Tech History Made on March 21, 1863

On this day in 1863 George Owen Squier was born. Squier developed a process called multiplexing. Multiplexing is a process by which multiple digital data streams or analog message signals are grouped together and sent as one signal. For example, one phone line could carry multiple phone calls. If you are having trouble with his name just say square.

Daily Link Roundup of firebal shooters and manure launchers

Porta-Jump: Tiny Cube Jump Starts Your Car - You don't have to get out of the car to use it. Weekend Project: Make a fireball shooter Check eBay Auctions for Sneaky Stuff with Auction Inquisitor 1.20: Retention Plan Robot Vacuum Cleans Your Floors, Maps Your Rooms, Sleeps With Your Wife - True Manure launching security system Breaking: Sony Won't Charge $50 To Remove Bloatware Tell Starbucks What You Want: More Free WiFi, Plugs For Laptops, Better Coffee... Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader Locked Up: Why Your Books Are No Longer Yours - You are better off by the real thing, so you can do whatever you want with it.

Tech History Made on March 20, 1800

On this day in 1800 it was announced that the first wet-cell battery had been produced. Alessandro Volta had postulated that electricity was made when metals and moisture were introduced. He made a stack of copper and zinc discs with salt water soaked cardboard between each layer. The cell produced a steady current. News spread quick of his accomplishment and Emperor Napoleon of France was impressed. Volta was named a knight, then a senator and then Count Volta. If you hadn't already figured it out the unit of measure Volt was named after Count Volta.

Daily Link Roundup of DangerBombs and suicide robots

Banpresto DangerBomb Alarm Clock Makes Each Morning Your Last Chill Out With The Swiss Peace Knife Has Digg Already Picked the President? HOW TO - LED foldie Sharpcast (Finally) Releases SugarSync for Synchronization of Data Across Devices How NOT to Promote Your Site Man kills self with suicide robot Handmade mechanical dragonfly Five Methodologies to Deal with Email Overload

Daily Link Roundup of RFIDs and Stashes

How To Hack A RFID Credit Card For $8 MediaCart Does Everything But Carry Home The Shopping Tetris Mirror Is Useful Gaming Art 1.19: More Surfing - XML= Extra, Medium, Large KidZui: The Kid Safe Browser - Great idea that can really help all parents. Arthur C. Clarke Passes On Stash Stuff Inside Your Notebook with Stash Card - This would be perfect for keeping business cards with you. Best Buy Awards Over $20 Million in gift Cards to HD DVD buyers Wireless Spectrum Auction Raises $19.6 Billion. We Still Don’t Know Who Won.

Space History Made on March 19, 1915

On this day in 1915 Pluto was photographed for the first time. At the time it was not known that Pluto was in the photo. On February 18 1930 Pluto was discovered (in the photos above) and upon reviewing older photos it was found that it had been first photographed in 1915. Of course today Pluto is no longer classified as a planet but it still was a an exciting discovery. Pluto had been right under astronomers noses for 15 years unnoticed.

How to Make Your Own CD/DVD Cases & Sleeves

How many times have you burned a CD or DVD only to find you don’t have an empty case to put it in? Well we have it happen all the time, so we set out to find an easy to make CD case that uses only a sheet of 8 ½ by 11 piece of paper. We diligently searched Instructables.com and now bring you our top five. You can click on the image of each case to view how to make it.

This one topped our list because it requires no tracing, no scissors and no glue. The resulting case is sturdy enough to be used more than once and is portable. It completely encases the disk and closes securely. Also, once you have made one you won’t forget how to make it.

This CD sleeve is very similar to our #1 pick, but requires some cutting/ripping. It does however have an optional template posted to help with adding artwork. Like number one it is easy to remember, reusable and portable.

This one lands at three because it requires scissors and a pencil. Also, the directions are in video form which seems like a good idea, but in the end only makes it harder to follow. The directions present 2 ways to secure the case and even though the case is not easy to remember, it is reusable, portable and results in a nicely finished product. This might be a good pick if you're producing the case to give to someone else as a gift.

