*facepalm* what ridiculous idea will they think up next for cars... a car bra? Oh wait, they did? Okay... how about testicles? They did that too? So they have eyelashes, a bra and testicles... They're turning cars into drag queens! How about some earings for the side mirrors?

I'm a little worried about the trophy wife in the third picture slamming a half bottle of wine before climbing in her compensation wagon and going on a killing spree.

Carlashes are eyelashes for your car (to compliment the thong). They're $25/pair (plus an extra $20 if you want crystal-stud "eyeliner"), and aimed at the women who already have enough trouble driving without constantly wondering if everybody is noticing how cute their car looks. Completely unacceptable. That said, somebody's about to have the prettiest Explorer in Los Angeles!

Here's a bunch more pictures in case you're actually wondering if Carlashes are right for you (no, they're not).

 

 

Classy! If your husband or boyfriend has those tailgate nutsacks, then you probably totally want these for your car. I bet you have a tweety bird tattoo too.

Keep those ideas and inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

Keychain-sized “multi-tools” have been popular for some time now, but never one that masquerades as an actual key. The KeyTool  ($10) is so small that it fits over most standard keys, offering a screwdriver, bottle opener, wire cutter, tweezers, finger nail cleaner, and nail file, all contained within a strong stainless steel sheath. Great for impromptu handyman work, or for carrying a host of tools onto a flight without getting harassed by the TSA.

 

Master Lock Speed Dial

Numbers? We don’t need no stinking numbers! World famous Master Lock presents a gesture-based security version of their classic they call “Master Lock Speed Dial”  ($13). The Speed Dial retains the looks of Master's traditional combination locks, but uses an analog nub-style rocker to open using a sequence of up, down, left, and right movements. Hmm… up, down, left, right? Why’s that sound so familiar..?

 

Keep those ideas and inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

 

With roughly 1/5th of Pakistan underwater, getting safe and readily available water to the 20 million people affected by the flooding is a Herculean task. Worldwide, almost 1 billion people have no access to safe drinking water, and contaminated water kills more people worldwide than all forms of violence combined. Seeking to provide a solution to this problem, South African researchers have created a water-purifying nanotech tea bag that costs half a cent. Portable, instantly effective and with no chance of recontamination, the tea bag sounds like the best idea since sliced bread. 

Here’s how the nanotech teabag works: it combines ultra-thin nanoscale fibers to filter harmful contaminants, while grains of activated carbon to kill bacteria. Simply put the tea bag in the neck of a water bottle and drink the water through it.

Marelize Botes, a microbiology researcher at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University says “The nanofibres will disintegrate in liquids after a few days and will have no environmental impact. The raw materials of the tea-bag filter are not toxic to humans.”

Even at half an American cent, the tea bag may be too expensive for the world’s poorest to afford — but that’s what NGOs are for, right?

Elegant. Simple. Effective. Involves cool technology. Saves lives.

This is science at it's most awesome.

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

The time between the wars – the Great War and WW2 was one of great loss and uncertainty, but also one of invention, creativity and new ideas. The horrors of WWI shattered the belief that progress would continue and reason would prevail. New ideas and patterns of life developed in the 1920′s and in the way that people looked at the world.

The fast pace of technology in the 20′s brought us the lie detector, the traffic signal, bubble gum and Penicillin. An all-electronic moving-image television system somewhat similar to that used today was invented and demonstrated in 1929.

The 30′s were no less invention-intensive bringing us the jet engine, helicopter, tea bags, sticky tape, ballpoint pen and the first photocopier.

However, somewhere between these great world-changing inventions there were some fun and sometimes even hilarious inventions the world has forgotten. I especially like the police revolver with the camera. That should be standard issue today. We’d have a video camera that started recording once the revolver was drawn which would go a long way to exonerating a police officer in the event of a disputed shooting.

It’s a bumper crop of Vintage Danni for your enjoyment.

Revolver Camera (New York, 1938)

 

Colt 38 carrying a small camera that automatically takes a picture when you pull the trigger. At the left: six pictures taken by the camera.

Bike Tyre Used As Swimming Aid (Germany, 1925)

A group of youngsters tied a bike tyre around the body as a swimming aid.

One Wheel Motorcycle (1931)

One wheel motorcycle (invented by Italian M. Goventosa de Udine). Maximum speed: 150 kilometers per hour ( 93 Mph).

Amphibious Bike ‘Cyclomer’ (Paris, 1932)

The Cyclomer, a bicycle on land and water can ride with a load of 120 pounds.

All Terrain Car (England, 1936)

All terrain car able to descend slopes up to 65 degrees.

