Car Talk

Is anyone else reminded of the callers on Coast to Coast AM?

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Tue Oct 13, 2009 - Comments (9)
Category: Technology, 1980s, Parody, Cars

Early TV Remote

Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 08, 2009 - Comments (8)
Category: Technology, Television, 1960s

30 Dumb Inventions

This has been making its way around the internet over the past few days, but it is still interesting. The Life website has a photo gallery of 30 dumb inventions. Most of them are just terrible, like an external baby cage for your (high rise) apartment window or a phone answering robot (who just happens to be mute), but this one in particular just strikes me as a great idea: Illuminated tires.



If these were actually available, which doesn't seem likely, I would definitely buy some. They just look so cool, especially on vintage cars like the one pictured above.

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Tue Oct 06, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Technology, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Want to Live Forever?

Well, you can't, but your DNA can for the small one time fee of $399. Under a mountain in a nuclear proof shelter in Switzerland is where it would be stored. Not only do they store your DNA, but also your memories. Once you get your DNA kit and send it back you can upload images, video, audio and documents to the SwissDNABank for them to store forever. I guess if human cloning ever becomes legal you could always come back.

Posted By: mdb777 - Sat Sep 12, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Death, Technology

Is the Palm Pre tracking owners?

Just when you thought it was safe to go out into the biosphere, new information at MSNBC show the Palm Pre may be reporting your location.



Here's the link to the story:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32409843/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Remember, Big Brother is watching you!!

Posted By: gdanea - Fri Aug 14, 2009 - Comments (2)
Category: Technology

Super Chikan

I'd like to see you get this sound out of a cigar box and broomstick!

Super Chikan's Wikipedia page.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 13, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Music, Regionalism, Technology

Jolly Green Giant + Stumbo = ?

Posted By: Paul - Fri Jul 17, 2009 - Comments (10)
Category: PSA’s, Technology, Advertising, Cartoons

SelectaVision

Once upon a time, before laser-read discs, there was SelectaVision: movie discs that were interpreted by a mechanical stylus, just like vinyl records.

Read about the technology here.

And there are plenty of players and discs for sale cheap on eBay, if you want to go retro!

The first four minutes of the video below show lots of period films offered in the medium. Starting at the four-minute mark, you see the player and how it works.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Jun 28, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Movies, Technology, Television, Yesterday’s Tomorrows

Video projector glasses

The designers want these to be used by people who are driving so they can see the GPS directions in the glasses.



I'm guessing this device will be the next thing to be banned for use while driving, since people will be watching videos, texting and reading e-mail on the road. The researcher even suggests reading e-mails during presentations!!

Posted By: gdanea - Mon Jun 22, 2009 - Comments (0)
Category: Technology

Great News For The Environmentally Unconscious

I know you're sitting there thinking "what can we do to make it more energy efficient to drive our cars rather than riding our bikes or walking." You're thinking that because you're lazy and don't want to give up the luxury of automated transportation. Oh. You weren't thinking that? That was just me? Figures. But there's some good news for me. Britain's Environmental Transport Association may have come up with a solution. Piezoelectric crystals. The idea is to embed a stretch of highway with the crystals, then each car that drives over a crystal contributes a tiny bit of energy, such that a single kilometer of roadway could generate 400-kilowatts of energy. That energy could then be collected, stored and used for any number of functions. But will it work? Absolutely. A Sainsbury's supermarket in Gloucester, UK has already put it into use, powering their checkout lanes.

Posted By: Nethie - Tue Jun 16, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, Science, Technology, Natural Resources