Although the end result was worth the work, tracing and scissors do not make for an easy build. This CD sleeve is portable but you might have trouble making it again without the instructions. This instructable features both a video and the usual step-by-step instructions which are a big help. Like #3, this one looks nice but requires quite a bit of effort to produce.

Tip: Fold with the tracing to the outside. It makes a nice pattern on back of the case!

This case lands at #5 because it is not exactly portable. Really, it's more of a sleeve than a case. The directions are quite simple and easy to remember though, and the sleeve would be great for in-office storage.

Honorable Mention

These next two cases didn't quite make the cut because they were just too hard to make. Still, we just had to mention them because the results are really cool!

While a template is available, this case is difficult. The intricacies of this case would make it great for giving a CD as a gift. Since our search began as a need for a quick CD case, this simply didn't meet our requirements. Also, it does not seem to last for too many unwrappings and wrappings.

(Confession: We found this case so complicated that we never actually finished constructing it. Darn A.D.D.)

This case has a template you can fill in with your own text and artwork then print. It requires a heavier grade paper than the rest, so it didn't quite meet our requirements. This case would be great when making CD’s for a garage band or a Christmas gift and even includes instructions for doing a double-CD case.

Daily Link Roundup of Faxes and Big Dogs

Hakia Licenses its Semantic Search Technology TiVo adds Web video--but there's a catch - You need a Series 3 box to use it. What Happens When WiFi Goes Away? Fax for Free - You can send 2, 3 page faxes a day for free. BB Gadgets: Big Dog robotic pack mule on ice and snow- Watch the video so you can see the height of this robot. Measuring cup with unusual units of measure- Add half a human brains worth of flour and then mix in...... Worst USB Gadget Yet: Engagement Ring Self watering recycled plant pot for growing herbs and flowers IPhone Hack Brings Multi Touch To PC and Mac

Tech History Made on March 18, 1858

On this day 150 years ago the inventor of the diesel engine was born. Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel a German born in Paris who also lived in London before finally moving to Germany at the age of 12. At 14 he knew he wanted to be an engineer and went on the Industrial School of Augsburg. He did not like the engines of the day so he made his own. The engine worked on ignited fuel after it was injected into the engine. He was able to patent the engine in many countries. The oddest thing about Diesel surrounds his death. In 1913 he was traveling by ship Belgium to England. He went to bed and asked that he be roused the next morning at 6. In the morning he was gone and his body was later found floating of the Dutch Coast.

Daily Link Roundup of SMS Spams and VoIP Phones

Chinese Firm Sends 230 Million SMS Spams Daily - Everything really is made in China. Check Web Site Availability with Down For Everyone Or Just Me? - We will use this for those clients who can't understand why their site is not coming up when they are at some random establishment. 1.18: Quitting is a Disease - This is so true. Thomson's Beautiful "Symbio" VoIP Phone - We want one. Toy Records Audio Onto a Coffee Cup Robot On A Swing Video Coming To Flickr Soon. Really. A Very Special Google Docs Feature (Potential Spoiler) BLUETOUCH Bluetooth Car Kit Is Not So Hands Free

Tech History Made on March 17, 1948

On this day William Ford Gibson III was born. Gibson is a science fiction writer who first coined the word "cyberspace" in a short story in 1981. He then used the term in his novel Neuromancer. Here is the quote from the book "Cyberspace. A consensual hallucination experienced daily by billions of legitimate operators, in every nation, by children being taught mathematical concepts... A graphic representation of data abstracted from the banks of every computer in the human system. Unthinkable complexity. Lines of light ranged in the nonspace of the mind, clusters and constellations of data. Like city lights, receding...". Today what we call "cyberspace" is the networked world of modern computerized communication. Gibson's books continued in this vain and lead to the realm of sci-fi called cyberpunk.

Tech History Made on March 14, 1794

On this day in 1794 the patent for the cotton gin was filed by Eli Whitney. During this time the seeds were removed from cotton in a very labor intensive process. Whitney's cotton gin performed the task quickly and well. A wooden drum covered with hooks pulled the freshly picked cotton over a mesh screen. The cotton went through the mesh but the seeds did not. A simple invention that helped transform the south. Unfortunately for Whitney it did not make him a fortune.

