Technology Connections
By Technology Connections
Categories: Leisure, Automotive, Technology
Alec Watson explains how everyday technology works and why it was built that way. His episodes take one ordinary thing, like a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a heat pump, or a light bulb, and walk through what is happening inside it. He also spends time on older formats such as cassettes and vinyl, and what they got right. Episodes are unhurried and full of small details most owners never learn. Listeners come away understanding the machines already in their homes and using them better. If an episode changes how you see a household appliance, follow the show and leave a five-star rating.Links:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/techconnectify.bsky.socialMastodon: https://mas.to/@TechConnectifyTechnology Connextras: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClRwC5Vc8HrB6vGx6Ti-lhAPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/technologyconnections
19 episodes indexed on PodSearch.
Recent episodes
- The Wind-Powered Car: Electric Vehicles and Wind Turbines
From the Chevy Volt, to the Nissan Leaf, to the Tesla Model S, electric cars seem to be the way of the future. Join me as we explore a typical wind farm and discuss the potential for wind energy and electric cars. While today's electric grid propels these bastions of modern engineering with a fair…
- Exploring a Reel to Reel Tape Recorder: Sony TC-366
On Technology Connections, we looked at this machine briefly when we explored the invention of magnetic recording technology. Now, in long form, is a more thorough look at this machine and how it works. We start with an overview of operation, then take it apart to get a look at the inside.Uploaded…
- Engines haven't been fully mechanical in decades - and that's good!
Beep boop. Engine better now.There's now a playlist of all the engine management videos! So you can find all the earlier ones right here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQp5_w6Rc6skUploaded 24-09-26Other stuff:Technology Connections on…
- Edison's Impression: Laying Sound into a Groove
Bell's invention, the telephone, was the first device capable of reproducing sound. But it couldn't record it. Thomas Edison's invention of the phonograph brought us the first device capable of capturing sound to be played back later.Uploaded 30-09-15How did Edison figure this out? By combining…
- Alkaline batteries are obsolete — but not for the reason you'd think
Innovation is sometimes funny.Links 'n stuff:Technology Connections on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/techconnectify.bsky.socialTechnology Connections on Mastodon:https://mas.to/@TechConnectifyHave you ever noticed that I've never done that whole influencer thing? That's all thanks to people…
- Emile Berliner's Fix: Flatten the Cylinder to a Disc
Thomas Edison's cylinder phonograph was fantastic, no doubt. Can you imagine what it would've been like to hear the first artificial sound? But Edison's mind for the accurate doomed his cylinder, because the cylinder as it turns out is a really stupid shape for this sort of a thing.Uploaded…
- Why does a loose gas cap turn on the check engine light?
Simple question, pretty neat answer!LINKS TO SOME GOOD MERCH:https://good.store/collections/technology-connectionshttps://good.store/collections/awesome-socks-and-undies-mainUploaded 03-11-26other links 'n stuff:Technology Connections on…
- The Vacuum Tube and the Invention of Radio
In today's episode of technology connections, we take a look at the vacuum tube. This simple device had tremendous implications for sound reproduction. We explore how vacuum tubes revolutionized radio, and why they were necessary to make radio practical.Uploaded 16-10-15Vacuum tubes made possible…
- Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars
It's a really good idea and everyone hating on it probably doesn't understand it.Links 'n' stuff:Uploaded 06-05-26Here's Prof. John Kelly's excellent demo of the eCVT (the mentioned Weber Auto YouTube Channel)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppyK3ZlUbtMAnd I linked in a card to Engineering…
- You are being misled about renewable energy technology.
Let's learn and grow. New things are cool!Links 'n' stuff down below. Lots of links.Uploaded 30-01-26First, the "clean version." Please pass that around.https://youtu.be/Zgxb8I1nk2IJerry Rig Everything's video on battery recyclinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2xrarUWVRQIf you'd like a legal…
- What is High Fidelity? How does Stereo work?
We've come along way since the invention of the phonograph. But up to this point, artificial sound was still decidedly artificial sounding. "High fidelity" isn't really one technology, but a collection of technologies that combined to create natural sounding recordings. Similarly, stereo sound…
- Transistors: Making sound easier, smaller, and more efficient
The technological advances that we've investigated so far have revolved around the vacuum tube. But the invention of the transistor really sparked a whole new era of sound. The advent of small circuits for sound reproduction meant that things could shrink. Tape went into cartridges. Amplifiers…
- The disappearing and unappreciated art of audible alerts
A proverbial one, anyway.links 'n' stuffIf you're interested in the resurrection of the Pebble, here's more info:https://repebble.com/The Slow Whoop promo record:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2_kt7RW9bIMy old video on elevator chimes:https://youtu.be/48hW-K7fQTMTechnology Connections on…
- Electric Vehicle Charging: It's easier than you think
As more and more EV's make it onto our roadways, people start to freak out about how we're going to charge all these things. The thing is, they shouldn't. EV's are so much more efficient than their gasoline powered counterparts that they don't consume all that much electricity, in fact the size of…
- Ceiling fans: the simple idea we keep screwing up
Make it breezy.Dan's video on Moss Ceiling Fans:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVv5vWjwCx8Other stuff:Technology Connections on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/techconnectify.bsky.socialTechnology Connections on Mastodon:https://mas.to/@TechConnectifyHave you ever noticed that I've never done…
- Exploring the good ol' Cassette Tape
If you remember the cassette as sounding awful, I have news for you. They actually sound just fine. The Compact Cassette has a unique history in the world of sound, which we explore along with their attributes in this Tech Explorations video.Uploaded 23-06-16Music Credits:Rubix Cube by Audionautix…
- My water heater is cooler than yours
Cooly hot. Or hotly cool.Follow-up video:https://youtu.be/fHPCS8j3cRMOther stuff:Technology Connections on Bluesky:https://bsky.app/profile/techconnectify.bsky.socialTechnology Connections on Mastodon:https://mas.to/@TechConnectifyHave you ever noticed that I've never done that whole influencer…
- Bell and The Invention of Artificial Sound
Alexander Graham Bell is famous for his invention of the telephone. In 1876, his device was the first ever to be able to reproduce sound. Before its invention, nothing existed capable of taking sound waves and replicating them.Bell's invention marks the beginning of our journey through time. This…
- Oil pressure is the only thing keeping an engine alive
What really grinds my gears is a lack of sufficient lubrication.Uploaded 21-03-26links 'n' stuffThe catalytic converter video (once there's a third video I'll make a true playlist)https://youtu.be/Aytf6ARcs8sTechnology Connections on…
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