Smart Stuff – The World's Smartest Stuff

Third hanger chair. Is this the original?

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:03:09 +0100

We posted on Jörg Gätjens' hanger chair back in 2005. (see picture B after the jump). Two years later we found another chair made along the same basic idea, this time from Pottinger & Cole (picture C after the jump). At the time we suspected that P&C had looked a little too much at Gätjens' chair/nightstand before they made theirs. But, lo and behold, this weekend we found a third variation (picture A after the jump) along this idea, and it looks like the oldest by far. So maybe Jörg Gätjens too found his inspiration outside of his own studio... Today's find is called "Jakkens Hvile" or "Valet chair JH-540" and it was designed in the early fifties (probably 1953) by well known Danish designer Hans Wegner (1914 - 2007) for furniture maker Johannes Hansen. The Valet chair is still in production, now by PP Møbler, and it's available new for about DKK 50,000:- (about USD 9,600:-). A vintage Valet chair will be a lot more expensive, you'll probably have to pay somewhere around USD 10,000:- to 15,000:- to lay your hands on one. Here's one for sale for SEK 95,000:- (about USD 13,000:-).

Saab 1947 - 2009.

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:59:37 +0100

A sad day, indeed. We had somehow hoped there would be a way to save Saab.

Rechargeable battery with built-in dynamo.

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:41:22 +0100

We have previously posted on different gadgets that can be re-charged with their own built-in generators. The most well known are perhaps the devices (among others a radio and a music player) invented by Trevor Baylis. There are also cell phone chargers and torches/flashlights based on the same idea. The advantages are obvious. The new concept (above) from Yanko Design may be taking it a bit too far, though. Maybe it would have been smarter to design a crank powered battery charger where one could charge several batteries at once, rather than fitting a charger/dynamo to each battery. Looks like these batteries could be much too expensive for success. But, on the other hand, it's both smart and elegant, like so often when it's Yanko.

Rotating multi power outlet for all the plugs of the world.

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:46:09 +0100

We previously posted on a world power outlet helper map, but wouldn't it be better if we had a world standard? Since we're not likely to have one any time soon maybe this idea could help solve this everyday problem. There's really no information at all on this idea; it's probably a weather balloon sent out to probe possible interest. Judging from the picture all the world's power plug variations could be accommodated in this turning slot machine like socket. Maybe an idea for the travel- and hotel industry? We're publishing it in spite of the scarce information, since we're always open for new ideas even if we don't know who came up with them. If this idea gets enough attention, we're sure the inventor will come forward eventually. We'll get back on the subject when this happens.

Blast-proof kevlar wall paper.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:49:55 +0100

It may not be as pretty as the one in your living room, but it has other properties that your wall paper don't. It's blast-proof. And wrecking-ball proof as Popsci has verified The secret behind this strength (or maybe remarkable resilience is a Kevlar-like material sandwiched with an elastic polymer. This combination has proved so successful that the US Army is considering using it in their bases and compounds in Iraq and Afghanistan. Us civilians might have a chance to build ourselves a bomb-proof home, too, since a commercial is said to be under development. Christmas gift of the year 2010? After the jump there's a video from a test that Popular Science did using a wrecking ball.

360° turning fireplace.

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:40:10 +0100

This idea for a fireplace must be ideal for today's open layouts. Now you can have the same fireplace both in the kitchen and in the living room. It's called Turn and it turns 360° around it's own stove pipe. Turn it towards the kitchen while you're cooking dinner, and towards the living room when the guests have arrived and are having drinks. Perfect. From Conmoto.

Ski-roller.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:44:21 +0100

Carrying skis and ski poles on the shoulder has never felt optimal. There's always the risk that you accidentally hit someone's head or get your own eyes poked. But that's what everybody does, so that's what we have done, too. Now someone has been thinking, and offers the Ski-Z. A small wheel that you attach to your skis with Velcro, and it allows you to pull your skis behind you pretty much like a suitcase. It's USD 28:-.

Scrap Trap kitchen refuse collector.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:03:09 +0100

Cutting veggies unavoidably produces not only nicely cut salad ingredients There's also the peels and other odds and ends you don't want to include in your food. Now, if you're standing by the sink it's easy. But what if you want to lend a hand and there's no more room at the sink? Well, here's the Scrap Trap. A small collection vessel that attaches over the edge of a drawer or cabinet door and collects all the unwanted stuff. Simple and pretty smart. It's USD 10:- on Amazon.

Fire proof paint.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:13:59 +0100

Well, it's actually fire retardant, but it can stop fire for up to one hour. That's a long time. It was developed by British Envirograf, and it has been further developed by a Norwegian company called Biokjemi Norge. There are two versions of the paint; one that prevents flames from spreading (mostly used in corridors and evacuation lanes), and one that that actually stops fire altogether. It's available in white or clear and both can be painted over with regular paint so you can have the color you want. It has been used in places like the Buckingham Palace in London, on 200 temples in Beijing for the Olympic Games, and the new Opera House in Oslo, Norway. To test and document the paint's fire retardant properties the Norwegians made an experiment on an old building that was to be demolished anyway. (above). The house had two doors; the one on the left was treated with two coats of the fire retardant paint and another smart invention - heat sensitive expanding insulation strips, the other (on the right) was left as it was. After 7-8 minutes the untreated door was virtually gone. After 20 minutes the treated door was showing cracks, but had not let any fire through. This feels like the thing to get if you have something really valuable and fire-prone in the house.

Smartest wall wart since Edison.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:51:20 +0100

The Russian design firm Art Lebedev Studio has done it again. Art Lebedev achieved instant fame for the cool Optimus Maximus keyboard where each key is a programmable OLED display. Smart and fun, but a bit on the expensive side at USD 2,000:-. And it took a loooong time before they could bring it to market. Their new concept is the Rozetkus wall power socket with four extra outlets hidden in the wall when they aren't needed. All you do is push the socket and it pops out to make the four extras available. I guess the Rozetkus socket will require more room than what's available inside most current wall structures, but when you're building from scratch or redecorating it would be very nice indeed. If it will even reach production, and what the price would be at that point is anyone's guess. Our tip is it'll take a while, and it won't come cheap. However, ever since we laid eyes on it we've wanted one...

