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Niagara Falls: The 1969 Engineering Marvel and Its Impact
In 1969, the United States Army Corps of Engineers undertook the remarkable task of temporarily diverting the flow of Niagara Falls. This unprecedented endeavor drew even more visitors than any other event or achievement associated with the iconic landmark. The engineers’ primary objective was to develop a method for clearing the unsightly accumulation of boulders […]
The Self-Healing Power of Roman Concrete
Roman engineers created structures that have withstood the test of time thanks to the use of lime clasts in their concrete. Unlike modern concrete, which often deteriorates within a few decades, Roman concrete exhibits remarkable durability due to its self-healing properties from lime clasts. As a result, ancient wonders like the Pantheon and aqueducts still […]
Weird Designs That Will Make You Stop and Think
Designing stuff is really hard. Engineering is difficult.
Shaping the things we use and have around us at all times is a bit of a thankless task, because when it all goes right, nobody really notices it.
But when it all goes wrong? Well, that’s the stuff of memes.
10. Microwaves
These things have been around for like 70 years now, can we please improve some tech?
Via: Cheezburger
9. These safety pamphlets
Were they just copying and pasting to save on some graphic design costs?
Via: Cheezburger
8. Some banners
You might want to hire a good translator next time.
Via: Cheezburger
7. Scales
We all look at technology differently.
Via: Cheezburger
6. These weird sinks
Is it some sort of status symbol? A game? What’s going on here?
Via: Cheezburger
5. This restaurant sign
Cutting right to the chase and making me feel adequately stupid.
Via: Cheezburger
4. This Christmas display
The Miller Lite can at his feet is a nice touch.
Via: Cheezburger
3. Battery naming
Never understood this system. Can’t wrap my head around it for the life of me.
Via: Cheezburger
2. These butter knock-offs
I wonder if you could legally name your product “I Can’t Believe It’s Not ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter.’”
Via: Cheezburger
1. Texans
They wear their national flag proudly.
Via: Cheezburger
But seriously, can we talk about microwaves for a second? We’ve got 3D printers that can make you a new kneecap at home but my hot food box still isn’t capable of creating a warm-inside hot pocket? I call shenanigans.
What’s your favorite design oddity?
Tell us in the comments.
The post Weird Designs That Will Make You Stop and Think appeared first on UberFacts.
Walking Bicycle Uses Design Tools From Theo Jansen’s Famous Strandbeest Sculptures
Not too long ago, The Q science channel featured one of their designers who brilliantly constructed a walking bicycle using the same mechanical design developed by Dutch artist Theo Jansen for his Strandbeests. The Strandbeests are a famous set of amazing kinetic sculptures. When the wind is right, the sculptures, made mostly of plastic pipe, appear to walk down the beach using a system of triangles linked together to an axle for legs.
They move so well they almost look alive – hence, “beests.”
Jansen started making his Strandbeests in 1990, and his idea was that they’d “live” in herds on beaches, completely mobile and powered by ocean breezes. He called them artificial intelligence, although they’re not robots. He’s even said he would like for them to evolve to the point they could make decisions and build dunes. He also refers to them animals, though he acknowledges them as machines. After each creature roams the summer away on the beach, it becomes “extinct,” and starts a new life as a museum exhibit.
Videos of the mesmerizing beasts strolling the beach are available to watch online, and you can find instructions on various science sites for how to build your own.
For the walking bicycle, the back wheel was replaced with a specially designed, cut and welded piece (so not made of PVC pipe). This was the same design used in other Standbeests including a walking machine, a walking chair and a Penny Farthing.
It’s entrancing to watch, though maybe not the easiest way to get around.
The post Walking Bicycle Uses Design Tools From Theo Jansen’s Famous Strandbeest Sculptures appeared first on UberFacts.