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Alan Kay presents Ivan Sutherland’s Sketchpad – the first interactive graphics program, developed in 1963. Sketchpad was arguably one of most influential programs in the history of graphical user interfaces. This video makes me swoon over CS4 and feel nostalgic about early computing simultaneously.
No comments. Posted by tanner in innovation, video, vintage on 8 April 2009.
LiTraCon: translucent, light transmitting concrete
Concrete is generally known to be an uninviting, sterile surface. Of course, I’m speaking in generalities, but those of you in Phoenix know precisely what I’m getting at. Hungarian architect Áron LOSONCZI produced an award winning material called LiTraCon that challenges what we know about concrete.
Filled with optical fibers that run from one end of a poured piece of concrete to the other, these prefabricated blocks and panels effectively transmit light from one side to the other. Colors and light remain remarkably consistent from end to end, but with a natural variation from the pouring process that actually softens the effects considerably.
Via:
The fibers can transmit light to over 50 feet and, as they occupy only a small percentage of the total concrete block or panel, they do not significantly effect the structural capabilities of the poured pieces.
One could imagine all kinds of artistic as well as functional applications for this new-and-improved form of concrete. Daylighting possibilities abound and all with potentially much lower heat loss and cost and with greater durability.
Perhaps best of all it puts another broad-ranging, highly versatile material choice in an architect’s or builder’s structural tool kit – what designers do with this solid-but-see-through substance ultimately will probably surprise us all.
No comments. Posted by tanner in architecture, innovation on 3 March 2009.
NewScientist is reporting that mathematician Andrew Hicks has designed a mirror that reflects wide panoramas and doesn’t reverse its image.
Hicks, a mathematician at Drexel University, Philadelphia, used computer algorithms to generate the mirror’s bizarre surface, which curves and bends in different directions. The curves direct rays from an object across the mirror’s face before sending them back to the viewer, flipping the conventional mirror image.
As well as neat tricks like this, Hicks’ models make it possible to design mirrors that provide wide angled-views or eliminate distortion.
If this is true, it could revolutionize the mirror industry forever!
No comments. Posted by tanner in industrial design, innovation on 25 February 2009.
Design changes: water transportation made easier
I present to you the Q Drum, a simple example of how design can positively change how we interact with the world.
“The Q Drum eases the task of fetching water for peoples in developing nations. Climate change has required a countless number of people all around the world to travel greater distances to retrieve water for everyday use. The Q Drum allows a child to pull the full capacity of 50 liters of water over flat terrain with comparative ease.”
3 comments. Posted by tanner in innovation, social change on 30 September 2008.
Muxtape is back, with a new focus
Muxtape, the ridiculously simple playlist hosting service, mysteriously disappeared a couple of weeks ago, citing “a problem with the RIAA”. Read more. →
No comments. Posted by tanner in experimentation, innovation, interwebs, issue 1, music on 29 September 2008.
A List Apart, for people who make websites, is slowly changing course. Read more. →
No comments. Posted by tanner in innovation, interwebs on 19 September 2008.
This might seem a bit off topic from our general fare, but I am filing this under “industrial design” or “design for the greater good” or something.
I found this article being talked about when browsing around one of the photography blogs I read (nsfw) and I thought it was an interesting product: a female condom with inner barbs as a rape prevention/deterrent device
Read more. →
1 comment. Posted by md in industrial design, innovation, opinion, social change on 21 August 2008.
Rejecting the familiar with Intel’s Digital Home Initiatives team
Since I moved to Arizona four years ago, I’ve been working tirelessly for the man, specifically designing web sites and other digital miscellanea. Tired of the same old song and dance, I set out to spend my summer working for as small a firm as possible, exclusively in print.
Its funny how often I am reminded; life cannot be planned.
Intel, for those of you in the dark, is the world’s largest semiconductor company and employs nearly 90,000 worldwide. They invented the x86 series of microprocessors, or for the technophobes, the brains that power most personal computers. Read more. →
2 comments. Posted by tanner in conceptual, experimentation, innovation, writing on 14 August 2008.
Theo Jansen, “we have a new wheel.”
“5,000 years after the invention of the wheel, we have a new wheel.” Read more. →
4 comments. Posted by tanner in experimentation, innovation, motion on 13 August 2008.