The CycleHoop makes every signpost into a bike rack.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:10:43 +0100

We think there are way too few bike racks in most cities and towns we've seen. Except possibly Copenhagen and Amsterdam. If there were more places to secure one's bike, more people might pedal to work. But of course, putting in bike racks is a lot of work for any community with digging holes and pouring concrete and so on and forth. Bot there are better ideas. The CycleHoop, for instance, can fastened to almost any signpost and (Presto!) you have a parking and locking facility for two bikes. There's almost no end to how many bike racks you could have. Count the number of signposts next time you walk down a street, and you'll see. The CylceHoop is apparently currently tested in the London boroughs of Islington and Southwark.

Is this the ultimate folding spork?

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:24:03 +0100

The fact that we like sporks is probably no secret. We're attracted to the simplicity of smart combinations like the spork. It saves space, weight and, not unimportant in our opinion, it saves on materials. We found this spork just now, and could not resist the urge to post it right away. It's made from Titanium (Ti) and it has been supplemented with a can- and bottle opener plus a belt clip. It's not exactly cheap at USD 34:-, but we'll make an effort to squeeze it into the Christmas shopping budget. From Tad Gear.

RidgeBlade - wind power on your own rooftop.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:03:15 +0100

We've seen small(ish) wind power rigs for private homes before. We've also seen, and posted on, wind power towers using turbines similar to this one. But the idea to knock the tower on it's side and putting it across a rooftop is new. At least to us. The RidgeBlade, as it is called, won the 2009 "Green Challenge", an idea competition arranged by the Dutch Post Code Lottery. The smart angle with the RidgeBlade, if we are to believe the website, is the fact the it can benefit from the extra speed that wind often gathers when passing a rooftop, and that the device can be fitted (and retro fitted) into urban areas where a wind tower would be impossible. The Ridge Blade is so far just a concept, but the people behind it has promised more details in 2010. We're looking forward to it.

Light-switch organizer holds keys and mail.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:04:34 +0100

We like it simple. Like this little powder coated sheet of aluminum with two knobs for keys and a holder for outgoing mail. We don't send much snail mail anymore, and we suspect you don't either, but there's nothing wrong with organizing the ones you do send. And keys, well, we always need somewhere to put those. As you can see, the organizer is designed for US light-switches Ours look different, but I suppose some enterprising soul could design one that would fit. For those among our dear reader who have US switches, the thing is USD 25:- at the Moma Store.

The amazing rake rakes, grips and saves your back.

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:11:38 +0100

If there's any modern invention that we have a hard time accepting, it's the motorized leaf blower. They make a lot of noise, they pollute the air, use up gas, and they don't even seem to be very efficient. But, of course, they require a minimum of effort from the operator, and raking leaves can be backbreaking work. Now that we don't live in a house anymore we're not really bothered by fall leaves, even though there are surprisingly many on our terrace. If were to have a house and a lawn again, we'd have a closer look at this rake invention. It does not only rake, it also gathers, grips and helps save one's back. It can fold it's jaws around the gathered leaves and spare you the beck bending otherwise required. It's called the Amazing Rake (what else) and it's USD 40:- on Amazon.

Gladiator Claw bike hanger.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:41:45 +0200

Bringing a bike up into ones apartment also brings some problems. The thing is to get the bike stowed away safely, without it being in the way and yet easy to access. This construction is possibly meant more for garage or shed use, but it would probably work just as well inside ones hallway. Here's how it works; when you hit the button with your tire the hooks open to let you take the bike down. When you wish to store the bike the hooks are open, but they close the moment you hit the button with the tire again. Pretty fly. From Gladiator Garage Works. The Gladiator Claw is USD 39:-- on Amazon.

Flashlight with a built in clamp.

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:42:15 +0200

There's plenty of flashlights out there, but we haven't seen one this smart for a long time. The one that comes closest is possibly the flashlight with it's own tripod that we posted on a while back. This new work-light has a strong clamp instead, which makes it possible to attach to most any object around your work area. To boot, the actual light can be turned and tilted to let you shine the light exactly where you want it. The Blackfire Clamplight is USD 30:- on Amazon.

A sad day, indeed...

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:40:24 +0200

...since one of our favorite kitchen tools has broken in two. It's one of our fine Microplane graters that has decided to call it quits. The handle has broken away from the grater right where the rubberized part is attached. And it's not the first time. The same thing has happened once before. That time we got a replacement grater from the Microplane representative and after some time also an explanation from the Microplane engineers. Apparently the break that time happened because the clear plastic used for some reason did not work well with Swedish (or European) machine wash powders. This was almost three years ago, and the replacement grater has weathered countless washes since then. Until yesterday. We have another grater of the same type from Microplane, and we're going to keep it out of the dishwasher from now on. We'll try to get in touch with Microplane to see what they have to say.

Wind powered cell phone tower for remote sites.

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:20:12 +0200

Everybody knows you have to charge your cellphone to make it work. But how many have given the power needs of cell phone towers any thought? Well, one has in a way taken it for granted that the towers are powered, but never cared about how said towers actually get the electricity they need. Consider a tower in the middle of nowhere. Or a mile further down the trail. What an impressive roll of cable they must have used. And the cost of it all. Now, consider a tower that is self-sufficient in electricity. That would mean we could put a lot more cell towers out there and get rid of many of those pesky no-service spots. Here's such an idea, based on wind power. We have actually seen similar ideas before, but they were based on solar power. Solar is nice in Africa and such warm places, but up here in the icy North, we'd be out of cell phone service most of winter. Wind power looks smarter, and especially so since they have developed a special spiral shaped "propeller" that can catch winds from just about any direction. The idea comes from Helix Wind and they are supposed to start testing in the US and Nigeria in November.

