Inventions
Australian Bushfires Reveal Hidden Sections of Ancient Aquaculture System
The eel-farming system of the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids
‘PigeonBot’ Uses Real Feathers to Fly Like a Bird
The flying robot is better at following directions than its namesake
How Playmobil Went From a Simple, Smiling Figure to a Worldwide Sensation
A new movie plays off the narrative nature of a toy that has been capturing imaginations for 45 years
A Brief History of the Crock Pot
More than eighty years after it was patented, the Crock Pot remains a comforting presence in American kitchens
This Bioplastic Made From Fish Scales Just Won the James Dyson Award
British product designer Lucy Hughes has invented a biodegradable plastic made from fish offcuts
The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh
The much-loved children’s toy was a desperate spinoff of a putty used to clean soot off of wallpaper
Will Microneedle Patches Be the Future of Birth Control?
Researchers are developing a new long-acting, self-administered device that delivers hormones beneath the skin’s surface
This Device Has Been Measuring the Ocean's Plankton Since the 1930s
Largely unchanged since it was invented, the Continuous Plankton Recorder collects plankton as it is towed behind a ship
This Smart Cane Helps Blind People Navigate
WeWalk alerts users to obstacles at their body and face level, and can pair with a phone to give GPS directions and take voice commands
How the Zamboni Changed the Game for Ice Rinks
Invented by rink owner Frank Zamboni, the ice-clearing machine celebrates its 70th anniversary this year
This Robotic Trash Can Takes Itself to the Curb
The award-winning invention automates a 'chore that everyone hates'
How Susan Kare Designed User-Friendly Icons for the First Macintosh
The graphic designer is receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Cooper Hewitt for her recognizable computer icons, typefaces and graphics
How the Beatles Took Recording Technology to a New Level in 'Abbey Road'
An expert in sound recording details how the band deployed stereo and synthesizers to put a unique artistic stamp on this iconic album
Ten Inventive Attempts to Make Camping More Comfortable
Making a stay in the great outdoors more luxe isn’t new—even if glamping and #vanlife are
In This Interactive Football League, Fans Pick the Plays
Your Call Football's streaming app platform lets fans control the actions of real live players, earning points and winning prizes
A Century Ago, This Eerie-Sounding Instrument Ushered in Electronic Music
Now, the theremin—a strange little invention that translates hand gestures into pitch and volume—could make a comeback
A New Monopoly Celebrates Women. But What About the Game’s Own Overlooked Inventor?
At the turn of the 20th century, Lizzie Magie created the Landowner’s Game, which sought to teach players about the injustices of wealth concentration
These High-Tech Scarecrows Will Keep Pesky Creatures Away
From robots to digitized recordings, farmers are upping their game when it comes to protecting their crops
The Accidental Invention of the Slinky
The idea for the timeless toy sprung to mind when Naval engineer Richard James dropped some coiled wires
How Biology Inspires Future Technology
Bioengineers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute showcase their ingenious medical, industrial and environmental designs at the Cooper Hewitt
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