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WARNING: Reading this article may incite a ravenous craving for potato chips. Viewer discretion is advised. The crunchy, salty, irresistible snack that you know and love was first created nearly two centuries ago. Potato chips are said to have originated from an interaction between a picky restaurant patron and an irritated cook… But is that

If you’ve got a memory foam mattress you love dearly, you’ve got NASA to thank for that. Temper foam, cochlear implants, and portable computers are just a few of NASA’s incredible inventions that were used for space exploration long before they became everyday items in society. It’s no secret that space travel requires some pretty

Today, lithium-ion batteries are one of the most common sources of power for everyday devices from cell phones to cars. As these products continue to improve, so does the need for a more efficient energy source. The up-and-coming technology of Solid-State Batteries may just be the solution. As technology develops by the day, more efficient

Utilizing the abilities of additive manufacturing (AKA 3D printing) with metal powders is unlocking the ability to build new parts and tools for aerospace, automotive, communications, and medicine that were previously not feasible. However, we must also consider and address the serious safety and handling implications. Working with new technologies can be exciting, especially building

Simple. Squishable. Moldable. Silly Putty has been a popular children’s toy for over 80 years. But did you know it wasn’t created for kids? Silly Putty’s origin story begins with an accidental discovery during the rubber shortage during World War II. During WWII, many of the countries that produced rubber were being invaded at the

Inventor and businesswoman Martha Coston knew how to draw attention to herself… By using a Coston flare. This essential tool for signaling at sea can be credited to the hard work of one incredibly dedicated mother. Martha Coston did not let being a young, widowed, single mother in the mid-nineteenth century stop her from being

With gas prices soaring, many drivers are considering the transition to electric vehicles. While many consider electric cars to be technology from the future, we actually have over two centuries of research and development to thank for this incredible invention. When people today think of electric cars, most envision sleek, futuristic, technologically-advanced machines. But, did

Whether your Intermediate Bulk Containers need modifications for a new process idea or repairs from a little run-in with a forklift, we at CPS are happy to fix them up for you. While we do specialize in building custom machines, there are also some significant benefits to choosing to refurbish your old bins instead of

Today, a large portion of the population wears eyeglasses or contacts regularly. But how long ago would you suppose corrective lenses were first utilized? 100 years ago? 500? 1,000? How about over 2,000? Yep, that’s right. Check out this article to learn the early origins of these incredibly useful tools. Glasses have become pretty standard

Rumor has it that the phrase “the real McCoy” could have come from a variety of sources. But the origin story we like the most is about Canadian inventor Elijah McCoy and his coveted products which customers understandably only wanted authentic versions of. If you want something that’s “the real McCoy”, you’re probably looking for

Corn Flakes – the best-selling breakfast cereal in the United States. You know them. You love them. But do you know how they were created? Check out this article to learn the surprising story behind the accidental invention of this iconic Kellogg’s product. As with many notable inventions, Kellogg’s Corn Flakes were created partially by

When you’re a fancy socialite and the servants keep breaking your fine china while washing it, you can either hire better help, or you can invent a machine to do the job right. Josephine Cochrane chose the latter. I’ll Do it Myself! The daughter of an engineer and granddaughter of an inventor, Josephine Cochrane lived

It was a simple mistake. You’ve probably even done it yourself: a trip out of town, a forgotten bowl of fruit… Next thing you know, you’ve invented penicillin. Admittedly, there were a few more steps involved in creating usable penicillin, but it just goes to show that you never know how the next great discovery

When your stomach is upset, it’s convenient to have a pharmacist for a husband. When your husband/pharmacist makes something that works so well it becomes a best-selling product within two years, you’ve got yourself the History of Tums. Something Isn’t Agreeing With Me In the 19th century, there were many remedies for an upset stomach.

Dean Casady, Technical Services Director at Custom Powder, has been a runner for 45 years. Recently, he decided to take on one of the most rigorous runs on earth: A run into the Grand Canyon, traveling from rim to rim to rim, also known as R2R2R. “It’s seven miles to the bottom, nine miles across,

“I don’t know how many times my boss introduced us… He really only needed to introduce us once,” recalls Denise on meeting Dale “Mac” McIntosh. The two had been working in the plant food industry and, if opposites do attract, Denise and Mac soon figured out how to blend their different personalities. “She’s my alter-ego,”

Imagine you’ve just flown a quarter-million miles to the moon to collect some rock samples that every scientist on the team is eager to get ahold of. However, you need to figure out a way to let them get their hands on them… without letting them actually get their hands on them. The Habitat Demonstration

While some celebrities know from childhood that they are destined to be an actor, model, comedian, or other iconic personality, others may not begin pursuing these passions until they get older. But what, then, are they doing in the meantime? Well, for these six famous individuals the answer is: studying engineering. Ashton Kutcher Most famously