Solar powered water purifier.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:41:10 +0200

The 2009 Index Awards winner was the smart and simple Chulha stove. (Read about it here.) But among the final nominees there's a lot of other interesting ideas that we think deserve a mention, too. Like the solar powered water purifier Solar Water Plant. We have been posting on water and water purification earlier here on Smart Stuff because we think the supply of clean drinking water is one of the most important issues in the world today. We have also presented a few different ideas for ecologically sustainable water cleaners. (More on our water-related pages.) The Solar Water Plant is as far as we can see not a new invention, but more like a development of existing ideas toward clean water production on a larger scale than previous projects. The system consists of two tanks of water and a solar power module that warms pasteurizes and cleans the water. To this is added a thermostat that stops the use of water that has not been sufficiantly heated. Design by Kent Laursen and Anders Fjendbo Jørgensen.

Homes built with sandbags.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:41:14 +0200

The 2009 Index Awards winner was the smart and simple Chulha stove. (Read about it here.) But among the final nominees there's a lot of other interesting ideas that we think deserve a mention, too. Like the Indaba house above. The house is built around a timber framework filled with sandbags that are covered with chicken wire and finally plastered over. All the components of the buildings can be mass produced locally, and provide employment even for non skilled labor. The initiative for Design Indaba is part of a priject where 490 homes were erected in the Freedom Park area in Capetown, South Africa. Design by Luyanda Mpahlwa at MMA architect firm in Capetown.

Heat exchanger for bathroom drains.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:35:23 +0200

The 2009 Index Awards winner was the smart and simple Chulha stove. (More here.) But among the final nominees there's a lot of other interesting ideas that we think deserve a mention, too. Like the Ecodrain heat exchanger above, for instance. The Ecodrain can be fitted to all new bathrooms (or put in when renovating). In place it re-uses the heat from gray-water to pre-heat fresh water for bath and shower. Design by David Velan and Rana Bose. The prototype was made by Steeltek International, Canada. More on the Index Awards page and at Ecodrain.

A new house for USD 700:-.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:33:50 +0200

The 2009 Index Awards winner was the smart and simple Chulha stove. (More here.) But among the final nominees there's a lot of other interesting ideas that we think deserve a mention, too. One of these ideas is this design for a house that can be erected (and dismantled) by non-skilled workers in two days. The house is meant to be used as temporary housing by victims of natural disasters, and it's no more that USD 700:-. It's more robust and more durable than a tent, which means that people can live in it longer and under better circumstances while new permanent housing is being built. When the USD 700-in no longer needed it can be picked apart to be erected somewhere else where it's needed using the same materials. Design by architects Jan Schreiber and Stefan Becker.

Smart stove to save lives - and firewood.

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:09:36 +0200

The winners of Index awards 2009 were announced recently. And even though none of the inventions and designs we nominated made it to the winner's circle, we'll post our pick of the winners and the nominees we think should have won a prize. The stove above won the Home category. The idea with the Chulha stove is to reduce the amount of toxic fumes resulting from burning solid fuels indoors. Many households in the developing world still cook their food this way. The World Health Organization estimates that smoke causes some 1.6 million deaths yearly in the Third World. The Chulha stove also uses the available fuel (wood, dung, peat, etc) more effectively that an ordinary open fire. Philips Design, who have been working on developing the stove since 2005, now offers the design to anyone in the third world who will undertake production and distribution of the simple modular design.

Make your own handwriting into a font in ten minutes.

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 19:39:52 +0200

We just did. It may not be the prettiest hand in the land, but the process was quick and simple. The whole thing took about ten minutes. Everything is done over the 'net, so there's no scary software to download. You do need a printer and a scanner, though. If you don't have a printer or a scanner you could print and scan at a friends house, but then it would probably take more than ten minutes. If you have all the necessary hardware ready, all you have to do is go over to FontCapture and get started. It's free, too. We'll probably have another go at our own handwritten typeface, and this time we'll try to write a little tidier...

Disposable razor with shaving foam dispenser.

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:57:29 +0200

Why not? It's actually not that easy (at least not where we live) to find those travel friendly mini containers of shaving foam. The pharmacies usually have some during the spring holiday pre-season, and just the other day we found one at a French Carrefour supermarket, but other than that they are usually non existent These we could buy a number of and save for future trips. They are available from the American Target online store at USD 10:- for a pack of three.

Power strip secret stash.

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:38:08 +0200

This surge protector diversion safe caught our eye. Now, in retrospect, we realize this may not be a good thing for a product that is supposed to blend into the background and not attract attention, but we stand by our first impression. The surge protector power strip secret safe could well serve it's purpose left on the floor with a few power plugs attached. That is, until the thief decides to use a vacant socket to charge his or her cellphone. It's USD 30:- here.

Smart tiny screwdrivers for your keychain.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:16:04 +0200

"Oh, no", you say, "not another mini tool""But of course", we say. And intro's the "Screw Key", two small screwdrivers made to fit your key ring so you can bring them everywhere. At any rate everywhere you bring your keys. And that is pretty much everywhere, at least in our book. The screw drivers are made from blackened stainless steel and they are USD 5:- for both, one flat and one Phillips style.

Multi tool pen with lots of tools.

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:05:02 +0200

We have a certain faiblesse for multi tools. Why this is, we don't know, but maybe it's because we never got to buying any of them in our childhood. Everything can be traced back to childhood, yes? Anyway, here's a fine looking multi tool which offers no less than 13 different tools. They are 1. hole punch, 2. stainless steel file, 3. short cutter, 4. ordinary flat screw driver, 5. cable stripper combined with 6. small nail puller (not that kind of nails), 7. ear picker (don't ask about this one) 8. longer cutter, 9. tweezers, 10. Phillips screw driver, 11. fork and 12. saw. For everyone who does not add this up to 13 we must say; did you forget about the pen? Anyway, this small wonder is GBP 10:- (about USD 16:-) which does not strike us as exactly dirt cheap, but considering all the tools... Maybe it's on this years wish-list anyway...

Could the laptop envelope fool a thief?

