Related Directory Categories
- Gadgets (77)
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- Consumer Items, Gadgets and Toys (18)
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- Inspector Gadget (16)
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- Inspector Gadget Series (10)
- Inspector Gadget (9)
- Nutcrackers (8)
- Fad Gadget (7)
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Gadget
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gadget is a device or an appliance that has a useful specific practical purpose and function but is often thought of as a novelty. Gadgets are invariably considered to be more unusually or cleverly designed than normal technology at the time of their invention. Gadgets are sometimes also referred to as gizmos. In some circles the distinction between a gadget and a gizmo is that a gizmo has moving parts, whereas a gadget need not have them.[citation needed] For example, a digital watch would be a gadget, while an analog watch would be a gizmo. Thus a gizmo is essentially a mechanical gadget.
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The history of invention of gadgets is almost as old as humanity itself. [1] But, the introduction of the word is relatively new. [2] The etymology of the word gadget is disputed. Some say that the word gadget was "invented" when Gaget, Gauthier & Cie, the company behind the casting of the Statue of Liberty, made a small-scale version of the monument and named it after their firm.[citation needed] Other sources cite a derivation from sailors' terminology; the French gâchette which has been applied to various pieces of a firing mechanism; the French gagée, a small tool or accessory; the French engager, to engage one thing with another; or even a diminutive of the Scottish engineering jargon gadge, a form of measuring device.[citation needed] The spring-clip used to hold the base of a vessel during glass-making is also known as a gadget.
Clocks, bicycles, and thermometers are amongst the very large number of gadgets that are mechanical and also very popular. The invention of mechanical gadgets though is based more on innovation of the inventor rather than education.[citation needed]
Electronic gadgets are based on transistors and integrated circuits. Unlike the mechanical gadgets one needs a source of electric power to use it. The most common electronic gadgets include transistor radio, television, cell phones and the quartz watch.
Most of the modern gadgets belong to this category. These gadgets are invariably based on a microprocessor and often have flash memory.[citation needed] They use embedded software which controls their functions. Such gadgets are found not only in the pockets of gadget freaks, but also in their cars and homes. Some examples of gadgets in this category are notebook computer, mobile phone, iPhone etc.