Cant find my damn...

Lock and Key (photo from google images)

The design and concept of the lock and key is what i really find interesting. A mechanism that protects, isolate and create a sense of ownership and control to whom ever possesses the key, what a great idea. Its function is to keep away or protect or give privacy to who ever has the key. Its intended to be used on almost anything i can currently think of. It determines who or what gains access to a certain area. A physical locks materials would have to be secure, durable and have longevity to its life span. Metal and or steal would have to do the job. 

Since the creation of the original lock and key, changes and advancements have happened. More elaborate design with multiple locks have been invented. But the concept of locks and keys have been implemented to the virtual world as well. No longer just a physical idea anymore. Passwords and usernames are equivalent to a key. They allow the owner to come and go as they please. So the function has remained the same. But the concept has evolved and been taken and improved to other aspect of security and privacy. Everything we care about, any sort of sensitive information has the concept of a lock and key added to it. For protect and peace of mind. 

The design problem when facing the invention of the lock and key probably mostly revolved around the materials...And the most important part, the key. How big should it be ? What would happen if it were lost ? what should it be made from ? These problems were the foundation of the propelled the solutions which the created the lock and key. Another great design and concept.

Brushed off

The ToothBrush (photo from Google Image)

The modern day tooth brush is an example of great design in my opinion. An instrument used to clean and preserve another great instrument or tool which is our teeth, tongue and gums. Many diseases and health issues have been related to poor hygiene or lack there of. So this small tool is not only meant to clean but also used to prevent health complications from potentially happening. Plus a great smile and fresh breathe can you get pretty far in life also, lol. 

The toothbrush as we know it today was not invented until 1938. However, early forms of the toothbrush have been in existence since mans early era's. Ancient civilizations used a "chew stick," which was a thin twig with a frayed end. These 'chew sticks' were rubbed against the teeth. When nylon bristles were introduced by Dupont de Nemours. The first nylon toothbrush was called Doctor West's Miracle Toothbrush. Later, Americans were influenced by the disciplined hygiene habits of soldiers from World War II. They became increasingly concerned with the practice of good oral hygiene and quickly adopted the nylon toothbrush. You can see the evolution of the brush material went from raw animal hair, which were probably rough and stiff. To nylon bristles, which are softer and more flexible perhaps. Also much easier to install and clean i'm sure. The handle itself has changed over the years also. More design and curvature, grooves and grips added. Even thickness and or a fatter handle to secure the brush and aswell as feel comfortable in the palm of the hand. Regardless its original purpose has not changed. Cleaning the mouth essentially was its intended purpose and it's still used for that same reason till this day.

The design problem during its creation had to be a number of things. What material should the bristle consist of? How big the head of the brush should be? What material should the handle be made of. What the life expectancy  of the brush should be..How long should you use it until a new one is needed ?  These questions were eventually addressed and solved to generate the product we all use today. Great idea, great product and great tool.

"Your welcome" - Al Gore

The World Wide Web aka The internet. (photo from Goggle images)

The internet in my person opinion and the way i define it is an infinite domain of information, a unseeable presence of pure entertainment, communication and knowledge all rolled up into something that we can't even physically see or touch. It may be the greatest invention in human history. Through computers, smart phones and many other electronic devices. The internet is accessible and can be used for anything. Its intention is for every and anybody. Literally anyone could access and use the web for any purpose. Any topic could be researched. Which also makes the internet one of the world's most dangerous and shady places known to man. Its simply amazing how a place that does not exists physically, could be a huge breeding ground for evil. With no physical make up to his design. Its material used to create it (virtually) would probably be knowledge and communication.

Since its creation and launch which was sometime in the 90's the web has changed and evolved. Web browsers and web design give the internet a different look. Internet speeds have increased drastically. Communication tools and applications have been invented and implemented to make it easier and clearer to communicate and gather knowledge. Its original meaning has not changed, in my opinion. It was first created to communicate and relay information. It still does the same and much more till this day.

