A gadget is simply a technological device or simply a clever piece of technology. Gadgets can be called gizmos, too. This article lists some examples of gizmos – what they are, and how useful they can be.
The simplest type of gadget would probably be a cellular phone – the typical one has an LCD screen, a keyboard and speaker, and a microprocessor that allows it to function. These devices are generally just walkie-talkies with built-in receivers and transmitters. We’re talking about phones here, not handheld computers, and they’re much more useful as communication devices than as game consoles or music players.
Another type of simple gadget was the first used in France, the so-called gidget. A gidget is a pocket watch. The first gidget was invented by Yves Saint Laurent, who made it for his own personal use. Some collectors find the name adorable, while others think of it as anachronistic. In any case, it has now become popular as a collector’s item.
Another early model of a gadget that can be considered a gidget was the electric shock detector. This device was invented by a man named Samuel Simon, and it consisted of a box which contained a coil of wire. When this coil was near a person who might be a potential threat, an electrical current would be produced. The current was in a small amount so it could be safely carried away. The very first use of this device came when it was used by the British military during World War I. They used it to detect enemy soldiers.
During World War II, American soldiers were using similar devices for the same purpose. Gadget detectors became even more sophisticated, as the war ended. They could also be called motion detector gadgets. As the gadget continued to gain popularity, it started to be used in many other applications. Soon, it was being used to protect canteens and other public areas. After that, these gadgets were also used in airports, and they still are used in many places today.
In modern times, the name gidget comes from the fact that its inventor, a woman called Jeannette Rankin, actually pronounced the word “gidget” like a child’s game, rather than like the proper pronunciation of “girlfriend”. She created it in response to what she considered to be a cruel joke. The name itself actually comes from Rankin’s name, which was a nickname for a ladybug. Today, however, the name is considered common household use, rather than slang.
