WHO INVENTED STAINLESS STEEL?
Stainless steel is used for architectural buildings, jewelry, watches, automotive parts, firearm components and has many other applications. Stainless steel is used for the most decisive property of non rusting or corrosion as compared to other metals. In the earlier years, stainless steel was sold in the US under various names such as Allegheny metal and Nirosta Steel. The common properties of Stainless steel such as resistance to corrosion, low maintenance, low maintenance and the shiny surface makes it perfect for various applications.
Currently there are over 150 grades of stainless steel, and only about 15 of them are used in most cases and applications. Stainless steel is produced and is rolled into coils, sheets, plates, bars, tubes etc.
Metallurgists since the 18th century have been working to make such an alloy, which was malleable, non corrosive and was extremely sturdy at the same time. Till the 19th century, they were unable to produce steels that had a low carbon and high chromium content and make them sustainable. Then in the late 1890’s Hans Goldschmidt from Germany developed a thermite process, for the production of chromium that was carbon free. Then in the early 1900’s especially between 1901 – 1920, several researchers across Europe and the United States were able to develop early persecusors to stainless steel.
WHO INVENTED NUMBERS?
The number system is extremely old and has been expressed in many ancient cultures for practical uses. Currently the most popular type of number system that is prevalent today is known as the Hindu Arabic numerals. The number system notation development is credited to two great mathematicians from ancient India, Aryabhat (5th century BC) and Brahmagupta (6th century BC). The simplest number system where even number is represented by marks is known as the unary numeral system. Here each and every natural number is represented by the number of corresponding marks, much like the tally marks that are still in use. This system is still used for teaching theories in computer science and can be used in practical use, but for smaller numbers only.
The ancient Egyptians and Romans modified this concept and laid down their own numerical system for various practical purposes. Many others like the Mayan system used the base 20 system. The place value system of numbers that has a base of ten uses 10 digits from 0 – 9 for making the positional numeral system work. This system makes it easier for working in arithmetic rather than other numeral systems. For the purpose of computer science, a modified k positional system is used, which is known as bijective numeration.
WHO INVENTED ZERO?
The word zero is attributed to many ancient cultures and is most likely a corrupt version of the Arabic spelling safira which meant it was empty. Coming down from the French cipher and zero, it finally became the word zero. The invention of zero as a number and not just for place position is generally attributed to the ancient Indians. By the 9th century AD, mathematics calculations that included both division and multiplication used the number zero. Pingala, who was an Indian scholar, also used zero for binary numbers, which was quite similar to Morse code.
The rules for using zero are now credited with Brahmagupta who was also an ancient Indian Scholar. The book treatise that he wrote known as “Brahmaputra Sidhantha” which translates to ‘The opening of the Universe. This treatise was written in 628AD. Along with rules for zero, the great scholar and mathematician had also laid down rules for negative numbers and algebra.
By the 6th Century, zero was being used as a means to signify a position. The earliest mention of this arrangement has been discovered in the texts ‘Lokavibhaga’ which dates back to the 5th century. By the 11th century, the concept of using zero in the decimal system which used the base 10 finally reached the shores of Europe. This was brought to the European continent by Spanish Muslims, known as the Moors who also bought their knowledge of astronomy and this is the reason, that they are referred as the Arabic numerals. Fibonacci was really instrumental in using the system in Europe and using it for common mathematic problem solving.
Zero now plays a significant role in computing and also other streams of sciences where it can have special significance.
WHO INVENTED POTATO CLOCK?
Potato clock was invented by William A. Borst in 1983. William was helping his stepdaughter in her science project when he was reminded of one of his physics class in which potatoes were used to generate energy. William fixed two metal prods into a potato and potato battery was made ready to generate energy. He then looked for a device that could work on a small charge. He got a digital clock in his workshop but realized that it would require a large amount of energy so he attached two potatoes in sequence. This proved fruitful and energy was generated. William now had a challenge to work about time limit of the battery and set up the experiment in his auto workshop in which he was a co partner. One of his customers who worked in a local newspaper showed curiosity in the device being tested and made it public through the article in his newspaper. The work which started as a project attracted national attention.
Later the rights of this project were purchased by The Skilcraft Corporation and now it is manufacturing the Two Potato Clock. William A. Borst did not gained much monetary profit from his project but the project brought good amount of fame to him. The Two Potato Clock is a favorite project for science student till date.
It is a simple project requiring materials like 2 potatoes, 2 short lengths of copper wires, 2 galvanized nails, 3 alligator clip wire units and 1 low- voltage LED clock.
WHO INVENTED TAXIMETER?
Taximeter was invented by, a German Wilhelm Bruhn in 1891. The word taximeter was derived from two words; a French word taxe meaning price and a Greek word metron meaning measure. Though earlier also there were patents for calculating fares such as “Patent Mile Index“ registered in 1847 and “Kilometric “ registered in 1858 but were not accepted by the taxi drivers. It is believed that Bruhn was thrown in river by the taxi drivers though his invention is still being used. This was from taximeter only that the taxicab got its name. The first meter equipped taxi “Daimler Victoria” was built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1897. The earliest taximeters were put outside the taxi on the driver’s side front wheel and were mechanically operated. Later it was put inside where they still exist.
It was in 1980 that electronic meters were introduced. Besides printing receipts and showing the fare amount the latest taximeters are well equipped with GPRS systems, radios as communicator and are also used to run a credit card. The passengers today can enjoy online booking also. They can confirm the freight by filling the boarding and dropping destination. The introduction of taximeters brought about revolution in taxi business. Though many factors determine the taxi fare but the main that influences is the distance covered.
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