Here at Flex Technologies, we manufacture silicone tubes and hoses for a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, agriculture, marine, and more. All of these industries utilize machinery in different ways, and each is trying to make constant improvements on the machines that they use. In honor of all the business owners and builders out there creating, maintaining, and using the great machines of the modern age, we thought we would list some fun machine and inventor facts here.

One for the Ladies

Unfortunately, many female inventors have been unfairly snubbed in the past, either having their work appropriated by someone else or ignored. Margaret A. Wilcox wasn't going to be one of them though, and she successfully invented one of the early car heaters that saw popular use. That's far from her only contribution to the machine world, she also had a patent for a washing machine that doubled for clothes as well as dishes. And now we are wondering why that is not a thing.

Why all the Water?

If you think about it, modern vehicles are really amazing. Not only do they weigh multiple tons and can travel at breakneck speeds, but they do so with an average of 30,000 moving parts and in a way meant to keep us, the fleshy, easily broken drivers, safe. But have you ever considered just how much goes into manufacturing them? No, we aren't talking about the gigantic factories, dedicated workers, and genius engineers, just the fact that the average car uses about 39,000 gallons of water for its manufacturing.

Speaking of Costs

If cars need so much water, something they don't even run on, to produce, what does that say about the costs of actually running these vehicles? To look at how far the scope can reach, you have to look into the aviation field. Jumbo jets, like the kind you have probably flown at one point in your life, require 4,000 gallons of jet fuel just to take off. Of course, it is well worth it when you think about all the passengers and cargo these planes carry, but still, that is a lot of fuel.

"Simple Machines"

Maybe we are the simple ones, because we have a hard enough time with these supposedly simple concepts. However, there are six general types of simple machines, which are used to alter or enhance the force you apply to them. These include the wheel/axle, lever, pulley, wedge, screw, and inclined plane. All other machines, no matter how complex, are using some combination of these simple machines.

First Vending Machine

The first ever recorded vending machine didn't exist in a country we know today, but rather in ancient Egypt. How could something so advanced exist so long ago? And how do we know about it? Details and specifications about this machine survive in Heron of Alexandria's Pneumatika. It worked by using levers powered by the weight of a five-drachma coin, which lifted under the weight allowing holy water to pour through. 

Ahead of His Time

Douglas Fuller is the inventor of the computer mouse. Wonder why you've never heard of him? Classic inventors mistake; he was ahead of his time. In fact, he never saw a cent from his creation because his patent expired before there was ever any major demand for the technology.

We hope you enjoyed the fun machine facts. If you are looking for silicone machine tubes or silicone machine hoses for your business, Flex Technologies is the company to call. All of our silicone products are made to the highest quality standards. We also offer custom and wholesale options. For more information about our products or shipping, please do not hesitate to give us a call today. One of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives will be happy to answers any questions you may have.