Category Science

How was the ballpoint pen invented?

            The first model of a ballpoint pen was patented in 1888 by an American John H. Loud for writing on rough surfaces. But a successful ballpoint-pen, like the modern one, could not be developed till 1943. In fact, the American Air Force is mainly responsible for its invention. The Air Force demanded a special type of pen which could be used by the aircraft crew during flights. They required a pen which would not spill ink due to the reduction in air pressure at high altitudes. Such a pen could only be a ballpoint pen and hence there was a very fast development of it after this demand. Later on it became so popular that even the common people began to use it.

            The ballpoint pen has a hollow body made up of some metal or plastic material. It has a cap, a spring and an ink-refill with a tiny brass ball (writing point) fitted at its one end. The cap controls the writing point. The spring helps the writing point to move up and down. The refill is generally made of polythene and is filled with different colours of ink. 

            The ink used in ballpoint pen is specially formulated to be thick so that it may not leak. Its flow, however, remains smooth and unbroken lines can be drawn with the help of these pens. The ink is drawn through internal ducts in the socket by capillary action (a phenomenon in which the surface of a liquid confined in a narrow-bore tube rises above level.)

            A ballpoint pen has many uses. No blotting paper or inkpot is needed when it is used. This pen writes fast. Its ink does not spill on paper. The words written by it are not affected by water. It has certain disadvantages also. Unlike a fountain pen it does not make broader or finer strokes. It tires the hand more quickly than an ordinary pen because more pressure has to be exerted which using it.

            In the 1960s, soft-tip pens were developed in Japan. In these pens, the ink flows through a pad when pad touches the writing surface. During 1980s ballpoint-pens with carbide tips became very popular.

What does the word bass mean?

          Like treble, bass too describes a range of sound in terms of tone quality as well as musical notes. But they are opposite voices.

          Bass defines tones of low frequency, pitch and range from 16-256 Hz. Hence, it forms the lowest part of the harmony in songs. If we increase the bass up in a note, we get a deeper sound. On the other hand, if we volume up a treble, we get a higher sound.

          In choral music, bass is provided by adult male bass singers, while in an orchestra, the lines are played by the double bass and cellos, bassoon or contrabassoon, low bass such as the tuba and bass trombone, and the timpani or kettledrums. In popular music, the bass part or the ‘bassline’ provides a rhythmic support to the band.

           The main bass instruments used by musicians are keyboard bass and bass drum. 

Why is it said that a tuning fork gives a clear example of natural frequency?

            We know that all objects in the Universe have their natural frequencies. Some may be simple but some, complex. A renowned example for an object with a simple natural frequency is the tuning fork. It is an acoustic resonator that appears as a two-pronged fork with the prongs or tines formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal like steel. Depending on the length and mass of the two prongs, the fork produces a pitch. Generally, it is used as a standard of pitch to tune musical instruments.

            As mentioned earlier, a tuning fork has a natural frequency. When set vibrating by striking against a surface, or by an object, the fork resonates at a specific pitch and emits a musical tone once the high overtones have died out.

            Traditionally, the forks have been used to tune musical instruments. But today, electronic tuners are replacing them in applications.

            The tuning fork was invented in 1711 by British musician John Shore, who was a trumpeter and lute player. 

How does a synthesizer work?

           Synthesizers are one of the most important musical instruments today. Although they look like small electronic pianos, the uses of synthesizers are much more than one can imagine.

           Technically, it is an electronic keyboard that can generate or copy, any kind of sound. For instance, it can mimic the sound of a traditional instrument like a violin or piano, or create brand new sounds like the crunch of footsteps on the surface of Mars!

           The very meaning of ‘synthesize’ is to make something new, often by putting together things from existing pieces. This is exactly what the synthesizer instrument does. It has got a number of oscillators or sound tone generators, each of which can produce waves of different shapes. They combine the waves to make complex sounds. Depending on this combination, the sounds vary, and mimic existing instruments.

             Based on how they function, synthesizers are classified into analogue and digital.

             The changes caused by synthesizers in the field of music are unparalleled. Since the 1970s, they have been used in popular music, and today, there is no pop record made without featuring an electronic keyboard of this kind. 

Why is a mixing console an important unit?

Mixing console is a device that used for mixing and changing the volume, and dynamics of audio signals. The sources of these signals could be many- microphones used by singers, or mics picking up the beats from drums.

The device is known by different names like audio mixer, audio console, or mixer.

There are numerous applications for which a mixing console is used. For instance, it is commonly used in recording studios, public address systems, sound reinforcement systems, musical concerts, broadcasting, television, and film post-production.

Let’s look at a few of its applications in detail. When two singers are singing, say a duet, a mixing console combines signals from the two microphones into an amplifier that drives one set of speakers. Then, during a live performance, the signals from the mixer go directly to an amplifier plugged into speaker cabinets.

Almost all bands use a mixer to combine musical instruments and vocals. This mix can then be amplified through a public address system.

Radio broadcasts too use it in order to select audio from different sources like CD players, and in-studio live bands. 

Why is it said that the telephone is an important invention?

          The telephone is a communication tool that has become an integral part of human life since its invention in 1876.

          Technically, it is a device that transmits voices over a distance, using a wire or radio. The transmission is made possible by converting sound signals to electric signals.

          There are many reasons why the device is important to us. The first and foremost reason is that it enables communication without the hassle of travelling far.

             It is perhaps the cheapest mode of communication that facilitates talking to a person abroad at a relatively fair price. Hence, the device has played a major role in better socialization and interaction among people.

            Although it was originally meant for voice communication, telephones have evolved over the years. From wired phones emerged mobile phones that could be used anywhere.