The New Disruptors

The New Disruptors tells stories that provide practical inspiration about the way that creative people and producers connect with audiences to perform, cajole, convince, sell, and interact using new methods. Hosted by Glenn Fleishman, a freelance technology reporter and typographic historian. Produced by Aperiodical LLC.

https://newdisrupt.org/

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episode 105: Grand Inventions: Counting Gears with Chris Higgins


“Grand Inventions” is a new micro-series within The New Disruptors in which I talk to people whose grandparents or great-x-parents invented something that’s still current or in use today. Two things sparked this micro-series idea for me. First, my grandfather’s stories of making a suggestion during WWII at an IBM wartime manufacturing plant that led to improved impeller productions; second, how invention and entrepreneurialism spans generations.

Joining me for the first episode is Chris Higgins, a documentary filmmaker and writer, whose great-grandfather invented a variety of geared devices that counted things like fuel and people and more, and ultimately became CEO of Veeder-Root. Chris’s great-grandfather was H.L. Spaunberg, and Chris provided a list of some of his patents:

  • Counter (via Frank E. Northrup) (1931)
  • Odometer (1934)
  • Counting Device (1936)
  • Counter for Machines (1937)
  • Counter (1939)

Do you have a grandparent or beyond who invented something still in use in some form? Contact me and we’ll set up an interview.

Thanks & help support the show: The New Disruptors is back on the air due to patrons and sponsors! You can become a patron of the show on a one-time or recurring basis, and get rewards like an exclusive enamel pin and being thanked in this fashion!


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 December 10, 2018  17m