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:31:39 +0200

We don't write much, like almost never, on the subject of laptop bags or sleeves and such. The reason is that the degree of innovation among such products is usually limited to new colors or patterns. Not exactly cutting edge smart in our book. Not even when the world was flooded with manila envelopes after His Steveness presented the MacBook Air by pulling it from an envelope like that, were we swayed. But now the shoe is on the other foot or something. Take a close look at the picture above. It's not that someone has shoved their laptop into an old envelope. Oh, no. It's someone who has taken upon himself to make a laptop sleeve that looks like an old envelope. You're even supposed to be able to write on it, if you like. Apart from it being waterproof and heavily padded to protect your little darling inside. It's called the Undercover Laptop Sleeve and it's available on the British Lazybone webshop. Available in two sizes for GBP 20:- (approx. USD 34:-).

Hanger stops shirts from sliding down the clothes line.

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:15:39 +0200

We don't hang our washing outside anymore, but we still remember how nice the clothes smelled after drying in the sun. So, if you are in the habit of drying your washing in your back yard, you may have noticed that shirts on hangers have a tendency to gather at the lowest point of the clothes line. And when they are there they don't dry so fast. One solution is the hanger in the picture, designed by Marcos Thomas, Nó Design (Brazil) and bronze winner in the 2009 IDSA International Design Excellence Awards. As far as we know it's not yet fore sale, but maybe soon...

Simple fix for broken zipper pulls.

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 01:47:30 +0200

We have a super winter coat from Marmot which suffered the loss of one of the zipper pulls a couple of years back when the coat was almost new. No-one had the time nor the inclination to kick up a fight with the store or the manufacturer at the time, so it's been equipped with an emergency replacement ever since. A paper clip. Works just fine, actually, but it's not very fashionable. A while back we posted on Swedish ZipClip who created the ZlideOn - a handy replacement zipper shoe for broken zippers. And now we find the Zipper Fixer and it's USD 8:- for two. It looks like the coat will have a proper zipper this winter after all.

Make your own wasp-trap from a soda bottle - or two.

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:29:28 +0200

This idea to make a D-I-Y wasp-trap may not be exactly new, we've seen it some time before, but it might just be handy now that wasp season is all over us. The top schematic (A) shows how to make a standing wasp-trap from an ordinary PET soda bottle. Just cut, turn, glue and load up with wasp bait (anything sweet and liquid is usually fine). The other (B) is bit more complicated (and involves two PET bottles) but it results in a wasp-trap that you can hang from a branch of a tree or an awning or something like that. Why you can't make a hanging trap by making a couple of small holes along the top edge of the first one we don't know, but we'd try it. Maybe it has something to do with the way the wasps enter the trap, from the top or the bottom, but there is unfortunately no explanation on the site called TipNut where we found the how-to's.

Ironing board and mirror mash up.

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:22:01 +0200

It is just a concept, but why not? If the designer reliably can solve the apparent stability problem with this design, it could very well become a commercially viable product. Designed by Aïssa Logerot.

Pegboard hook lock.

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:14:05 +0200

Anyone with any experience with pegboards know that the little hooks have an annoying habit of unhooking from the pegboard and fall to the floor when you try to pick up a tool. And every time you have to get down on your hands and knees to find it. It's even worse if you happen to have put a work bench in front of the peg board. And of course you have. However, there's help handy. The little locking pins are called peg locks and they are made by an American company called The Lehigh Group. They are USD 2:-- (about GBP 1:20) for a 25-pack on Amazon.

Food taster's unitool.

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:03:07 +0200

We read a lot of sites (or at least their RSS-feeds) that cover fun and practical and unique and crazy gadgets, ideas and inventions. One of those sites is "The Gadgeteer", where we found this new taster's tool. One end has a fork to pick up solid food, the other a small spoon to taste sauces or soups. It also sports a small hook to pick up pasta to see if it's al dente like it should. We usually test pasta by throwing a strand against the tiled kitchen backdrop (if it slides, it's not done, if it stays, it's just right). This little invention is of course much more elegant than our crude ways, but it's also a lot more expensive. It's a whopping USD 32:- plus shipping, and while we would never buy one at that price, we still like the idea. Design by Carl Mertens.

A third chair with built-in hanger.

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:49:56 +0200

We like this idea. But we don't like when designers have their ideas, eh..., borrowed, even if this has been said to be the utmost form of flattery. In that case, Jörg Gätjens should be one of the most flattered designers in the world. His hanger-chair (A), that we found back in December 2005 have now apparently provided inspiration for yet another interpretation (C). It's Studio Niels & Sven in Dutch Hilversum (scroll down a bit on the page) who seem to have thought that there's room for another take on this concept. The second one, (B), comes from Poettinger & Cole and we found it in February 2007. That's the end of today's gripe, we're calling it a day this sunny and hot Friday afternoon. Beer and BBQ awaits. Have a nice weekend, see you on Monday!

Grilling basket for meatballs.

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:46:14 +0200

We like meatballs. Preferably our own, of course, which we slowly and lovingly roll from a mixture of ground lamb and beef. With nothing added except an egg and spices. Or moose with a bit of pork mixed in so it won't get dry or "short" in texture. This meatball basket is supposed to give your meatballs the right grilled smoky flavor Made from stainless steel with room for twelve meatballs. Unfortunately it requires hand wash and it costs an arm and half a leg. But from this day it's on our wish-list.

Inflight gadget organizer.

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:02:12 +0200

Flown with any budget carrier lately? Or on a charter flight to the sun? In that case you're likely to have noticed the sorry lack of space between your knees and the seat back in front of you. And that it was practically impossible to get your inflight bag from the floor to put it in you lap. Some other people must have had the same experience, 'cause that someone has gone and invented this seat back organizer for us. You fasten it to the little table, and since the top half of pockets looks to be closeable, we suspect you can even drop the table if need be. USD 12:85.

Key with built-in key ring.

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:08:34 +0200

This has been doing the rounds on the 'net for a few days, but we could not resist posting it since some of our readers might not have seen it. After all it's a brilliant idea, and it looks to be more than a design concept since a company called Amron Experimental not only offers uncut keys with the smart ring, but also stakes in the patent behind it.

