Technology

Toothbrush: purpose, types, history and care Toothbrush A toothbrush is a hand tool or powered device for cleaning teeth and gums. This article explains its parts, varieties, history, recommended use, and environmental considerations.

Topaz Solar Farm Topaz Solar Farm is a large utility‑scale photovoltaic power plant near San Luis Obispo, California, notable for its scale, use of thin‑film modules, and role in regional renewable…

TOPS (Total Operations Processing System) — Railfleet Management System TOPS TOPS is a computerized system for tracking and managing locomotives and rolling stock. Developed in the US, it was widely adopted internationally, notably by British Rail for fleet…

Torness Nuclear Power Station Coastal nuclear power station in East Lothian, Scotland; two Advanced Gas‑Cooled Reactors commissioned in the 1980s and a notable part of the UK electricity system.

Touchpad (trackpad): function, design, history, and common uses Touchpad A touchpad, or trackpad, is a flat, finger-sensitive input surface that moves a pointer or accepts gestures. This article explains design, operation, history, uses, and differences…

Touchscreen: technology, types, history and common uses Touchscreen A touchscreen is an input and display surface that responds to touch. This article explains how touchscreens work, main sensing methods, typical applications, strengths and limitat…

Toulouse Tech (Toulouse Institute of Technology) Toulouse Tech A French collegiate institute founded in 2007 that federates 16 leading schools in engineering, science, management, architecture and veterinary fields to promote education, resear…

Trackball (pointing device) Trackball A stationary pointing device that uses a freely rotating ball to control a cursor. Covers design, operation, history, common uses, advantages, limitations and notable manufacturers…

Traffic cone A traffic cone is a portable, cone-shaped marker used to channel or warn road users. Typically bright and reflective, cones are made of flexible plastics or rubber and used for tem…

Trainz — railway simulation and route-building software Trainz Trainz is a series of computer programs for building, operating and sharing virtual railways. It combines a route editor, driving mode, vehicle library and scenario tools with comm…

Trait (computer programming) A trait is a reusable unit of behavior for composing classes or types. It supports code sharing and composition while differing from mixins, interfaces, and abstract classes across…

Transclusion — reusing content across hypertext documents Transclusion Transclusion embeds content from one electronic document into another so updates in the source appear automatically. Common in wikis and content management systems for modularity,…

Transformer (electrical device) Transformer An electrical device that transfers energy between circuits by electromagnetic induction, used to change alternating voltage levels for power transmission, distribution, measuremen…

Transistor: Semiconductor device for amplification and switching Transistor A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify electrical signals or act as a switch. It underpins modern electronics, from discrete power parts to billions of transistors…

Transistor radio: portable solid-state radio receivers Transistor radio Battery-powered portable radio receivers using semiconductor transistors for amplification. Small, energy-efficient devices that became widely available in the 1950s and displaced…

Transistor–Transistor Logic (TTL): overview, structure, history and uses Transistor–transistor logic Transistor–Transistor Logic (TTL) is a family of digital circuits built from bipolar transistors and resistors, widely used for 5V logic in computers, instruments, and control syst…

Transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS) Transition-minimized differential signaling TMDS is a digital serial signaling method used to carry uncompressed video (and related data) over differential pairs. It minimizes transitions and balances DC content for reliable…

Transmission tower A transmission tower (pylon) is a tall structure that supports high-voltage overhead power lines, providing mechanical support, electrical insulation and safe clearance for conduct…

Treadmill: history, design, and common uses Treadmill A treadmill is a device for walking or running in place. This article explains types, components, history from power and punishment devices to modern exercise machines, plus uses,…

Trigger (firearms) Mechanical component on a firearm that initiates discharge; designs, operation, common types, safety considerations and maintenance.

Trillian — multi‑protocol instant messaging client Trillian Trillian is a multi‑protocol instant messaging client by Cerulean Studios that unifies contacts and conversations across several chat networks and platforms, offering desktop, mobi…

Triode: the three-electrode vacuum tube Triode A triode is an electronic vacuum tube with three electrodes—cathode, anode (plate) and control grid—used primarily for signal amplification, oscillation and switching in early elec…

Triple DES (3DES / TDEA): Overview, Structure, Security, and Uses Triple DES Triple DES (3DES or TDEA) is a legacy block cipher built from DES by applying DES three times. This article explains its design, key variants, security properties, performance, and…

Tripod (three-legged support) Tripod A tripod is a three-legged support used to stabilise objects from cameras to cooking pots. This article explains its form, history, common types, parts, uses, and distinguishing fe…

Tripod (photography) A three-legged support that stabilizes cameras and other optical devices for sharp images, long exposures, and precise composition; covers parts, types, uses, and choosing guidance…

Triton (malware): attacks on industrial safety systems Triton (malware) Triton (aka TRISIS) is ICS malware discovered in 2017 that targets safety instrumented systems, able to disable emergency shutdown controllers and create grave operational hazards.

