Travel

Using transportation as an advertising medium has brought forward some of the most creative ads. read more »

Crowded subway trains really bite... but now researchers in Japan have come up with a neat new "hands free" way to operate music players that puts the bite on overcrowding by letting the user control his or her iPod with their teeth! read more »

Yamaha boasts a long and proud tradition in the motorcycle world, and the company aims to continue setting the pace with models like the glow in the dark, iPod ready EC-02 electric bike. read more »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Researchers from Australia and the US have built a hypersonic scramjet that "breathes" in oxygen rather than carrying it as fuel. The group predicts that hypersonic airplanes may be a reality in the near future. read more »

USB flash drives are powerful, portable data storage devices that are finally available with the security features users have long demanded. read more »

It has been years since I've ridden a bike, other than a stationary fitness bike. I've thought about it a lot, but never really did anything to get back on one. Besides, there aren't many places around where I live to ride a bike without needing to drive several miles to a park. I could risk the busy streets, but I think my bravery flew out the window as soon as I had kids.

Then a few months ago my daughter received a bike as a gift and it got me thinking about how nice it would be to go bike riding with her, even if just at the park. It would give us a chance to bond more and exercise together. read more »

If a simple box of chocolates or a measly bouquet of flowers won't suffice this Valentine's Day (and it most likely won't), consider spicing up this V-Day by whisking your loved one off to one of these truly intriguing and awe-inspiring hotels found around the world. These aren't your every day Holiday Inn or even Waldorf Astoria. No, these hotels are the cream of the crop in architectural design and conception and will guarantee that your stay is one to remember. They're worth the extra expenses in travel costs, because if you surprise your sweetheart with a trip to say, Dubai, you'll get reimbursed ten fold. read more »

This holiday season, when you look at your reflection do you see Ebenezer Scrooge staring back at you? Chances are your probably aren't a Scrooge, but the holidays can sometimes really bring out the "Buhumbug!" in you. Greed, work, family, commercialized holidays, lack of time, wrapping paper and dead trees adding to the landfills...whatever your stressors are, they have you upset and you are just not in the mood to celebrate the holidays this year. Traditions and family are a wonderful part of your life, but sometimes a change can be a good thing too and you need a change. You need to go somewhere where you can get a way and relax for awhile. Lucky for you, the Ghost of Green is here to lead the way. read more »

Continuing this month's apropos theme of all things haunted, I bring a list of 13 of the most haunted places in the world. Paranormal activity is an international affair, and ghosts and apparitions toy with the living everywhere from California to Mumbai. This list will have some familiar names, and some places you never expected to be haunted (The White House?!), but each one comes with tale after tale of weird and terrifying experiences with the phantom world. read more »

Want to know if your teenager is speeding?

Guest Blogger Jefferson Smith lives in Boston, Massachusetts and works as a political and marketing consultant. In between writing speeches and making democracy safe for all, he obsesses over the latest innovations in electronics and the internet. You can read his personal blog coming soon at www.thinkmatter.org.

Here's his article for readers of AmericanInventorSpot.com.

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Are you a worried parent with a teen driver? A new invention by a young man from Massachusetts can monitor the speed and location of a car and is being marketed to slow down fast-driving teenagers. We all know that speed and inexperience behind wheel don't mix, but will parents sic this Big Brother-device on their teens?

read more »

I am in the market for a travel case for my laptop. It was pretty clear from visting a few stores this weekend that the utilitarian and very boring black bag is pretty much what's available. How amazingly hohum! Why is it that the mass merchandisers all carry the same items?

I decided not to purchase anything and look for some more interesting options on line. How fortunate for me that in checking out one of my favorite websites Attu Sees All this morning, I found an unusual laptop case that I thought was pretty fun. read more »