Technology Connections

Home Automation: A Beginner's Introduction

Portable Air Conditioners - Why you shouldn't like them

Movies made sound with a light bulb: Sound-on-film

Power outlets are topsy turvy - but does it matter?

Why it's not possible to synchronize turn signals (but also absolutely is)

Electric car chargers aren't chargers at all – EVSE Explained

LCCS: The LCD / CRT Hybrid from JVC

The step-by-step, mechanical logic of old pinball machines

Bright from the Start: GE's CFL with an incandescent trick up its sleeve

GE's bizarre early attempt at a CFL

Duracell PowerCheck: A genius idea which didn't last that long

How Analog Color TV Works: The Beginnings

RCA's CED failed; their history can tell us why (Pt. 3)

A Complete Beginner's Guide to Electric Vehicles

The Compact Disc: An Introduction

Digital audio needed videotape to be possible - and the early days were wild!

The simple, clever sensor behind automatic windshield wipers

There are two types of smoke alarm. One of 'em ain't so good.

Exploring the good ol' Cassette Tape

The Autochrome; Color photos? Just add potatoes.

How the gas mantle made lamps 10X brighter

Fans; High is next to Off on purpose

The Selection Accumulator; a Jukebox's Brain

MP3 CDs: a hybrid "format" that never existed, yet was surprisingly common

Tilting, taking turns, and winning free games: the many tricks inside old pinball machines

Your dishwasher is better than you think (tips, tricks, and how they work)

Simmerstats: The genius old tech that controls your stovetop

Introducing a new series! Connextras: Sights and Sounds

A Backwards Camera in a Dark Room - Photographic Printing

Philo Farnsworth and the Invention of Electronic Television

A simple water heater is more clever than it seems

LED Christmas lights still annoy me. Let's try some more fixes.

This 1960's camera is powered by light and completely automatic

Why don't Americans use electric kettles?

Home Electrification: There's not a lot to do, and it doesn't have to be hard (Part 1)

Timer switches: literally just a clock and a switch

Old car headlights were all the same — which was a fairly bright idea

Sony Betacam: Not the Beta you're thinking of (it's way better)

Why Heat Pumps are Immensely Important Right Now

This digital piano has some very clever controls

How do vinyl records hold stereo sound?

Holey Plugs, Batman! But... what are they for?

Contactors: how we power the big stuff

The clever camera code on rolls of film

Automatic Record Changers: We used to like them

1970's Camera Tech: How they showed you what settings to use

Drip Coffee Makers — super simple, super cheap

Air fryers are simpler than you think, but still pretty neat

Pulse Oximeters; An Amazing Use of Light

The Vacuum Tube and the Invention of Radio