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The toilet is by far the greatest technological advance of our time. Mostly overlooked in a world of smart phones, laptops, and iPods, the toilet has contributed more to the modern world than any product.
The toilet and plumbing originated from the ancient Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian, and Chinese civilizations. With the rise of public baths in Rome, they needed a way to transport the water and waste to and from the baths. The Romans developed eleven aqueducts that brought water from rivers in the area to the city for drinking, bathing, and even fountains. After use, it was taken by a waste system of terracotta pipes away from the homes. The poor would have used individual pots that they empty into the sewer or visited public latrines composed of long benches with holes. By the 5th century B.C. they had developed city officials to monitor and improve the sewer systems.



The invention of the toilet and along with it indoor plumbing has taken technology to another level. The world that used to be plagued by disease and poor health because of waste left on the streets or around the house has now been changed. Indoor plumbing not only takes away waste from the general public, but now has the ability to treat it and turn it back into clean water or fertilizer. The invention of the toilet itself, as advancement from outhouses, now brings a necessity from the outdoors indoors. You no longer had to brave the cold winter to use the bathroom, now it is in the luxury of your own home. This not only saves time, but also contributes to better health. You don’t have to go outside and risk getting a cold in winter, or be around it in the hot summers.
A great example to support this technological advance is third world countries. Many third world countries do not have the luxury of toilets or indoor plumbing. I believe this can be directly related to their lack of advancement in the technological world. Though to us the plumbing system seems like a basic technology, it can open the doors to many other things. Once you advance plumbing, water treatment can also follow, which is one of the greatest problems in third world countries. If they have the ability to route waste away from their towns, they will also be able to clean it and in turn bring the clean water for reuse. This can bring into their area reservoirs and water systems which would immediately improve quality of life, life expectancy, and disease mitigation. Once understanding the logistics of sewage systems, etc. they will have the adequate time to think of improving on other technologies.
The toilet has also given us a few seconds each day to reflect on what has transpired or what is about to come. It gives us the rare ability to close out the rest of the world and just think. In a world that has become invaded with sharing almost every aspect of our lives with the each other or the public, the toilet allows us time with ourselves.

Where would we be without time-space?

Have you ever stopped to think what life would be like without the ability to know the precise time of day? What would you do if you didn’t know the exact hour and minute? What would you do without a clock?

In a fast-paced society, efficiency is key to productivity and therefore success. Without the accomplishment of several tasks throughout the course of a day, one cannot compete in the world.

What would you do if you could not organize your day by the hour? How would you get to class on time? How would you prove to professors, graduate schools or potential employers that you can handle multiple responsibilities? These activities would not be possible. There would be little opportunity for the arrangement of shared experiences...little opportunity for time-space.

Life is based on time. Success is based on the ability to manage one’s time wisely. Without the ability to regulate activities and the duration of time necessary to complete them, there is no upward social mobility, because there is no ability to complete tasks that lead to larger achievements. Everything occurs on a schedule.

Thus, it is not just the invention of time that has proved so vital to a functional society. It is German locksmith Peter Henlein's invention of the portable clock ....the most important innovation of the 16th century. While this device might not be appropriate today, the notion of a portable time-telling device that came with it is. The "clock watch," as some call it, gave rise to the wrist watch – like those of Patik Phillipe developed in the late 19^th century. It was not so much the production of a piece of technology that was monumental, but the notion of a portable time-telling device that gave rise to the clocks on your wrist and eventually digital clocks your computer, your cell phone…even your iPod.

Modern society functions via the interconnection of corporate bureaucracies across the globe through time-space – allowing for the delegation of tasks to be completed in a given amount of time. Such, globalization would not be possible if it weren’t for the ability to catch a flight scheduled to leave from JFK at 10:56 AM or for a conference call to take place at precisely 2:30 PM. The organization of everyday life as we know it, would not be possible without the invention of the portable clock.

Condoms are the Best Technology Advancement in History:Science and History of Condoms- How have condoms changed from past to present day?

In 1000 BC Egyptians used something similar to a condom that was seen to be a linen sheath.  This is the earliest known visual evidence of the use of condoms that were shown on wall carvings and paintings.

