60 Years of Engineering Innovations

Looking at the top engineering breakthroughs that came during the 60-year history of Design News.

Amazing display of questionable engineering

Posted by Rob Spiegel on February 19, 2009

Here’s some astonishing video of “Gallopin’ Gertie” (the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) from November 7, 1940, just before the bridge was demolished by a gale. ...... Read More

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Nolan Bushnell and the beginning of video games

Posted by Rob Spiegel on January 30, 2009

Here’s part one of a profile on Nolan Bushnell and the beginnings of Pong and Atari. ...... Read More

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History of the game wars

Posted by Rob Spiegel on January 28, 2009

Here’s a program that looks at game console history. This episode looks at the battles between Nintendo and Sony as the PC enters the game world. Then Microsoft appears on the scene. ...... Read More

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60 year history of Lansing speakers

Posted by Rob Spiegel on November 24, 2008

This video takes you though roughly 60 years of JBL history from the first speakers designed to produce sound in the movie theater to those designed for recording studios and live sound. JBL speakers and JBL history evolve into the offerings delivered today such as Project Everest II ...... Read More

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The secret history of Silicon Valley: How Stanford and the CIA built the Valley

Posted by Rob Spiegel on November 7, 2008

Test your knowledge of the beginning of Silicon Valley. Even veterans of the area will find this story interesting. In this Google Tech Talk, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steve Blank talks about how World War II set the stage for the creation and explosive growth of Silicon Valley, and the role of Frederick Terman and Stanford in working with government agencies (including the CIA and the Nation ...... Read More

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History of the video game

Posted by David Bridge on May 22, 2008

Many video gamsters point to the Odyssey as the first real video game console. Magnavox released the Odyessy in May of 1972, 36 years ago this month. Here’s a video that shows the history of video consoles, beginning with the Odyssey and moving through Atari, Nintendo and Sony. ...... Read More

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The history of circuit bending

Posted by Rob Spiegel on May 1, 2008

Here’s a video that discusses the history of circuit bending. The quick discussion explains how inventors with limited knowledge of electronics can turn electronic products into musical instruments. ...... Read More

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Jr. Science takes on satellites, comets, astroids and metorites

Posted by Rob Spiegel on April 3, 2008

Here’s a piece of television science history. This 1960 TV program features Ira Gallen discussing heavenly bodies, include comets, astroids, metorites and early satellites. ...... Read More

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Gadgets from 1983

Posted by Rob Spiegel on March 28, 2008

Here’s a video showcasing electronic gadgets from 1983. Along with cassette players, you’ll also get dazzled by some early robotics. The big feature was small electronics, from little video games to tiny TVs and small cassette players that roar through giant speakers. ...... Read More

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A vintage mono cassette recorder

Posted by Rob Spiegel on February 29, 2008

Here’s a video of the Lloyd’s 8V84A Series 90 vintage cassette recorder dating from approximately 1968. Quite a treat for those who love ancient, low-fit audio electronics. ...... Read More

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History of the Intel CPU

Posted by Rob Spiegel on February 7, 2008

This YouTube video will give you a quick hsitory of the Intel CPU. ...... Read More

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Who invented the microchip?

Posted by Rob Spiegel on January 24, 2008

Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby are both credited with inventing the microchip. This video discusses the development of the microchip, looking at the contributions from by Noyce and Kilby. There is also a third inventor who helped with the process of developing the microchip. ...... Read More

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