About Me
I'm Jacob Pridmore, from Concord, North Carolina. I graduated from UNC Charlotte in December 2023, holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
My passion for mechanical engineering has deep roots that trace back to my early years. I was always fascinated by the inner workings of machines and had an innate curiosity for disassembling things to explore their mechanisms. This fascination led me to strive for continuous improvement, challenging the status quo with the marvels of machinery. Witnessing the evolution of designs and innovations not only enhances the performance of machines but also contributes to the overall improvement of our quality of life.
My aspiration is to channel this improvement-oriented mindset into the realm of robotics and automation. Over three years of engaging in competitive robotics, during which I served as a team captain for two years, I cultivated a profound interest in pushing the boundaries of innovation in robotics. While robots have made significant strides in recent years, I believe there's untapped potential for further innovations that I am eager to contribute to designing and creating.
As an engineering student, I've acquired a wealth of knowledge and am particularly drawn to the intersection of engineering with business and finance. I recognize the importance of understanding not just how to design a product, but also how those designs impact a company holistically. This broader perspective will undoubtedly enhance my ability to contribute meaningfully to the engineering field by considering the larger implications of our creations on a company's success.
German Invention
Gummy Bears
Gummy Bears are a Fruit-Flavored candy with a Gelatin-like consistency. They are extremely popular as a snack and recognized internationally, including the United States.
In 1920, the Haribo company, which invented the Gummy Bear, was founded by Hans Riegel Sr. Originally, he produced a much larger bear, called the Dancing Bear. They were often sold in unit quantities of 2. Despite the hyperinflation period of the Weimar Republic throughout the 1920s, which caused prices of everyday items to skyrocket, the Dancing Bears were still a very low-cost candy option, being sold at 1 pfennig per package. Later on, many other profiles of the same recipe have been created, including, but not limited to: worms, penguins, and lobsters.
Reigel observed bears that were trained at street events, and wanted to create a candy that reflected this. He utilized his skill as a confectioner to produce his original model of candy, the "Dancing Bear". Later on, his next iteration was called the "Goldbär" ("Gold-Bear" in English), which is similar to the staple that we enjoy today. Haribo started selling these in 1967.
The “Gummy” term comes from the original Gummy Bears using Gum Arabic in its recipe. Today, several other ingredients, including porcine, piscine and Bovine are utilized. Bovine gelatin is also used in order to produce gummy bears that will abide by vegan and halal laws. Fumaric acid can also be utilized to make a sour flavor.
https://takelessons.com/blog/german-inventions-z12