Thursday, March 11, 2010
   
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robot100.jpgMiscellany

Like the names says: odds and ends - quirky things which cropped up in the search for useful stuff - and which seemed too good to throw away without sharing. The news section contains a more extensive collection of links.


 

 Glass Microbiology

Luke Jerram turns the world’s deadliest diseases into works of art. The British artist’s glass sculptures — which go on display in London in January — depict old standbys (smallpox, E. coli), flashes in the pan (avian flu, SARS), and scourges of the day (H1N1, shown, and HIV). His goal: to explore the tension between the viruses’ devastating beauty and their devastating impact on humanity.

From http://www.wired.com/magazine/2009/11/pl_playlist_1712/

 

   

Toast Bandages

Toast BandagesIf you like the toast? The Toast Bandages($5; Box), you may like. "Toast is much more than just a side order. Put one of these Toast Bandages on any minor wound to experience for yourself the incredible healing power of toast!

   

Handpresso - Portable Precise Espresso On the Go or at Home

handpresso_ssc.jpg

The Handpresso may be one of the coolest portable single serve espresso and coffee makers ever seen, and you can use it in your home or on the go. Combining a bicycle pump, and using an E.S.E. espresso pod, you simply pump up the Handpresso and pull a perfect shot.

Single Serve Espresso also revealed this week the Unboxing of Handpresso and their earlier article which features a rather interesting video on Handpresso.

   

Wilting flower dies as your energy use blooms

wilting energy flower

If powering up your amp and monster Freesat TV leaves your neighbours in blackout misery, this new energy monitor could be for you. Dubbed the Wilting Flower, it's a visual reminder of how much electricity you're guzzling at any one moment. When you're using very little juice, it's a perky little flower with its petals open, but as you use more energy it goes red and -- if you maintain your prolifigate ways -- eventually wilts and closes up. Subtle? No. Quirky? Yes.

Designed by Carl Smith of Doncaster, the Wilting Flower is essentially a fancy-looking version of the WattsonEfergy Meterand OWL. It works by chatting wirelessly to a clip that you DIY install onto your electricity meter (if its as easy as the Wattson, you won't electrocute yourself). We like Smith's graphic approach to reminding us of our energy use, since most of today's energy monitors employ a rather boring screen that shows how many watts or pounds you're burning.

Sadly the flower's just a prototype right now, but there are hopes for a production version that would sell for £60. Watch this space; Smith's portfolio has more details and photos. (from Crave UK)

   

Soap Grenade

Soap Grenade

The grenade soap ($8) by Etsy user stinkybomb. Available in many colors.
"Cast from an actual demilled WWII steel body Grenade The grenade was cast in a 2 part silicone mold so it holds all of the detail of the original."

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16640030

   

Miracle Fruit Tablets

Image of Miracle Fruit TabletsMiracle Fruit TabletsSucking a lemon and washing it down with a glass of vinegar makes about as 

much sense as ordering a tripe milkshake with your tuna doughnut. But what if you could make wincingly sour flavours taste deliciously sweet? It's easy with Miracle Fruit Tablets. 

The Miracle Berry: made from natural berries native to West Africa, these taste-twisting pills contain a rogue glycoprotein molecule (whatever that is) that binds to the tastebuds causing sour things to taste sweet. Simply pop one on your unsuspecting tongue, wait for the freeze-dried jungle juice to work its magic and prepare to be astounded. Lemons taste like toffee-ish lemonade, vinegar tastes treacly and Guinness tastes like a stouty, chocolately shake. Even sprouts seem fruity. Eat something sweet and it's like a sugar volcano erupting in your gob. Incredible! Each pill rewires the way your palate perceives flavours for up to two hours, so you've plenty of time to try tons of previously unpalatable things, from raw radishes to neat Tabasco. The possibilities are endless, the sensations amazing. Even foodie sceptics are going gaga over these taste-distorting tablets. 

