Creative Vlog

World’s Tallest LEGO Tower

2008-10-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

You may have heard or seen pictures of the 100ft tall Lego tower that was recently built in the Rathaus Platz in Vienna. But now, check out this video showing how, with the help of 3,000 kids and 500,000 Lego pieces, the tower was built.

Now just imagine yourself pushing that thing down and watching the insuing destructive catastrophe. Oh Fun Fun Fun!
[Via TechEblog]

21st Century Monocycle by Ben Wilson

2008-07-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

21st Century Monocycle by Ben Wilson

Ben Wilson Monocycle, Ben Wilson Design UK, Ben Wilson Design, XXIst Century Man Exhibition, XXIst Century Man Exhibit Tokyo, monowheel, monocycle, human powered transportation, pedal powered transportation, bicycles, bike transportation

Are traditional bikes a bit too pedestrian for you? Ben Wilson recently unveiled a sleek monocycle at this year’s XXIst Century Man Exhibition in Tokyo. Wilson’s pedal-powered prototype one-ups those tendentious “bi-cycles” with a single center-seated wheel. The elegant nimbus may not provide for the smoothest ride, but it more than makes up for it via its pure awesome appeal.

Ben Wilson Monocycle, Ben Wilson Design UK, Ben Wilson Design, XXIst Century Man Exhibition, XXIst Century Man Exhibit Tokyo, monowheel, monocycle, human powered transportation, pedal powered transportation, bicycles, bike transportation

Wilson has worked in transportation design ever since he studied at the Royal College of Art. His projects frequently explore innovative applications for pedal powered transport: “Ever since cycling for the first time without stabilizers I have been fascinated by human propulsion. Over the years the myth of the monowheel has become an equal fascination.”

His search for the elusive monocycle eventually brought him to create his own: “Since the 1860s many patents have been filed in the monowheel’s name and today there are even rumors of a production monowheel in China, but as it stands there is nothing currently available. As we couldn’t buy a monowheel we made one.” Wilson doesn’t intend his one wheeled cycle as an improvement upon the bicycle; he states that “its value comes from the discourse and ideas generated as a result of this research.” We still want one.

Source: Ben Wilson Design

Amazing Origami V-12 Four-Stroke Engine Runs on Pure Ingenuity

2008-06-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

There are some DIY projects that are cool, some that are useful, and then there are others -- like the full-running Origami V-12 four-stroke engine -- that are simply awesome.
Built by a self-employed Montreal man named Yee, the Origami V-12 is a paper engine that pumps just like real engines (with the help of electrical wires, a resistor, a motor and a battery holder). It looks complicated because it is: One V-12 engine consists of 195 sheets of fine-printed patterns. From those sets, 1,978 pieces are used in total. And it only weighs 3.2 lbs when finished. This makes your 1,000-piece puzzle look like a piece of cake.

But if you have the intestinal fortitude to go through with it, the build comes together rather beautifully: The engine representations include a compound crankshaft (running at 13.5 rpm), cooling fan, 12 rods, 12 pistons and 12 spark plugs (which "ignite" on each cycle pump).
You can buy your own Origami V-12 engine online for about $110. The package includes, along with the paper, a PDF with 575 pages of detailed, picture-filled instructions. You will also need white glue and a sharp knife with a comfortable handle, for precise maneuvering.
Check out the video after the jump:

According its creator, all the patterns are printed on acid-free heavy paper, which means that it won't fade away after a few years. You can also buy the patterns straight from the creator and print them out yourself, but we think that's a terrible idea, especially for us at the office. When we're not writing about the latest gadgetry, you can find us wrestling (OK, pleading) with the copy machine to do our bidding, and the daemon never does listen.
So if you choose to try it out to avoid your family in another completely obsessive hobby, we recommend that you place this very delicate origami in a safe area, away from foot traffic and rabid dogs.
Thanks to John M. for the tip!