We're back.

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:07:37 +0200

You might have noticed that we've been off-line for a while. About a month, actually. But we needed that after four and a half years of almost daily posting. Now we're back with the pick of the litter in inventions, products and ideas.

Hide away your stuff with hinge hooks.

Thu, 14 May 2009 00:02:54 +0200

These clever hooks would not work at our house, since we don't have the right kind of door hinges. But if we did, we'd be tempted to get a few of these hinge hooks. We'd put one on the bathroom door to hang the bathrobe and one just like it on the bedroom door. Then we could put a hook or two just any place we'd need to get some hang-able stuff out of sight. As long as the door stays open, no-one is the wiser. A is USD 30:45, B is USD 4:-, C is USD 8:- and D, finally, is USD 13:- on Amazon.

See-through easy cleanable drain fixture.

Wed, 06 May 2009 23:39:59 +0200

Someone might think this is a bit gross, considering how drains use to look on the inside. At least when they are clogged and you have to take them apart to clean. But why not look at it from another angle. If you can see the build-up early you could clean it out before the drain is clogged. Or use another cool feature of the PermaFlow drain fixture from PF Waterworks. The built-in rubber cleaner. The black part inside the drain above can be made to rotate using the knob o n the left. This will rub off any gooey buildup and with a bit of luck you'll never have to take it apart ever again... It's made of ABS plastic and it's about USD 42:-.

The moped cone - a smart but forgotten invention.

Mon, 04 May 2009 22:48:21 +0200

In today's paper edition of Dagens Nyheter (Sweden's biggest daily) they mention an invention that we've almost forgotten about. An invention that in spite of it's simple brilliance and usability (the Swedish Army had tons of these for their motorcycle messagers in the day) has been overrun by newer technology - like the motorcycle helmet with covering visor. The moped cone over time infiltrated into civilian life, and although it was mocked and ridiculed it was pretty smart in it's simplicity. When riding a moped or motorcycle in the winter, and as long as you kept a reasonable speed, the cone helped form a cushion of warm air in front of your face, preventing the cold winter air from entering and deep-freezing your face. This surely saved a lot of noses from frostbite. In the summer the cone would prevent raindrops or insects from hitting your face, but as far as we can remember they were mostly used in the winter. Picture scanned from Dagens Nyheter.

Spray bottle that sprays upward.

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:45:31 +0200

Why is it that the simplest things are the hardest to invent? Or why does it seem so, anyway? Look at this spray bottle, for instance. How long have you wished you had one of these? We have wished we had one for several years, I can tell you. Especially when getting down to the job illustrated, which we suspect is spraying with soap water to get rid of plant-lice. Oh, well, it's available in the US for USD 7:95.

Will the plug fit the socket?

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:12:31 +0200

This plug and sockets thing can be pretty confusing sometimes. That's why we were very happy to find this clear and easy-to-understand map on the always interesting blog Book of Joe. As we live in Sweden, we belong to the light green part of the world, and it seems we can travel most of it without having to buy an adapter. (Here's a larger map.) Another thing one might mull over is how this map reflects the great power's influence over the world in terms of who uses what socket and plug system. Half of Latin America, Saudi, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia (in part) and Liberia use the US system. Great Britain has exported her system to China, a number of countries in Africa, plus Burma (Myanmar) and Malaysia. Then there's of course anomalies. Australia should, according to this theory, use the British system, but have instead invented their own, and exported it to Argentine, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. And how it came to be that South Africa, Namibia, Benin and Togo uses the same sockets as India, Pakistan and Afghanistan is anybody's guess.

A fan to distribute warm air around the house.

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:34:45 +0200

Many years ago we had the pleasure of getting to know a remarkably multitalented man. His name was Waldemar Ludvigson (RIP) an besides being a much beloved husband, father, and grandfather he was also a journalist, photographer, ornithologist, writer, heritage researcher, and a bit of an inventor. He designed and built many a clever device for the home, the garden and the summer cabin. One such invention was a device designed to distribute warm air to different rooms. The house had a fireplace, but like many such fireplaces it just warmed the room it was in. After studying the flow of air between the different rooms, (and with the help of a few bathroom ventilation fans) he soon managed to build a prototype system that distributed the warmth from the fireplace around the house. It worked very well, but like a lot of inventive people he was content to have solved a problem in the house, and as far as we know he never attempted to patent or commercialize his invention. The fan in the picture, that stirred our memory, comes from American Improvements and it's USD 30:-.

Smart cup holder for your desk.

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:41:35 +0200

The funny thing with this cup holder is that it would work like an absolute charm on the side of our desk here at Smart Stuff HQ. The sad part is that it's apparently sold out. We found it on another page that we browse with some regularity, but when we checked the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York), web store it was nowhere to be found. It's called DrinKlip an d it was a hefty USD 25:- but that apparently did not stop people from cleaning out the stock in just a few weeks. No we're hoping they'll re-stock soon.

Tracheotomy tube on a key ring.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:57:31 +0100

It never hurts to be prepared, and a tracheotomy is no game. But if nothing else helps and a person is dying in front of your eyes, it would be a good thing to be able to help. We know of at least one occasion when a good friend of ours was very near to having his windpipe opened with an ordinary ball point pen from Bic. Fortunately the salmon bone that had lodged in his windpipe came loose at the last moment, and the pen never had to be used, but it was pretty close. He would have had to live the rest of his life with an interesting scar on his throat and a good story to tell over a beer or two. Instead of the improvised pen (but somewhat more expensive) we can direct your attention to the LifeStat emergency tracheotomy tube, a device that can sit on your key ring and contains everything you need. And yes, it comes with instructions. The LifeStat is USD 125:- in alu/brass, but it's also available in 24k gold plate(!) at USD 250:-.

