July, 2007

I could go on for weeks and weeks about all of the promotion and marketing that has been created to build breast cancer awareness. From the Susan G. Komen foundation to the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk to the mammogram reminder messaging, it seems that the groups fighting the cause have thought of everything possible to keep women informed and healthy. read more »

Get the SofaHanger and get ready to enjoy your drinks, while sitting on the sofa.

The classic style will complement most interior spaces.

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PETCool Therm-ASSURE
Pets love to be outdoors in any season, but summers are especially dangerous times for them. Dogs and cats, especially, are not physiologically equipped to handle hot weather, as they can only sweat through their footpads, mouths, and noses. Here are ten innovative pet products to keep your pets cool during the dog days of summer: read more »

World Heritage Tour is a pretty amazing concept: Photograph the world. Post it online. Let everyone see it and add to it, because the reality is it's disappearing at an alarming rate. But, with WHT working hard to document all those places most of us can't see, we get a pretty stunning compilation of what the world has to offer—and in 360 degree photography no less. read more »

These new space suits designed by MIT scientist Dava Newman aren't just cool-looking, they're also the state of the art in mobility and protection for astronauts of the future. read more »

Angel Kitty's USB Keyboard Bra is the answer to every geek's wet dream, combining cybersexual fantasies with the tactile temptations of a REAL GIRL. Alas, you'd have to be a geek of Gatesian proportions - who else could afford to pay any woman to wear the thing? read more »

We have a new blogger.Lady Bee, our new pet and wild animal blogger, loves to buzz about new pet products and animal research findings. When she's not working as a feature writer and editor, Lady Bee donates her time to animal rescue and shelter visitations. "I grew up with horses, dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, fish, and white rats my cousin used to bring us. My reward for taking care of them was a monthly visit to the Bronx Zoo," says Lady Bee. Now, with six animal co-habitants, Lady Bee is writing a children's series based on their different traits and personalities, so she's always looking for innovative stuff to keep them busy while she writes. Welcome to our pack, Lady Bee. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Australian company, Unicraft Joinery has conceptualised storage space in one of the most obvious places. But it's a neater and more stylish arrangement that the good old under stair cupboards. read more »

Two teenagers from Ontario have built an electric vehicle modeled after a motorcycle, but with one major difference: there's no hand steering controls. Instead, the rider leans in the direction of desired motion, like a Segway, but with the coolness of a sports bike.

 

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Plagued by an invasion of gooey, slimy 440 pound jellyfish that are clogging fishing nets, eating valuable fish and putting the sting on profits, Japan's fisherman are turning to unusual solutions to cope with the slimy pests - such as turning them into ice cream. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Papermaking is an ancient art of Japan. History records that the art was started in Japan by Buddhist monks in 610 A.D. The creations of Precious Pieces are a combination of ‘contemporary design and traditional craft.' read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's water-resistant, solar-powered, energy-efficient and kid-friendly-the One Laptop Per Child project may finally be turning into reality. read more »

By this point, you have all seen the Dove Real Beauty Campaign. read more »

One of the highlights of the Adult Treasure Expo 2007, a three-day adult exhibition taking place at Japan's Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex is the "gPod", a triple-motor vibrator that connects to your music player, TV or mobile phone. read more »

Yes, I absolutely recommend that every inventor who's decided to go out on his own with his invention spy on other companies. Spy on all the businesses that have great products, great service and great reputations, and figure out what they're doing right. Put your detective hat on, smoke a pipe, do whatever it is that gets your own product and ego out of the way while you discover what makes other companies successful. read more »

Te extreme simplicity of the idea is its greatest attraction. The chair made of wood veneer over a hinged metal structure can be hung on a wall when not needed.

If that is not innovation what is? read more »

An experiment being performed at the Hokkaido Toyako G8 summit in Chitose, Japan, aims to prove that the revolutionary Magnesium Energy Cycle could one day free society from dependence on fossil fuels and provide virtually unlimited cheap, clean, renewable energy! read more »

Curious as to which men dye their hair?

Our Guest Blogger, Scott "scottdammit" Duran, is a writer/graphic artist/visionary/inventor and a world-class exaggerator. He suggests you look for him on bookshelves soon. He found a new invention that he wanted to share with the readers of InventorSpot.com.

