Time Machine: “New Look” Launched; Patent for “Magnetic Heart Pump”; Achievements Charles Darwin

Jagadeesh Kancharana

3 months ago

Time Machine: Christian Dior unveiled “New Look”

February 12, 1947, On this day, French fashion designer Christian Dior unveiled his stunningly bold and elegant inaugural collection. He introduced a memorable brand that later became “New Look”. This debut not only revolutionized women’s fashion but also reestablished Paris as the epicenter of haute couture.

Dior’s “New Look” was characterized by rounded shoulders, a cinched waist, and a voluminous, calf-length skirt, celebrating feminine curves and offering a stark contrast to the boxy, practical styles that had dominated the wartime era. Dior poetically described his vision: “I turned them into flowers, with soft shoulders, blooming bosoms, waists slim as vine stems, and skirts opening up like blossoms.”

“New Look” Early Collection

The collection featured two primary lines: “Corolle” and “En Huit”. The “Corolle” line, named after the botanical term for a circlet of flower petals, emphasized full, flowing skirts, while “En Huit” showcased silhouettes resembling the figure eight, highlighting the hourglass form. The most iconic costume from this collection was the “Bar” Suit, comprising a fitted, ivory jacket paired with a full, black skirt, epitomizing the elegance and luxury Dior aimed to convey.

While many celebrated the “New Look” as a refreshing departure from wartime austerity, it was not without its critics. Some viewed the lavish use of fabric as wasteful in a time when rationing was still a reality. In some instances, women donning “New Look” designs faced public harassment, with critics deeming the styles excessive and unpatriotic.

Notably, fellow designer Coco Chanel remarked, “Dior doesn’t dress women. He fills them!” Despite the controversies, Dior’s “New Look” had a profound and lasting impact on fashion. It reintroduced an emphasis on femininity and luxury, influencing women’s styles throughout the late 1940s and 1950s.

The “New Look’s” legacy endures, with its elements continuing to inspire contemporary fashion designers and enthusiasts alike. It was indeed a bold statement that transformed the landscape of women’s fashion, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Time Machine: Stephen Kovacs received a Patent for a “Magnetic Heart Pump”

February 12, 1974, On this day, Stephen Kovacs received a patent for an innovative “magnetic heart pump”. This achievement marked a significant milestone in medical engineering. The Magnetic heart pump was designed to replicate the natural pulsatile action of the human heart. And offered hope for patients requiring cardiac assistance.

The magnetic heart pump comprises two main components. The first part contains the pumping and valve chambers, which are implanted inside the chest cavity. The second part, an external unit strapped to the chest wall, holds a magnet and mechanical linkage.

The interaction between these components allows the external magnet’s motion to induce the pump piston’s movement within the internal chamber. Additionally, effectively simulates the heart’s natural pumping action.

Features of Magnetic Pump

One of the key features of Kovacs’ design is its ability to mimic the heart’s pulsatile pumping action, maintaining blood pressure ranges similar to those generated by a natural heart. This design aims to minimize damage to blood cells by operating at normal heart rates.

Additionally, the pump is capable of manual operation in case of actuator power failure, ensuring a failsafe mechanism. The device was portable, with a simplified construction that uses a minimal number of moving parts.

Also, this magnetic heart pump provides a heart pump that is capable of pumping rates ranging from 60 to 80 cycles per minute.

Kovacs’ magnetic heart pump was a pioneering step toward developing mechanical devices that could replicate the complex functions of the human heart. By using magnetic fields to drive the pump, the design reduced the risk of mechanical wear and tear. Furthermore, potentially increased the device’s longevity and reliability.

This innovation had a lasting impact on the development of cardiac assist technologies. It laid the groundwork for future advancements in cardiac assist devices, contributing to the ongoing efforts to provide effective solutions for patients with heart conditions.

For those who dream of traveling in a time machine, Big Moves’ exciting new scientific history series Big Chronicles is here. Buckle up, we will take you on a thrilling ride through the most fascinating moments in history.

Time Machine: Birthday and Achievements Charles Darwin

Born on February 12, 1809, Charles Darwin was an English naturalist, biologist, and geologist. He was renowned for his contributions to evolutionary biology. His groundbreaking work, On the Origin of Species (1859), introduced the theory of natural selection, which revolutionized our understanding of life on Earth.

Key Achievements & Notable Developments:

Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection:
Darwin proposed that species evolve over generations through a process of natural selection, where organisms best adapted to their environment survive and reproduce.
Publication of On the Origin of Species:
This book laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology and challenged existing views on the creation of species.
The Descent of Man:
Darwin extended his evolutionary theory to humans. He pointed out that humans evolved from common ancestors shared with other primates.