How long will your food keep? The answer is on the net.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:56:18 +0100

It's been said that canned food can keep forever if the can is not opened or damaged. Anyone who has spent their military service in the Swedish Army can testify to eating age old but still edible canned foods. Actually we still have a so called "personnel mine" in our possession For those not in the know, that's a small can of Swedish Army liver paste. (It was actually quite tasty on the Army biscuits, but we've not even dared thinking of opening it for the last ten years or so.) If you haven't learned from bitter experience it's kind of hard to know how long food will keep. We have, however, found a site that can help. It's called Still Tasty, and they have information on just about anything you could think of putting in your mouth. A quick browse-through lets us suspect that they've been a bit pessimistic when calculating the times, but better safe than sorry, right?

Warning cards for allergies and life threatening conditions.

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:09:43 +0100

Fortunately none of us have an allergy or some serious sickness, but we have seen enough in our life to realize the seriousness of this. An anaphylactic shock is not to be taken lightly under any circumstance. This life-threatening histamine reaction can be set off by as little as a trace of peanut oil in a salad, or people having peanuts with their drinks during a flight. Now, while it's never easy to avoid allergenic substances on your own home turf, imagine the problems while traveling, perhaps in places where you don't speak the language. Speak Khmer, anyone? Or Tagalog? (Now, there's a way to get around this. If there wasn't, we wouldn't be writing this, would we?) A company called Select Wisely produces strongly worded warning cards covering at least 52 different allergies and conditions. Off the shelf the cards can be ordered in English, French, Spanish, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Portuguese (both the Brazilian and the European variant) and Chinese (both Mandarin and Cantonese). Should you require, they can make your card in at least another 32 languages. Furthermore, Select Wisely promises to make a special card for you if you have an allergy that's not already on their list, or need a language that they don't already have. And if that wasn't enough, it's not even as expensive as you might suspect. The standard card are 'round USD 10:- a piece. Not bad if it can save your life...

Make your own rubber grips for your tools.

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:19:17 +0100

We once tried something like this to silence a squeaking door-hook on a patio door. The hook squealed like a mouse whenever the wind moved the door. However, the silicon rubber we found was not up to the job. It was worn out after a couple of hours. Maybe this stuff would have been stronger? It is after all promised to make good rubber grips on almost anything you care to have a rubber grip on. At least if we are to believe the Plastidip website. The material is an artificial rubber that can be applied with a brush, as a spray, or by dipping the desired handle in the can. It's available in six colors, including a clear that can be used to mix one's own colors. One 14.5 oz. dipping can is USD 7:58 on Amazon.

Ring light with two slaves for digital cameras.

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:04:45 +0100

We don't usually like taking pictures with a flash or some other artificial light. Pictures will almost always turn out better in natural light, but there are of course occasions when a ring flash (or ring light) like this would be very useful in deed. If nothing else, it has a strong appeal to our inner geek even though it's USD 360:- on Amazon. From DigiSlave.

Microwave with a built in pizza oven.

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:28:44 +0100

Why didn't anyone think of this before? This übersmart microwave and pizza oven comes from Kenmore, but as far as we have been able to figure out the company has no rep in Sweden. What a pity, we really wanted one of these, recession or no recession. But on the other hand, heres an opportunity for Electrolux, Miele, Siemens an all the rest to get working and bring something like this to market before Kenmore gets wise. The thing is USD 270:- if you get it from Amazon.

Chinese super berry - as good as they say?

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:26:50 +0100

We may very well be miles behind the health-food trends, but the other day we found a new product in our grocery store. A product we had not seen before. It looked much like the bag on the left above, and the label said Sun dried Goji berries. Now, what on Earth was this? A bit of research revealed that this is the fruit from either one of two closely related plants; Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense. In English they are called Wolfberry. Both are grown commercially in China and have apparently been used in Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years. The berry contains a lot of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins and sellers of the berries and the very expensive Goji juice naturally claim it's the best thing since sliced bread. As far as we have been able to see, though, there are no independent scientifically valid studies to confirm the claims. But, as is the case with all traditional remedies, there is probably something there, even if it may not be as fantastic as they say.

Convert your bike into an electric one.

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:21:23 +0100

A bunch of researchers at MIT has come up with an idea and prototype for a simple way to make just about any ordinary pushbike into an electrically powered one. Just change one (or both) of the wheels for a power-hub equipped one (above). The power hub contains everything except the (wireless) throttle; the researchers has managed to cram an electric generator, a battery and an electric motor inside a hub roughly the size of a smallish dinner plate. In it's current configuration the GreenWheel has an estimated range of 25 miles, gives a top speed of 30 miles an hour, and an estimated life span of about 40,000 miles, or about eight years work of travel at an estimated 20 miles per business day. Clever, indeed.

New blanket-with-sleeves to compete with previous three.

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:59:24 +0100

The other day we happened to come across the Shivers blanket (A) designed by Thelermont Hupton and it stirred something inside us. The shivers we felt was actually deja vu, since we had seen this idea before. And that is not only once, but three times before. The first one we found was the Bookblanket (C) designed by Inger Larsson, and that was back in November of 2005. The second and third example; the Slanket (B) and the Freedom Blanket (D) was discovered in January of 2006, and of course the Shivers is the most recent discovery. The people behind the Freedom Blanket claims to have invented the original sleeved blanket, but we have no way to confirm this at the moment. However, all are available for purchase, the Slanket and the Freedom Blanket even available in several colors. The Shivers is GBP 171:28 (approx. USD 243:-), the Slanket is USD 69:95 on Amazon-, the Freedom Blanket is USD 30:- and the Bookblanket, finally, is SEK 1,195:- (about USD 136:-).

At long last a spice mill with a no-spill fill.

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:19:46 +0100

We left you with the new Microplane grater or citrus tool and we thought we'd stay in the kitchen for a little bit longer. What you see above is the Spice Boy spice mill designed by Oliver Hemming. This is a step up from your ordinary pepper mill, and after using one for a few weeks we love it already. Not just because Hemming has managed to give it an easy to use filling bowl, but also for the adjustable ceramic inner workings. This spice mill can handle a lot more than pepper; if it's dry and in manageable chunks you can grind it with the Spice Boy. Make your own favorite mix and keep it in the mill for later use. Available in eight colors, the Spice Boy is dishwasher safe (not the little black stop) and it's USD 38:- here.

