329. Quickie Web: Videos: Water Balloons May 31, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Quickie Web, Video.add a comment
Here are three neat slow-motion clips of water balloons:
1) Bouncing balloon, not exploding (32 seconds)
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2) Balloon exploding (42 seconds)
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3) Ballon exploding on someone’s face (48 seconds)
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328. Bright Idea: Wall Gear Clock May 31, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.add a comment
This clock looks cool and is quite original. Enough said. Buy it HERE (UK 75 lbs); via Coolestgadgets.com.
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327. Sparked Art: Barsamian Kinetic Sculpture May 29, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Product, Video.add a comment
Like stop-motion animation of sculpture, these rotating 3-D zoetropes give the illusion of movement thanks to strobing light. Though this 17 second video is not the best quality, you should get the idea. You can see more of his work at his website, HERE. This clip was taken at London’s Kinetica Museum.
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326. Quickie Web: Video: the Rotapult May 29, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product, Quickie Web, Video.add a comment
The Rotapult is a complex and pointless contraption which performs a simple but mesmerizing function. This video is 2:50 minutes long, but quickly jump to 1 minute in to see the various interesting camera angles.
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324. Bright Idea: Whatever and Anything Drinks May 29, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Food and Drink, Product.add a comment
Now, when you go to the vending machine and offer to get your friend a drink, and they ask for “Anything,” or “Whatever,” you know what to get them.
A Surprise in Every Can: Singapore’s Out of the Box beverage company is producing these drinks, where the contents are random. “Anything” is carbonated, and is either Cola with Lemon, Apple, Fizz Up, Cloudy Lemon and Root Beer; “Whatever” is not carbonated, and is Ice Lemon Tea, Peach Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, White Grape Tea, Apple Tea, Chrysanthemum Tea.
Check out their website HERE. This randomization concept is similar to my IdeaSpark*: Candy Routlette. Via Springwise.
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323. Quickie Web: Video: Reverspective Illusion May 22, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Quickie Web, Video.3 comments
I recently filmed this eye-bending illusion at ArtDC. Video is sufficiently able to capture the effect of this painting, but when I first saw this in person, I thought I was hallucinating. Check out this 1-minute clip. Find the artist’s website HERE.
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322. Quickie Web: Game: Deflector May 22, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Quickie Web.add a comment
Here is another web game that is original, fun, addicting, quick and easy to learn, and requires a good deal of skill. Simply click and drag your mouse to draw a force shield to protect yourself and deflect incoming missiles back at the enemy. That’s it. Highly recommended. Try it out HERE. Via Neatorama.com.
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321. Bright Idea: Decoy Cigarettes May 22, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Marketing, Product.3 comments
Imagine seeing an unused cigarette on the ground. Let’s say you are a heavy smoker who has run out, or you are a casual, non-pack-buying smoker who just had a few drinks and hates bumming a smoke off of strangers. So you pick up the cigarette, only to realize that it is really a rolled up pamphlet telling you that you have a problem and need help. Bonk! You’ve just been mini-punk’d, you nasty joneser. And to add injury to insult, you still aren’t able to enjoy a smoke. Via InventorSpot.com.
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320. Bright Idea: Roller Buggy May 22, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.2 comments
You and your baby can get around quickly, and in style, with this Roller Buggy. I don’t think this Austrian-designed idea is in production, but you can check it out HERE.
Okay, it looks a little dangerous (imagine hitting a big crack going at a high speed…the only thing cushioning your flip forward onto the concrete is Junior). I won’t ever buy one, but it is still a Bright Idea in theory, if not in practice. Via Swissmiss.
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319. Quickie Web: Image: Window Illusion May 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Optical Illusion, Quickie Web.add a comment
Look at this cute cat sitting next to the window, sipping his wine. For some reason, this image causes a stirring in my loins. Via moillusions.com.
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318. Bright Idea: The Perpetual Calendar May 17, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art, Product.2 comments
More artistic than practical (e.g. too much wall space required, too hard to read), this Italian perpetual calendar is simple and whimsical. I also like that it is made out of wood. But I don’t like how it sags. Buy it HERE ($120); via JoshSpear.com.
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317. Bright Idea: Ankle Phone Strap May 16, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
On a nice day, when you aren’t wearing pockets, this Bright Idea complements your Reef Stash Sandals. Now you can carry your cellphone without having to put it in your underwear (where I usually keep my cellphone, on vibrate. So the ringing doesn’t annoy the other beach goers, of course). Buy it HERE; via SciFiTech.
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316. Bright Idea: Wine Wedges May 16, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
These $10 rubber Wine Wedges can hold your cylindrical beverage containers in a pyramid shape. Beer in your fridge, wine on your counter. Not super practical or space saving, but simple and elegant. And too bad it only comes in this color. Buy it HERE.
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315. Bright Idea: Giant Connect 4 May 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Product.add a comment
Here is the classic game, but for large outdoor gatherings. Buy it HERE; via OhGizmo!; play the online version HERE.
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314. Quickie Web: Game: Red Team Game May 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Game, Quickie Web.add a comment
Test both your ambidexterity and you ability to parallel process (literally) in this quick and original game. Use the Up and Down arrows to control your bottom team member, and the A and Z keys to control the top one, simultaneously. Avoid the obstacles. Potentially very frustrating.
It will take a couple of levels to begin to get challenging. Passwords are also available to save your spot. Prepare for a few annoying ads. Play it HERE. Via GameLife.com.
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313. Bright Idea: Instant Bookmark May 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
This bookmark will instantly mark the page you happen to stop reading on when you close the book. Watch the 1-minute video to see how. Simple, cheap, and ingenious. Via Coolest-gadgets.com.
