Technology Connections
7 HN recommenders · recommended in 5 months, 2022–2024
36:29 · 4.7M views · Aug 11, 2022
Technology Connections explains how the simple American drip coffee maker works, including the bimetal valve and bubble-pump heating, and compares the original Mr. Coffee with modern machines.
HN recommends it as a clear, enjoyable look at why simple designs are brilliant, and as a pointer to a channel with a hacker's-eye view of everyday technology.
8 comments from Hacker News
Technology Connections on youtube has an awesome video about coffee makers! its 35 minutes, but i highly recommend it! this video i think it's actually amazing how much design went into these "dead simple" coffee machines!
Came here to post this :D The TC channel is definitely a hacker's eye view in to all the technologies that we take for granted every day. Tons of fascinating tech history covered, too. Other fun ones: - a defense of the simple drip coffee maker this video - why do the turn signals not sync up when you're at a stop light? [LINK] - how humidifiers work and ehy the simple swamp cooler style are pretty ideal [LINK] - why dishwasher detergent packs are stupid (use powder/liquid) and why you should use the pre-wash slot and not bother pre rinsing your plates [LINK] - why do light switches click? [LINK]
Drip coffee makers are just better than the old percolators. Technology Connections on youtube has a video about drip coffee makers which is very good (he demos an original mr. coffee machine which has some differences vs modern machines) this video He also did a vid on percolators recently which I haven't watched but the thumbnail suggests its an extended rant about how they suck [LINK]
I just watched an amusing video that compares Mr. Coffee's original machine to modern drip coffeemakers. Mr. Coffee would cost $300 today (adjusted for inflation). There's been great simplification of the design over the years. this video Given a more than order of magnitude reduction in price, a shorter lifespan can be tolerated, and could even be a rational consumer choice.
Simple drip machines are a marvel--I spend more on a month's supply of beans than I do on the maker, and have been getting about 5 years daily service out of each one. Technology Connections made a great video explaining how stupid/brilliant they are this video