We're back!

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:18:44 +0100

Sometimes you just have to go all in in a project, but now that we've emerged on the other side we are eager to get on with our favorite pet project - Smart Stuff. You may look forward to a lot of new, interesting ideas, gadgets, products and inventions in the months to come. Stay tuned! /Ed.

Sorry for the silence...

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:55:55 +0100

We've had a lot of other stuff to manage besides Smart Stuff lately. And it looks like it's going to last a while, so the news is going to be a bit scarce for a bit longer. At least until the middle of February, when we're planning to be finished and ready to go again. Please join us then for a lot of new and interesting gadgets, inventions and ideas. And if you haven't had time to look through our archives yet, here's your chance to do so! All the best!/Ed.

New smart citrus tool from Microplane.

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:04:52 +0100

Anyone who has read our pages for a time know we like Microplane's graters. They are incredibly sharp, and oftentimes smart in construction and use. This new citrus tool is no exception, offering four functions in a tool no bigger than 8 x 2 inches. First of all, it's of course a grater with the usual Microplane sharpness, perfect for zesting lime or lemon. Adding to this there are two garnish cutters, one fine and one a little bigger, and a peeling tool. The new citrus tool is available in three colors and you can get one from Amazon at USD 12:95.

Clever storage for Christmas decoration lights.

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:02:08 +0100

During the days before Christmas we have rolled out a number of meters of decorative lights. It took us a while. And it would probably have been a lot easier had we rolled the light cables on rollers like these at the end of the last season. Surprisingly we have not seen any products like these in Swedish shops, but there's always e-trade... The rollers are USD 14:95 for four. The bag is unfortunately not included. If you want one it's another USD 7:95 each.

Drawing paper with white lines offer a better view.

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:34:57 +0100

Most drawing papers or writing papers has supporting lines. These lines can be black, gray or sometimes light blue. The most common is probably paper with gray lines. The blue pattern was meant for the reproduction cameras of old, where one could easily filter out the blue and get a perfect copy. This kind of paper should work just fine even today if you have a scanner that allows you to filter out selected colors. If you are stuck with an ordinary copier, though, you're likely to transfer the supporting lines onto your copy unless you can adjust the brightness correctly. Swedish inventor Olof Hansson was faced with the same problem, and he solved it in an entirely different way. He reversed the colors of the paper, and created a light gray paper with white supporting lines. The invention, called Whitelines, is today sold in eight countries, and the company are working on adding more, including the US.

The needle that opens wide.

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:28:42 +0100

We're not sure wether this is a concept or if this needle can be ordered from somewhere. Of it's a concept we'd like someone to start manufacture as soon as possible. If it's an existing product we'd like to order a few. The last time we were re-fastening a loose shirt button, finding the eye of the needle with the end of the thread made us break out in a sweat. And it's not going to get any easier as time goes by, is it? The Big Eye Needle, as it is called, is supposed to be an ordinary sewing needle, except that is is made from some new metal alloy allows the eye-part to expand to the size of a button hole with a slight pressure. There's no information regarding cost, but our source says the inventor's name is Woo Moon-Hyung. Those clever Koreans...
PS. With this post we wish all our lovely readers a pleasant holiday. We'll be back after Christmas Day with a new and hopefully interesting invention or idea. Until then;
MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Smart Stuff crew! /Ed.

Fix broken zippers with the ZlideOn slider replacement.

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:49:57 +0100

Ever take an jacket to a tailor's to get a broken zipper replaced? Or have you discarded a garment because the zipper seemed broken beyond repair? This has probably happened to most of us, since zippers seems to be the part of clothes that give up first. Now, however, there's an alternative, and it's invented in the Swedish province of Gotland. The product is called ZlideOn and it's really quite simple; just a smart replacement slider. But even though the idea is simple and smart, the actual development of a functioning product has taken years. It was not until the beginning of this year that Zip Clip Solutions, the company behind the idea, could start marketing their product. The ZlideOn is now available in 14 different versions, to fit as many zippers as possible, and more are under development. Read more about the ZlideOn on the ZlideOn website. There's even a small video to show you how it's done. If you want to buy one, you'll have to mail in for retailers. The ZlideOn is about SEK 70:- (approx. USD 9:-) a piece in Sweden, but compared to buying a new jacket, that seems quite reasonable.

Egg cutter with double cutting tools.

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:52:52 +0100

Today we made a trip to Ikea. We picked a day in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds, and not have to wait in line so much. The Ikea store at "Kungens Kurva" just outside Stockholm was surprisingly quiet, and we did not even have to stand in line to pay, believe it or not. Now, besides some Christmas gifts and some stuff we can't seem to be able to leave an Ikea store without having bought (like tea-lights, candles and paper napkins) we invested in this egg cutter. It's a model we have not seen before. It has double cutting tools, so you can choose between cutting your egg cut in slices or in wedges. If you use both tools at once you'd end up with your egg both sliced and wedged, which would probably be a mess. But we have not tried that. Yet. Our new egg slicer was SEK 9:-, (about USD 1:20 using today's exchange rate). However, on Ikea's US site it's USD 2:99 which is more than twice the price...

Measuring shot-glass with international scales.

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:53:47 +0100

Yesterday's sunday walk took us to one of the DesignTorget shops in Stockholm. We fiddled about with a lot of tempting stocking fillers, but the one that caught our eye and made us whip out the plastic was this little shot-glass measuring glass. With four different scales (teaspoons, tablespoons, ounces and milliliters) it will make our life with our foreign cookbooks a little easier. Not that we haven't used other ways of converting measures before, but this will be fast and convenient. The glass was SEK 45:- (approx. USD 5:60) but unless you're living in Sweden you're not likely to stumble upon one of the DesignTorget shops. If you want one, we've found the exact same one on Amazon. And at a better price, too - USD 3:50-

Cufflinks with a secret stash.

