Douglas Hofstadter
Douglas is a smart man. He studies how we think. He also looks at how computers work. He writes many books. His books help us learn. Do you like to learn new things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleTechnology articles — Page 33
Explore inventions, engineering, computing and the tools people build to solve problems. Choose an article below; its reading controls let you move between the available levels.
4,107 public articles · Page 33 of 86
Dow Chemical Company
A big company makes things. It makes stuff for other shops. It makes things like plastic. These things help us every day. We use many of these things. Do you use plastic?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrafting machine
This tool helps people draw lines. It sits on a flat board. It can move up and down. It can move side to side. It helps you make straight lines. It makes drawing easy for us. Do you like to draw?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrawbridge
A drawbridge is a moving bridge. It goes to a castle. It can go up or down. It keeps the castle safe. It stops people from coming in. Can you see it move?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrawer
A drawer is a box. It sits inside furniture. You can pull it out. It holds your things. It helps us stay neat. Can you find a drawer?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrawing board
A drawing board is a big desk. It helps people draw big pictures. You can use it to make plans. It can tilt to help you work. It makes drawing very easy. Do you like to draw?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrawing (manufacturing)
Machines pull on metal to change it. They pull it to make it long. This makes the metal thin. It can make long wires. This helps us make things. Do you like metal toys?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDreadnought
A big ship was built long ago. It had many large guns. These guns could shoot very far. This helped the ship stay safe. It was a very special ship. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDreamcast
The Dreamcast is a game machine. It lets you play fun games. You can even play with friends online. It was made by Sega. It is a very special machine. Do you like video games?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDredging
Big boats clean the water. They scoop up sand and mud from the bottom. This helps big ships move safely. It can also make new land. It is like a giant vacuum for the sea. Do you like the beach?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDreyse needle gun
This is a special tool for soldiers. It was made a long time ago. It uses a long needle to work. This tool helps people stay safe. It was a big change for many. Do you like learning about old tools?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrinking straw
A straw is a long tube. You put one end in your mouth. You put the other end in a drink. It helps you sip your juice. It can even help if you are sick. Do you like to use straws?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDroop speed control
Big machines make power for us. They work together to help. If the power slows down, they work harder. This keeps the lights on for you. It is a smart way to work. Do you use lights at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDry dock
A dry dock helps ships. It is a place for repairs. We can fix big boats there. It pulls them out of the water. This helps us clean them. Do you like big ships?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDrywall
Drywall makes your walls. It is a flat board. It is made of soft white stuff. It is between two sheets of paper. It helps make a home. Do you see walls in your house?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDubai International Airport
Many people fly at this big airport. It is in a place called Dubai. Many planes land here every day. It helps people travel to far places. It is a very busy place! Do you like to fly in planes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDubai Metro
The Dubai Metro is a fast train. It moves people in the city. The trains have no drivers. They move all by themselves. The stations stay cool inside. It helps people get around. Have you ever been on a train?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDump truck
A dump truck is a big truck. It carries dirt and rocks. The back part lifts up high. Then the dirt falls out. This helps us build roads. It is a very strong truck. Do you like big trucks?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDune buggy
A dune buggy is a fun car. It has very big wheels. You can drive it on sand. It can go on the beach. It is a great way to play. Do you want to drive one?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDuPont
DuPont is a name for many things. It can be a family name. It is also a big company. Some places have this name too. It can even be a train station. Do you know someone with this name?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDVB
TV uses special rules to work. These rules send shows to your home. They can go through the air. They can go through a cable. This helps you watch your favorite shows. Do you like to watch TV?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDVD
A DVD is a shiny disc. It holds movies and games. You can watch films on it. It helps us see stories. It is very fun to use. Do you like movies?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDynamical system simulation
Computers can act like a world. They use math to guess what happens next. This helps us see things like fire or water. It can even help us learn to fly. It is like a pretend world. Can you imagine a pretend world?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDynamic demand (electric power)
Machines can help us use power. They watch the power lines. If power is low, they turn off for a bit. This helps keep the lights on. It works so fast you will not feel it. Can you imagine machines helping us?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDynamic programming
