The Tutech Quiz and forgotten technologies
The annual summer festival at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is a highlight on campus, bringing together students, researchers, alumni and external partners to exchange ideas and celebrate current projects. Tutech traditionally takes part with a stand and a quiz, and we were there again this year.
Old ideas for new challenges?
This year, our quiz focused on fascinating ideas that seem to have vanished into the archives. A look back at the history of technology reveals that many promising technologies failed in the past not because of how they worked, but because of the circumstances of the time. A striking number of innovations were simply sidelined because fossil fuels were absurdly cheap for a long time.
Today, the global situation has changed drastically. Oil is consistently trading at over 80 dollars a barrel, gas has become a major source of uncertainty in Europe since at least 2022, and the climate targets that can no longer be postponed are creating an urgent need for new alternatives.
This is precisely where the questions in this year’s summer party quiz came in. Some solutions to our current challenges may have been lying in the archives for over 100 years. These historical concepts may well deserve an update: with modern materials, advanced control technology, a little extra research and the political will to finally test them seriously under today’s conditions.
The answers to the Tutech quiz
We would like to thank all our visitors for the fascinating discussions, the exchange of ideas on innovative technologies and the enthusiastic participation in our quiz at our stand!
For everyone who took part in the quiz, would like to test their knowledge, or couldn’t make it to the summer party, we’re providing the long-awaited answers here.
Here are the answers to the questions:
We hope this year’s theme has inspired you, and we’re already looking forward to the next TUHH Summer Festival!