Monday, August 10, 2009

Invention of Smoke Detector

Randolph Smith and Kenneth House patent a battery-powered smoke detector for home use. Later models rely on perhaps the cheapest nuclear technology you can own: a chunk of americium-241. Smoke Detector is one of the best invention.

They invented in 1969. The element's radioactive particles generate a small electric current. If smoke enters the chamber it disrupts the current, triggering an alarm.



2 comments:

Christopher said...

The inventors of this device have probably saved more lives in their lifetime than an entire fire station. These are truly some of the greatest inventions of the last century.

Khristal said...

Love this Very, Informative!