Daily Link Roundup of Space Stations and Flatwires

UK Man Builds Amazing High Tech Shed - It is the ultimate man shed. Space Station Puts 12GB In Your Pocket Wireless Nunchuck for Nintendo Wii by Nyko FriendFeed Is This Years Twitter, But Why? Hide Cords in Plain Sight with FlatWire Fix Desynchronized Video and Audio with VLC Toktumi Opens its PC-based Phone Beta to Public - Get it...Talk To Me

Daily Link Roundup of Monitors and Laser Shows

Water Bike Pitches Pedal Powered Purification - If only they had this in Water World Can a Larger Monitor Make You More Productive? - Dual monitors has helped us out. I wonder if this would work as well? You'll Need to Come Downtown - If you are going to use tech as grounds to arrest someone, make sure you have all the facts. Google Now Selling SEO Services Via Performics AOL buys social network Bebo for $850 million Red Hot Laser Light Show - Jazz up the office breakroom with a laser light show! And Nerds Became Kings: Yahoo! to Announce Semantic Web Support

Tech History Made on March 13, 1986

On this day 22 years ago......Microsoft "went public with an IPO, with a starting initial offering price of $21.00 and ending at the first day of trading as at US $28.00. In 1987, Microsoft eventually released their first version of OS/2 to OEMs." Today Microsoft stock is at $28.86.







Source Wikipedia

Daily Link Roundup of Password Checkers and Pacemakers

Belkin USB Hub That Fills Your Desk Grommet Hole. Verdict: Ingenious Design! Check Your Passwords' Strength at Microsoft's Password Checker Bore Your Friends With Vacation Photos Converted To Viewmaster Slides! Bringing OpenID To The Masses: Clickpass Belkin Powerstrip Lets You Recharge USB Gadgets Wal-Mart: Linux Not Ready For Our Shoppers Why broadcast TV sucks, AKA the rise of web video World's Smallest Pacemaker Hits REPLY on Your Heart Dropbox: Easy real-time folder sync, rollback Facebook Pays $25 For User Testing; We’ll Double That For Leaks

Tech History Made on March 12, 1923

On this day in 1923 movies received synchronized sound. Many had tried and failed to sync the human voice with moving lips on screen. Thomas Edison tried using a phonograph in conjunction with a moving picture, it didn't work. Lee de Forest bypassed the phonograph and combined the sound and pictures. He placed the sound recording on the film using an optical soundtrack. Sound frequency and volume were analog blips of light on the film. Forests patents dated back to 1919 but his first successful try was during a press demo in 1923. His technique was used for years until digital sound in the 1990's. The Oscars honored him 1959 with a special award for the "pioneer invention which brought sound to the motion picture".

Daily Link Roundup of TV Stands and Hulus

Ex-Googler Launches Search Engine Community, Topicle Automatic Etch-A-Sketch Clock The Idea Behind "Can Google Hear Me" Thanko Motorized TV Stand For Getting Your Wii On - There are lots of Wii gadgets popping up. Oil paintings inspired by Internet memes If It Doesn't Rot, Don't Eat It - I guess that means no more Mountain Dew. Asus MS71 - USB Flash Drive and Mouse - Good combo. CSS Minifier : A simplified and performant version Bringing down an ASP.NET Application for updates Hulu to offer lulu of a video selection

Tech History Made on March 11, 1915

On this day in 1915 Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider aka JCR or Lick, was born. JCR is a very prominent figure in computer science and the history of general computing. JCR did not contribute inventions but rather ideas. His ideas included the following: online banking, graphical computing, digital libraries, migrating networks, e-commerce and point-and-click interfaces. In 1960 he wrote his famous paper Man-Computer Symbiosis which discussed the need for simple interaction between computers and man. Licklider is a common household name but he sure did contribute a lot to everyones life.

