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1. In the 1960s we purchased a new home on a budget. The first 'home improvement' venture for us was the garbage disposal. Our dog could not keep up with the volume and hogs are impractical in the city. And what are you going to do with that greenish brown stuff you find in the back of the refrigerator?
What was the first company to successfully market a garbage disposal unit?
2. Since I am a person who does well in traveling in familiar areas but have a mental block in following directions, the GPS enables me to feel more confident in my travels. When the time came to change cars, there was a GPS already installed, now called a navigation system. Although I get irritated at the beautiful modulated female voice when she tells me "Recalculating" or "Make a legal U-turn ahead" when I am only stopping for gas, I forgive her.
For what does GPS stand?
3. I came home from work one day and my wife had a strange look on he face. Her eyes were shining and she couldn't hide a broad smile. My birthday was in a couple of days so I thought it might have something to do with that. I could hear the television but had not glanced at it. When I did I saw this new television in the corner with a round tube. It was our first color TV. I was the proud owner of a color television--and a payment book.
When was the first nationwide telecast in color in the United States?
4. I remember the day in my work place when the rumor was confirmed that the organization was going to computerized record keeping in the late 1970s. They asked for four volunteers out of twenty one work units to be the guinea pigs for this venture. I felt a breeze as the number of hands that shot up wanting to be a part of this venture. Mine was not one of them. Those that were selected spent the next couple of years dealing with poor programing, delays in service, endless meetings, and frustrated staff. Our office popped along naively doing what we were always doing. A couple of years later, when the 'bugs' were pretty much out of the system, we were required to use the system. While we were not dealt with praise by management, my staff was happy that they did not have to endure the chaos.
For what is Konrad Zuse given credit?
5. When I purchased my own personal computer, I was eager to 'surf the net'. It was a somewhat disappointing experience as the promised storage of the computer was misleading as it was divided into three sections, all of which could be filled. So there was not really enough storage power to make extensive searching practical.
Who invented the Internet?
6. When I was a kid, we had an icebox. We had a cardboard sign that we placed in the window that had four numbers on it--25, 50, 75, and 100. If the 50 was placed at the top, when the iceman came down our street, he would know that we required a delivery of a 50 pound block of ice. Of course, while the iceman was in your house, it was a good time to sneak up to his delivery truck and score a sliver of ice on a hot day. One had to be alert because as the ice melted, the icepan underneath the icebox had to emptied. Some believed the melted ice was 'soft' water and retain it for wash day.
The home delivery of ice became a nostalgic thing as more and more homes were equipped with refrigerators and later with freezing capacity. What was the name of the first US company to make a refrigerator commercially available to the home in 1913?
7. In 1982 the compact disc was introduced. Many, including myself, marveled at the improvement in quality and resonance for the new technology. However, the compact disc (CD) had the effect of my collection of vinyl records including 78s, 33s, 45s, and cassettes obsolete. A friend commented that he wasn't sure what to do his his 200 plus record collection.
In 2000 the use of CDs began to decline. Which of these was NOT a cause of this.
8. Just after our first microwave was delivered, I found myself studying the manual that came with it. Eager to give the device a trial, my daughter walked in from school. I said "Debbie, would you like a hot dog?" She had a very puzzled look on her face which in retrospect I now understand. She murmured a barely audible "I guess so." Then I took a raw wiener, encased it in a hot dog bun, secured it with a toothpick, placed it in the micro for one minute. Sure enough, the buzzer went off and I handed my perplexed Debbie a fully cooked hot dog. Now I feel a little guilty forcing a hot dog on my unsuspecting child but the hype on the microwave was verified.
Percy Spencer was a researcher into the power of microwaves. What accidental occurrence happened during one of his experiments that indicated microwaves might be used to heat food?
9. Since I learned to drive, I have been partial to General Motors vehicles such as Chevrolets and Buicks. I had a Ford that meant, I think, "Fix Or Repair Daily" as that was my experience. I remember an old Studebaker in that mix. But two years ago I traded my last Buick for a hybrid auto. I never looked back as it has meant my needs for personal transportation.
A 'hybrid' indicates that more than one power source is used. Which of these is not normally found in hybrid autos?
10. Finally, the technology that has defeated me--the cell phone. Yes, I do own a cell phone and use it when I am on trips at the insistence of my family so they know where I am and I am well. But, if I want to go on the net, my laptop is always ready. My land line works well for 95% of my calls. I can not adjust to peering at information on the tiny screen.
Cell phones use micro-magnetic waves. It has been suggested that these waves may have a long term effect on health and particularly the brain. What has been found as a result on many studies?
Source: Author
Rehaberpro
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LeoDaVinci before going online.
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