Radio Pram (USA, 1921)

Pram provided with a radio, including antenna and loudspeaker, to keep the baby quiet.

Radio hat (USA, 1931)

Portable radio in a straw hat, made by an American inventor. (Is that a giant spliff?)

Bulletproof Glass (New York, 1931)

Bulletproof glass, demonstration by the best rifle man of the New York police, 1931.

Extensible Caravan (France, 1934)

Extensible caravan, built by a French engineer.

Piano For The Bedridden (UK, 1935)

Piano especially designed for people who are confined to bed.

Glasses For Reading In Bed (England, 1936)

Hamblin glasses. A pair of spectacles especially designed for reading in bed.

Electrically Heated Jacket (USA, 1932)

Electrically heated vest, developed for the traffic police in the United States. The power is supplied by electric contacts in the street.

Car With Shovel For Pedestrians (Paris, 1924)

Kind of shovel on a car. Purpose: reducing the number of casualties among pedestrians.

Early GPS (1932)

Sort of TomTom, early tripmaster. Works using rolling key map. The map passes the screen in a tempo that depends on the speed of the car.

Folding Emergency Bridge (Netherlands, 1926)

Folding bridge for emergencies, invented by L. Deth can easily be transported on a handcart.

Faxed Newspaper (1938)

In 1938 the first wireless newspaper was sent from WOR radiostation in New York. Photo shows children reading the children’s page of a Missouri paper.

Face Protection From Snowstorms (Canada, 1939)

Used to protect ones face from snowstorms. Canada, Montreal, 1939.

Gas War Resistant Pram (England, Hextable, 1938)

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and (especially if it's a BMW motorbike) I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

Fires: they burn houses down and ruin lives. But they also make fireworks work. smores smore and pipes smoke. OH THE DICHOTOMY! But what's a fire department to do when they get a rush-hour call that a child has set a recycling bin full of his sister's Barbies ablaze and the fire has spread to the neighbor's yard? Order pizza and crack a cold one? I think not...

The City of Liverpool in England has come up with a novel solution, and is testing a couple of specially equipped firefighting motorcycles. The bikes can be deployed when a full response from a fleet of full-sized engines isn't required, such as small car fires or so-called 'anti-social' fires.

The bikes will carry both a tank of water, and a supply of fire extinguishing foam, and the riders will wear special suits that are designed to work for both riding and firefighting.

Smart thinking, Liverpool. I'm almost tempted to move back home. Whoa whoa whoa -- I said almost. Call me when there's a firefighting jetpack.

Ok, Ok, Singapore has had them since 1998... that still doesn't beat Liverpool.

• Most successful football team in england
• Most successful band of all time
• City of culture
• World heritage site
• The 3 Graces (The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building)
• Best looking ladies in the UK
• And now, FIRE MOTORBIKES!

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and (especially if it's a BMW motorbike) I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

Sandy and Danni could have used one of these when they got friendly, down in the sa-a-a-a-nd.

A beach umbrella, sun tent, rain shelter, and more all in one, the SKLZ Sport-Brella gives you instant portable protection from the elements regardless of your activity. The Sport-Brella looks somewhat like a traditional beach shelter/umbrella, with a large canopy that shields an entire family or team while they lounge on the beach or hang out on the soccer sidelines. The similarities end there, however, as the Sport-Brella sets up in just three seconds. As a result, you don’t have to deal with finicky stakes or willowy tarps should a rainstorm roll in without notice. Just pop open the umbrella and you’re set.

Check out the Amazon video after the jump.

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

 

Stand-up toothbrushes are toothbrushes with an integrated Weeble Wobble (read: weighted base) at one end so they always stand up and don't collect fecal particulate laying on the bathroom sink (oh it's there -- you can't see it but it's there).

Take one look at this brilliant design concept for a toothbrush, and you can see how it's a big improvement over current designs. Set it down, and its head pops upright, thanks to a weight embedded in the bottom.

The toothbrush's bulbous base fits neatly in the hand, too. It's such a good idea, it won a Red Dot Concept Award.

Impressive. But you know what would be even more impressive? If the actual brush heads were replaceable so I didn't have to buy a $10 weighted handle every time I needed a new brush. BOOM -- CONSIDER IT INVENTED! Hello, Oral-B? Transfer me to the check-writing department. JK, Manual brushes are so 1997... Sonicare FTW!

Thanks to Jason W. for the link. He's a stand-up guy who never, ever wobbles on the job.

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

The Sub Jumpa is a $60 pogo stick made for use underwater. It looks marginally more fun than drowning.

