Technology
Discover facts about technology. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Technology
How an old speedometer moved its needle
A spinning cable turned a magnet inside the speedometer. The faster it spun, the more the magnet pulled an aluminum cup against a spring, moving the needle.
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Safety valves release steam to prevent pipe ruptures
When pressure rises too high, the valve opens to vent steam and relieve pressure before pipes rupture.
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Why a yo-yo can sleep at the end of its string
The string loops loosely around the axle rather than being tied to it. When thrown hard, the axle spins inside the loop; a tug catches the string and sends…
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Snowboards utilize curved edges to carve into slopes
When a rider tilts the board and puts weight on it, its inward-curving edges help it bend into an arc. That edge cuts a curved path through the snow instead…
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A mechanical watch can keep different time in different positions
Gravity acts differently on the balance assembly depending on how the watch is oriented. Tiny imperfections therefore show up as gains or losses that vary…
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A tourbillon makes a watch fight gravity by spinning
The escapement—the mechanism that meters out the watch's ticking—sits inside a rotating cage. Turning it through different positions averages out some…
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Paintballs fracture upon impact via brittle gelatin
Each gelatin shell must be strong enough to survive the blast from the barrel but brittle enough to shatter on impact with a soft target.
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Why racing tires are completely smooth
Smooth racing slicks put as much rubber as possible against the asphalt for grip at high speeds. But without grooves to channel water away, they lose traction…
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The tiny lock parts designed to defeat lockpicks
In some locks, mushroom-shaped pins catch on the cylinder rim when pushed the wrong way, jamming the mechanism and frustrating lockpicking attempts.
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Chainsaw chains feature specific rakers to limit cuts
A small metal raker ahead of each cutter limits how much wood it bites in one pass, reducing the risk of kickback.
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Carabiners gain maximum strength only when fully locked
A closed gate completes the carabiner's load-bearing frame; if it opens, the carabiner can lose more than half its strength.
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Darts feature knurled barrels for consistent finger grip
The grooves give fingers a more consistent grip, helping prevent slips during a throw. On sweaty hands, the textured metal can feel like localized sandpaper.
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How bulletproof vests catch bullets like nets
The woven layers stretch and deform on impact, trapping the bullet instead of stopping it with a rigid wall. The wearer can still suffer broken ribs.
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Ski bindings eject boots instantly during severe twists
Calibrated springs hold the boot in place but release it when a twist reaches a dangerous threshold, helping prevent leg injuries.
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Racing bicycles shave tube shapes for aerodynamics
Flattened, teardrop-shaped tubing reduces drag, helping racers save seconds over a 100-mile race.
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Modern golf clubs feature hollow heads for forgiveness
A mostly hollow clubhead lets designers concentrate weight around its outer edges, making it less likely to twist when you miss the center of the face.
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Rowing oars feature asymmetrical spoons for water grip
The blades are scooped and set off-center to stay planted in the water instead of diving too deep or slipping out, helping rowers push the boat forward.
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Hockey sticks flex dramatically to whip pucks forward
Players press the blade into the ice to bend the stick, then its spring-like recoil helps launch the puck.
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Why airplane engines have flattened bottoms
Their housings are flattened to give the engines enough ground clearance to avoid scraping the tarmac as the plane pulls up to the gate.
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Why humidity can ruin a billiard shot
Moisture makes the table's cloth and rubber cushions swell slightly and respond more slowly, so a bank shot that works in dry winter air can fall short on a…
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Surfboards use bottom fins to prevent sliding sideways
The fins bite into the water, giving the board lateral grip and a pivot point for turns; without them, it can slide sideways.
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Pole vault poles bend based on strictly defined limits
As the pole bends, it stores some of the vaulter’s energy; when it straightens, that energy helps lift the athlete over the bar.
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How cheap game assets create bizarre worlds
Developers can combine mismatched, store-bought assets, putting hyper-realistic trees beside cartoonish characters.
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Why three dots are called a kebab menu
Three dots stacked vertically resemble pieces on a skewer, giving the overflow-menu icon its food nickname. Its horizontal cousin is often called an ellipsis…
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