Five little-known inventions from deceased robot maker George C. Devol

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How many of his inventions can you name?

George Devol (above right) died last week at his home in Connecticut. He invented the Unimate, the first programmable Industrial Robot. But his creative genius did not stop there. Check out these five little-known inventions developed during his long career…

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China’s one-child policy a boon for Chinese girls

Girls in China

Two girls practice handstands before a diving training session at the centre of China’s State Physical Training Administration.

Mia Wang, a freshman at Tsinghua University has confidence to spare.  Asked what her home city of Benxi in China’s far northeastern tip is famous for, she flashes a cool smile and says: “Producing excellence. Like me.”

 

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83% of American adults own cell phones

people on cell phones

A third of American adults own smartphones.

83% of American adults own some kind of cell phone.  Cell phones have become a near-ubiquitous tool for information seeking and communicating and these devices have an impact on many aspects of their owners’ daily lives. In a nationally representative telephone survey, the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project found that, during the 30 days preceding the interview:

 

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Restaurant forces customers to sign no cellphone contract before dining

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I promise not to use my cell phone while eating…

A shout of OHHH MY GODDDD ARE YOU SERIOUS? SHE DID? The LED flash of someone Instagramming their entree, followed by look of smug gratification. Some jerk waving his phone around trying to get a cell signal Foursquare. Not anymore!

Buzzing DC eatery Rogue24 wants hype to be the only thing in the air, making patrons ink a contract that prohibits the use of phones and cameras during meals. What! Creeping fascism!

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Scientists have new help finding their way around brain’s nooks and crannies

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Brains from a new perspective.

Like explorers mapping a new planet, scientists probing the brain need every type of landmark they can get. Each mountain, river or forest helps scientists find their way through the intricacies of the human brain…

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British scientists develop computer memory made of glass

superman

The glass memory has been compared to the ‘memory crystals’ used in the Superman films.

Soon computers may be saving their data onto hard drives made of glass following research by British scientists who have developed a way of storing information similar to the “memory crystals” seen in the Superman films.

 

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