During the 1500’s there was a wide spread use of condoms.  Europe was experiencing a widespread outbreak of syphilis. Condoms were made of oiled silk paper, linen sheaths, leather, and very thin hollow horns, some from tortoise shells and other shelled animals.  First known recorded descriptions and trials in order to see the effectiveness of condoms was by an Italian named Gabrielle Fallopius in the 1500’s.  He said that the trails conducted with 1,100 men. The findings with using the linen sheaths were that none of the men became infected with syphilis.  During this time researchers used the first type of spermicidal, by treating the linen with chemicals before it was used. 

In the 1700’s the word condom started being used to describe the linen sheath. Some say that the word ‘condom’ came from a person named Dr. Condom who was a member of the court of King Charles II.  He provided animal tissue sheaths, such as intestines from cats and dogs in order to keep King Charles of England from having kids, and getting diseases from prostitutes.  It wasn’t effective because it wasn’t washed right before it was used again.  So more improvement needed to be made.

19^th century condoms were manufactured and sold in America.  Often made of rubber cement. This is when the turning point of rubber condoms came.  Rubber condoms started being made around 1844 when Charles Goodyear, (yes the founder of the tire company) patented the idea/invention of hardening rubber by using sulfur and other substances giving it resistance, and elasticity.  This made condoms more reliable and less expensive.  By 1957 innovations of condoms with lubrication made it much more popular and widely used.  

1960’s and 1970’s the use of condoms died off because of the other sources of birth control that was invented.  This includes the birth control pill, and IUD’s (Intrauterine Device).  IUD is a device made from bent plastic or metal that is places through the vagina into the uterus, making it a contraceptive device.  This is also the time when HIV became widespread in the 1980’s and people realized that the condom was the best invention/innovation to prevent pregnancy and diseases. 

Present Day- Today there are now hundreds of different condoms available.  Thee include flavored, colored, and even glow in the dark.  There are different sizes and shapes that can be bought.  Making condoms to seem ‘fun’ seemed to spread the idea that they really do work, and important to use.  Especially in college there is a great emphasis about the use of condoms because there is a lot of experimentation with sex.  Posters and pamphlets are always available in college health services, and a lot the time condoms are given out with no charge just to make sure students are using them.  This has been stopped at Drew University an can be read in Drew’s campus newspaper, The Acorn, Trojan war: Price of protection rises - The Acorn - News

Friends and other students that I know personally feel that since condoms are not available for free at Health Services they are mad that now the need to buy them at the schoolbook store or stores in town.  BIG DEAL…  Go buy them.  If you’re going to have sex and use a condom people and students shouldn’t rely on others to provide protection.  College kids want to have sex but are not ready to have kids, and they are very important to college students in order to protect them from many sexual transmitted diseases.  Some researchers say that condoms are 99.9% effective, others say the can be 97 % effective.  But all together they are effective and is a widely used product invention used today for sexual protection.  The other week there was even a seminar in the Drew University Center showing students the proper ways to use, and to apply a condom.  Which I also think is important because it shows that they do work and it isn’t anything to be ashamed about.


From the past to today the advances in the technology of condoms have changed.  The reasons for this is the large amount of disease in 3rd world countries, allergies, better feeling condoms, packaging.  
In recent years better quality, new research and manufacturers have made more reliable and safer latex condoms used today.  Manufactures now make condoms that are more elastic and other chemicals so they do not deteriorate or get ruined.  they re now using stronger and better foil packaging, and more tight sealed packaging.  These days condoms are made in several different ways in order to stop allergic reactions to powders and latex.  the powder is safer and the latex materials are being made with more natural products.  Companies are able to make condoms with less latex products for people that are allergic to latex.    
 Some of these advances and research are explained at this site 

From much scientific testing and trials, condoms ultimately became a tool and invention for disease protection during sexual intercourse throughout history.

The inventions and innovations of condoms can be more easily understood from pictures:

1700's

1800's

1900's

Condoms in Europe during the earliest innovations

Present Day

Present Day

Is Kik the Real Deal?

