Repurposed Inventions
Repurposed inventions take recycling to a whole new level by using and improving upon existing technologies. In this section, learn about creative invention mashups and how inventions evolve over time.
10 Nobel Laureates Whose Work Changed the World
5 Technologists Who Have Benefited Humankind
Eugenics Overshadows the Legacy of Scientific Genius Francis Galton
Barrels and Barrels of Aged Beer
HowStuffWorks: Candyland Comes Alive at Candytopia!
Electricity-free Fridge Could Change Millions of Lives
Who Invented the Toilet? A Brief History of the Flush
HowStuffWorks: How Porta Potties Work
Who invented sports drinks?
Meet the Man Who Invented Cool Whip, Tang and Pop Rocks
Thomas Edison vs. Nikola Tesla Quiz
Who Was Rube Goldberg, and What Are Rube Goldberg Machines?
The Evolution of Dictaphones: A Comprehensive History
The Evolution of the Franklin Stove: From Invention to Modern Efficiency
The Fascinating History of the Mimeograph Machine
How WISE Works
How has NASA improved TV technology?
Who invented virtual reality technology?
Robot Revolution: Coming to a Restaurant Near You
How Patent Infringement Works
How Shrimp Shells Help Wounds Heal Faster
How could you confuse a rubber hand for your own hand?
Is it possible to fix a blown fuse with a chewing gum wrapper?
Do backscatter X-ray systems pose a risk to frequent fliers?
Why does a balloon stick to hair?
Why Do We Experiment on Mice?
Why do we experiment on animals?
Learn More
When early man attached a stick to a sharpened piece of stone, he set in motion a trend in the creation of tools: the mashup. Today, almost all tools combine at least a few different technologies. What are some popular invention mashups?
You think you really know an invention until -- whammo -- someone comes up with a new use for it. Ointment that soothes tired cow teats and treats baldness? Who would have thought?
These days, remote controls seem to, well, control our lives. Most people tend to have piles of them strewn about their living rooms. But where did this ubiquitous technology come from? Where is it headed?
Advertisement
The World Wide Web is bursting with information, so much so that it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of data available to us. How can we sort through and make sense of it all? That's where Web mashups come in.
If technology exists to make our lives easier, combining technologies into brand new devices seems like an even better idea. What are some of the most helpful, time-saving tech mashups?
We're used to bar codes saving us time in the grocery store, but some applications of this handy technology might actually save your bacon. What are some potentially life-saving applications of bar code tech?
2-D bar codes are being used in some interesting ways. Visit HowStuffWorks to learn everything about 2-D bar codes.
Advertisement
The trend toward tiny houses and rabid clutter clearing have combined to lead more than a few people away from the traditional home and into shipping container life.
Dimethylpolysiloxane has many uses, not the least of which might be curing baldness.