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Door Opener / Closer: HotSpotMama recommendation


[acidfree:1154 align=right size=180] Ahhh. I finally found it again - the Touch 'n Hold Door Opener and Closer. Hard to believe that someone would get excited about such a boring product but I love things that make life easier. About four years ago, we bought a new glass/screen door for our front door (exactly like the one in the picture). Anyway, it came with the best door opener/closer (that's what I'm calling that thing that keeps your screen door open). Instead of the traditional metal rectangular washer like device that you have to manually move to keep the door open, all you need to do was to press a little button with your foot and the Touch 'n Hold would keep it open. In order to close the door, all you need to do is open the door a little more and the door will close (no bending involved). read more »

Inventive Art: Richard Sweeny and his Paper Sculptures


sweeny1
Richard Sweeny has created a series of sculptural works created through the cutting, scoring and folding of paper. By pleating paper, he creates some arresting scultural pieces, all inspired by his experiment using paper for lamps.


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REAL "MAN MADE" DIAMONDS THAT COULD DESTROY THE DIAMOND BIZ AND RE-ENGINEER THE COMPUTER BIZ.


[acidfree:1147 align=right size=240]Michelle's blog about diamonds reminded me of something I just saw in Wired Magazine. And go figure, I was able to track it down on the web to share with you. Here's the beginning... click through on the end link for the rest of the story. The New Diamond Age Armed with inexpensive, mass-produced gems, two startups are launching an assault on the De Beers cartel. Next up: the computing industry. read more »

Whirpool Mother of Invention Contest - Grant for $20,000


Whirpool Brand (the appliance maker) is having the 2006 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant. It provides moms with the necessary business resources, such as seed money and expert advice, helping to make business dreams a reality. At the end of the contest, any ideas submitted will remain solely owned by the contestant. Whirpool will not own any part of the ideas.


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Inventive Art: Soap Carvings


I thought balloon art could be interesting as an artistic material but the idea of using soap to carve designs is as old as the hills, or as old as soap, I guess. But to someone who hasn't seen it before, I guess what's new is what's been forgotten.

soapcarving

I guess this stuff is not actually innovative, but I thought it was interesting...inventive too.


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Innovative Materials: New Type of Diamonds


Well, I don't really believe in lame stereotypes but one that holds true for me since I LOVE Diamonds is ...that diamonds are truly are a girl's best friend.

diamond

A great site for fun reading RandomGoodStuff.com had an interesting article about an innovation in making your own diamonds.
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Inventive Art: Arigami.com and Balloon Sculptures


Arigami is the art of folding air in especially prepared latex contatiners says Arigami.com. Basically, its a very fun twist on the balloon art you see at carnivals and parties.

742-1069562843

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10 Things To Make You Want to Puke


What is the weirdest thing you ever ate? I can eat almost everything as my big frame can attest, but there are limits to even my gluttony.

I realize that foods that one eats and enjoys are culture based and the love of sushi, kimchi, and a rare steak are cultivated based on where you were raised, but some things are just plain disgusting (at least to my plebian brain).

Here are my choices for the 10 Weirdest Things That People Eat:

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10 Gadgets for the Filthy Rich


[acidfree:1119 align=left size=240]Well, when I saw this article on 10 Gadgets for the Filty Rich, it reminded me of all of Amused and Bemused's postings, but without the silliness. I thought the article had a great title and was interesting highlight of cool gadgets out there so I am sharing here with you. "Do you travel in private jets? Decorate your foyer with real Renoirs? Use the word "foyer"? Then there's no way you're going to get your gadget fix from anything you can get at Best Buy. You crave the most exclusive, the top of the line, the most unusual, and the most attention-grabbing technology, and price is no object. But there are expensive gadgets, and then there are expensive gadgets. We aren't talking PlayStation 3 expensive — we're talking gear so expensive you'll have your butlers pick them up in your gold-plated helicopter. read more »

Inventive Appearance: Beard World Championship


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Well, our site has gone through alot of trauma over the past few weeks with constant problems with our servers and the ultimate failure of the complete loss of a server from our hosting company Midphase.

I need a drink, and since I can't have one (I won't bore you with the details), I decided I needed a little levity.

