loader from loading.io

#156 - Curiosity as a Catalyst

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Release Date: 02/23/2024

#175 - Apple’s Forgotten Founder: Ronald Wayne’s Secret to Tomorrow’s Money show art #175 - Apple’s Forgotten Founder: Ronald Wayne’s Secret to Tomorrow’s Money

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode, we uncover a remarkable story hidden in plain sight: Ronald Wayne, the often-overlooked third co-founder of Apple. While Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak achieved legendary status, Wayne’s name is hardly mentioned in the tech world—even though he helped draft Apple’s original partnership agreement and designed its first logo. After just twelve days, he chose to walk away from his 10% stake in Apple for a mere $800, a decision that would come to symbolize both the enormity of risk and the unpredictability of life. I share how my son, Drew, and I stumbled upon Wayne at an...

info_outline
#174 - The Sandbox Adventure show art #174 - The Sandbox Adventure

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Today, I’m sharing the story of my six-month recharge. Six months that pulled me out of my comfort zone and into a world of new challenges, new skills, and new possibilities. This wasn’t a vacation—it was six months of diving into the sandbox, experimenting, and solving problems I’d never faced before.   And here’s the thing: If I can do this, you can too. So, join me on this creative adventure as we look ahead to 2025 and all the possibilities waiting for us.   This is the story of my six-month recharge —-- six months that transformed how I think, work, and approach...

info_outline
#173 - Field Capacity from Orlando Florida show art #173 - Field Capacity from Orlando Florida

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Andy Humphrey kicks off the episode with "Little Silver Ring" by The Samples and shares insights from his trip to Orlando for volleyball Nationals, highlighting its economic impact. He then revisits a past episode on field capacity, discussing soil moisture sensors, practical analogies, and their importance in irrigation systems.   (0:00) Andy Humphrey introduces the morning song of the day   (1:31) Andy Humphrey reveals the song: "little silver ring" by The Samples (1:44) Podcast introduction and target audience (2:20) Andy Humphrey talks about being in Orlando for volleyball...

info_outline
#172 - Eyes Wide Open show art #172 - Eyes Wide Open

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

  TL;DR::::::: Embrace an Open Mindset: Keeping an open mind is crucial for discovering new opportunities and innovations. Importance of New Conversations: Engaging with new people and ideas can lead to significant breakthroughs. Technology and Innovation: Encountering groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize the irrigation industry. Overcoming Initial Bias: It's essential to look beyond initial skepticism or bias towards new ideas and products. Creating Luck: Luck is often the result of continuous effort and openness to opportunities rather than mere chance. ...

info_outline
#171 - Rethinking The Warranty Period show art #171 - Rethinking The Warranty Period

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Hey, my friends. Welcome back to another episode of the Sprinkler Nerd Show. I'm your host, Andy Humphrey. This is episode X Y Z, because I honestly can't remember. Coming to you from my truck. We could call this an episode of truck talk, which I did, more towards the beginning of this show, not as of recent. And I am actually on my way to Chicago today. For a bunch of different events and business opportunities. And I had a couple things that were on my mind this week that I wanted share with you guys as it relates to service calls and warranty Andy just a few sort of future casting ideas...

info_outline
#170 - Turn Water into Money (replay) show art #170 - Turn Water into Money (replay)

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Andy Humphrey Microphone, checka, a 12 checka. Do I gotta check? I gotta check. Check. Looking good out here, guys. Another's day, Andy on the water. I was just gonna record a little intro today. Andy so let me let me back up. I am taking my sailboat, which is a 1961 Alberg 35 happens to be hull number 2. So 63 three years old and I keep her in Northport, and then I bring her down to the Grand Travers Yacht Club at the bottom of West Grand Travers Bay in Traverse City. So that's what I'm doing today. I'm under power, but also have the genoa up because I'm kinda have the wind on my quarter and...

info_outline
#169 - Understanding Google's Algorithm and SEO Optimization with Spencer Haws show art #169 - Understanding Google's Algorithm and SEO Optimization with Spencer Haws

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode, Andy Humphrey plays a recorded live event with Spencer Haws from the Seller's Summit conference, the importance of website ranking, and managing multiple businesses. Spencer delves into Google's algorithm changes, AI's role in search, and diversifying platform presence. He discusses the significance of internal link structure, creating a fast-loading website, and standardizing publishing processes. He also explores content strategies, optimizing content, and tactics to boost revenue.  CHAPTERS: (0:00) Introduction and discussion about Seller's Summit conference (5:06)...

info_outline
#168 - Houston We Have A Pressure Problem show art #168 - Houston We Have A Pressure Problem

