Top 5 Patents from TIME’s 50 Best Inventions of the Year
The November 22 issue of TIME magazine contained an article any future patent holder would love. The 50 Best Inventions of the Year showcased everything from flying cars to mosquito killing lasers. While there is not enough space here to describe all 50, here’s a look at my top 5 picks from the TIME Top 50.
Patent #5: Around The World In An Hour
In an effort to fight isolated conflicts, the U.S. Prompt Global Strike initiative developed the X-51A WaveRider to attack any spot around the globe within an hour. The hypersonic missile can travel 600 miles in just 10 minutes! The most interesting feature is the missiles nose, which is designed to take advantage of the train of sonic waves it creates by making them break at the optimal angle. Take that Al-Qaeda!
Patent #4: I Compute BS
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed software that can detect sarcasm. The new software is designed to spot sarcastic sentences in product reviews. How well does it work? A test involving 66,000 Amazon reviews found the software worked 77% of the time in detecting sarcastic posts. I guess there’s no use in writing a snide comment on a blog ever again.
Patent #3: Iphone Credit Card Jack
If you have an iphone you now have the ability to accept credit cards. Square – a payment platform developed by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey – is a tiny magnetic card reader that attaches to a smart phone. Sign on the screen and Square sends a copy straight to e-mail. Finally, no more excuses when your buddy owes you a fiver.
Patent #2: Beef: It’s what Trains Run On
The Amtrak train the "Heartland Flyer" runs on 20% biodiesel made from rendered cattle fat. The biodiesel reduces air pollution because it runs cleaner than carbon-heavy diesel fuel and regular plant biodiesel. Do we change the term horsepower to ‘cowpower’ now?
Patent #1: The Lifeguard Robot
Definitely stealing the #1 spot for the "smack your head I should have thought of that" patent of the year goes to EMILY, or the Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard. This remote control buoy is powered by a tiny electric pump and is capable of speeds of up to 24 mph to save drowning victims. Let’s hope it doesn’t completely replace those bikini clad lifeguards.
Do you have an idea that may be in next year’s issue of The 50 Best Inventions of the year? You do? Then contact our office toll-free at 1-866-Idea-Attorneys…or…if you live in South Florida, swing by our Coral Springs office located at 11575 Heron Bay Blvd. Suite 309 Coral Springs, FL 33076