JOB DESCRIPTION: Ward is director of programming and exhibitions at the Linda Hall Library; Green is head of the digital services unit. Together they curated “This Time It’s Personal: Innovation in Your Home” at the science, engineering and technology information library, 5109 Cherry St., 816-363-4600, lindahall.org.
Q. The stories behind all of these inventions for the home are interesting — from doorbells to Legos to tablet computers. Who knew patents could be so fascinating? A. Green: We did. You learn about people and what motivated the innovations. There’s a personal connection with technological advances. The information comes from the Linda Hall Library’s collection. We chose the ones we did because they were the first or the most pivotal or we simply liked the story behind them. The rooms featured are the kitchen, living room, kid’s room, bedroom, bathroom and garage. Q. Are there any local connections with inventions? A. Ward: Sliced bread. Everyone’s heard “it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.” The machine for slicing bread was patented in 1932 in Chillicothe, Mo. In 1969, James Fergason, born in Wakenda, Mo., patented liquid crystal display (LCD) used in watches, TV screens and more. Q. What patented invention is the most interesting to you? A. Ward and Green: The digital camera. Q. Why the digital camera? A. Ward: Steve Sasson of Kodak patented it. The company gave him a filler assignment to explore capturing digital images. He was in his early 20s. Neither he nor the company anticipated this invention would be the undoing of film and their own industry. He invented the first digital camera in 1975, and the patent was issued in 1978. The .01 megapixel camera was the size of a toaster and weighed 8 pounds. Green: Steve Sasson lectured here for this exhibition (on video at innovation.linda hall.org). We had lunch with him. And I kept thinking, “Wow, we’re talking with the person who invented the digital camera.” Q. What did you learn about household inventions? A. Green: Some were by accident, such as Teflon, Scotchgard and the microwave. Q. What would surprise people? A. Green: Have you heard of the classic actress Hedy Lamarr? She and composer George Antheil patented the technology in 1942 that led to Wi-Fi. Q. What’s the story behind the La-Z-Boy recliner? A. Green: A farmer and a woodworker patented the reclining chair in 1931. There was a contest to name it. Other contenders were the Sit-N-Snooze, Slack-Back and Comfort Carrier. Q. Did this exhibition change the way you look at items in your own home? A. Green: I look at everything in my home and realize everything, down to the packaging, is patented. There was a person or people behind everything. Ward: I have a Moen faucet, and Alfred Moen patented the multi-valved, single-handled mixing faucet in 1942. The idea for his faucet came to him after he burned himself while washing his hands using a two-handled faucet (with separate handles for hot and cold water). Q. Where will this exhibition go after it’s removed in March? It’s a wealth of information. A. Ward: We’re talking to museums. Green: And we’ll create an online exhibition. Q. What’s next for exhibitions at Linda Hall Library that are related to the home? A. Ward: Sugar and spice, in spring 2013. Green: Color science, coming in fall 2013. Isaac Newton figured out color was ray — not wave — based, shown through a prism. We’d like to do an interactive room for color exploration. Stacy Downs, sdowns@kcstar.comRead more H+H Q and A
Posted on Wed, Feb. 08, 2012 08:00 AM
Share
Email
Print
Email Story
close
tool goes here
Q&A | Eric Ward and Nancy Green, Kansas City
‘Innovation in Your Home’ exhibition
What: Interactive panel displays of 65 inventions, including carpet fibers, laser lights and remote controls. There’s also a section on notable inventors, such as Thomas Edison and Luther Burbank. A display of Pez dispensers explains the differences of patent, trademark and copyright.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is also open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month (next one is March 10). The exhibit runs through March 16.
Where: Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St.
Admission: Free
Details: 816-363-4600, innovation.lindahall.org
More News
