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March 10, 2008
Durham InnovationsSome of the greatest minds in technology and science have been, and still are located in Durham; creating life-changing innovations or things that make the day a little simpler. Here is a list of the most recent great things Durham minds have produced:
Child proof bottle caps – Dr. Jay Arena at Duke
Astroturf – David Chaney originally chemgrass for playgrounds. Not considered his most significant discovery.
UPC or Universal Products Code – George Laurer IBM – scanning device became standard…also Durham played a part in the UL standard by Underwriters Lab.
Control-Alt-Delete – David Bradley at IBM…sold to Microsoft when it had 30 employees. Steve Ballmer answered the door and now is CEO.
AZT and other aids drugs – David Berry Burroughs Wellcome, now at GSK.
Miniaturized optical scanners – Steven Smith, Duke Engineering
Mood Phone – John Finan at Duke flashed different colored lights based on caller’s emotional tone.
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