Five historic Virginia inventions and their modern counterparts.
By Emily Cook, Raquel DeSouza, Claudina Hannon and Robyn Smith
1834 | The McCormick Harvesting Machine
Cyrus McCormick’s machine was one of the first mechanical reapers to both obtain a patent and gain commercial success. Invented in the Shenandoah Valley, it was basically a set of spinning knives dragged across the ground by a horse. Nowadays, farmers can harvest crops with a combine, equipped with an autoguidance program and a tank that holds 410 bushels to help farmers harvest more crops. –RS
1969 | Camouflage
Roanoke’s James H. Crumley meant the invention of camouflage to be used as hunting gear in 1969. In 2015, the camouflage print is no longer exclusive for people wanting to spend time in the woods. Camouflage print is now used in high fashion, where it can even cost upward of $2,500 for a Valentino Rockstud Camouflage Leather & Canvas Clutch. –CH
1880s | Lip Balm
We have Lynchburg pharmacist Dr. Charles Browne Fleet to thank for our waxy mouth moisturizers—although his was wrapped in foil, resembled a candle and was far less glam than those available today. Now there are a variety of products, like Burt’s Bees’ Color-Enhancing Tinted Lip Balm and Dior’s Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm SPF 10. –EC
1962 | Electret Microphone
Hailing from Farmville, James Edward Maceo West’s electret microphone paved the way for microphones in recording devices and telephones. Using natural language processing, Apple’s Siri uses a microphone to both give and receive commands and ask questions. It is a truly futuristic step for conventional microphone usage. –CH
1770s | Swivel Chair
Thomas Jefferson wore many hats as a Founding Father, president, university founder and inventor of a more mobile seat. He sat in a Windsor-style chair while writing parts of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, and he tweaked the structure in Monticello to create the world’s first swivel chair. Since then, seats have expanded for multifunctional purposes, like electronic massagers and extra storage space. –RD
NoVA’s novelties
In June, Kevin P. Hines of McLean patented an apparatus and method for monitoring the movement of eyes, eyelids and pupils of a person wearing night vision goggles, which is useful for determining if a person is unconscious or incapacitated. By directing non-visible light onto the eye, the invention is capable of determining if the person is in need of assistance. –EC
Another novelty from June is a new beauty board game for young girls, which was co-invented by Arlington resident Debbie Decker. Players try to land on spaces with different makeup colors and products pictured. The first one to complete a makeover with all of the cosmetic essentials, including blush, eye shadow and accessories, wins the game. –RD
(October 2015)
