Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: DALLAS—The North American Development Bank (NADB) and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) signed a letter agreement with the State of Chihuahua to support the implementation of a pilot solar energy project in the city of Chihuahua.
Within the framework of the Solar Power International 2011 conference in Dallas, Texas, the agreement was signed by Javier Garfio Pacheco, Secretary of Communications and Public Works for the State of Chihuahua, NADB Deputy Managing Director Alex Hinojosa, and BECC Deputy General Manager José Mario Sánchez.
The $900,000 project consists of installing a 250 kW solar plant to supply electricity to a new children’s hospital in the city of Chihuahua and will serve to strengthen the State’s capacity to aid in the promotion and development of the renewable energy sector in the state.
NADB will provide a US$300,000 grant for design, development, training, oversight, planning, and implementation services, while BECC will provide a US$50,000 grant to complement part of the funds needed for these development activities.
The State of Chihuahua also secured a commitment from Suntech Power Holdings Company, Ltd, to donate the solar panels for the project, as well as a commitment from Schneider Electric to provide the inverters required for the project.
SunEdison Spain Construction, S.L.U., has agreed to provide an array of implementation services to the project. The grants from NADB and BECC will cover these costs.
“We are grateful to NADB, BECC and the companies involved for supporting Chihuahua in its efforts to provide solar energy to the children’s hospital, which will see a savings of about 20% in electricity costs,” said Garfio Pacheco. “This solar energy project is the first to be implemented in Chihuahua, and we hope that it will serve as a guide for more projects of this type in Chihuahua.”
The Universidad Tecnológica de Chihuahua will operate the solar facility through its renewable energy certification program, and at the same time use it to undertake research studies that will provide information on the state’s solar resources.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: Chemical Safety Board shut out of West probe by ATF; America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; and more.
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