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312. Bright Idea: Baser Door Handles May 15, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.2 comments
Finally, a better door handle. I complained about door knobs in a previous post (HERE). This Baser door handle has a Push-to-Enter and Pull-to-Exit design, requiring minimal effort and dexterity. When your hands are full, use your elbow, foot, or butt to push open a door. Use a pinky to pull open a door.
Possible improvement: have separate-looking designs for Push versus Pull, so if I come up to an unfamiliar door, I immediately and intuitively know whether I need to push or pull to open the door.
Baser website HERE; this invention was a semi-finalist in the Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge (HERE).
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…metapost… May 9, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Uncategorized.2 comments
Another reasons things have been hectic around here: I made it onto Season 2 of the PBS show, Everyday Edisions. I am so thrilled. If you are interested, you can read about this all HERE.
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…metapost… May 9, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Uncategorized.add a comment
Dear Loyal Visitors and Readers: sorry for the lack of postings of late. Computer problems at home and no time at work has made it hard to post. However, work will be slowing down next week and for the rest of the summer (I work at a university) so I plan to post a lot more and more consistently very soon. Thanks for your patience.
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311. Bright Idea: Nothing May 3, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.1 comment so far
Have you ever asked a friend or family member what they want for their birthday or other gift, and they say “Nothing”? Well, now you can buy them Nothing, and feel good that you at least did something for them. You respected their request, but still demonstrated thought and effort when you give them this packet of air (i.e. nothing).
You are guaranteed to give someone either a chuckle or a smile with this gift, and on their special day, that is worth $7 to me. Buy it HERE; via OhGizmo.com.
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310. Bright Idea: Mini Duct Tape Rolls May 3, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.1 comment so far
We all know how handy duct tape can be, but the typical large rolls are inconvenient to stash in your purse, bag, car, toolbox, etc.
Finally: the mini roll duct tape. It’s about time. Buy them HERE
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309. Bright Idea: Reef Stash Sandals May 3, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.2 comments
Hide your valuables in your flip-flops. The Reef Stash sandals ($46) are the perfect product for beach goers and the casual-set. No pockets are required when you can store your credit cards, cash, and a key or two in this Bright Idea. It also reduces the likelihood that you leave something behind (like a wallet) since you are going to notice going barefoot. Buy them HERE; via Ubergizmo.com.
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308. Sparked Art: Etsuko Ichikawa April 30, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Art.1 comment so far
Etsuko Ichikawa makes these pieces by burning paper with melting glass. She lives in Seattle, and is featured via the Randall Scott Gallery.
My wife and I saw Ichikawa’s work in person this weekend at ArtDC, and fell in love with all of it. We bought two pieces.
See more of her work HERE.
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307. Bright Idea: Hook Boxes April 30, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
Simple and practical. However, these pictured hook boxes are made out ceramics and are just prototypes (I think). By LucaNichetto; via Swissmiss.
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306. Bright Idea: PLAY! Table April 30, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.1 comment so far
This amazing table has 16 separate compartments you can access one at a time by sliding around the square panels (like the classic handheld sliding puzzle). This PLAY! table is made by BCXSY; via Core77.com.
If you want to see video of the table in action, go HERE and jump to 4.5 minutes in.
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305. Quickie Web: Illusion: Hot bod? April 30, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Optical Illusion, Quickie Web.add a comment
Before your get too excited or envious with the image in this photo, wait for it to change. Via MoIllusions.com. The missing belly-button should be the giveaway.
(Hopefully, you can see the image. If not, it is worth following this link HERE).
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304. Idea TV: Everyday Edisons April 28, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Idea TV.2 comments
As some of you may know, I auditioned for season 2 of Everyday Edisons, the invention show on PBS. I am currently in the final 25 spots, waiting to find out it if I made it to the top 12 for Season 2 of the show (I will know May 6th). If you want to know more about my journey, start HERE.
The premiere of Season 1 will be this Saturday on PBS.
To learn about Everyday Edisons, go HERE. To check your local PBS listings to see if and when it is being broadcast in your area, go HERE. I also hope to be posting a summary of the episode for Americaninventorspot.com in the next few days. So stay tuned! It should be a great show.
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303. Bright Idea: Swing ‘N Load April 28, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Product.add a comment
I don’t have a pick-up truck, but if I did, I would definitely own this Bright Idea: the Swing ‘N Load. Not only can you load it up like in this photo, but then it swivels back so it is mostly out of the way. You can get a clearer idea via the video clip below (47 seconds).
Incidentally, I happen to be corresponding with the inventor, who also auditioned for Everyday Edisons. He is a good guy and successful inventor, and I know this invention of his will go far.
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302. Quickie Web: Video: Web 2.0 is Us/ing Us April 27, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Quickie Web, Video.2 comments
Created by Kansas State U. cultural anthropology professor Michael Wesch, this 4.5 minute music video demonstrates the power and potential of Web 2.0 without spoken word. It was viewed 1.8 million times on Youtube in in its first six weeks. I was moved to tears by the end of the clip, and not really sure why. Via Wired.
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301. Bright Idea: Rocking Blanket April 26, 2007
Posted by Matt Fleming, PsyD in Experience, Plaything, Product.add a comment
I wish they made an adult version of this rocking blanket. And I also wish I had two trustworthy friends who were giants with iron-gripping hand strength. I also wish I could fly and become invisible and stop time. Buy the kid version blanket HERE (40 Euros); via Swissmiss.com.
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SparkBugg.com 