Daily Link Roundup of Bloxes and Codes

Padded Lamposts Cause Fuss in London - For GPS using people who never look up from their cell. May Day Boycott Looming, EBay Revises Impact of 'Bug' - DO NOT USE EBAY ON MAY 1ST! British Security Camera Can See Through Clothes - Brits rights are quickly disapearring. 1.15: Code Security - This is how crappy code started. How to save money running a startup (17 really good tips) - Good tips for any business really. Bloxes Cardboard Modular Building Blocks - These would be awesome to use in a loft. Gmail Assistant: Keep Tabs on Your Gmail Accounts - Does what it says. Porcupine Flashlight Weaponized For Your Pleasure - Blind and mame your foes. Elgan: Making the phone-PC connection - We all want a cell that works seamlessly with our PC. Savvy Circle Monitors Your Wishlist for Price Drops - Yet another way to get the best price. Review: Ultimate Ears iPhone Earbuds Let You Talk Pretty, Today - Because earbuds suck.

Tech History Made on March 10, 1876

On this day in 1876 the first phone call was made. Alexander Graham Bell called his assitant in the next room. He said,"Mr. Watson, come here -- I want to see you." Mr. Watson heard and understood. He walked into the next to find a very excited and proud Mr. Bell. Watson diary records the sentence as, "Mr. Watson come here I want you." This was not the biggest controversy surrounding the telephone. We have told you before of the patent war between Bell and Gray.
Who was the first is still unclear but Bell be far has the more exciting story.

Medical History Made on March 7, 1857

On this day in 1857 Julius Wagner-Jauregg was born. Julius was an Austrian physician who while not formerly trained in pathology of the nervous system made a great discovery for it. Julius experimentated with the idea of inducing a fever in patients with mental disease as a treatment. In 1917 he tried using malaria parasites which proved very effective in patients with dementia paralytica. This discovery earned him the Nobel Prize in Medicine 1927. We liked this story for the idea that something notoriously bad can be used in a good, beneficial way.

Daily Link Roundup of Snakes and Pricepinx

Gliding Slider Turns Your Keybard into a Mousepad Open Your Beer Like A True Geek Robot Snakes Crawl Up Your Pants - Robot snakes are taking over the world. Copy and Paste Text for Later Use with Textsnip Zicasso: Have Someone Else Plan That Perfect Trip Pricepinx intelligently watches for price drops online - We are using this to catch a Wii on sale. What are the laws in each US state on driving while cellphoning? Neclace Monitors Medicine As You Swallow It - Yes they spelled necklace wrong. Make Site-Specific Searches Within Google Search Results Inside the Shady World of Consumer Spy Gadgets

Daily Link Roundup of Dual Sync Outlook and GCal

Tactile Wand For The Visually Impaired Cheapo Keyboard Has a Hidden Secret -The new junk drawer. Flexii Vista Compatible Portable USB Paperless Digital Fax Machine-Plug and Play! Haptic Maglev Controller May Be Coming To Unaffordable Market Underground 'SneakerNet' Growing In Cuba - Think about how mad you get when your internet kicks the bucket. Imagine not having any access ever, not at all. Peephole Video Camera Sync Your GCal to Outlook and Back Automatically - Here we go guys. We have been waiting on this for a long time. Passively Cooled PC Uses Giant Heat Sink for a Case Internet Explorer 8 Has Arrived Top 10 Ways to Get Cables Under Control AOL Releases Open AIM 2.0 Foiled by the Dictionary - We have all had clients like this.

Space History Made on March 6, 1937

On this day in 1937 the first woman to travel into space was born. Valentina Tereshkova was born in Russia to a textile mill worker and a tractor driver turned soldier. She had the perfect background to represent Russia as the first woman to enter outer space. Tereshkova was a textile worker like her mother but found an interest in parachuting and began training. When the desire came to send a woman to space she was picked along with 57 other woman to be screened in Moscow. 5 were chosen to receive training.Tereshkova lacked in eduction but the craft was self piloting. In the end her proletarian background and physical stamina won her the seat on the Vostok Craft. Tereshkova completed 48 orbits of the earth for a total of 70 hours in space. Initially she claimed to have no ill effects from the journey but it was later discovered she suffered some emotional trauma while in orbit. She became a member of the Supreme Soviet and was made a Hero of the Soviet Union.