Here's his article: read more »

 Pedigree has had some amazing outdoor advertising over the past year. read more »

Invented anything “green” lately? Good! How about showing the rest of us what your eco-creation can do on Trippin’ The Green Fantastic. Trippin the Green Fantastic is a new environmental TV series coming to the Science Channel in the late fall. The show is a team effort between the Science Channel and Peace Point Entertainment Group. The goal: to find inventors who have made life a little greener with their eco-inventions. read more »

Feeling blue? Seeing red? Fuwapica interactive furniture from Osaka University's Mongoose Studio reflects your emotional state by changing its color to suit your mood. read more »

Good evening, all. I'm back after a hiatus last week due to some family issues, but, rest assured, I'm ready to blog tonight. So tonight we have our six finalists and, finally, it's up to America to vote! We've heard what the judged have to say and now we get to give our two cents on who we think deserves the $1,000,000. I don't know about the rest of you, but this is what I've been waiting for all season! Get your dialing fingers ready! Tonight is the night. read more »

Dynamic architecture 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some have called the idea outlandish. A better word seems to be insane. And yet, Dynamic Architecture, a company in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, is marching ahead with their plans for a skyscraper powered by wind turbines. read more »

The Super Bio-Tech Mobile Plant Cell Phone Strap from Japan's Strapya World lets you take your own tiny, living plant wherever you take your phone - without ever worrying about feeding or watering! read more »

Just wanted to remind our readers that Episode 7 of the reality television show American Inventor will be showing tomorrow night ( Wednesday, July 25, 2007) at 9 pm est and 8 pm central time. Seth will be back to cover the all important voting night.
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When it comes to toilets, Japan has dealt itself a royal flush! From basic, no nonsense squat toilets to high tech marvels seemingly designed for a mission to Mars, Japan's toilets take care of everybody's business like nobody's business.
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South Korea is often at the forefront of inventions and new ways of living, and now they are proving this fact yet again by inventing a new career. read more »

SARS virus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By coating fabrics with a nano-thin layer of chemicals, researchers have found a simple and unobtrusive way to kill germs and viruses without harming humans. The start-up company claims that the chemicals should be able to kill any type of germ, from the common cold and the flu, to strep and staph infections, and even SARS.

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Caught between fierce competition for customers and constant pressure to reduce fees, Japan's Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank is now featuring short commercial ads at some of its ATMs in exchange for half-price fees. The ads are just the latest attempt by OK to lure new business by using innovative marketing techniques. read more »

One Touch™ Can Opener This year's International Design Excellent Awards (IDEA), published in the July 20, 2007 edition of Business Week, have been awarded to 81 product designs. Some of the top awardees were clearly designed with boomers, seniors, and disabled persons in mind. The One-Touch™ Can Opener was originally designed for seniors, but this Gold Medal winner from Hong Kong is in demand by all age groups. Tell you why.... Press the shiny green button and this gizmo walks around the can by itself! read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may become a thing of the past when researchers can fine-tune a new technique called deep brain stimulation. Depression and other mental conditions, such as Parkinson's, may be treated by pinpointing the exact neuron responsible for the ailment. Besides repair, the technology could also likely take things a step further in tomorrow's brave new world, and enhance cognitive abilities such as memory and alertness. read more »

You would not believe what they can do with airplanes these days... read more »

As television continues to lose both audience and relevance in a society increasingly fascinated with online and wireless media offerings, Japan's classic "Samurai Dramas" buck the trend by providing exciting and engrossing entertainment the old fashioned way. read more »

Invented by e-Smart Technologies, which is based in Busan, Korea, the Super Smart Card is a payment and security card unlike any other. Also known as the Biometric Verification Security System, the Super Smart Card works as a matching system for identification. read more »

When I first read about the solar energy boat race, Solar Splash, I was immediately intrigued. Though I don't like open waters; therefore, will not get on a boat, the combination of solar energy and cleaner transportation in competition has had me tempted to face my fears and give these solar powered boats a try. I think it's an innovative idea with wonderful educational opportunities and a great start to the building and using of non-polluting, fuel-free vehicles (land, water and air) of the future. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some inventions that help improve the lives of some people, and then there are the inventions-sometimes the simplest kind-that revolutionize the lives of billions of people. Abul Hussam's water filter, for instance, is providing clean water for entire countries of people suffering from arsenic poisoning, a toxic chemical in dirty water.