This is the only pogo stick designed for use in swimming pools that allows you to perform a variety of waterborne stunts as you bounce off walls or bottoms. A rigid ball filled with water fits into the non-slip footrest, providing responsive push-off when compressed against a pool's floor with your body weight, enabling you to splash effortlessly in shallower water and bound powerfully through deeper water. The stick is made from heavy-duty ABS plastic with two rubber handlebars for a firm grip. For use with in-ground pools with solid surfaces

Oh man, just imagine the hours of enjoyment actually having a good time playing with this thing. Impossible, isn't it? It is.

Thanks to Fenn, who doesn't need a pogo stick to have a good time in the water -- just a ton of pool noodles.

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

Don't want your dog/cat/possum/neighbor drowning in the pool? Then you obviously need a Skamper Ramp! (I should really go into advertising). 

Skamper-Ramp is white and it angles down into the water, enabling your pet--and even critters to see it leading out, day or night, 24/7. Skamper-Ramp provides peace-of-mind because your pet (or the critter you didn't want to see there in the first place!) can 'scamper' out of the water--pool or walled pond, even back on a dock or boat ALL BY ITSELF!

The ramp comes in two sizes and costs $70 and $100. Alternatively, drain your pool till there's only water in the deep end. Now I know what you're thinking, "Damn Danni, does your genius know no bounds?" And it doesn't. That shit's boundless. 

Seriously, I had to pull a bloated possum out of the neighbors pool one time, and that was nasty. Spare yourself the trauma and invest in a Skamper ramp! (I swear I'm not being paid for this... although i should be. I'd make a great spokesmodel).

I love this gig, researching and sharing all these cool Ideas & Gadgets with you. Like those fake nipples all the kids are talking about.

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~

One day in 2006, stuck in bumper-to-bumper Bay Area traffic, Amir Abolfathi had a eureka moment. Formerly vice president of R&D for Invisalign, a company known for transparent dental braces, he had recently been chatting with a friend who was working on hearing aids. Abolfathi knew that bone was a good sound conductor. What if he could somehow make a removable oral hearing aid—one that could channel sound from wearers’ teeth to their ear through the bones in their head?

That moment of freeway inspiration gave rise to the SoundBite, a device designed for sufferers of single-sided deafness, which strikes about 50,000 people every year in the U.S. After his friend, Michael Benninger, an otolaryngologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, told him it could really help to solve the problem, Abolfathi set about turning his idea into reality. The biggest challenge was miniaturization, so he opted for a piezoelectric actuator, which needs very little power to generate the vibrations that travel through bone. That allowed him to use a much smaller battery, making the entire insert compact enough to fit comfortably in the mouth.

Invention: SoundBite
Inventor: Amir Abolfathi
Cost: $19 million
Time: 4 years
Is It Ready Yet? 1 2 3 4 5

Made of acrylic, SoundBite snaps onto a user’s molars. A tiny microphone worn in the deaf ear wirelessly beams incoming sound to an electronic receiver in the molar insert,

which transmits sound waves from the teeth through the bones in the jaw to the cochlea, the part of the ear that processes sound. (Traditional hearing aids only amplify sound, so they don’t work for people with non-functioning cochlea.) The battery lasts for six to eight hours at a time and can be recharged in a wall outlet.

The best remedy for single-sided deafness currently on the market is a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA), which, like the SoundBite, uses direct bone conduction to deliver sound to the cochlea. But BAHA installation involves surgically implanting a titanium post into the base of the skull. Other noninvasive tooth-based systems have been attempted, but none was ever fully developed and brought to market.
The SoundBite restores hearing just as effectively as a BAHA but requires no surgery. Instead it can be popped in and out of the mouth like a retainer. In clinical trials that wrapped up in February, patients typically reported that it restored from 80 to 100 percent of their hearing in the deaf ear and that they scarcely noticed they were wearing it. Lawrence Lustig, the director of the University of California at San Francisco Cochlear Implant Center, is so impressed with the SoundBite that he says he’ll recommend it to people who would otherwise have to undergo surgery.

If the device secures FDA approval as anticipated, it will hit the market this summer for around $6,000. (Surgery for a BAHA can run well over $10,000.) Abolfathi’s company, Sonitus Medical, plans to negotiate with insurance providers to reimburse patients for at least part of the cost. Abolfathi is also investigating other applications for the technology, including wireless, water-safe MP3 players and stealth communication for intelligence personnel. But even if those don’t pan out, he’s satisfied to know that he’s already improved people’s lives. “One patient just e-mailed and told me, ‘I saw Avatar, and it was great. I hadn’t been to a movie in years.’”

Keep those inventions coming and be sure to send a prototype to me and I'll review it for you right here on dannisblog.

Danni~