Visuals

I feel like I lucked out by choosing a topic that lends itself to added visuals, like patent schematics and photographs.  Since I do have an easier time integrating visuals, I think I’m going to try to take it up a notch and try more advances visuals.  I am learning how to use Camtasia as a video editing software at work so I might try to include clips of the mechanisms in action.  I think this is very important as I am focusing on kitchen gadgets that are mechanisms and require movement as opposed to simple tools that have no moving parts.

This will definitely be more difficult when designing my site with respect to usability.  I’ll have to look into how sites that include video are designed with page-readers in mind.  I think I may also be able to include captioning using the video editing software, which may also help with accomodating different users.

Color Scheme

As I’m thinking of color schemes for my site, I’ve realized that I really like the colors of this blog.  Gray seems to imply something industrial or metallic.  I would prefer a warmer shade of light grey as it seems to be a little more humanistic than cold greys.  As text color, I think a dark blue…like a slate blue should offset well.  Also since orange and blue are contrasting colors, if the warm gray has a touch of orange the text should contrast enough to be visible.  Sticking with the orangish gray, I could use a light orange or coral color to complete the three tone scheme.

Here are the hex codes I’m playing with:

Warm gray: a6a55cc

Slate Blue: 2F4F4F

Light Coral: FFCC66

Rating System

I really liked the idea that a couple classmates gave of developing a rating system for the gadgets.  Though what should be rated is a little up-in-the-air.  I think it would be difficult to find one means of comparison for many different types of mechanisms.  I am toying with the idea of a different criterion for rating depending on the gadget, like one object would get 3 microwaves for easy home kitchen use, or 4 genetically modified ears of corn for food science savvy, or 5 Rube Goldbergs for overly complex mechanics.  I’m not sure if this would make the site cute snarky or annoyingly snarky.

I’m also trying to put together a good list of devices.  This is what I have so far:

The Gilhoolie – still my favorite.

Old-timey egg beater

Stand Mixer

Can opener

Electric Cheese Grater with spring loaded cheese compartment

Simple corkscrew

Elaborate Wine Bottle Opener

Vortex Mixer

Flour Sifter

Popcorn Popper

Jaccard Meat Tenderizer

I think I’ll probably have to organize them by hand powered versus electric or some other method.

Any suggestions?

Patents are Funny

I was talking with a colleague a couple days ago about my final project idea since he had recently taken the class.  Oddly enough his father holds a patent for a kitchen gadget.

Here it is: Cutting Guide for Layered Cakes

This patent is more for a method of cutting cakes than a gadget, and my colleague didn’t think it ever even went into production.  This was a fun coincidence, but it did help me narrow down what I want my web page to include.

I am most interested in the scientific side of kitchen mechanisms.  I think I will find a series of devices that can be explained using simple mechanics and plain language.  All mechanisms can be understood as a combination of simple machines: gears, pulleys, levers, etc…

I’m now toying with the idea of explaining some of the simple food science that is involved with using these devices.  For example, a garlic press uses leverage to smoosh garlic cloves.  This is important as it breaks down chemical bonds and releases aromatic compounds that are important for cooking.  (The website explanation will be much more detailed and thorough.) I’m not sure if this would add more interesting content to the site or take away from its focus.

And to fullfill the promise of this post’s title: Apparatus for Facilitating the Birth of a Child by Centrifugal Force – I love that someone thought this was a good idea.

Worst Blogger Ever

I apologize to all my classmates for not getting my act together sooner to blog.  I was never the type of kid to keep a diary and now I’m finding it difficult to remember to blog.

I have been thinking about a topic and like many of you, at a loss for my expertise.  I do have a number of hobbies: gardening, cooking, knitting… the usual.  However I am definitely not an expert in any of these areas and could not come up with an interesting angle to take.

Thankfully my classmates have come to the rescue and given me some great ideas!  After reading Steven’s suggestion of focusing on restaurant machinery, the light bulb went off!  Since I instruct students on how to conduct patent searches, I’ve accumulated a little collection of kitchen gadget patents.  How Kitchen Stuff Works as a title may violate copyright protections, but I think I like the idea.

The gadget that started it all: The Gilhoolie, possible the best jar opener ever and a family favorite.

Hola

Welcome to my world, or at least a small bit of it.

Dana’s world exists primarily on the Drexel University campus: I am currently a Master’s candidate in library science and the Assistant Engineering Librarian at Hagerty Library.  I hope to continue as engineering librarian, in an academic or research setting.

This blog will record my experiences with INFO 652, a course focusing on web design.

Here are some of my favorite virtual places:

Engadget -  nerdy stuff, robots, laser beams, etc…

Howstuffworks – the first place I go when I need to learn something, they also have great podcasts on iTunes.

FooBooz – a great Philly food and beverage blog, check out the buzz for my brother’s restaurant Teri’s

Radiodiffusion Internasional – an extremely rad collection of 1960′s pop music from Africa, Asia and the Middle East