Technology Connections

Season 2020

Explores numerous aspects of technological history, from how things work to the way they developed, covering a wide range of tech - one moment delving into analog television's electron guns, the next exposing your modern toaster's flaws.

Where to Watch Season 2020

28 Episodes

  • Holograms, Lasers & Boredom; the CED's march towards eventual invention
    E1
    Holograms, Lasers & Boredom; the CED's march towards eventual inventionAlright, here it comes! The fourth part.
  • Old-fashioned rice cookers are extremely clever
    E2
    Old-fashioned rice cookers are extremely cleverBet you didn't think a rice cooker was so interesting, did ya?
  • Race to the finish; RCA's final gamble (CED Part 5)
    E3
    Race to the finish; RCA's final gamble (CED Part 5)The end is near. The death knell approaches. What will become of RCA’s invention? And is this really the end? Would you like fries with that?
  • Brown; color is weird
    E4
    Brown; color is weirdThis video discusses the color brown. Seriously.
  • Teleprompters are clever, simple, and also pretty neat
    E5
    Teleprompters are clever, simple, and also pretty neat
  • The Computer-free Automation of a Jukebox (Electromechanics)
    E6
    The Computer-free Automation of a Jukebox (Electromechanics)
  • The Selection Accumulator; a Jukebox's Brain
    E7
    The Selection Accumulator; a Jukebox's Brain
  • Chest Freezers; What they tell us about designing for X
    E8
    Chest Freezers; What they tell us about designing for X
  • Coffee Percolators: An Explanation and Roast
    E9
    Coffee Percolators: An Explanation and Roast
  • DVD+R and DVD-R; What was that about?
    E10
    DVD+R and DVD-R; What was that about?
  • Fans; High is next to Off on purpose
    E11
    Fans; High is next to Off on purpose
  • Pulse Oximeters; An Amazing Use of Light
    E12
    Pulse Oximeters; An Amazing Use of LightYou might have been seeing a lot about these little devices lately. Have you ever wondered how they work? Well, let's find out!
  • How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940's
    E13
    How to design an actually good toaster with lessons from the 1940'sI love this toaster so dang much.
  • The US electrical system is not 120V
    E14
    The US electrical system is not 120VIt's more than 120V. It's even more than the other 120V! It is the sum of the two (and sometimes a different two!) that makes us who we are. Learn about the US electrical system in this not-at-all snarky video!
  • Laptop Docks! They're pretty neat!
    E15
    Laptop Docks! They're pretty neat!I know, my use of a laptop (and worse, that I like it!) makes me a truly terrible person.
  • Cassette adapters are remarkably simple
    E16
    Cassette adapters are remarkably simpleIt's a real lost opportunity that we didn't call these Cassettepters. It's not-at-all difficult to say! OK, maybe Cassepter would be easier but isn't that, like, a sword or something? The descriptions are getting weird.
  • Personal "air conditioners" aren't what they seem
    E17
    Personal "air conditioners" aren't what they seemYou know, it's one thing when a product has a limited scope and application. It's another when it's passed off as something greater than what it is. Learn why these fad devices are fad devices in this video.
  • The Impact Sprinkler - more clever than it seems!
    E18
    The Impact Sprinkler - more clever than it seems!It's that time again! Time to take a deep dive into the mundane to see what we can learn. Join me as we look at this sprinkler!
  • A record player that can play CDs: The Fisher DAC-145
    E19
    A record player that can play CDs: The Fisher DAC-145Well now, what do we have here? It's a CD player... but also a turntable? Hmm... very interesting. But why? How? And is it actually a good idea? Lucky for you you've clicked on this video and will find out!
  • Retroreflectors; they're everywhere, and they cheat physics (sort of)
    E20
    Retroreflectors; they're everywhere, and they cheat physics (sort of)Road signage and other markings may be something you take for granted, but have you ever wondered how they can appear so brightly with just the output of your headlights? Find out how, and get a load of other trivia, in this video!
  • The touch lamp; a neat idea, and older than you'd think!
    E21
    The touch lamp; a neat idea, and older than you'd think!I think we really oughta make this fashionable again, don't you?
  • Electric car chargers aren't chargers at all – EVSE Explained
    E22
    Electric car chargers aren't chargers at all – EVSE ExplainedCatchy title! But it's mostly true! There's a pinned comment you might want to read, as well. But there's some links down here, too.
  • Forced-air Furnaces: The What, Why, and How
    E23
    Forced-air Furnaces: The What, Why, and HowLet's not get too heated, this is after an inflammable subject. Frankly it's exhausting, but we gotta do it. We gotta explain how furnaces work! And soon, we'll talk about what will replace them. I'll try to remember to put a link here when that time comes!
  • Camera Tech from 1971: Match-needle exposure meter
    E24
    Camera Tech from 1971: Match-needle exposure meterEver wonder how pro cameras from the 1970's worked? Learn about their single most important tool for the photographer (and lots else!) in this exposé.
  • The Antique Microwave Oven that's Better than Yours
    E25
    The Antique Microwave Oven that's Better than YoursSeriously. How is this so old and yet so advanced?
  • What exactly is the goop inside a lava lamp?
    E26
    What exactly is the goop inside a lava lamp?Yep! Gonna get questionably gloopy!
  • Bubble Lights: The Weirdest Christmas Light?
    E27
    Bubble Lights: The Weirdest Christmas Light?Yes indeed, these are silly! Very silly! But, mesmerizing.
  • Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)
    E28
    Detergent packs are kinda wishy-washy (Dishwashers Explained)Ever wonder how dishwashers work? Are you ever bummed by the performance of yours? Well, this video can answer your question and possibly provide you with a solution!

 

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