Owner: SparkBugg URL:http://sparkbugg.wordpress.com/ Join Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:41:56 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: A Blog about Sharing Bright Ideas in inventions, products, gadgets, and innovation. Site statistics:Click here
…metapost… 2007-03-27 16:26:26 I am trying to link up with blog search engines, so I need to post some links here:
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255. Bright Idea: Laptop Shade 2007-03-27 06:09:53
This $35 SunShade
will make it easier to use your laptop outside (perfect for those beautiful days). Also convenient for looking at porn and top secret data in public. Buy it HERE (UK); via Ubergizmo.com.
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254. Quickie Web: Video: Virtual Soccer 2007-03-27 05:56:17 I have seen this technology before (as interactive advertising), but have decided to post this particular 44-second clip because it includes a cute dog (rather than kids being engaged by marketing and products). See more of this technology HERE (Reactrix.com); via UberReview.com.
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252. Bright Idea: Batali Pizza Peel 2007-03-27 05:15:19 HumBugg: The last pizza peel I had was all wood, and it soon split apart over time (I guess because I washed it with hot water).
This pictured pizza peel not only won’t split because it is mostly metal, but it folds up for easy storage. Near perfect design: Bravo! (Unless, of course, the pivot joint easily breaks on you).
Buy it HERE ($30); via KitchenContraptions.com.
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251. Bright Idea: Tree of Knowledge 2007-03-27 05:08:14
This sculptural piece of furniture will instantly command the attention of your house guests, so make sure to put your best books on this book shelf. Bonus: your friends will stretch all their neck muscles as they peruse your collection. Via Productdose.com.
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250. Bright Idea: The Sofa Hammock 2007-03-26 23:53:22
I was just in the process of trying to decide what to buy for my new porch: a hammock, or a porch swing? This SofaHammock
may be the best of both worlds, and could easily solve my dilemma. Now all I have to do is to figure out how to buy one (I think they are only sold in Germany). Via Swissmiss.
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…metapost… 2007-03-26 06:04:50 The following few posts (or preceding few, depending on how you read blogs) contain some content of questionable taste. Partly serendipitous (I came across all three this weekend), and partly deliberate (I chose to post on each, and in succession), it is my hope that they make you laugh, and not repel you from SparkBugg.com forever.
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249. Bright Idea?: The Gotta Go Briefcase 2007-03-26 05:48:31
This product is a gag (I think), and is not really being mass produced. I am making an assumption, here, but do hope that I am not being culturally insensitive by doing so (i.e. this product is legit and I have somehow offended the strong Japanese work ethic). Arrgg…just read the original posting yourself and decide if this product is for real or not: posting HERE (via AmericanInventorSpot.com).
Nevertheless, this product does seem to potentially be a better option than those nasty Port-a-Potties. Just have this product come with disposable adult diaper-like inserts, and then you have a legitimate portable emergency toilet, for when nature calls at inconvenient times.
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248. Bright Idea: Butthole Bear 2007-03-26 05:25:35
Like Tickle Me Elmo, here is an interactive stuffed animal: the Butthole Bear. Poke your finger in his anus for over 50 different fart sounds and phrases. Yes, this toy does actually exist.
This product sounds like a laugh riot, if you appreciate this type of humor (and apparently, I must, since I have been giggling for the last two minutes). Check out the website HERE (TwistedToy.com), where you can purchase it for $38, and actually hear some of the sounds the bear makes. Via AmericanInventorSpot.com.
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256. Bright Idea: The Tennis Tube 2007-03-27 19:49:21 I just saw someone getting a tennis lesson a few minutes ago, and they were using this Tennis
Tube to help gather up all the balls.
It’s a pretty simple and convenient Idea. Just press one end down on a ball on the ground, and it gets trapped in the tube. No more bending over or trying to deftly flip the ball up with your racket.
Check out an informative website HERE, and buy it HERE ($20).
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266. Bright Idea: The Xv Tool-less Shelving System 2007-03-30 06:04:07
Requiring no tools to assemble, you can arrange these shelves in varied configurations. Easily transportable, this shelving system is good for wine bottles, and perfect for books (since you won’t have to crane your neck too much to read the titles on the book’s spines). However, it is clearly not so convenient for items that require a horizontal surface. Check the shelves out HERE (Seed International); via TrendHunter.com.