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Teenagers both internationally and domestically are discovering the rewards of expanding their knowledge and imagining up tools and devices the world has yet to discover. Programs like like InvenTeams by MIT help to give them a shot at innovator stardom, and also provide them the opportunity to make the world a better place to be. read more »

The landmark 1956 film "Forbidden Planet" stood head and shoulders above the swamp of sci-fi schlock that oozed out from the paranoid 1950s, and its most memorable star wasn't even human! Now "Robby the Robot" has returned, talking fast, telling the time and taking your spare change! read more »

Unfortunately, Seth will not be able to do his live blog posting this week. We will try to have a recap summary of the show for later this evening but will not be able to provide a live blog. We apologize for any inconvenience.

In the meantime, please share your comments on the show.
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With affordable housing in Tokyo nearly nonexistent, both the desperate and the destitute have discovered a viable alternative to cramped apartments and capsule hotels: full featured Internet cafés! read more »

A California Fitness Center in Hong Kong, a subsidiary of 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, is using manpower to generate electricity in its gym. In other words, energy burned off by exercisers is diverted and converted to power lighting fixtures, while excess energy is stored in a battery. The program is called Powered By You. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

A man from Columbus, Ohio spent more than 20 years tinkering with an idea scorned by professionals: a car that uses water for fuel. After making progress, and declining billion-dollar offers for giving up, the eccentric inventor died after a celebratory sip of cranberry juice with two investors who haven't been heard from since. Here's his story... read more »

Lasers microwave you
Electrolysis is scary
Waxing enslaves you
Doing nothing leaves you hairy
If teasing won't coax it to behave...
Buy a MANGROOMER™
And give it a shave!

(With apologies to Dorothy Parker) read more »

"Paro", a cute & cuddly artificial baby harp seal certified by Guinness as "The World's Most Therapeutic Robot" is slowly but surely changing the way we think (and feel) about robots. read more »

 

What better way to market yourself than your business card.

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It is getting easier, cheaper (sort of) and more interesting to buy solar powered lights lately. They are in every gardening catalog, on every gardening website, and slowly popping up around homes. As Amazon.com rapidly turns green you can even find them here. Here is a quick list of solar lights that will help bring your electric bill down and light up your home in very colorful and interesting ways. read more »

Helmet GunScott Seegert has written a highly entertaining book called, "It's a Guy Thing: Awesome Real Innovations From the Underdeveloped Male Mind". In it, he writes about the real inventions patented by guys. What makes the book and amusing read is that the illustrations are the inventors' actual drawings, taken directly from the official paperwork filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. read more »

Fans of "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" know that Japanese can burn rubber with the best of them. Need proof? Here are the the top 10 most interesting, unusual and downright weird ways Japan's condom manufacturers seek to beat off the competition in the rubbery race for safe sex supremacy! read more »

Peter Mucha, our Guest Blogger, is an online editor and writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, who shares more of his zany ideas on stealmyideasplease.com . He thought the readers of InventorSpot.com may enjoy discussing the process of inventing. Here's his article:

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Shoes have untapped potential. read more »

Ready to upgrade from your small black umbrella that fits in your briefcase or your big green and white striped golf umbrella?

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WIG 1

This ultra-low-flying plane uses a special lift technique known as "wing-in-ground" (WIG) to reduce drag. More than an impressive feat of engineering, these planes are also faster and more efficient than their counterparts in the clouds. read more »

Living in Manhattan for many years, the high prices there never surprised me. So when I was watching Nightline last night and heard that people in NYC were paying $225,000 for a parking spot, I wasn't really surprised. A little frustrated that you could buy a four bedroom house in many parts of the country for the same price, but not surprised. read more »

Check out this series of ads for a job recruiting company in Berlin, Germany.

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Have you ever wanted a wireless mouse that didn't require batteries? Well, this mouse is the product you've been looking for all this time! read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

A prestigious British hotel (the Cliveden in Berkshire) is claiming to serve up the world's most expensive sandwich. At £100 ($202), the ‘von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich' is the world's most expensive sandwich, but with an exquisite combination of some of the very finest ingredients. read more »

Vending machines stocked with used schoolgirl panties may be one of the most oft-quoted Japanese urban legends, but do they actually exist? Is there any truth behind the lurid rumors? The answer may surprise, even shock you! read more »

Welcome back to the blog after a rerun week of ABC's American Inventor. Tonight we are back live and, after rousing rounds in Los Angelese, San Francisco, New York and Chicago, we continue tonight's search for the next greatest invention in Houston, Texas and Tampa, Florida. read more »

Cameron Kruse With His Invention (Photo Intel.com)

That last inning of the All-Star baseball game last night should be the cover story for Nail-Biter Magazine!

