Heterodox STEM • 99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💾 History Ethics Inventors Inventions Legacy
  1. The story of Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize is more complex than the myth of him changing his will due to a scathing obituary; it likely stemmed from his interactions with peace advocates and his own beliefs in using weapons for peace.
  2. The development of dynamite involved notable predecessors before Nobel, including Braconnot, Pelouze, and Sobrero, each contributing to the understanding and application of explosive materials.
  3. Alfred Nobel's creation of dynamite revolutionized industries like transportation and mining, but also had negative impacts in warfare, raising ethical questions about scientists' responsibility in discovering dangerous technology.

41 Years in UX: A Career Retrospective

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 60 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Academia Inventions Startups Web Design
  1. Jakob Nielsen has had a long career in UX since 1983, with a consistent mission of making computers user-friendly.
  2. He transitioned from academia to real-world UX work, influenced by his experiences with different computers and usability.
  3. Key achievements include pioneering discount usability, writing a popular book on web usability, and raising public awareness about UX.

Short story of how the first flights were made possible

First principles trivia • 19 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💾 History Inventions Aviation Entrepreneurship Technology Business
  1. The Wright brothers funded their aviation experiments largely out of their own pocket, showing dedication and perseverance.
  2. Despite receiving offers for funding, the Wright brothers chose to maintain full control over their research, emphasizing the importance of independence and vision.
  3. Through meticulous work, including building their own wind tunnel and conducting extensive test flights, the Wright brothers achieved their goal of creating a successful airplane, highlighting the value of thoroughness and persistence.

Free, Bad Ideas

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Inventions Gadgets
  1. The post presents a list of free, unique, and quirky ideas for products or concepts that are described as 'bad', but creative and intriguing.
  2. Ideas range from a vest that recirculates body heat to a device that detects moods through blood samples, offering unconventional solutions to everyday problems.
  3. These ideas showcase creativity, humor, and innovative thinking, encouraging readers to think outside the box and consider unconventional approaches.

Free Electricity Out Of The Air! Did Nikola Tesla Have It Right All Along?

Resiliency Tech • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🔬 Science Inventions Electricity Energy Research History
  1. Nikola Tesla is revered for his inventions and experiments with harnessing electricity from the air.
  2. Scientists are now exploring hygroelectricity, generating electricity from humidity in the air using nanotubes.
  3. Projects like CATCHER aim to commercialize the concept of hygroelectricity, which could potentially exceed Europe's power requirements by 500 times.