The design issue faced when first inventing the internet must have been how will the communication be delivered back and forth. And how long would it take to reach its destination. And definitely how would the information be displayed and would it be easy to comprehend. Great idea, that has been improved upon through time to get what we have today. Which is something most people can't live w/o. Improvement is welcomed but i only see it getting more expensive and the high powers that be attempting to control and regulate the internet. So the product will improve definitely but it will be controlled harsher and the masses that depend on it will suffer when the power struggle for the internet starts.

Hands on experience.

The Human Hand (photo from Google Images)

The human hand is one of if not the most amazing tools ever created no matter what you may believe in, (religion  or science). Regardless its function and capabilities are simply amazing and it could be used for good or evil, lol. It functions with bones, muscles, nerves, tendons and flesh and blood. Yet the mind and heart controls what we choose to do with this great tool. It could be used for a weapon, or a tool to create death or any kind of negativity one could imagine. Or it could be used for Good and pleasure. It can comfort and nurse. Some believe even heal in certain instances. Hands were given to us as a tool. I Believe that to be there true purpose. The intentions are to use this tool to survive and create. The materials used to create the hand is that of what we are already made out of. The designer knew that they had to be flexible but yet durable. Strong but yet soft. Maybe thats why the inside of our palms aren't as rough as the area where are knuckles are. The human hand probably has evolved since its creation but thats kinda hard to discuss without getting into the whole religion vs science argument, which I'm trying to avoid. But we know thats its diffidently remained the same for thousands of years so far. Only augmentations have been created to help protect the hand like gloves and things of that nature.

The problems in design had to be whether to make it soft and fleshy rather than something hard maybe like the huff of a cow or that sort of animal. Or maybe how  many fingers we should have. Or perhaps the shape and style of the hand...I couldn't imagine the material and make up of the hand in any other manner. Its a great design and i can't see how it could be improved upon. Maybe regeneration with we lose a finger or the hand completely and some sort of armor that comfortable enough to wear day to day to protect the hand from injury or dismemberment.

Control Freak

The Remote Control(s) (pic from goggle images)

One of the most genius devices ever created that helped make life easier and convenient for everyone including all my fellow lazy people around the world has to be the Remote Control. "Eugene J. Polley, an electronics engineer who revolutionized American leisure by inventing the first wireless TV remote control, a gadget that also featured the first mute function to silence the more obnoxious sounds of television, died May 20 at a hospital in Downers Grove, Ill. He was 96". (by Emily Langer of the Washington post). This great man invented a device that allowed you to control your favorite electronic device from a distance. Since then the Remote control has got far more advanced and is able to do more then just channel surf and control volume.The modern day Remote control  has continually evolved and advanced over recent years to include Bluetooth connectivity, motion sensor-enabled capabilities and even voice control abilities. Originally the device was intended for the average casual T.V watcher. Since then the remote control is intended for anyone and any and every electronically device created. To completely control one's device from a distance, sometimes even from many yards away and through walls. Its simply magnificent. There are even universal Remote controls on the market that allow you to control every device with just one single Remote. The original meaning of the remote control hasn't changed really. Its purpose was to make life easier and give control in the palm of your hand. Even though its capabilities have evolved the ultimate idea behind it has not in my opinion. The idea to navigate through the device intended from the palm of your hand from a distance is the idea that was executed and brought to us. 

What might have been a problem during the design process might have been a couple things. How big is it going to be, How durable and what type of material should it be made out of ? Perhaps how heavy the final product would be. Comfortability definitely had to be a concern for the designer. Regardless of the first prototype the improvements to follow were excellent and today's remote control is still something that damn near everyone owns in there home and or car. Only thing that still needs to be improved on the device is something that allows you to find remotes when they are lost. Thats still a huge headache when dealing with Remote controls.

References -http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-05-22/entertainment/35455114_1_flash-matic-zenith-physicist-robert-adler-eugene-j-polley

The best of the best: Nike Air Jordan shoe.

Nike - Air Jordan 11 blk/red (photo from google images)

Nike has dominated the shoe market for many years now. And its most popular shoe collection that they have created is the Air Jordan brand, which has an installment of more then 20+ plus and counting in their collection. Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player to ever grace the hardwood floors of the NBA (national basketball association). His popularity and success on the court is what made Nike make him one of the first professional athletes to ever be sponsored and endorsed. His greatest had to definitely be inspiring and push the limits and bonds of what shoe designers had already done. The design problem prior to the creation of the shoe was to definitely create a shoe that could compare to how great and cool Jordan himself was and translate that into a shoe.