Daily Link Roundup of Mints and Soaps

1.13: Bad News - Comic strip poking fun at Wikipedia. Google Cleans Up With Gmail Soap - So fresh and so clean, clean. Take Your iMac Anywhere In This Indestructible iMcruzer Case - And everyone will think you are transferring a weapon of mass destruction. Portable Clip On Printer For Notebooks - Could come in handy but most hotels have printers you can use. Mint Gets A Mint Toast Appliances Are Either Best Or Worst Thing Ever Lynxmotion DIY Hexapod Kit - We want one now. Bronze PSP in Japan - AKA Brown. ClipFinder searches, streams, and downloads - Search all video. Microsoft LucidTouch Gives Touch Technology the 'Reach Around' - Very neat screen senses your fingers on the back of the device.

Tech History Made on March 5, 1872

On this day in 1872 the patent was filed for the first railway air brake system. George Westinghouse was 22 when he invented the air brake and only 25 when patented. The air brake worked using pipes, reservoirs and specially designed valves. The pipe ran the length of the train with flexible connections at each car. The system was flawless because if a pipe broke the brakes would be applied stopping the train. Westinghouse developed the system after seeing a train wreck in which both conductors could see the other but could not apply the brakes fast enough. Men had to run on top of the train and apply the brakes on each car individually. The Westinghouse Air Brake Company (WABCO) was formed to produce and sell the invention. It took no time for the system to be widely used and is the basis for many train braking systems of today.

Daily Link Roundup of Anti-Sharks and Pidgins

Worst USB Gadget Yet: Dog-Doing-Situps Drive Watch All Network TV from One Place Which Programming Language Would Presidential Candidates Use? Hawking USB Dish Antenna Picks Up WiFi, Protects Death Star - Always have internet access. Microsoft goes public with Office Live Workspace beta iRobot to Develop "LANdroid" Mechanized Network Hotspots Jurassic Programmers Shark Eats Anti-Shark Device In Test (Oops) - This is too funny. How Many Hours Do You Sleep at Night? - Six here. Asus Ares CG6150: Devours children, plays games Poll: Will Your Mom & Dad Ever Use Twitter? - Ours probably will. We already got them using ooVoo. Chat Across IM Platforms with Pidgin 2.4 Plug-'n'-Play USB Virus Makes MacBooks Fall to Pieces homage to the light bulb So You Hacked Our Site!?

History Made on March 4, 1915

On this day in 1915 the inventor of daylight savings time passed away. William Willett is often overlooked as the inventor as Benjamin Franklin had discussed the ancient practice of daylight savings time in 1784. Willett first began to think of adjusting the time according to the season while on a early summer morning horse ride. He noticed that homes blinds were still down, the sun was up and people were missing it. In 1907 he used his own money to publish "The Waste of Daylight". Willett proposed advancing the clocks 80 minutes in the summer and then turned back 80 minutes in the fall. This would extend the summer days into the evening using less electricity and extended recreation time. The bill was finally passed in Britain on May 17, 1916 due to the need to conserve coal during WWI. Willett did not live to see its adoption in Britain or any other countries as he passed away in 1915. So now you know who to curse as you set your clocks forward this Saturday night.

Daily Link Roundup of Hangers and Vibrations

GROW - Leaf Like Solar Cells Inspired By Nature - Solar energy system that can be used on any building. Coat Hanger Beats Pricey Audio Cables - Are Monster cables worth the price? Serial-mouse-driven Etch-a-Sketch - Fun. Game Boy PocketPrinters Temporarily On Sale Again - Who buys these things? Dude, where's my cell phone? - Can't call your phone to find it? Here is your solution. Bluetooth Headset Swallows Deep Throat Vibrations - No, it just sounds dirty. All the Webware 100 finalists in one place Robot Snake Stands Up, Wiggles Around - Neat movement for a robot, unrealistic for a snake.

Tech History Made on March 3, 1847

On this day 161 years ago Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. We have talked before of Bell's patent war with Edwin Howard Armstrong. We also have discussed one of his inventions, the transistor. Bell's first invention was a dehusker for his friends father to use in his mill. Bell became fascinated by acoustics when his mother slowly became deaf. He developed a hand language to explain the conversations around her. He found that by talking into her forehead very purposely she could understand him. He remember the hand language until his death. His wife said "Don't leave me" and he signed "No"as he slipped away. Makes you wonder, if his mother had not been deaf would he have gone on to invent the telephone?