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: KEMP—Larson Electronics' Magnalight released a magnetically mounted and battery powered LED beacon designed to provide complete portability without compromising power.
The Magnalight CS-A-24LED Strobe Beacon can be mounted to any surface that will accept a magnet and is powered by 4 AA batteries to produce up to 40 hours of runtime.
Visible for up to 3 miles, this product is being marketed as an alternative to permanently mounted strobe lights that require wires and mounting hardware.
The Magnalight CS-A-24LED Strobe Beacon is a compact battery powered signal beacon that offers up to 40 hours of operation on a single set of batteries. Designed to be portable, this battery powered signal beacon is equipped with a magnetic base that allows operators to mount this unit to any vehicle, equipment or metallic surface that will accept a magnet without the need for wiring or drilling holes.
The 70 lbs mounting magnet provides secure placement and makes this unit ideal for towing and equipment applications where a permanent mount strobe is not practical or desired. Capable of being operated in a strobe or constant on mode, operation is controlled by a push button mounted on the back of the housing. Sitting 3.75 inches high and 7.25 inches wide by 1.75 inches deep, this unit is aimed at uses such as mounting on equipment and in tight locations.
This unit comes with an amber coloration and offers the long life and durability of LEDs in a compact and portable product.
“Our new LED beacon offers more power and additional mounting choices than our SL-M and SL-ALM series flashing LED lights,” said Rob Bresnahan, with Larson Electronics' Magnalight.com. “The new CS-A-24LED can accommodate a magnetic mount on the bottom or the back of the beacon, making it our most versatile, long life, weatherproof flashing LED light to date.”
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: 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; Texas power cushion seen at lowest level in a decade; Media outlets reflect Houston's diversity; and more.
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