JIF vs GIF

The inimitable Elaine Stritch, a crazy cooler, Wired's innovation fellows and more in our weekly look at the web

CompuServe engineer Steve Wilhite is adamant that GIF is pronounced “jif” and while many believe being the inventor of the format gives him that right, it’s a (sometimes hilarious) subject of contention. Interestingly though, Wilhite isn’t really the inventor of the GIF—his version of a GIF played just once, and it was actually Netscape who added the ability to loop animations, in 1995. In his …

The Inaugural Wired Innovation Fellows

The inimitable Elaine Stritch, a crazy cooler, Wired's innovation fellows and more in our weekly look at the web

This week, Wired announced their 12 Innovation Fellows, a program in its inaugural year. The diverse crew spans seven different countries and includes CH favorite Nelly Ben Hayoun (a designer of experiences at the SETI Institute), Skylar Tibbits (developing a new process called 4D printing, where objects can self-assemble themselves) and Nina Tandon (CEO of EpiBone whose technology allows patients to to grow bone cultivated …

The Swimming Pool Oasis

Seinfeld emoji, fashion's World Cup team, an artist's secret swimming pool and more in our weekly look at the web

Situated deep in the Mojave desert, Austrian artist Alfredo Barsuglia has installed a contemporary take on an oasis, a piece titled the “Social Pool.” It’s a swimming pool of crystal clear water, as well as cleaning supplies so that those who manage to find it and use it can leave it pristine. In order to get to the pool, you’ll need map details and coordinates …