Some big jobs are hard. You can break them down. Make many small jobs instead. This helps you find the best way. It makes big jobs easy. Do you like solving puzzles?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleDynamic random-access memory
Computers use small parts to remember things. These parts hold data. They use tiny bits of power. The power can leak away. We must fix it fast. This helps your computer work. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarl Bakken
Earl Bakken made a tool for hearts. It helps a heart beat. This tool uses a small battery. It can be worn on the body. It helps many people stay well. Can you think of a new tool?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarth-leakage circuit breaker
A safety switch helps keep us safe. It watches the power in our homes. If the power leaks out, it turns off. This stops people from getting a shock. It is a very smart tool. Do you use switches at home?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarthquake engineering
People build strong things. They build tall towers and big bridges. These things must stay safe when the ground shakes. This helps keep people safe too. Do you like big buildings?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEarthworks (engineering)
People move lots of dirt. They use big machines to help. This can make a new road. It can even make a dam. It helps us build big things. We use dirt to make our world. Do you like playing in the dirt?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEasy-Bake Oven
You can bake with this toy oven. It uses a light bulb for heat. You mix food in a small pan. Then you push it inside. It makes yummy treats for you. Do you like cake?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleeBay
eBay is a place to buy things. You can find many items online. You can bid on things you want. Or you can buy them fast. People all over the world use it. It helps us trade goods. Do you like to shop online?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEbony (magazine)
Ebony is a special magazine. It tells news and stories. It shows many great people. It helps us feel proud. We can read it online now. Do you like magazines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEbook
An e-book is a book on a screen. You can read it on a tablet. You can read it on a phone. It has words and pictures. It helps you read anywhere. Do you like to read on a screen?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEd Bradley
Ed Bradley told many stories. He worked on the news. He went to many places. He helped people learn the truth. He was a great reporter. Do you like news stories?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEdgar F. Codd
Ted Codd was a smart man. He worked with computers. He found a new way to save data. This helps us use computers today. He was a great thinker. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEditing
Editing makes work look good. People fix mistakes in stories. They can fix pictures too. This helps us understand things. It makes the message clear. You can edit your own work. Do you like to fix things?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEdna Woolman Chase
Edna worked for a big book. It was called Vogue. She showed people new clothes. She held a big show for them. This helped people find clothes to wear. She was a great leader. Do you like to look at clothes?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleÉdouard-Léon Scott de Martinville
A man made a tool for sound. It drew lines on paper. These lines showed how sound moves. It could not play music back. It only showed a picture of sound. Can you imagine seeing a song?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleÉdouard Michelin (industrialist)
Edouard Michelin was a man from France. He helped make a big company. He made new types of wheels. These wheels were for bikes and cars. They helped people travel far. He worked very hard. Do you like to ride a bike?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEDSAC
This was a very early computer. It lived in England. It helped people do math. It was a big machine. It could even print out lists. Do you like math too?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEducational technology
Tools help us learn new things. Computers can help us in school. We can use them to study. They make learning fun for us. It is a great way to grow. Do you like to use computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEDVAC
This was a very big computer. It helped people do math. It was made a long time ago. It was much faster than old machines. It helps us use computers today. Do you like computers?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEdward Cave
Edward Cave made books. He made a book called a magazine. It had many stories inside. This helped people learn new things. He worked very hard. Do you like to read magazines?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEdward Smith (sea captain)
Edward Smith was a sea captain. He led many big ships. He was very good at his job. He sailed on the Titanic. The ship hit ice and sank. Many people were lost. Can you name a big ship?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleE. H. Harriman
Edward Harriman was a man who ran trains. He helped fix many railroads. He also helped many people. His wife gave land for a big park. Do you like to ride on a train?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleEiji Toyoda
Eiji Toyoda made many cars. He led a big car company. He helped make cars for everyone. His work helped people travel. He was a very good leader. Do you like cars?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the articleElbe–Lübeck Canal
This is a long path for boats. It links two big rivers. It helps boats move across the land. Boats use it to carry things. It is a very old idea. We can see it today. Do you like boats?
Early Reader · Change the reading level on the article