Nature

Toilet Bowl with Bull's-eye Target

I'm afraid a quick glance at my articles might give some readers the wrong impression: that I have an affinity for anything relating to bodily functions. In particular, anything people do in the bathroom. Well, those readers are wrong. That being said, today I bring you United States patent 4044405, the toilet bowl bull's-eye! read more »

Boating can be one of the most relaxing and enjoyable pastimes around. The only real problem ahead of you is getting a boat. You have a few options available to you here. You can outright buy one. You can opt to rent one. You can build one. What if a new boat is a little heavier than your wallet and you use one too much to rent? Building one is the logical choice. And thanks to a few very intelligent people, even that has become easier. read more »

Effective Alarm Clock

I've read that some of the most successful inventions are those that respond to an everyday need. If that's the case, then Samuel S. Applegate holds the patent for what could be the most effective alarm clock ever. read more »

Musical Condom

In my previous blog, A Big, Long D*ck for Valentine's Day, I alerted you to a patent that could help you realize your manly potential. But I'm here to tell you it's not all fun and games. Today, more than ever, sexual prowess cannot occur free of responsibility. So if you love your partner, or even if you don't and you only love yourself, you owe it to yourself to practice safe sex. That's why today I am providing you with a patent that reconciles safety with fun. read more »

That time of the year has arrived yet again - time to bust out the chocolates and sentiments of undying emotion, along with the bouquets. I do love me some flowers (you can save the maudlin displays, however). They seem particularly special in winter, when they are so incongruent with the snow and bitter weather outside. These vases will help make your posies all the more special, and may inspire you to keep a fresh supply of flowers coming well past Valentine's Day. read more »

Mechanical Shower

As many of you already know, conservationists espouse the use of car washes because the facilities recycle the water used to get your vehicle looking its squeaky-clean best. Sounds like a good idea, right? But why should such a practical idea, like recycling water, be limited to cars? After all, we don't generally wash our cars everyday. We do, however, bathe our bods (I hope) everyday. Presumably then, washing ourselves is far more wasteful of a precious natural resource - one that some people argue will be the world's next "oil" - than the occasional washing of our cars. read more »

Strap-on Pacifier

Technology has transformed the baby raising landscape in some ingenious ways. Who knows? If the following three inventions had been available a few years ago my home office might today be covered in Disney motif wallpaper, and all the electrical outlets plugged up with child safety protectors. read more »

Believe it or not, Americans will buy 189 million stems of roses for Valentine's Day, according to the California Cut Flower Commission. read more »

Synthetic biologists from the J. Craig Venter Institute in Maryland have announced that they have synthetically reproduced the DNA of the bacteria called Mycoplasma laboratorium. With this significant step in their research, they hope to go on to create an entire synthetic organism. read more »

I'm not too sure how the squirrels will feel about this, but certain feathered varieties of local wildlife could now be styling in some well-made birdhouses, modeled after historical architectural homes. read more »

Looking for a creative way to adorn your bare walls? The Living Wall Planter might be an idea worth considering. read more »

The proposed Universe Islands, depicted just under The World Islands

Sunday, on the heels of the completion of a massive project, property development company, Nakheel, unveiled another Dubai mega-project. If given the go ahead, The Universe Islands would add more than 7,500 acres worth of man-made islands to an already crowded coastline. read more »

This week it's my turn to host the Carnival of the Green and I am excited to be the 110th host for the Carnival. read more »

A South Carolina company is hard at work on a strategy that would mean not a single additional rainforest tree will have to be cut down. read more »

Experts say that algae could generate 30 times more energy per acre of land than corn and other biofuels, and grow at a much faster rate. read more »

Doggie Dust Cover

Is Fido's fur causing you to fret and frown over your furniture's future? Does the care and maintenance of your pooch's pelt leave you pooped and peeved? Well, I've discovered two patents that address some of the hygiene problems facing dog owners - dog hair, dander and fleas - in unusual ways. read more »

Snot Sucking Gun

Nowadays, the word "automatic" appears in front of almost everything we touch. Today a brief stroll around the aisles of most stores reveals a culture that can no longer, is no longer, interested in doing things the old-fashioned way: manually. Disagree? Then take a look at United States patent 6471679 . read more »