I watched the whole game real intently though, because I had just learned an interesting bit of detail about baseball -- that the balls are rubbed with mud before they're put in play. Apparently, new baseballs are slick and slippery and can lead to the dropsies unless they are deglossed. Did every fan already know this?

Sixteen-year-old Cameron Kruse knew it. ... read more »

If you are a woman and drive in the UK, Sheilas' Wheels gots your back or rather your foot covered. Sheilas' Wheels is a car insurance company that caters to women's specific car insurance needs. Sheilas' Wheels has even gone as far as inventing a shoe that goes from flat to high heel and vise versa at the push of a button, all in the sake of safe driving. read more »

Japan and the Japanese do so many things well, it's easy to overlook where they trail the pack. From saving the whales to reaching for the stars, Japan falls miserably short - and that's just the tip of the rice-berg. Come explore the dark side of Japan, where the rising sun never shines! read more »

Just wanted to remind our readers that Episode 5 of the reality television show American Inventor will be showing tomorrow night ( Wednesday, July 11, 2007) at 9 pm est and 8 pm central time. read more »

Just when you were ready to hang it up on invention shows, the Golf Channel is airing a new program tonight. Fore Inventors Only begins its series with inventions sure to spice up a round of golf! read more »

 

After watching the Live Earth concert this past weekend I've been inspired to jump on the going green bandwagon.  This morning I was even more aware of how much water I used as I got ready for work.  Continuing my eco-friendly habits, I decided to feature in today's blog the new V90-3MW wind turbines by Vestas that promise to make a huge difference in the energy crisis if the world populationg actually realizes its value.  Not only that, but the website is really cool, too! read more »

Researchers from Japan have discovered an antibiotic that could enable cancer patients to keep up to 70% of their hair while undergoing chemotherapy. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

A recent promotion by Tide used vintage style promotional t-shirts and a completely customized iPod nano to drive their Loads of Hope program to benefit New Orleans. read more »

Time and time again, Japan has been handed a ball someone else made and scored a touchdown. From cell phones to toilets to world peace, the Japanese just do it better! read more »

Sony announced today that the price of the PLAYSTATION 3 is being dropped from $599 to $499. Sony has spent the last few days denying the drop in price, but officials came out today with an official announcement, saying that they expect sales to "double" due to the price drop. read more »

Those amazing Japanese "washlets" pretty much do it all, from raising their lids in greeting as you enter the bathroom to washing and drying you off when you're done. Seems like Japanese toilets can do everything but fly... well guess again! read more »

In an effort to keep minimally processed vegetables fresher for longer, companies are collaborating in a new project to design super fresh packaging. Among the preservation techniques is one that many three-year-olds are sure to enjoy: edible packaging. read more »

What could your highschool do with an extra $10,000?

When you finish your list, keep reading...

One way to get that much needed dough and encourage creative thinking and invention in your highschool is to form an invent team and a project now... because applications for the 2009 Lemelson-Mit InvenTeams awards begin this fall.... read more »

Peter Mucha, our Guest Blogger, is an online editor and writer for the Philadelphia Inquirer, who shares more of his zany ideas on stealmyideasplease.com . He thought the readers of InventorSpot.com may enjoy discussing the process of inventing. Here's his article:

Although hill-climbing can be a workout for your arms, most bike-riding does little for your upper bod. I realized this while lugging a watermelon in a bag back from a parking-lot produce market. Really added to the exercise. Could there be a gizmo that creates the same effect? Brain Reps, begin .... read more »

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 My kids love exploring everything and anything. So when I came across the Bounty Hunter Junior on Edmunds Scientific, I was pretty excited. My kids would love a metal detector. read more »

If every burger was an inch or so wide, we would eliminate obesity... or not, because we'd just eat dozens of "Every Burgers" instead! read more »

With the upcoming Saturday of 7-7-07, those of us with the gambling bug are taking note and hoping to hit a jackpot (of any kind, really). I wish I had the time to scoot off to Vegas or Monaco or even Atlantic City for some card-slinging action, but, for now I'll have to settle with my own compiled list of the 7 Best Casinos in which to get lucky. They range from the sexy to the extravagant, but they are all great places to up your chances of winning big. read more »