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265. IdeaSpark*: Nomadic Storage 2007-03-30 05:54:57
I like to store all my crap in these clear plastic storage containers. I use all sorts of sizes, I label most of them (my wife’s favorite container is the one I label “Important Junk”), and I stack them in my closets. I buy these at The Container Store.
My wife and I are moving next week, so we are busy packing. It turns out that there are standards sizes for cardboard moving boxes (we got some from two different places, and they are the same sizes). I put all of my clear storage containers in the boxes, but they don’t always fit nicely and neatly.
My IdeaSpark* is to make very similar plastic storage containers, but in sizes that will fit nicely into your standard moving boxes. For example, make a small plastic container, where four of them will fit perfectly in and completely fill the typical medium cardboard box (18″ x 18″ x 16″). This organizational system will be very convenient for the nomadic types (like college students and militar
264. Bright Idea: Ineeka Tea Bags 2007-03-30 05:35:55
This Ineeka disposable tea bag has the tea leaves exposed from the top so you can pour hot water through the bag, and then leave the bag in to steep. Then you discard everything when done. And that is the part I have a problem with: it seems like a waste of materials and money. Ironically, the Ineeka tagline is “Cultivating Consciousness.” Apparently, they are not referring to environmental awareness. Ineeka website HERE, via Slashfood.com.
However, it is a pretty creative design, and thus, I consider it a Bright
Idea.
True tea drinkers will use the various other less wasteful alternatives like tea balls, holders, or my personal favorite, the IngenuiTEA.
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263. Bright Idea: Flat Screen/DVD Combo 2007-03-30 05:20:19
Finally! A recent post of mine (#48) complained about how though flat screens can be mounted on the wall, the rest of the components need to be in a regular cabinet below. This pictured combo solves at least one facet of that problem. Now they need to produce a flat screen with an additional integrated Tivo/DVR, audio tuner for surround sound, and PS3/XBox. Via Aving.net.
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262. Bright Idea: Light-up Make-up Mirror 2007-03-30 05:06:22 This $12 make-up mirror has LED lights so you can use it in the dark. Quite convenient. For the ladies and their purses, that is. Buy it HERE (AU).
What about us men? I know I could use a handy mirror to check to see if I have food in my teeth, or a booger showing. But I am not always carrying my purse (I really do carry a man purse at times). There needs to be another option.
IdeaSpark*: A laminated piece of reflective mylar the size of a business card would fit perfectly in a wallet, and act as a super-thin unbreakable mirror. Simple.
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261. Bright Idea: Medi-Crunch Dog Treats 2007-03-29 05:29:21
The shot glasses in the previous post reminded me of this Bright
Idea: dog treats that can hold pills inside of them.
Most dogs will have to take some sort of medication at some point. For our Barkley, it is his monthly heartworm pill. Trying to wrap cheese around it, or smear peanut butter on it, was no longer fooling my pup (how long would you eat your scoop of ice cream if it had a large, bitter rock in it?). Luckily, someone ideated treats that can easily enclose pills. These Med-Crunch
Treats have a crunchy exterior, and a soft peanut butter interior for added taste and adherence. Buy them HERE ($9).
Thanks to this inspiring Bright Idea
, when I have kids, I am going to bake large tubular cookies where I can stash pieces of broccoli in the middle.
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260. Bright Idea: Ice Shot Glasses 2007-03-29 05:14:03
Freeze water or juice in this silicone mold, and then you pop out 4 shot glasses made out of ice. Not a bad idea, as it chills your vodka or tequila shot. The biggest consideration is having something (e.g. a super coaster) on the table to catch the melting liquid.
What makes this a Bright
Idea for me are the secondary benefits: (1) Minimize blackouts: If your guests each only get one glass, they will eventually have to stop taking shots when their glass melts away; (2) Minimize mess: if you have those hyped-up macho fratboy-types as guests, shards of glass won’t spray everywhere when they smash this glass on the ground after they take a shot and head-butt each other.
Buy them HERE ($7); via Coolest-gadgets.com.
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259. Sparked Art: Weeks Votive Holders 2007-03-29 04:58:19
Like little sculptures, these votive candleholders by David Weeks
are functional, gorgeous, and playful. Via MoCoLoco.com.
