Mention the Magic Roundabout to any child of the 1970’s in the UK and we’re immediately taken back to kids TV and a cast of Dougal, Zeebeedee, Ermintrude, Dylan and an often overlooked Brian the Snail.
But a Magic Roundabout of the more traditional concrete variety was recently in the news having won what I’m told is the “coveted” UK Roundabout of the Year award.
Located in Swindon and open since 1972 it consists of five mini roundabouts encircling a central island and has been described as both ‘mind-bending’ and a ‘white knuckle ride’. It’s not a roundabout I’ve had the pleasure of negotiating but pictures appear to confirm it has a “life in your own hands” feel about it.
This rather obscure annual award is presented by an august body called the Roundabout Appreciation Society and whilst their interest in road-related architecture may seem a little niche, it’s fair to say that roundabouts are one of those quieter inventions now taken for granted but which play a central and significant difference to our daily lives.
So it got me thinking about some of the innovations and inventions that play a role in our daily lives but which fail to get the star billing of your printing press or internal combustion engine.
The small innovations we’d miss terribly if they weren’t in our lives.
So here is my Top 3 of what we might call … “quiet inventions”
1. Spring — the first coiled spring was invented in the 18th century.
From ballpoint pens to shock absorbers, they’ve been integral in making things around us work more effectively ever since.
2. Elastic — the first evidence of elastic materials can be traced back to the use of natural rubber by the ancient Mayans with perhaps the most familiar use in rubber bands, being patented in 1845.
If you’re questioning the contribution of elastic to modern life then imagine your underwear without it.
3. Battery— all power to Alessandro Volta who set the whole battery thing rolling with this invention of his in 1800.
In the room where I’m writing this there are five gadgets that wouldn’t work without a humble AA battery. Enough said.
I appreciate those of with a greater appreciation of technology than I might be jumping up and down and shouting at this blog about the likes of Helmholtz’s Invention but hey, that’s the beauty about Top 3 … and why it’s difficult to 2nd guess what others might say.
ed: I think there might be a game in this? https://3ology.fun/