Miracle fruit tablets

Miracle Fruit Tablets

 

Lemons

 

Tastes like toffee!

Miracle Fruit TabletsIdeal at dinner do's, Miracle Fruit Tablets are causing a major stir across the pond.'Flavour tripping parties' - where daring epicures gather to pop pills and nosh on unlikely food - are all the rage in New York. 

Apart from their 'look what I'm eating without wincing, putting my hands on my head and crossing my legs like Benny Hill used to' comedic value, Miracle Fruit Tablets can help satisfy sugar cravings without any calorific consequences. Indeed conspiracy theorists reckon the sugar industry tried to sabotage research into miracle berries back in the 70s. But they also reckon Elvis stacks shelves in the Co-Op in Luton, so we'll keep an open mind. Crazy theories aside, we really can't overstate how mind-blowing these strange little pills are. From: http://www.firebox.com/product/2167/Miracle-Fruit-Tablets

   

Papercraft Turkey Dinner

Papercraft Turkey Dinner

The Thanksgiving, you can do your Papercraft Turkey Dinner, check out this Papercraft Turkey Dinner (PDF). It looks so real. 
link ] - the original site 
link ] - Assembly Instructions.

   

Swiss Chocolate Knife

Swiss Chocolate Knife

I like classic swiss army knife, but this Swiss Chocolate Knife, Cool or not, If you love it? The only swiss army knife, you can take it to the airplane. This delectable Swiss Chocolate Knife($3.25) is made of the finest Swiss chocolate, and is filled with hazelnut praline. Featuring the Victorinox Swiss Army logo, this fine confection is modeled after the Swiss Army Spartan multitool. The Victorinox Swiss Army Spartan, Chocolate Edition is a Swiss Knife Shop exclusive. You can also buy a set from hereDesignboom

   

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Miscellany

  • Cambridge's ProFORMA does 3D scanning with any stationary webcam Cambridge's ProFORMA does 3D scanning with any stationary webcam: " Never mind that silly name: ProFORMA (which stands for 'Probabilistic Feature-based On-line Rapid Model Acquisition', if you must know) is some cool system that turns any ordinary webcam...
  • LEGO Inspired Digital Watch LEGO Inspired Digital Watch: " Here’s a watch that will certainly be an eye-catcher. The LEGO-like design of the watch from Jean Charles de Castelbajac is not an officially licensed LEGO product, but not many people will probably care about that. After...
  • New in the Maker Shed: OLLO kits New in the Maker Shed: OLLO kits: " New in the Maker Shed, OLLO kits! What are OLLO kits? OLLO is a reconfigurable construction kit for beginner robot enthusiasts. Using an easy to build plate and rivet system, you'll be on your way to making your own...
  • Lightbulb terraria Lightbulb terraria: " Our own Brookelyn spotted this awesome lightbulb terrarium over on Instructables. [via CRAFT]
  • Pan for baking donuts   It's totally time to bake the donuts or cakes as some folks call them. The pan comes coated with a high quality nonstick surface for easy release and cleaning. We're thinking the best way to get started is with some straight up apple cinnamon...
  • USB grenade flash drive USB grenade flash drive Do you think the TSA would let you past security with this USB memory stick in the shape of an itsy-bitsy grenade?   By  MARK FRAUENFELDER from: http://www.boingboing.net/2009/11/17/usb-grenade-flash-dr.html...
  • mPower Emergency Illuminator   mPower Emergency Illuminator lights up after 20 years The LED mPower Emergency Illuminator from mPhase Technologies ... a flashlight with a 20-year battery and built-in USB outlet Designed by the Porsche Design Studios and manufactured...
  • Interactive Pet Laser Toy Bolt Interactive Pet Laser Toy The pet industry is a billion dollar one, and pet goods and supplies are thriving.  Many people are searching for ways to keep their pets happier and healthier and one way is to the keep the pet entertained. ...
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