The hottest Inventions Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Maybe there's a pattern here?

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 1843 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
💾 History Inventions
  1. Many inventions meant to improve life or reduce suffering can be repurposed as weapons, so technological progress often has powerful and harmful dual uses.
  2. Inventors frequently feel moral conflict and regret because they cannot fully control how their creations are deployed, and appeals to restraint or pacifism often fail to stop misuse.
  3. Political and military institutions tend to absorb and fund civilian innovations, accelerating weaponization despite warnings and efforts to establish international control.

How Common is Multiple Invention?

Construction Physics • 24636 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Inventions
  1. Multiple invention happens often, with many famous inventions being created by different people at the same time. This shows that many ideas can seem obvious or inspired by similar problems.
  2. Over half of the inventions studied had some form of multiple efforts toward creation, and nearly 40% were successful near-successes. This suggests that important inventions attract a lot of creative minds.
  3. The rate of multiple invention didn't change much over time, implying that when certain conditions are right, many people are likely to think of similar solutions to the same challenges.

The Indoor Plumbing Test

Freddie deBoer • 14170 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Inventions
  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.

Age of Invention: All Fired Up

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1665 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
💾 History Inventions
  1. The coal briquette, made by mixing coal dust with clay, was invented in the 16th century but never gained popularity in England despite its potential benefits like cleaner burning.
  2. A key figure, Nicolas Romero, introduced the briquette concept in England but struggled to commercialize it due to lack of support and competition from raw coal.
  3. The failure to adopt coal briquettes often happened when coal was cheap and plentiful, making the effort to make briquettes not worth it for many users.

Age of Invention: How Coal Really Won

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 2145 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
💾 History Inventions
  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.
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Photo of the Day -- weekend

Photo of the Day • 176 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💾 History Inventions
  1. The post includes a collection of historical photos from different time periods.
  2. The photos capture moments from various significant events like aerial exhibitions, war operations, and space exploration.
  3. The content also features quotes and interesting historical trivia.

Age of Invention: Unsung Materials

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1072 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💾 History Inventions
  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.

Age of Invention: Cort Case

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 1297 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💾 History Inventions
  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 Inventions
  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.

Age of Invention: More the Merrier

Age of Invention, by Anton Howes • 720 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
💾 History Inventions
  1. The author is sharing transcripts and notes from Samuel More's travel diaries about inventions and industries.
  2. The author has made over 100,000 words of transcripts available online for free for researchers.
  3. The post includes recommended reads from the author related to history, animals, and London's history.

Shorts for January

DYNOMIGHT INTERNET NEWSLETTER • 671 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
💾 History Inventions
  1. In Finland, support for joining NATO increased over the years, leading to eventual membership in 2023.
  2. Winston Churchill's father expressed disappointment and criticism towards him, revealing a strained relationship.
  3. The student protests in Paris in 1968 reflected a rejection of societal norms and an influence of Situationism.

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

Space Ambition • 99 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Inventions
  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 Inventions
  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.

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 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.

Short story of how the first flights were made possible

First principles trivia • 19 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💾 History Inventions
  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.

The Controlled Explosion

Adjacent Possible • 150 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💾 History Inventions
  1. Stories about unintended consequences are captivating to readers.
  2. Innovation often leads to collaborative efforts, but sometimes is driven by a single individual.
  3. Technological advancements give more power to smaller groups, which could lead to increased political violence.

Free, Bad Ideas

Autoscriptorium • 39 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Inventions
  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.

Between Research and Responsibility: The Invention of Dynamite

Heterodox STEM • 99 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💾 History Inventions
  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.

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
  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.

41 Years in UX: A Career Retrospective

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 60 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Inventions
  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.