One of the most important works in scientific history was published in July 60 years ago – an article in The Atlantic Monthly entitled “AS WE MAY THINK”. Written by Vannevar Bush, the article describes the “memex” – a theoretical analog computer designed from the cutting edge technologies of the day to enable access to large amounts of information. The machine and linking systems Bush describe are remarkably similar to today’s hypertext and Ted Nelson who coined the term, hypertext" in the 1960's, acknowledges his debt to Bush. Bush was a visionary and his work in creating the environment which nurtured the development of what became the internet is well documented in several excellent articles in Wired magazine and ibiblio. "Consider a future device for individual use, which is a sort of mechanized private file and library. It needs a name, and to coin one at random, ``memex'' will do. A memex is a device in which an individual stores all his books, records, and communications, and which is mechanized so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility. It is an enlarged intimate supplement to his memory." - Vannevar Bush The original article can be read for free on-line at the Atlantic Monthly which is still published. VIA SLASHDOT  Read More

Sportspersons often talk of the “power of the mind”, so it will be interesting to see who eventually becomes the world’s best player of a new game called MINDBALL. Mindball is a tabletop soccer game where the ball is controlled by the brainwaves of the players.Both players wear biosensor headbands which use embedded electrodes to monitor the electrical activity in the brain of each player and the game rewards the player producing the most Alpha and Theta brainwaves, portrayed by the game’s inventors as “being the most relaxed”.  Read More

The truck billed as the world’s fastest, meanest, toughest tyre-torturing machine is now officially the world’s fastest truck thanks to a record breaking exhibition run at the Queensland International Air Show held at Bundaberg Airport on July 16 -17, 2005. The Bandag Bullet smashed the world record for a one kilometre run and potentially set eight world records on the way. The eight tonne Kenworth T400-based Bandag Bullet ran a standing start kilometre in 18.6 seconds with a terminal speed of over 300km/h. How can such a massive truck go so fast? Because it has two twin-turbo , nitrous oxide injected V8 diesel engines with a total capacity of 24 litres (1500 cubic inches), which produce 1100bhp and 5600 ft/lb of torque EACH. When the nitrous is pumping the motors put out 1400 bhp each for a total 2800hp at 3000rpm with power transmitted by an Allison CR 6000 transmission and standard Bandag retread truck tyres – the Bandag sponsorship of the truck is now in its 23rd year – 18 years ago the Bullet broke the world truck standing quarter mile with a 14.0 second pass - also on standard retreads, an indication the tyres are as strong as the relationship between the companies!  Read More

The US Army order an extra 106 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Block 1A Quick Reaction Unitary missiles earlier this week, significantly upgrading its surface-to-surface missile arsenal. At US$745,000 each, they aren’t cheap, but the recently upgrade guidance, control and fuze system on these missiles is very special – they can take out a target (5.7MB video) with surgical accuracy at a range of 300 kilometres while almost completely eliminating collateral damage. ATACMS is the only long-range tactical surface-to-surface missile ever fired in combat by the U.S. Army. The ATACMS Block IA Unitary is a derivative of the ATACMS Block IA tactical ballistic missile, with the M74 submunitions replaced by a monolithic 500-pound warhead. This warhead reduces collateral damage likelihood and makes it particularly suitable to attack hardened targets such as fortifications and bunkers. When used in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, it destroyed or rendered inoperable every target it engaged. The new model with improved guidance is capable of flying over obstacles, such as mountains or tall buildings in a built-up area, then diving vertically to more accurately engage its high-payoff, time-sensitive targets.  Read More

July Machine-to-machine (M2M) is one of the world's fastest growing communication segments, and electronically connecting the world's 50 billion machines has the potential to dwarf everything that has come before it in the communications space and we expect a significant proportion of Gizmag readers will be interested in the developments – so here’s a significant new resource to add to your bookmarks - M2MUpdate.com caters to the rapidly changing landscape of this marketplace with free news, white papers and reports. M2MUpdate is published by telematics conference organizer and publisher of telematics news Telematics Update.  Read More

Primary producers and researchers will jump at the thought of this new innovation – a solar-powered wireless transceiver that can send weather alerts via text or email message. SolarStream works with HOBO Weather Stations for measuring temperature, relative humidity, dew point, rainfall, soil moisture, photosynthetic light (PAR), solar radiation, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, 4-20mA, 0-5VDC, and pulse outputs. So you can now set the alarms you want and be informed immediately a trigger point is reached. And the weather stations can collect data on all of the above for analysis via BoxCar Pro software.  Read More

Proof that an ingenious new invention doesn’t require Bluetooth, a 5-GHz processor and a room full of MIT graduates. As anyone who has ever struggled to carry a half dozen plastic grocery bags will tell you, there has to be a better way t han having those plastic bags cut into your fingers and cut off the circulation. Designed to carry 50 lbs. of stuffed grocery bags, the EZcarry soft-grip handle is a comfortable soft-grip handle that makes carrying grocery bags, department store bags, dry cleaning hangers, and more, much easier. It works by evenly distributing the pressure of shopping bags across the hand so the weight no longer cuts into a person's hand, palm, or fingers. Shoppers just hold onto a cushy purple and blue handle.  Read More

This simple invention looks set to destroy one of the traditional global rites of passage – learning to carry four or more alcoholic beverages at the same time as learning about the effects of drinking alcohol. This ingenious device is the brainchild of Sydnesider John Braams, who was tired of carrying drinks back to his mates in flimsy cardboard trays. Says John, “the cardboard trays we all know and hate are poorly designed – they are unstable because the centre of gravity is above the carrier. Also, when wet, which often happens when you’re using them to carry beverages, they quickly deteriorate and can fall apart.” The Skoona Moova is a simple plastic flat fold-away tray that has been designed to make carrying four large glasses easy. Surprisingly, because the tray allows the weight to be balanced evenly, moving heavy drinks is effortless, and there is less spillage as the device is sturdy and won’t collapse. With two Skoona Moovas, you can carry eight drinks, and it’s re-usable, so when you’re finished, you fold it and store it in a pocket or handbag, office drawer or glove box until it’s next needed.  Read More

Despite all the instantaneous advantages of digital photography, there are times when you just want a photo. Now you can have it anywhere and any time with the release from Canon of a fully-portable, high quality photo printer. Owners of any PictBridge-enabled digital still, digital video or digital SLR camera can print photos by plugging their camera into the new printer. For camera phone users, compatible phones can direct print via infrared transmission (IrDA), with no need for cables and no computer required. The new SELPHY CP600 printer delivers brilliant postcard prints in around 60 seconds and runs on a battery pack, enabling a truly portable photo lab.  Read More