A gadget or gizmo is a device that has a useful specific purpose and function. Gadgets tend to be more unusual or cleverly designed than normal technology.
In contrast, a device of clever design that has no practical purpose is called a novelty item.
The word gadget was invented, as much as any word is invented, around 1884-85 in New York City. The grand unveiling of the Statue of Liberty was approaching, and Gaget, Gauthier & Cie, the company behind the casting of the monument wanted some PR.
The first atomic bomb was nicknamed the gadget by the scientists of the Manhattan Project, tested at the Trinity site.
In fiction, gadgets are best known in popular spy films, especially in the James Bond series. Superheroes, especially ones like Batman and Iron Man whose premise revolves around equipment, have numerous gadgets themselves. There is a cartoon character, Inspector Gadget, whose super powers come from an assortment of gadgets. Also, one of the main characters of the Disney cartoon show Rescue Rangers, Gadget Hackwrench, possess an innate ability to create tools and other technology out of trash and junk.
= Examples of gadgets =
mp3 players
Can opener
Electric Toothbrush
Mini Vac
Blender (device)
The Clapper
Swiss Army Knife
Remote control of any sort (car starter, TV, garage door opener, etc.)
Cordless mouse
Any device that talks, like a Calculator or clock
=See also=
Placeholder name (Kadigan)
Widget
DesktopX Pro
=External links=
[http://www.gadgetspy.co.uk GadgetSpy] - Casting a beady eye over the newest, must-have Gadgets.
[http://www.gizmania.com GizMania] - Stuff you didn t know you wanted : A weblog that covers all kinds of gizmos that stand out for their usefulness.
Engadget [http://www.engadget.com Engadget] - A professionally edited blog about brand new gadgets.
[http://www.gazmos.com tech . gadgets . gizmos] - Daily updated showcase of the latest technology, gadgets, gizmos, and more.
[http://www.techlore.com TechLore] - A consumer electronics community for sharing knowledge, experiences, and opinions from the people that own and use gadgets
[http://www.gizmag.com.au Gizmag] - A magazine and website covering invention, innovation, and emerging technologies.
[http://www.coolest-gadgets.com Coolest Gadgets] - Frequently updated blog reporting on the latest and greatest gadgets in the search of the coolest gadget.
[http://www.dumplinkz.com Dumplinkz] - The Gadgets Blog.
[http://www.hiptechblog.com HipTechBlog] - Daily updated blog on hip new technology and gadget that matters to the masses.