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Andy Humphrey: Hey, what's up, my friends? Welcome back to another episode of the Sprinkler Nerd Show. I'm your host, Andy Humphrey. Today, I'm going to share with you—how do I describe this? Andy Humphrey: A question that came into Sprinkler Supply Store for me that turns out to be, I think, some really relevant content to discuss with you guys. And I think probably most of you could relate to this question that the homeowner has. And, I wanted to tie this together in a couple of ways. Number 1, we're having a lot of success, and we have had a lot of success with software on our e-commerce...

info_outline
#167 - HydroPixel with A.I. Andy show art #167 - HydroPixel with A.I. Andy

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode, AI Andy Humphrey explains the concept of Hydropixels and their application in turf grass challenges. He shares insights on their implementation in Central Park, scaling up in major US cities, and the growth of Hydropixel solutions. The discussion also covers overcoming implementation challenges, the environmental impact, and the future of Hydropixels. It concludes with the importance of a future-focused mindset in business.

info_outline
#166 - The Championship Turf show art #166 - The Championship Turf

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Quench Soil Moisture Sensor:   ==========   The Championship Turf: A Tale of Precision and Care   In the bustling town of Riverview, where sports were the heartbeat of the community, there lay a sprawling athletic sports complex known as Champions Field. This complex wasn't just any sports venue; it boasted some of the most meticulously maintained turfgrass that athletes had ever competed on. The secret to their pristine fields lay in the hands of two sophisticated tools: Wesley, the WeatherStation, and Sam, the Soil Moisture Sensor.   Wesley was perched atop a tall post,...

info_outline
 
More Episodes
 
 
Background on the Invention:
In certain areas of the country where dry climatic conditions prevail, sprinkling and irrigating systems are generally maintained for prolonged periods of time. Obviously, however, means are required for automatically closing down said systems when there is rainfall or when moisture conditions in the atmosphere are excessive. Also, upon completion of the rainfall, automatic reopening of the sprinkling system is desired. Moisture-responsive actuators have been known to operate in response to the weight of rainfall captured in a receptacle attached thereto or in response to certain types of moisture absorptive mechanisms associated therewith. Also, ground sensors and probes have been used. However, such devices have proven to be inefficient, of short life, and relatively costly to manufacture.
 
Can you guess what the Patent is?
 
I'll give you a moment to think.
 
Let me repeat the first sentence: In certain areas of the country where dry climatic conditions prevail, sprinkling and irrigating systems are generally maintained for prolonged periods of time. Obviously, however, means are required for automatically closing down said systems when there is rainfall or when moisture conditions in the atmosphere are excessive.
 
Can you guess?
 
RAIN SENSOR. Although for the purpose of a Patent, the name is, MOISTURE RESPONSIVE SWITCH ACTUATOR.
 
Why am I mentioning this to you?
 
Because this patent was issued on August 11, 1972
 
We are still using a device that supposedly makes an irrigation controller, "SMART", that was invented in 1972.
 
Now I'd like to read you the Patent Abstract to add a bit of clarity.
 
Patent Abstract:
A moisture-responsive actuator is employed for controlling the operation of a fluid-operated sprinkling or irrigating system or the like. The moisture-responsive actuator is provided with hygroscopic material which expands in response to contact with rainwater to de-press a switch to deactivate the sprinkling system, the hygroscopic material contracting upon a drying thereof to release said switch whereupon the sprinkling system is activated.
 
WHY?
 
Why are we still using this technology?
 
I don't have an answer, I'm simply offering you the opportunity to ask.
 
It is thisexample fo Curiosity, that may lead you to your next big breakthrough. The breakthrough can be anything, not necessarilty a product invention. It could be a new way of doing something in your business, and new way of organizing something in your home.
 
It is the act of being Curious, to question things, to ask why, the evokes change and growth.
 
With this in mind, I'd like to propose that Curiosity is a Catalyst for Innovation.
 
Curiosity as a catalyst for innovation highlights impact of asking "What if?" and "Why not?" "I wonder what would happen if.."
 
This mindset has the potential to propel us beyond accepted norms, challenging us to reimagine possibilities. Curiosity can breakdown barriers to innovation, urging us to explore the unknown and question the status quo.
 
It's a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is endless, and it's through this curious mindset that it becomes possible to uncover new paths to progress and solutions to our most complex problems.
 
Like, why are we still using a Rain Sensor that was invented in 1972, and doesn't actually "SENSE" the rain?
 
It is actually more like a Sponge/Switch. When the sponge is wet, it swells, and trips the switch.
 
Yet, every manufacture today still uses it.
 
Yes, My own curiosity kicked in and I do have a new apporach to this, but I'm not going to share it with you today. You'll need to come to my keynote speech next week in Ontario Canada to find out..
 
My final thought for today is on the potential to nurture a world that is continuously evolving and enhancing, and that embracing curiosity unlocks limitless opportunities, showing that the pursuit of knowledge and the bravery to question are fundamental to progress and, even, human advancement