In the past two or three years, blackberry mobile phones have blown up. Just about every person knows about them and wants them. Some argue that the iphone is better and that most people prefer that instead, but the truth was that everyone wanted to experience BBM, Black Berry Messenger. I was one of those who wondered what was so good about bbm, but when I got my first blackberry almost a year ago, I understood why. The ability to communicate instantly and effortlessly with buddies in an ongoing conversation, knowing when your message has been sent, received, and read is what made bbm so great. However, going back to my previous statement, apple users might think otherwise.

That’s when the idea of kik comes in. Kik is a messaging application in which any mobile service phone can download and have, unlike a bbm, where only blackberry holders have it. Kik was launched around late October and has over 1.5 million users now. It has been designed to give you the same experience bbm gives you and more. Some of the things that Kik is planning on having are privacy settings, preventing people from adding you if you don’t add them first, and photo sharing. According to many people, Kik should blow up and maybe even eventually
compete and maybe even beat blackberry messenger.

I personally don’t care about kik. Just about every one of my friends has a blackberry so I see no point in adding, something that won’t do me much good, to my phone. Also, some of the people who have downloaded kik say it’s slow and doesn’t even work, but maybe that was just them. So I guess I’ll let you decide: Is kik the real deal?

http://enterprisepost.com/mobile/blackberry/what%E2%80%99s-kik-messenger-all-about.html

http://www.intomobile.com/2010/11/15/kik-messenger-pulled-blackberry-app-world/

http://www.thirdage.com/news/kik-messenger-gets-good-start-after-october-relaunch_11-4-2010

What Trumps All of the Inventions of the 1800's? You'll Never Guess!

What is the most important technological invention or development of the 1800’s? Is it the telephone? How about the typewriter? Uhhh…the calculator? Think again. It may seem like a trivial invention, but it is the most important. Here it is folks….the BATTERY. Although it may not have been such a huge, monumental invention at the time, today the battery plays a huge role in technology. The battery frees the technological world from mobility restrictions. Think for a minute how many technological devices you use daily that are powered by batteries? In the last hour I have used a cell phone, an unplugged laptop, a digital camera, a TV remote control and my electric toothbrush. Each of those things functioned because of the batteries.





Okay so the battery is pretty important but, there are more important technological inventions of the 1800’s. What about the machine gun? The machine gun became dominant in World War I. Although its size made it rather immobile, the machine gun was a great defensive weapon. The machine gun overheated and jammed often but, when it did work, it fired hundreds of shots per minute. This weapon altered the way war was fought. War has essentially lead us to where we are today. Without the machine gun we could be different as a country. Valid argument but maybe the machine gun was counter productive. I think it killed more people than it needed to with its rapid, overwhelming fire.



Some would argue that the computer has been the greatest technological invention of all time. Undoubtedly the computer wouldn’t be what it is without the invention of the typewriter. The typewriter was patented and altered multiple times in the 1800’s. The typewriter was very important because it lead to computers with keyboards. Although typing isn’t necessarily the main function of a computer it is crucial to many people who use a computer.





I think machine guns and typewriters are both important inventions but I still vote for the battery. Typewriters lead to computers, but what is the main type of computer we use today? LAPTOPS. The laptop wouldn’t be the same if it constantly had to be plugged in. The battery allows me to bring my computer to class regardless if there is an outlet near where I sit. Dr. Cole teaches a great class but there is no way I can get every important fact down in my notes if I hand write them. I need to type them. If laptops didn’t have a battery, making them mobile, this wouldn’t be possible.

Sure many great pieces of technology function just fine with out batteries, but batteries are undeniably very important in today’s society. Batteries are everywhere. They are in cell phones, cameras, video games, remotes, laptops, calculators and even in my toothbrush. Many of the other technological inventions of the 1800’s utilize batteries. These inventions wouldn’t have been possible if the battery wasn’t in existence. Batteries change the way technology works. They allow people to be free from immobility while using many devices that would be stationary without them.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in IMAX theaters this Friday, November, 19th

Harry Potter, a series of seven fantasy novels written by J.K. Rowling, shares the adventures of the young wizard named Harry Potter and his two friends Ron Weasely and Hermione Granger. The compelling story of a wizarding world has gained enormous popularity worldwide. The books have sold over 400 million copies and won endless awards. Rowling’s story was adapted into motion picture by Warner Brothers Production in 2001 and has become a top-ranked motion picture serious. Basically, if you don’t know who Harry Potter is you must have been locked in a closet for the last nine years.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I in IMAX theaters

