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: Texas will invest $1.5 million in three tech companies. That figure could rise to $3.25 million.
The money is coming through the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) to three early stage companies that are developing technologies in Texas.
The TETF investments are as follows:
Rebellion Photonics is receiving $250,000 of a committed amount up to $1 million for the development of its novel, Gas Cloud Imager (GCI) device to detect leaks in the oil refining, oil drilling and chemical/petrochemical industries.
The company's proprietary snap-shot hyper spectral imaging technology is a type of video camera that is able to identify the chemical composition of a gas cloud digital image, in real-time. A start-up out of Rice University in 2010, the company currently focuses on the biomedical research and unmanned aerial vehicles markets for sales of cameras operating in the near infrared, or visible light spectrum.
Vapogenix Inc. is receiving $1 million of a committed amount up to $2 million for the development of its novel, non-opioid analgesics for minor procedures pain management during minor surgical procedures. The company's core technology is licensed from University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, using novel formulations of known medications in different ways to create potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. The lead product, VPX-595, is a compound being developed initially for the treatment of acute pain.
VUV Analytics Inc. is receiving $250,000 of a committed amount up to $1 million for the commercialization of a laboratory-scale Circular Dichroism (CD) instrument for investigating biologically important molecules.
The company's instrument will be sensitive, non-destructive, fast and easy to use, providing the faster analysis needed for protein studies. This smaller scale instrument will provide better protein structure data and higher accuracy than current methods. The company will collaborate with the University of Texas at Austin to validate the technology using proteins and protein-complexes.
The TETF is a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 and reauthorized in 2007, 2009 and 2011. A 17-member advisory committee of high-tech leaders, entrepreneurs and research experts reviews potential projects and recommends funding allocations to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the house. To date, the TETF has allocated more than $194 million in funds to 136 early stage companies, and over $194 million in grant matching and research superiority funds to Texas universities.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to storiesTexas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: Emcor agrees to $455 million deal for Texas company;Volkswagen to open dealership in Waco; American Airlines To Add More Seats To 737s, MD-80s; Police officer says helicopter from gun range endangering his cattle; Contractors get OK to build new Beaumont Army Medical Center;Midland looks to join spaceport race; UTEP’s solar-powered house to compete internationally; State Farm to shutter El Paso call center; Dallas-Based Media Company Sold In $1.5 Billion Deal Austin's film catering gurus learn how to make do in a changing industry. Spoiler alert: The answer is never pizza.Texas Comes North to Poach Business; and more.
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