No other shoe from anyone including Nike themselves look like an Air Jordan designed shoe, no matter the number. The evolution of the shoe's can be seen through out the timeline and design style of the shoe. Each shoe looked different and mostly all of the shoe had no large logo or indication that even show that it was a Nike shoe. The only thing visible was the infamous "Jump man logo", which is a silhouette of Jordan himself flying through the air on his way to the basket. New material's were added with every new design; for instance, the Air Jordan 11(the 11th installment of the collection), my personal favorite. A patten leather panel was placed around the entire shoe, which had never been done before on a basketball or any athletic shoe as a matter a fact. Trend setting and pioneering new design on what a athletic shoe can look like, a work of art perhaps. The Designer of these great basketball shoes really created something that they could never had imagined would take off into a frenzy such as we have today. The demand and even pursuit of tracking down a pair of Air Jordan could be compared to a man hunt for a wanted criminal. And unfortunately even the risk and consequence could also result in bodily harm and even death. Over the year's robbery and murder have been involved in Air Jordan releases through out the country. Sadly the craze for the shoe has been taken to new limits and desperate measures when individuals have to fear for their lives while attending an Air Jordan release at the local shoe store. Several attacks, robbery attempts and even killings have happened during a release date of the shoe. Nike and there association with shoe stores have recently banned "camping out" and long lines outside of the stores that provide Air Jordan's to prevent mayhem and pandemonium during Air Jordan release dates. The popularity of the shoe are a result of two things i believe. The man the shoe was named after and the design of the shoe it self. Great product, great design and a great idea with selection of Michael Jordan. I really can't see how it could be improved, maybe a retail price reduction lol !

The Ultimate entertainment machine - The XBOX 360 gaming console.

The Xbox 360. (photo from google images)

Microsoft's gaming console, the Xbox 360 is a machine that does a variety of things and provides many different forms of entertainment for an audience of all ages. The system's primary focus is to play video games, which are created by different software developers such as EA (electronic arts) and 2k sports. But the system has graduated far beyond the task of just simply displaying games for its intended demographic which now a days is everyone from young to old and male to female. The Xbox 360 provides online capabilities that allows the consumer to be apart of a virtual online community, which cost a fee to partake in of course. And from my own personal experience. I have encountered people from all walks of life, ages, ethnicities and nationalities.

Since the launch of the system in 2005, the system has upgraded and definitely evolved. It only had the ability to play video games at first. Since then multiple applications have been added to it such as Netflix, Hulu and even implemented an internet browser ( Microsoft explorer) with the ability to indulge on the world wide web. It has also added an attachment piece known as the Kinect. Which has the ability to capture motion and sound from the owner of the device and react to voice commands and movement. Essentially giving the consumer an option to use motion capture or the physical gaming controls to navigate and control the system. The original purpose i think was to just have a better and smoother looking video game display overall. The idea of expanding the systems abilities were perhaps a later concept that paid off well. Make it do multiple things to attract just more then individuals who just like video games.

The idea of expanding the abilities of what the system could do exactly was a great idea. The possible design problem that might have prompted the solution was definitely the question of "How or what could we do to make it even better: Make it do more then just play video games". How could they separate themselves from the competition and draw in people who don't even play video games to buy their console. The development of implementing already popular app's, new abilities and a whole new attachment ( Xbox 360 Kinect) that can see, hear and read and react to the owner of the system was absolutely a brilliant idea that greatly helped   change the system into more then just a video game console. Its pretty much a machine that can entertain you  in a variety of ways for hours. The solution was effective since its the number one gaming console on the planet even before all the new bells and whistle's. Though improvement is always welcomed and a demand and crave for the "New" is always  looming  over anyone's head who have already established such a great idea and product. "What can we do thats even better:  How can we develop something that can triumph what we have accomplished already?" Perhaps the next generation of gaming system's will answer those great questions.