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I hits theaters this Friday, November 19th. The much awaited first chapter of the seventh and final Harry Potter will also be released in IMAX theaters. Warner Bothers Pictures announced that the motion picture will be shown in a recorded breaking 239 IMAX screens in the United States and 117 international IMAX screens. Through the advancement of technology, the IMAX theaters allow viewers to become part of the action with the largest movie screens in the world. The California ScienCenter says that IMAX theaters “six-channel digital sound system is desighned in a surround sound pattern so that every moviegoer can hear even the smallest sound effect. A network of 44 speakers bathes every seat in 12,000 watts of sound” (http://www.CaliforniaSciencenter.org).

The Making of the Film

Many argue that it is impossible to take a great book and make it into a movie, I agree with this on some levels.However,the experience of Harry Potter in IMAX will give the viewer the opportunity of becoming part of Harry Potter's adventures. The high tech IMAX screening will engulf the audience in the action of the wizarding world.

Buy Your Tickets Now!!

I went to perches my IMAX Harry Potter ticket a full week before the premier at my local IMAX, and the midnight showing was already sold out. This is a little discouraging, however, if you are not convinced on watching Harry Potter at 12:01am, Friday November 19th I would recommenced holding off a few hours to be able to experience in IMAX. The IMAX website makes it easy for you to perches your tickets at the closest IMAX theater. So visit http://www.IMAX.com and order tickets now! Good luck and enjoy the wizarding world of Harry Potter in a high tech IMAX theater.

Reasons I Hate My iPhone4

I should preface this by saying that I didn't want an iPhone. My old phone was an LG flip phone- numeric pad only, no keyboard. No "apps". Just texting, calling, and a really sub-par camera. I didn't want, or need, other features. Then, about two weeks ago, my poor little flip phone croaked for good. I was looking at the Droid when my parents informed me that I was getting an iPhone so we could all have the same phone (not sure why that matters) and be on the same plan (AT&T instead of Verizon; it was too expensive to have different family members on different plans). Being a person who loves hating on Macintosh products for their limited customizability, obsession with aesthetics and hipster advertising campaign, I was a little horrified. I realize that some people would love to have the iPhone, but I kind of think it's a piece of crap. Here's why:

1) AT&T has horrible service. I realize that soon this might not be a problem anymore, with the iPhone supposedly coming to Verizon in the next few months. However, for reasons related to my dad's job, my family's plan will remain with AT&T. Calls are dropped, or won't go through at all. Sometimes I don't receive text messages until days after my friends send them. My Verizon phone could get service in the middle of the woods in Eastern PA. I practically have to climb a cell tower to get my iPhone to make a call.

2) The keyboard is awful. I was a champ at numeric-pad texting. I could literally hold my phone behind my back and text, at full (lightning!) speed without making any spelling or grammar mistakes. I could text while walking, because I didn't even need to look down. The iPhone doesn't allow this. The keyboard is a screen, not buttons, so I can't feel what I'm typing without looking. Also, my fingers are fat and I end up hitting the wrong keys all the time. With my fat fingers.

3) I find all the finger-cues infuriating. The iPhone uses different touch commands to scroll, zoom, turn the screen, rearrange the icons.. etc. This means I get to have nice fingerprints all over my screen instead of a more practical mechanism, such as a trackball or a scroll wheel. If you're like me and your hands are constantly covered with paint/pink hair dye/black nail polish all the time, you don't want to have to touch your screen for every command.

4) I really hate the way people react to me when I use my phone. Lately I've been accused by my more computer-saavy friends of buying into the Mac marketing (I stand by my previous statement that Mac products are made for people who don't know how to use a computer). I don't like using a product that I have openly expressed nerdy hatred for. I don't want to be identified with the girl in this video.

I'm trying to make peace with the iPhone. Someday, maybe, the fact that I can play Scramble on it will make up for the fact that it doesn't perform basic telephone functions as well as my phone from 5 years ago. Until then, I'll be misspelling words and dropping calls.