I decided that since the other bloggers at AmericanInventorSpot.com are all posting on different types of inventions and innvoations, I'd get into the act to and do my own special feature in inventive appearance. read more »


Innovations in Building: Good Old Concrete


[acidfree:1088 align=right size=200] "Each year, billions of tons of concrete become the stuff of buildings, highways, dams, sidewalks, and even artworks. The list goes on. Not only is the material ubiquitous, it has a long history. The Romans invented cement-based concrete more than 2,000 years ago and used the material to build architectural masterpieces such as the Pantheon. To Christian Meyer, a structural engineer at Columbia University, there's just no question about it: "Concrete is the world's most important material." read more »

JackAss of an Invention


Did you see the way that guy kicked the thing? It's total not-quite-animal abuse.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Major Server Problems


UPDATE: 5/31/06
Our hosting service Midphase had hardware problems with its server over the weekend, and Midphase has not yet been able to fix the problem. Currently, we are working recover our data from their failure.

We have temporarily lost our recent data. We're missing some of our content since May 10th. We are working to recover our lost content.

If you signed up for a user account after May 10, it no longer exists. Please sign up for a new account. We sincerely apolgize for the inconvenience.

If you don't see what you are looking for, please check back later. Sorry and thanks for your support.

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Great Summer Products - Hotspotmama recommendations


[acidfree:921 align=left size=180] Ahhh, the lazy days of summer. I am so excited that summer is almost here. My boys are asking me everyday when we can go to the pool. I love summer because you’re not on a strict schedule. Of course, I wonder how I’m going to get my postings done in the summer but it’ll work out. Everything always does. Anyway, let me tell you about a few interesting products I’ve come across that will make summer a little easier and safer. BTW - I try not to pick the products that you see in the big baby stores (unless they are new) because, frankly, you see them when you go to the big baby stores. You don’t need to see them here too. read more »

FAO Schwarz Toy Audition


FAO Schwarz is having a Toy Audition. It is an opportunity of a life time for toymakers to present their unique products in person to representatives of the FAO Schwarz Senior Management. You can audition even if you only have a toy design and have not manufactured your toy yet.


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Bizarre Vehicles


I just did my piece on Wacky Cars this week, only to find that Ueba.net had done perhaps a better piece on bizarre vehicles recently.

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Cars and What They Say About You


People often choose cars to express themselves. You buy a Hummer and that screams out "I'm a really big man" or "I Think Green". You buy a Bentley and that screams out "I'm rich son of a b***h". You buy a VW Bug and that screams out "I'm adorable - don't squish me".

People are wacky. Wacky people often have wacky cars. I don't know if they intend to be wacky, but I think it just happens.

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Prisoner's Inventions


I had seen an exhibit several years ago at the Univeristy of Tempe Museum of the artwork made by prisoners in jail and was totally blown away. Using just the packages of used cigarette packs, the prisoner's came up with intricate and gorgeous sculptures of rare beauty and form. The artistry and the inventiveness of using garbage to make art in an environment of limitless time haunt me to this day.

This website Temporary Services reminds me of the prisoner artwork. It profiles an interesting project highlighting the inventiveness of prisoner's incarcerated in our jails.

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10 Things You Don't Need


Sometimes I have the urge to buy something, anything. I get this craving to go and spend my money and feel the adrenaline rush of finding something that others don't have and imagining how cool everyone will think I am once I show them what I found. Do you ever get like that?

I am thinking lots of people do as I really don't have another explanation for why certain things get bought. They don't really have any practical purpose. I know that people sometimes call this stuff "novelty items", but as soon as the novelty wears off, what do you have?

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Want Cosmetic Surgery? Some Wacky Options to Consider


Do you feel like you need plastic surgery? Would you increase your bust, get a new chin or nose or trim off your belly?

Our nation is obsessed with looking youthful and beautiful. We spend billions a year on getting more shapely, youthful and attractive (as such is defined by our societal norms today).

Well, rather than plastic surgery - which is basically going to go get something cut, crushed, sucked, threaded, sawed off, or pumped into your body - I thought of some products that can dramatically help you change your appearance without resorting to cosmetic surgery. I mean frankly, with all the options available to change the way you look, I don't know why people would have to resort to going under the knife.

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