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258. Bright Idea: Waterball 2007-03-29 04:50:11
This Bright
Idea takes squirt guns to the next level: it launches little balls of water. You can shoot 40 waterballs in about a minute, and each filling can hold 175 waterballs. Though it is probably not as much fun as a Supersoaker, the Waterball is an original spin on a classic toy. Check out their website HERE; buy it and read reviews HERE. Below is a 15-second commercial clip.
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271. Quickie Web: Video: Smart Hydrophobic Dog 2007-04-02 22:56:28 Humans aren’t the only ones to come up with Bright Ideas. Check out how this clever dog, who doesn’t like to swim, gets a tennis ball out of the pool. The clip is 1:08 minutes long, via Neatorama.com.
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270. Bright Idea: Bossaball 2007-04-02 22:51:00 I love it when people come up with new ideas in games and play. Bossaball is a mix of volleyball, takraw, and Slamball (which also uses trampolines). Check out some of this video to get the idea. Via Videosift.com.
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269. Bright Idea: The Snapshot Mirror 2007-04-02 07:26:49
I just recently posted an IdeaSpark* (Post #262) that is very similar to this Bright
Idea. It is a flexible mirror, most likely made out of mylar or a similar reflective material. My version, however, would be the size of a business card so you could put it in your wallet. This polaroid picture version is a cute gimmick, but ultimately less practical, IMHO. This one costs $9 (for $0.30 worth of materials). Buy it (or not) here; via BLTD.com.
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268. Quickie Web: Video: The Kaye Effect 2007-04-02 06:50:43 Who knew that a thin falling stream of shampoo will result in another stream shooting up in the air. This professionally produced video demonstrates the scientific phenomenon called the Kaye Effect, also know as Leaping Shampoo. This is not an April Fool’s joke. Check out this short “Hall of Fame” fluid-in-motion video clip by scientists from the Netherlands. It’s pretty amazing. Via Techeblog.com.
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267. Bright Idea: Handi-Straps 2007-04-02 06:37:56
This adjustable Handi-Strap Lifting System distributes weight to the upper back and shoulders, reducing the strain on hands, fingers, and wrists. It is also being tested for rescue purposes with EMS, military, fire and police departments. These photos demonstrate the Handi-Straps
’ effectiveness (unless, of course, that mustachioed dude is actually Magnus Ver Magnusson, World’s Strongest Man). Relatively cheap at $60; buy it HERE (via Popularmechanics.com).
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273. Sparked Art: Creative Guitaring 2007-04-04 18:54:06 Check out these two videos where guitars are played in a more complex manner. Pretty amazing. Bonus: the songs are actually pretty good, too.
This first video (3:08) is three guys playing one guitar (lead, bass, and percussion). They are called Corporeal, from Libertyville, Il, and the song is called “All We Got.”
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This next video (3:18) is similar, but with only one guy playing. Here is Andy McKee playing “Drifting.”
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273. Bright Idea: the Lamplamp 2007-04-04 18:43:28
This Bright
Idea is also sculpture, to me. The main practical value of owning this is to promote conversation and make people smile. That’s good enough for me. $28 HERE, via BLTD.com.
Actually, this product would also be a great logo for SparkBugg, as it could symbolize the fusion of ideas. Me likey.
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272. Bright Idea: No Poke Pins 2007-04-04 18:36:32
I predict that the winner of the 2007 Staples Invention Quest will be these No Poke Pins. Ideated by toy inventor Mark T., these brilliantly simple devices can hold up photos, paper, even books, on a thumbtack board without damaging them. Check out his video of this Bright
Idea HERE.
You can vote for him or the other 4 finalists HERE. The other products are mediocre and not nearly as exciting as the No Poke Pins (which should be a best-seller). Another genius idea was a past winner of this Invention Quest: the Letter Combination Lock.
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274. Quickie Web: Illusion: Hybrid Images 2007-04-05 19:50:18
I thought this was quite cool. The left image appears to be an angry man, and the right is a calm woman (or a very pretty man). Now step back a few feet and squint your eyes. The images switch. Pretty amazing, huh?
Created by Dr. Oliva and Dr. Schyns, this hydrid illusion “illustrates the ability of our visual system to separate information coming from different spatial frequency channels” (got that?).
Here is a picture of Albert Einstien. Step back and squint, and you should see another timeless icon.
Via HybridImages
@MIT.
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