I love solar energy, because it frees us from high electric bills and because it allows us to use the sun to power our electronics. If you want to learn about solar power the Waterproof 12V Solar Panel from Scientifics is a smart simple way to introduce you and your family to the power of the sun. It is light weight and 3 1/2 X 3 X ¾ inches in size. It is also encapsulated in a strong clear plastic shell which makes it durable, sturdy, waterproof and corrosion proof for outdoor use. In other words it can take the heat and a beating. read more »

To inform the public of the product without using traditional advertising, helium balloons were tied to a model's skirt, leaving only her legs exposed as she walked around the mall. read more »

N700 Shinkansen Bullet Train
Japan's new N700 model Bullet Train is a kinder, gentler choo-choo... kinder on the environment and gentler on its passengers. read more »

This is probably a game I shouldn't have found, but, alas, web-surfing led me to it. Those advertising geniuses over at,uh, the Milk company have come up with a spiffy online game that is loads of fun and oddly addicting. It may seem simple, but don't be deceived, it requires a little skill to get the glass. read more »

To promote the much anticipated Titanic Exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, life preservers were placed on the statues in the and around the city of Denver, Colorado. read more »

Flabby Road

There are few things that are as essentially Japanese as sumo wrestling, which is why the need to pad thinning ranks with foreign sumo wrestlers is a bone in the throats of Japan's cultural traditionalists. read more »

Since American Inventor is not showing a new episode during the July 4th holidays, and showing instead a repeat of Episode 201, we are republishing our live blog and episode recap of Episode 201 from earlier this season. read more »

7-Eleven has gone all Simpsons for a month long in-store and online promotion tied to "The Simpsons Movie," which opens in theaters on July 27. read more »

The science here is an extremely bright laser, a laptop, a digital camera and a (quite expensive) projector. But these indie techs have their own agendas, and most of it is illegal... read more »

The provocatively named "Ghetto Japanese Cellphone Holster" combines gleaming polished chromed steel and black patent leather to hug your cell in a grip the Marquis de Sade would envy. read more »

I'd like to say that there is a Guerilla Gardener in me just waiting to come out. Ask my husband and he would probably tell you that I can envision a garden growing just about anywhere in my city. I'm always pointing and saying things like, "Why not plant a tree here, or flowers there?" I imagine turning abandoned buildings into greenhouses, parking-lot grass medians into botanical delights, and highway medians into evergreen forests. read more »

Just wanted to remind our readers that due to Wednesday being July 4 th - our independence day holiday, American Inventor will not be showing a new episode. Instead, it will be repeating Episode 1 of Season 2 of the reality television show American Inventor tomorrow night ( Wednesday, July4, 2007, 2007) at 9 pm est and 8 pm central time. Thus, we will not be having a live blog of Episode 201 this Wednesday. Instead, we'll republish our live blog for Episode 201. read more »

Leave it to the Japanese, the same folks who invented** the transistor radio, to come up with a multitude of ways to miniaturize their lives and save valuable space. "Livin' Large"? Not here, buster! read more »

Being that I maintain one of the, ahem, coolest blogs on the net, I'm always looking for other cool blogs out there that give me a run for my money. Occassionally I will find a blog out there--like Dark Roasted Blend--that provides entertaining quippy web niblets that keep me scrolling through pages and pages of past posts (seriously, what is up with me and alliteration lately?).

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Last week, Wednesday, trendy shoppers lined up as early as 4:00 AM to get their hands on British designer Anya Hindmarch’s limited edition, eco-friendly $15 canvas handbag with the words, "I'm Not a Plastic Bag" across it. read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who needs photovoltaic cells when you have 66 beer bottles to capture the sun's rays? Ma Yanjun, a farmer from China, designed this simple technology, which works surprisingly well. read more »

Some people like to do things differently. If they didn't we wouldn't have inventors or weird people. Michael Killian is an inventor. He is a 46 year old software engineer from Dublin, to be exact, who recently invented a Sideways Bike and, not too long ago, invented the Sideways Scooter. Some people may think a Sideways Bike is a little weird, but I think it's oddly creative. read more »

A great memory I have growing up is making up shadow games on my wall with a lamp or flashlight. Monsters, birds, and dinosaurs were my favorite to create using only my hands and fingers. Unfortunately, the fun ended when the lights turned on.

 

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