Innovation Comes to Nails

Very rarely are products actually innovated upon in groundbreaking ways. The last quarter century we have seen the majority of innovations in the technological arena. Along comes the Hurriquake.
Found via Cool Hunting, Popular Science's annual "Best of What's New," currently on display in New York's Grand Central Station through this Thursday, 9 November 2006, has achieved the magazine's first-ever top honor, "Innovation of the Year". It is a tricked-out nail designed to protect homes against damage caused by hurricanes and earthquakes. It has been re-engineered to target the common problems of other fasteners that tear apart in high winds and pull through plywood during seismic stresses, the device reportedly provides up to twice the resistance to these natural disasters. Looking at the picture we see a larger head (with easily identifiable markings for inspectors, homeowners and contractors), angled barbed rings at the bottom, a screw shank that fills voids created the rings, and "shear shank technology" that increases strength at primary stress point and an improved coating that allows nails to be more flush with wood, the increased cost in building an average-size house is a mere $15. When i build my home in North Carolina, be assured these are the badboys i will use (along with steel and brick) because we don't build no sissy houses. Head up to the exhibit if you get a chance or check outcoolhunting for more Popular Science coverage.

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