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MARCH 3, 2005 at 5:03 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Microsoft via MuggleNet
It would seem that the folks over at Microsoft have been reading the Harry Potter books to get ideas. At the Microsoft Techfest, an annual science fair, a digital wall clock
with hands for each member of the family instead of numbers made its debut. The hands of the clock point to home, school, work and mobile.
The clock won't be for sale anytime soon and was designed to expose employees to projects in development.
On another note, researchers and engineers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a "plamonic cover" which is similar to an invisibility cloak also from the Harry Potter series. This version of the cloak works by preventing objects from reflecting and scattering light.
The development, which works by preventing objects from reflecting and scattering light, could have widespread use in the military as it would be more effective than current stealth technology.
I guess reading and watching Philosopher's Stone and Chambers of Secrets helps everyone.
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Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
It's about time scientists started taking hints from JK. I think we all know that she wanted to influence the outside world somehow...I guess this is how she's doing it. Not that she ever expected any of her ideas to go this far, though...
N
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 12:36 PM EST
Witch
Points: 645
Stage Violence says:
That is pretty interesting. I am actually quite interested in the stealth cloaks. My only concern would be that they would get used by the "other" side. :)
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 1:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 902
magic is everywhere says:
WOW! i think that is really clever of microsoft to do that. I am sl o shocked that HP would inspire invention i think it is great news. I hope microsoft come out with some more clever inventions from HP they will definatle mske a lot of money out of it wont they! i'll definately be getting one when it comes out! how about you??
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 3:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 583
bella eiram says:
That is incredible what they did. The invisibility cloak is genius. Really, it's brilliant that they would come up with that. The clock was very cool too. But the cloak is what intrests me the most.
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 4:15 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1057
Herminone Potter says:
That's so cool, but what if you didn't want to be found?
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 4:17 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4040
Dan's no.1 fan 4ever says:
Erm...Am I missing something??? Surely, that's copyright! It was JK's invention....she should take the credit, not the stupid company that made it!
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 4:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
That's so cool!! I wonder how the clock can tell where the people are though?
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 5:38 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1927
Ravenclaw Princess says:
I wish I can have that clock...it looks cool. Though, I really wonder how the "invisability cloak" looks like. Its really cool they are getting ideas from Harry Potter.
HP PRIDE!
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 5:41 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1018
ravenclaw chick says:
That's really.... weird. I dunno, I just never thought something like that could actually happen!
-Cory
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 7:20 PM EST
True Gryffie
Points: 2581
Harry_Potter_Lover says:
haha! Way to go JK! the inventor! Haha, yea....i want one of those watches when they make them! It will be really cool...
~*~Grand POobah~*~
Posted Mar 7, 2005 at 7:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 992
LoonyLuna11 says:
How funny! I wonder if they thought that nobody would know where they got the idea from. I would want one of those clocks though.
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 12:23 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
That'd be pretty cool to have a clock similar to Mrs. Weasleys. It'll be interesting to see how many more inventions pop up after all of the books have been published and inventors have had time for their inspirations to set in. It'd be really nice to have an invisability cloak though ...
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 12:39 AM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
its scarry how far along we are comming technology wise, i mean, getting closer to a real invisability cloak!? wow...would be amazing to have one, but the inplications for bad are great, feft, spying ect...agh not good. Seems the mind of rowling has a few inventions in we can all use..wounder if she patented the ideas...wouldnt a clock based on her idea have to get permission off her of have a percentage of the profits go to rowling? wouldnt like haviung my face stuck on a clock though...embarassing! hehe
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 3:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 235
Celedora says:
Wow... I never imagined that stuff from HP would make it into laboratories. I wonder if they can ever make the invisibility cloak work on large objects. So far it only works on tiny objects.
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 5:07 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 405
DracoLover says:
Thats pretty cool, I'm just curious as to how it works!
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 7:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 741
Auror Tonks says:
WOW! An invisibility cloak... I would've never thought it was possible. I wonder how the clock works though...
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 8:19 PM EST
Lady of Delusions
Points: 3816
Stargaze3 says:
I always find it intresting how scientist come up with real thing that comes from books or movies. but I would have guess that someone could create an invisibility cloak.
Posted Mar 8, 2005 at 10:42 PM EST
Squib
Points: 112
Lillly says:
All in the power of suggestion. That is really neat I dont see how they could make the clock work the way it does in HP, but would be amazing if it did. Imagine all the teenagers who would get busted for skipping school...
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 8:45 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1086
DRU587 says:
Thats really incredible that HP has inspired the production of an invisibility cloak (sort of). And the clock looks interested, I don't see how it works though. I wonder what the next invention will be.
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 12:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 173
honorcode says:
Wow that is cool and really funny. Is it like programmable or what? I made a clock into a kinda reminder for my family but all it does is you put your spoon on the time you think you will be back and attach a ring that is color coded to tell where you are at.
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 7:07 PM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
That would be so neat. then you could always know where each other are.
peace
love
happiness
and plenty of smiles!
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 7:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 518
tonks06 says:
That clock thing is pretty cool, but it was only a matter of time until they came out with that so it is believeable. But that invisibility cloak! That is amazing. I wonder how long it will be until they actually sell ones that can turn a whole person invisible. It says right now the one they are working on only works on small things during the day. But does anyone else think that would be really scary? People could sneak into your house and you wouldn't see them. Or sneak up and steal your purse. It would be so weird!
Also, I wonder if JKR gets the credit for this stuff? Hope she has a copyright.
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 9:29 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 32
SiriusScout says:
I would really like to know how the clock works, myself. The invisibility cloak slounds awsome, too!
Posted Mar 9, 2005 at 9:31 PM EST
Goddess of the South
Points: 6100
Mrs S Black says:
As a parent I totally want this, I think it works with cell phone tracking devices, so for it to really work you would have to have a cell phone for everyone in the family, I bet microsoft will make another mint on this one, can't wait for it's release!!
Posted Mar 10, 2005 at 11:24 AM EST
Head
Points: 401
katsirimus says:
I think the clocks are cool, but I'd prefer having a version of the invisibility clock. Unfortunitly, unless I develope my own :-) I think it would be way to expensive. Alsdo I do agree that the way the world is these days there are too many people who would use it for evil, or their own personal gain; instead of fun.
Posted Mar 10, 2005 at 11:55 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
Those inventions are all so awesome! Hooray for JKR and her inspireing people to make great things. The invisibility thing would be soooo awesome.
Posted Mar 11, 2005 at 1:18 AM EST
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