You rely on Crowdability to bring you the best deals. Now, rely on us to share the most up-to-date news, trends and opinion. You won’t find this stuff in the mainstream press. Look for it every Friday morning.
Pollution: Track It Like the Weather
Google’s self-driving cars have been multi-tasking. In addition to navigating more than 1 million miles without a major mishap, they’ve been collecting data about air quality. Want to see the pollution level on your own street?
Selling Fire Trucks in the Sears Catalog
After 107 years in business, the Darley family shifted from manufacturing fire trucks (and selling them through the Sears Catalog) to making high-tech drones that can warn firemen of the impending collapse of a building. Three generations of Darleys recently made a video. Check it out here.
Using Your Facebook Friends to Determine Your Credit
On Tuesday, Facebook secured a nasty-looking patent. It seems to allow lenders to review the credit rating of your Facebook friends before approving your loan. Do you need to “unfriend” anyone? Get the dirt here.
Sending Whisky Into Space
Suntory, the Japanese liquor company, is interested in the science behind “mellowing,” Accordingly, it’s sending 10 bottles of whiskey to the International Space Station to see how the lack of gravity affects its taste. Get your fix here.
Report: Venture Capital Outperforms Stock Market
According to new data from research firm Cambridge Associates, U.S. venture capital funds outperformed the public stock markets in 2014. Venture capital also beat the stock market for the 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year and 25-year periods. See the highs and lows here.
