Earthquake early warning system
By Thomas Ricker 
posted May 17th 2005 7:34AM
posted May 17th 2005 7:34AM
"Did you feel that?" If you've ever uttered those words outside the bedroom then we've got news for you. A new earthquake warning device has been developed by Meir Gitlis which responds to the first, non-destructive wave offering tens of seconds of early warning. The device has already been fitted in the elevators of the Azrieli Towers in Israel where in the event of a quake, the system will halt the elevators at the nearest floor giving people a chance to seek cover. About the size of a shoe box (why always a shoebox?!) the device costs $170US.
My high school in Los Angeles tested a device like this 15 years ago. We were donated the piece of equipment in hopes that it might save lives by broadcasting a verbal alert over the school's PA system.
As it turns out the first time we had a major quake after getting the device there was no warning at all because the PA system itself was a relic of the 1940s and required 45 seconds to warm up before operation, by which time the earthquake was nearly over.
People used to say, "It's smaller than a breadbox." But who in this modern world would know what the heck a breadbox is?
Looks kinda delicate... earthquake would probably make it poop-out anyway.