9 years ago
“Being an inventor is like being a composer. Instead of music, we compose inventions, assembling materials in new ways to enhance the human experience with technology"
INSIDE THE INVENTIVE MIND
Tom Zimmerman
IBM Researcher & Master Inventor
40+ patents
9 years ago
9 years ago
Friend of a Fiend?
Brian from softball sends you a friend request. He’s an all around good guy—punctual, complimentary, clean, the works! Go ahead and accept him. WAIT. Don’t do it. That is, don’t do it unless he’s been put to the test. IBM Patent No. 8,706,648 goes beyond Brian to calculate the digital or social media risk his friends pose to your personal Internet security. Just like in real life, some of your friends run with a bad crowd. Thankfully, In the cyber world, now something can protect you from such hijinks. (But if his friends start a big ruckus in the stands, you’re still on your own.) Discover more innovations from 22 record years →
9 years ago
Making innovation count—7,534 times over.
Breaking geek news: Who’s the top U.S. patent earner for the 22nd year in a row? And the first group to be awarded over 7,000 in a year? IBM on both counts. 7,534 is a heck of a lot of patents, so to help us wrap our heads around the tally, we grabbed our Sharpies. High-fives to the more than 8,500 IBMers who made this improbable feat of innovation possible.
9 years ago
An IBM mad scientist on a minus sign worth millions.
Got a question for a Mad Scientist? Join the AMA now →
10 years ago
10 years ago
10 years ago
U.S. PATENT #8,614,631:
Flood data collection and warning mechanism
THINK OF IT AS…Your personal floodwater alarm. We’ve all seen in the news just how quickly floodwaters can rise without warning. Scary stuff. Especially for people who aren’t glued to the TV or radio to know when it’s time to pack up and get the heck outta Dodge. This patented free-standing water gauge has changed all that. It measures water levels and notifies those in danger with a phone call, SMS or email with instructions to high tail it before the waters rise to dangerous levels. Don’t forget to grab your hat and sunnies.
Another patent from our 21st year of record-breaking innovation.
10 years ago
Old person-scented doll? Rotating ice cream cone? Bird diaper? Yup. Amazingly, each of these odd, and seemingly-useless contraptions are bona fide U.S. patented innovations. Check out all 69 of the Weirdest American Patents Ever via Buzzfeed →
10 years ago
U.S. PATENT #8,610,295:
Reclaiming energy from waste water in tall buildings
THINK OF IT AS…Bath water-generated hydroelectricity. This system uses gravity to make electricity from rainwater, grey water and black water as it exits tall buildings. With every flush or turn of a faucet, water rushes down into a turbine, generating power and making you rethink your next goldfish funeral.
Another patent from our 21st year of record-breaking innovation.
10 years ago
U.S. PATENT #8,547,214:
System for preventing handheld device use while operating a vehicle
THINK OF IT AS…A mobile phone forcefield for textaholics. This innovation can analyze your fingerprints, voice patterns, retina images, heartbeat and more—to prevent you from using a handheld device while operating a vehicle. So less attention on your phone and more on that moose that just stepped out in front of you…
Another patent from our 21st year of record-breaking innovation.
10 years ago
