Once perfected, the silk will be used for featherweight ballistic vests, medical sutures and artificial ligaments.

FORBES: Charlotte's Goat

Once automatic bill-paying is perfected and smart cards can substitute for cash these institutions will go the way of the dinosaur.

ECONOMIST: Letters

The idea is to work out the kinks of development and manufacturing at once so production can start as soon as the technology is perfected.

FORBES: Total Recall

It was he who perfected the kettle thermostat, the bimetallic strip which ensures our kettle switches off once it has boiled merrily for a few seconds, rather than boiling dry.

BBC: Inventing the basics