Trojan horse (computing): deceptive malware and its impacts Trojan horse (computing) A Trojan horse is malicious software that disguises its true purpose to trick users into installing it. It typically provides unauthorized access, steals data, or enables other att…

Tropical cyclone forecast models Tropical cyclone forecast model Computer models that simulate and predict tropical cyclone tracks and intensity using observations and numerical methods; essential for forecasts, warnings, and risk management.

Trowel (hand tool) Trowel A small handheld tool for digging, scooping, smoothing and applying materials. Used in gardening, masonry, tiling and archaeology; available in several blade shapes and materials f…

Trusted third party (cryptography and security) Trusted third party An entity both participants trust to facilitate secure interactions. Common in public key infrastructures, certificate authorities, escrow and notarization; contrasts with decentra…

Tsunami warning systems: detection, communication and preparedness Tsunami warning system Systems that detect tsunami generation and alert authorities and the public. Covers sensors, communications, history, operation, limitations, and distinctions between international…

Tube amplifier An amplifier that uses vacuum tubes (thermionic valves) to increase audio or radio-frequency signals; valued for its tonal character, historical role, and continued use in hi‑fi an…

Tube sound (valve amplifier tone) Tube sound Tonal qualities associated with vacuum‑tube (valve) audio amplifiers, prized for warmth, harmonic character and soft clipping; used in hi‑fi, studio gear and musical instrument amp…

Tupolev Tu-334 — Russian short-to-medium range airliner project Tupolev Tu-334 The Tupolev Tu-334 was a post‑Soviet Russian project for a short-to-medium range regional airliner. Prototypes were built and evaluated, but the type did not enter large-scale comm…

TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine): Overview, Hardware, History and Legacy TurboGrafx-16 Home video game console by NEC and Hudson Soft (PC Engine in Japan). Released 1987 (Japan) and 1989 (North America). Noted for compact design, HuCard cartridges and pioneering CD-R…

Turbojet: principles, components, history and uses Turbojet A turbojet is a type of gas turbine jet engine that compresses air, mixes it with fuel, burns the mixture and expels hot gases to produce thrust. This article explains its parts, o…

Turing machine: formal model of computation Turing machine Abstract model introduced by Alan Turing in 1936 that formalizes computation with a read/write tape, finite control and head; central to computability, complexity theory and limits…

Turing test (imitation game) Turing test A description of the Turing test, its original imitation-game formulation, typical formats and variants, historical background, uses in AI evaluation, and common criticisms.

Tux — the penguin mascot of Linux Tux Tux is the widely recognized penguin mascot associated with the Linux operating system, created as a friendly symbol for the kernel and used in software, artwork and games since th…

Tweeter: high-frequency loudspeaker driver Tweeter A tweeter is a speaker driver optimized for high audio frequencies (typically the upper kHz range). This article explains design, types, roles in speaker systems, uses, and differe…

Twisted Metal III (1998 video game) Twisted Metal III Twisted Metal III is the third entry in the vehicular combat series, developed and published by 989 Studios for the PlayStation and released in North America in 1998; it introduced…

Typewriter: history, design, uses, and cultural legacy Typewriter Comprehensive overview of the typewriter: how it works, key parts, historical development, common uses, variants (manual, electric, Selectric) and its ongoing cultural significance…

Typographical error A typographical error (typo) is an unintended mistake in text. This article explains common types, causes, detection and correction methods, historical context, and practical ways…

Ubuntu (Linux distribution) Ubuntu Ubuntu is a widely used, free Linux distribution based on Debian. It focuses on ease of use across desktop, server, cloud and IoT, with regular six-month releases and long-term sup…

Ubuntu Live USB Creator (Startup Disk Creator) Ubuntu Live USB creator Official Ubuntu tool to turn an ISO image into a bootable Live USB, with easy GUI options for persistence, verification, and straightforward creation of Ubuntu live media.

Ubuntu Studio — multimedia-focused official Ubuntu flavor Ubuntu Studio Ubuntu Studio is an official Ubuntu flavor tailored for audio, video and graphics production, providing a curated suite of creative applications, realtime/low-latency audio support…

Umbrella: design, history, types and uses Umbrella Portable canopy used to shield people from rain or sun. Covers design, materials, history, variants (parasol, golf, beach), and care, with cultural and practical notes.

Underclocking: reducing clock speed to save power and heat Underclocking Underclocking is the deliberate reduction of an electronic component's clock frequency to lower power use and heat output. It is used in CPUs, GPUs, mobile devices and embedded sys…