Kid's invention warns birds about windows

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a school science fair project by eighth grader Charlie Sobcov, who created painted plastic decals intended to prevent bird collisions with windows. The decals are designed to be visible to birds but nearly invisible to humans, utilizing ultraviolet paint. The conversation explores the effectiveness of this invention, its originality, and comparisons to existing products.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Charlie's innovative approach to reducing bird fatalities from window collisions.
  • Others point out that similar products, such as those from WindowAlert in Oregon, have been available since 2003, suggesting that Charlie's invention may not be entirely original.
  • One participant questions whether all bird species perceive the same range of wavelengths, indicating skepticism about the effectiveness of the proposed solution across different species.
  • A humorous remark is made about fish not having issues with windows, adding a light-hearted tone to the discussion.
  • Another participant references Bill Gates and the concept of "patches for windows," drawing a parallel between software and physical window solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the originality of Charlie's invention, as some participants acknowledge existing products while others celebrate his creativity. Additionally, there is uncertainty regarding the perception of ultraviolet light among different bird species.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of skepticism about the claims made in the original article, particularly regarding the universality of bird vision and the novelty of the invention.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in wildlife conservation, innovative inventions, or the intersection of technology and environmental issues may find this discussion relevant.

OAQfirst
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http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/01/21/ot-090121-bird-decals.html?ref=rss"
Eighth grader Charlie Sobcov wants to stop birds from dying in collisions with windows, but he doesn't want to ruin anybody's view.
For his latest school science fair project he has invented painted, plastic decals that can be placed — discreetly — right in the middle of a window pane.

"This paint is a colour that birds can see but humans can't," he said Wednesday on CBC Radio's All in a Day. "It's like putting a big stop sign in the middle of the window."

The colour is ultraviolet, beyond the range of colours visible to humans. That means the "stop sign" let's birds know the window is solid, but is nearly invisible to humans.
This kid is all win. He's going to make a fortune, and for the best reasons.

Good for you, Charlie!
 
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Does it mean that all birds, regardless of species, see exactly the same range of wavelengths? Somehow I doubt it.

Kudos to the kid for the out of the box thinking, but journalist should be sent back to the High School.
 
*slaps head*
 
fish never have any trouble with windows! :biggrin:

dunno about flying-fish, though :rolleyes: …​
 


tiny-tim said:
WindowAlert of Oregon have been making them since 2003 …

see http://www.windowalert.com :wink:

Haha, technology journal fail.
 
Nice invention, never heard of it before.
 
unseen crashes

tiny-tim said:
WindowAlert of Oregon have been making them since 2003 …

And, even before that, didn't Bill Gates make a fortune out of making patches for windows to avoid unseen crashes? :biggrin: