GlendaleViper Posted March 12, 2009 Report Posted March 12, 2009 Considering our hobby, I have to presume I'm not the only one that's sucked in by simple genius. This is a dumping ground for unique inventions that are underappreciated for what they are; they've become commonplace, obsolete or quite simply, frivolous! A few of my faves: The ZIPPO Lighter Simple in its mechanics, tank-like in construction, plus it makes fire. Fire good. I've been a Zippo fanatic since I was a kid. Incidentally, a more controlled flame (like a Bic) is probably the better choice for lighting firecrackers. The Rolling Machine Ok, seriously, this one is so damned simple I almost can't believe it ended up getting invented. But try one out - they work like an absolute charm! Every single time. The Pinball Machine We don't need an image for this one, do we? Between the physics, fun factor and ingenuity, this one might be larger-scale than the others, but when you crack one open it's not much different than ogling the innards of your favourite amp - point to point wiring and all. Classic workmanship paired with engineering and plain old fun. I get really, REALLY geeky when I have a machine to drop quarters into. Even more so when I can pop the hood. [EDIT] Okay, I couldn't help myself. Anyone remember this table?
Knuckledragger Posted March 12, 2009 Report Posted March 12, 2009 Did the Black Knight talk? ISTR being fascinated and a little afraid of that table, when I was 5 or 6, and not quite tall enough to reach it.
manaox2 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Posted March 12, 2009 Bottles, in general. Also, single blade razors.
Dusty Chalk Posted March 12, 2009 Report Posted March 12, 2009 The piano -- just stuff a harp in a box, then add remote controlled hammers: Harpo Marx destroys a piano
Chekhonte Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I'm a huge pinball geek. I currently hold the high scores on the 4 pinball machines at my favorite bar. Demolition man, dr. dude, Cyclone and dirty harry.
jinp6301 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I think ipods are one of the most well designed things that I've seen in recent times. Such easy UI and great form factor. Apple really understood good user experience with this one (as well as their whole product line )
grawk Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I used to play a lot of pinball. One day I'll own a pinbot machine.
Chekhonte Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 yeah, pinbot is one of the most fantastic pinball machines i've played. Pinball machine upkeep is a bitch though.
deepak Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 EKG machine. You can diagnose nearly any heart condition with an EKG trace, provided the reader is knowledgeable enough to do so. The fundamental principle how one works is very basic as well. All it's doing is detecting micro-voltages to create a picture of the heart.
grawk Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 My dad used to make a nice chunk of change reading ekgs. Now it all goes to the specialists tho.
Dusty Chalk Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I think ipods are one of the most well designed things that I've seen in recent times. Such easy UI and great form factor. Apple really understood good user experience with this one (as well as their whole product line )I'm not sure it qualifies as "simple", though. Maybe simple to use, but certainly not simple internals...
CD44hi Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I'll go all out on a limb here and say that the greatest, yet simplest under appreciated, taken for granted, etc, invention is the wheel. Seriously, where would we be otherwise....
aardvark baguette Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 pocket knives, but more specifically, the assisted open-close mechanics of the them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fsN9NWvUho
manaox2 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 I'll go all out on a limb here and say that the greatest, yet simplest under appreciated, taken for granted, etc, invention is the wheel. Seriously, where would we be otherwise.... Riding boats, animals, and shit sleds, oh my.
GPH Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 Fermentation I'll add distillation on top of that.
Spiug31 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 the screw It'd be quite a different world without screw top caps, worm gears, wood/metal screws, Archimedes screws, awls, drill bits etc. my second suggestion would be the cog/gear in its many forms.
Spiug31 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 One that fully evades my understanding (boggles my mind) is the block and tackle. Block and tackle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia if someone knows an easier to understand explanation of how they work, please let me know . . . still baffled .
n_maher Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 Try reading the wikipedia article on pulleys, it does a fair job of explaining the general principle of why there is a mechanical advantage gained using a block and tackle (just a pulley system). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulley
Chekhonte Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 The block and tackle is a great one. It's very simple and works extremely well. It's kind of the same principle as leverage. If you have a heave stone on a plank and move the fulcrum closer to the block and creasing the size of the lever you have to pull o the other side but it decreases the amout of force you have to exert.
GlendaleViper Posted March 13, 2009 Author Report Posted March 13, 2009 I think ipods are one of the most well designed things that I've seen in recent times. Such easy UI and great form factor. Apple really understood good user experience with this one (as well as their whole product line ) It's a nice product, sure, but well outside the realms of simplicity! We're talking about a machine with microprocessors, DAC chips, opamps, firmware, a GUI and, in some cases, WiFi... Fermentation I'll add distillation on top of that. Would I be queering the thread if I told you both I love you? And I'm glad we're getting some nods for simple machinery. The screw is an excellent example, as is the Block & Tackle (just for reference, you may have an easier time with Wiki's write-up on Pulleys). As for blades, I'm a sucker for them as well. I was given a nice set of Henckel 5 star knives for Christmas and I've been babying them like an overprotective mother. It's sad, really. [EDIT] Good gravy, I guess I was late on the pulley reference!
jinp6301 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 Ahh, I get what you guys mean now. Then I have to nominate chopsticks. How facking awesome are chopsticks!
GlendaleViper Posted March 13, 2009 Author Report Posted March 13, 2009 Ahh, I get what you guys mean now. Then I have to nominate chopsticks. How facking awesome are chopsticks! Not nearly as awesome as the fork! genitals Are you insinuating a creator? Them's fighting words!!!
jinp6301 Posted March 13, 2009 Report Posted March 13, 2009 The fork is crude and uncouth compared to the mighty chopstick!
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