Things You Use But Don't Think About: Swing Check Valves & More

If you're like most people, you probably use a lot of tools each day without knowing exactly how they work

. In an era of increasing specialization, it's impossible to learn about and understand the details of all the gadgets and comforts that make up modern life -- from making a call on your cell phone to riding an elevator to swiping a debit card to flushing a toilet. Here are some inventions that, while often uncelebrated, play important roles.

Elevator Brakes

Without elevators, the tall buildings and skyscrapers of today wouldn't be feasible. Imagine climbing 100 stories of stairs every day? That's not a trip you would want to make every day. Though elevators have been used for thousands of years, it wasn't until the 19th century that they began to be safe enough for human transport. And as elevators continued to become a safe and viable way to move up and down, cities and life for the city dweller began to change.

In 1853, a man named Elisha Otis invented a braking system that caused the elevator to lock into place if the rope or cable holding the cab broke, preventing the cab from falling. Many credit his simple invention of a braking safety system as key to the development of the modern city.

Vacuum Pumps

This nifty device was first invented in 1650 by Otto von Guericke, and involves removing gas molecules from an area in order to create a vacuum. You may not know it, but you rely on vacuum pumps to serve you in multiple ways. When you flying, vacuum pumps can play crucial roles operating flight instruments. Do you have a gallon of milk in your fridge? Vacuum pumps are used in milking machines that dairy farmers use. Vacuum pumps can also be used to power suction devices used by dentists, in medical devices and much more.

Check Valves

This device is designed to allow for the movement of fluid in one direction while blockings its flow in the opposite direction. Check valves are often used in industrial settings, including chemical and nuclear plants, but they also have uses at home.

For example, check valves (also known as backwash valves) can be used in pool filtration, allowing debris to enter into a pool, but not back out. They are also used in sump pumps, keeping the water that you may have to pump out of your flooded basement or crawl space from reentering. There are multiple check valve designs, including the ball check valves, swing check valves, among others.

The life we live is built upon a foundation of curiosity, creativity, and necessity which has led the legions of inventors to find new ways to shape the way we live and interact with each other.

by: Art Gib

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