Born in Oakland, California at the end of Reconstruction, Lillie Moller was one of the first women engineers to earn a doctorate. She entered the first grade at age nine, and in less than ten years graduated high school. Although her father didn’t approve of a young woman going to college, he finally allowed her

The morning of April 2, 2021 brought devastating news for luxury brand Valentino: a fire had ravaged one of their shoe plants. Thankfully, no lives were lost. However, the structure and contents of the building were not so lucky. With 90% destruction, Valentino Shoes Labs was nearly a complete loss, including over 38,000 pairs of

Sending a working rover to Mars is a remarkable feat.  Keeping the rover working longer than expected is even more remarkable.  When the rover, Curiosity, landed on Mars on August 6th, 2012, the mission was planned to last 90 sols (Martian days), equivalent to approximately 92.73 Earth days. To this day, Curiosity has been in

Note-taking apps on smartphones have made capturing ideas as easy as speaking them into the air. But for engineers, nothing beats putting pen to paper and sketching them out by hand. One day in 1980, Burt and Dick Rutan imagined an airplane that could make it around the world and never stop for fuel. By

You are strapped into your seat, the roller coaster cart slowly crawling forward when you see a hill approaching up ahead. You start to get nervously excited as the cart ascends, knowing that you will shortly be subjected to massive amounts of force and speed. Once the cart reaches the top, you take a quick

We were asked to design, build, and install a two-part gas-to-liquid catalyst dispensing system in 2008. We created, set up, and tested it entirely at the CPS factory in Missouri, before packing and shipping it to Ras Laffan, Qatar. A country with fewer residents than expatriates, the State of Qatar sits on the western shore

Sarah Guppy was paid £40,000 by the British Government for a way to keep barnacles off boats. That’s about $4.5 million today. In 1811, she created a way to make safe piling for bridges. This important invention was employed right away by a Scottish civil engineer. This time, Guppy refused money for her creation. She

“PPE has gone up 1000% in price across the board. Companies are calling us and saying ‘Here’s the situation, do you have any options?’” Angelo Rubino, Business Development Specialist PPE has been a common term for people in hospitals, factories, and other potentially hazardous workplaces. With the onset of COVID-19, the shortage of Personal Protective

From Star Trek to James Bond to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, many famous TV and movie franchises rely on the brilliant minds of their characters to make their stories come to life. These well-known fictional engineers and their ingenious inventions have made a memorable impact on audiences for generations. When it comes to engineers, we

If you’ve ever used a microwave to pop a bag of popcorn, steam a bag of frozen vegetables, or reheat your leftovers, you’re probably familiar with the convenience of these standard kitchen appliances. For this, you must thank a self-taught inventor, a piece of candy, and their accidental discovery. In today’s fast-paced world, the microwave

If you’ve ever enjoyed a cup of pour-over or drip coffee (aka the kind that comes from a traditional coffee maker), you have one ingenious woman to thank for making those brewing processes possible. In the early 20th century, Melitta Bentz revolutionized how we make coffee by inventing the first filter, reducing bitterness and excess

While solar power has gained popularity in recent years, it is not a recent invention. As far back as the 19th century, scientists have been researching and optimizing this technology for various applications. As the world continues to search for sustainable and renewable energy sources, solar power has emerged as a promising solution. Harnessing the

Quick! What’s the first brand name that comes to mind when you think of ketchup? If you said anything other than Heinz, we’d be surprised. Heinz has been a beloved condiment brand for over 150 years, largely thanks to its continuous innovative use of efficient energy sources. Heinz is a well-known global food company renowned

What do you get when you put a motor on a bicycle? Well, a motorcycle, of course! Today, these vehicles are commonly used as a recreational form of transportation, but did you know they were invented in 1885 – one whole year before the automobile? The invention of motorcycles was a significant milestone in the history

Naval officer, teacher, and one of the most celebrated computer scientists in United States history, Grace Hopper, invented groundbreaking technologies that forever changed how we interact with computers and process information. Grace Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy officer who revolutionized computer technology with her ground-breaking programming languages and software. Her

Did you know that the world’s largest drum is nearly 20 feet tall and weighs over 15,000 pounds?! At CPS, we love learning about impressive feats of human ingenuity and sharing what we know with you! Read on to find out more about this incredible Korean instrument and other record-setting drums around the globe. The

What do you think it takes to build an island? How about one that is very specifically shaped like a tree? The engineers behind Palm Island in Dubai had to take a lot of things into consideration while constructing the incredible vacation spot. Off the coast of Dubai, you will find a very uniquely-shaped island:

Did you know that “The Most Beautiful Woman in Film” was also responsible for the ideas behind what we now know as WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology? Here are some insights into the incredible mind and talent of Hedy Lamarr. It is hard to find a better example of “Beauty and Brains” than Hedy Lamarr.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… an ornithopter! Leonardo da Vinci was one of the world’s most imaginative inventors, and many of his most creative creations inspired some of the machines we use today. Here are seven of da Vinci’s most fascinating inventions. Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, theorist, scientist, engineer, sculptor, and