Glowing Plant

Ethical considerations aside, the "Glowing Plant Project"  is a noble endeavor with very significant ramifications to energy use.

Using the concept of bio-luminescence the "Glowing Plant Project" is working toward creating, literally, a natural light source. They are doing this by splicing the genes that control bio-luminescence in a bacteria into the DNA of a plant.

These plants, once they are perfected, could be used to light city streets and sidewalks. They can be used as decoration in your yard. They could be a nightlight for the kids. And all the while they use no electricity and act as a carbon sink.

Light is the thing that we, as modern humans, seek as much as food. But light uses a huge amount of power and, very often, is wasted (i.e. city lights on empty roads). Creating a passive, biological system that provides light for any number of situations is an idea that can radically change the way we deal with the dark.

The Lightning Rod

The Lightning Rod. Invented around 200 years ago by Benjamin Franklin, it is still the single defense any structure has against the wrath of Zeus. And yet, all it is is a piece of pointed metal.

The Lightning Rod was created at a time when people were very superstitious. Lightning was something that was ordained by God. It caused fires and sunk ships. But the lightning rod rendered all of that completely harmless. But it was not magical, though it appeared so.

The lightning rod is inherently very simple. It works by conducting the power of the lighting bolt to the ground, through itself and then wires along the structure. But, in order for Franklin to create it, he had to have a very clear understanding of electricity. Franklin, and many scientists before him, performed numerous experiments over years before the design of the lightning rod came about.

The lightning rod is such a great invention because it allows our skyscrapers to stand. But, at the same time, it is such a basic device one is amazed how much understanding and study went into creating it. But when you look at it you see how something very basic can come from something that is complicated, (electricity) and can literally change the fate of the world.