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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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Witch
Points: 809
~Hermione <3's Ron~ says:
i read about that clock on other websites, that clocks looks totally cool! how can the clock kno when someone is at home or at school? well whatever, i wish i could have that clock. It is totally cool! I wonder if JKR likes it?
mwa!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:35 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2881
Chogiiiirl says:
It is really amazing how life can imitate art, especially in the area of technology. I do think the clocks are cool! Maybe we'll be able to get one soon.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:35 PM EST
Witch
Points: 570
ginnypotter2004 says:
Of course they are inspired by the books. Who wouldn't be. The clock looks really cool and so does the cloak. Hopefully we can get them soon.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:53 PM EST
Snitchologist of Snitches
Points: 3018
Volatilis-e-Snitch says:
Wow, I think that's really cool...I would love to get one when it comes out.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 9:56 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2185
Potterfan5 says:
Wow, that is really crazy, these inventions are so cool, they may not be exactly the same thing, but they get the job done, that is amazing! What is next for technology? It really blows my mind, I wonder what will be out there in 50 years...
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 606
PolarisPrewett says:
I see they've left "mortal peril" off the list of possible places for a family member to be. I suppose thats for the best though, cuts down on practical joking.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 140
Dark Lord DiG says:
I want one of those clocks, hahaha. I don't know how well the invisibility cloak will turn out, but we'll soon see.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:10 PM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
Hmmm. Cool. Couldn't be plainer that it was taken from HP. Wonder if JKR will get credit?
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:19 PM EST
Witch
Points: 733
PotterHoney says:
Oooo, What if they did develop an invisibility cloak? That'd be kinda freaky if it fell into the wrong hands...and the clock is fabulous, I definitely want one!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:22 PM EST
Student
Points: 202
Potterfan77 says:
That's great, I have to get one of those clocks. I wonder when they will start selling them.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:31 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
How neat! And I bet the clock would work just fine if all of the family had cell phones. A computer program would just read the gps location from each phone, and know from the preprogrammed locations just where everyone was. Programs like U-locate and Teen Arrive Alive do just that and display it via the internet on a computer for parents. Teen Arrive Alive even calls when the phone is travelling too fast!
So I guess having it display on a clock is a simple matter of hooking the clock into a home wireless network or some such and a few lines of code.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:32 PM EST
Headless Hunt Captain
Points: 2887
Dark_Wizard_Chaser says:
This is neat but also utterly ridiculous at the exact same time...some things should just stay in the book where they belong.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:40 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1098
LilyP says:
I want one of those clocks. What a great idea! I'm not so sure about the invisibility cloak idea. It seems a little far fetched, but who knows.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:51 PM EST
Squib
Points: 184
Carlie04 says:
Awesome! I always thought that clock was so neat and a good idea to make in real life. The invisibilty cloak invention is cool, too. :)
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 10:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1246
TybaltTheCannibal says:
I love the clock idea, that's actually very clever. The invisibility cloak sounds pretty interesting. Now all we need is a flying car or two.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:08 PM EST
Squib
Points: 131
Tay Seeker says:
That is all so cool--JK didn't know what she was getting herself into by creating her books. She's now changing our world!
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 832
latinabloomlova says:
That's halarious! But how does it really work? How will they know where i am? Is there like a tracing device put on me?!?? Whoa. too much. i think i'll stick w/a cell phone to tell my parents where i'm at.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:10 PM EST
Unspeakable
Points: 3920
stocco says:
Oh my gosh, that's AWESOME. I always loved the Weasleys clock. I thought it was such a cool idea. My mom would love it for sure. Ahaha.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:12 PM EST
Professor of Seanology
Points: 5283
Dr. Nicole says:
I somewhat remember that clock from the books and the movies. I think the design is amazing. The creation of a real invisibility cloak sounds very scientific. It comes to show you that Harry Potter is more than a character, his world is inspirational.
~Nicole
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:15 PM EST
Forgetful Werewolf
Points: 14831
Patronus_Potter says:
Very very cool! I wonder how much those items are..... An invisibility cloak would be very helpful...
Choronzon: I am anti-life, the beast of judgement. I am the dark at the end of everything. The end of Universes, Gods, worlds... Of everything. Ssss. And what then will you be dreamlord?
Dream: I am hope.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:17 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4499
PowerGranger says:
Ok, good to see I'm not the only killjoy thinking intellectual property infringement. Hee hee. Anyway, I am willing to bet the invisibility cloak idea has been kicking around for awhile on the military technology scene, considering "cloaking" devices used on the Stealth bomber are years and years old now. But it's cool to think of a device that could cloak an individual person.
Posted Mar 3, 2005 at 11:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 352
GryffindorHeiress says:
WOW!! That's great! I want one of those clocks! The invisibily cloaks cool as well!
Posted Mar 4, 2005 at 12:15 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 65
ponsy says:
Hmmmm...first the invisibility cloak. Now the Weasley clock. I wonder what would be next? Wand? Broomstick? Floo Powder?
Posted Mar 4, 2005 at 12:34 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 338
Grandson of Dumbledore says:
This is an example of how powerful the Harry Potter concept has been in influencing world culture. As grandson of the great man Albus Dumbledore, I feel that it is his lasting legacy to the world that wizarding inventions are starting to benefit all of mankind. After all, it is he who has guided young Harry to where he is today.
Posted Mar 4, 2005 at 1:08 AM EST
Witch
Points: 569
HP_Nutter says:
Ohh! i want a clock! And an invisibility cloak!! Oh all the As i would get.....
Posted Mar 4, 2005 at 1:13 AM EST
Squib
Points: 192
harrypotterclown says:
That is kool, I wonder if the clock really works and I wonder how they got the cloak thing to actually work like that. That is really fascinating!
Posted Mar 4, 2005 at 1:57 AM EST
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