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:23:55 +0100

This is just like those small metal capsules you can buy to put on your dog's or cat's collar. You crew off the little top and stuff a rolled up tiny piece of paper inside with your address and phone number, in order to get the little darling back if he or she should get lost. On the Red Envelope web shop they've taken this to the next level, however, and produced a similar capsule for men (and women who wear cufflinks). You just put a piece of paper inside with his or her name, your address and phone number in order to help your drunken spouse to get a ride home after the Christmas office party. Brilliant. The cufflinks are USD 50:- a pair, but that is a small cost to get your significant other home safely, no?

Chocolate spatula with built-in thermometer.

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:51:15 +0100

Since Christmas is approaching, we've been looking at the possibilities of making our own chocolate candies this year. To that end we've been studying the delicious Chokladpassion (SEK 102:-) by Sweden's number one dessert chef Jan Hedh (photo by Klas Andersson) and learning some really useful stuff. One being that correct temperatures are essential in all work with chocolate. To prepare milk chocolate and white chocolate, for instance, temperatures should not exceed 48°C (F 118.4°) and definitely never go over 54°C (F 129.2°) since this will ruin the chocolate. You could use an ordinary oven thermometer, but today we found this combo spatula and thermometer that we found ourselves wishing we had. It's USD 18:99- on Amazon and it's on our wish-list from now on.

Note: We've mentioned Jan Hedh's book in this post, but that book, however excellent, will be of little value to you if you don't read Swedish. For our English speaking readers we might suggest another book that we believe is will do the job just fine. This book is Essence of Chocolate: Recipes for Baking and Cooking with Fine Chocolate- and it's written by Robert Steinberg and John Scharffenberger. It's USD 23.10 on Amazon. Enjoy! /Ed.

Teapot with teabag holsters.

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:42:25 +0100

Today's smart stuff is a teapot, but not just any old teapot. Firstly, it's ceramic, which is claimed to be the best for good tea. Secondly, it has two smart containers or saddlebags where you can put your teabag(s) after dunking them in the hot water, thus avoiding messing up the tabletop or your saucer. The website claims that this particular teapot is based on a fifties design, but we've never seen anything like it before. It would be cool if one of our readers might remember the original... Anyway, the pot is microwave- and dishwasher proof and you can have one for USD 10:- on sale.

Smart hook for hanging pictures on drywall.

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:36:37 +0100

A while back we mentioned the Hercules Hook; a device for facilitating picture hanging on drywall. Now here's another take on drywall picture hanging. According to the website it's the fastest and easiest way to hang virtually anything on drywall, without searching for studs or drilling holes. All you have to do is position the hook where you want it and press it into place. Much like the Hercules Hooks, actually. These hooks are USD 20:- for 30 (10 large and 20 small). the Hercules Hooks- are USD 9:- for 20.

Collapsible non stick bread pan.

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:20:58 +0100

This is new to us, and we hope you'll find it novel, too. It's a loaf pan, bread baking pan with collapsible sides that make it easy to bake (and remove) perfect loaves from the pan. Made from steel with a non stick coating, and it can be washed in a dishwasher. Size 9 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 3 1/8 inches. Right now it's on sale for USD 7:99 (it was apparently USD 16:95).

Carabiner with double hooks.

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:12:01 +0100

The advantages seem obvious. We use carabiners for a lot of things, including attaching keys and water bottles to pants, and keeping tools from getting lost. This smart double carabiner we didn't even know about, but it's on our Christmas wish-list now. Made in stainless steel and available in several sizes. This one is USD 2:71 on Amazon.

The Rösle serrated peeler.

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:25:11 +0100

It all started when we fell in love with the amazing serrated peeler from Messermeister (black) we found during a visit to the Sur La Table shop in San Francisco. The peeler also was the subject matter for our very first post on Smart Stuff. We even liked it so much we bought a few and used them as prizes in our very first contest. A little later we found the Zyliss' version of the same idea (red) and we did a comparison test. Who won? Check out this page. Now, today when we were browsing Williams-Sonoma for new products, we found the Rösle version (stainless). we have not had the opportunity to try the Rösle peeler, but if it's anywhere near the other two, it must be great. You can get one from Amazon for USD 24:-.

At last, a serious looking ice scraper.

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:56:57 +0100

Remember when you tried to scrape the ice off your windshield with a cassette box? Or maybe with a CD jewel case? Well, now that temperatures are dropping below freezing, it's about time to take inventory of your ice scrapers. We don't know about the rest of the sub-arctic world, but at least in Sweden we tend to amass piles of plastic square ice scrapers given away by businesses as a promotion. But there are very few professional looking ice scrapers out there. Here's on, and it looks ready to kick some serious ice butt. Enter the IceDozer. It comes with two handles, a brush, a snow plow, a flexible scraper and a small tool for removing ice from your windshield wipers. Yours for USD 19:95.

Machine that squeezes water out of thin air.

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:20:08 +0100

The WaterMill is a machine that makes water from air. Well, to be honest it doesn't actually make water. It just extracts the water that is already in the air, but that is pretty cool, too. Furthermore the WaterMill system can distribute the extracted and purified water to your fridge, to a tap on your kitchen sink, to a water cooler or to its own dispenser. The actual machine is placed on the outside of your house, so it won't dry up the inside air you'll be wanting to breathe. The filtration is supposed to be good enough to produce water that's better in quality than the stuff that comes out of your ordinary tap. The Canadian company behind the WaterMill claims that it's able to extract 12 liters of H2O per day, and that should be enough for most needs. The only hitch in our eyes is that it's powered by electricity. But if there's a solar version in the works (and it can be produced at a reasonable cost) it could very well be useful right were it's needed the most. Places that are short on good water usually have more than enough of sunshine and humidity.

Eco friendly paper water bottle.

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:39:12 +0100

When one considers the huge number of plastic bottles for drinking water being produced, filled consumed and discarded, (examples here, here, here and here), one can't help but pondering the sheer madness of it all. In places where there's no usable drinking water, okay. But here, where access to perfectly good water is virtually limitless... The best thing would of course be to stop buying bottled water. But if this is not possible, another way could be to do something about the packaging. We've seen water sold in plastic bags, (like milk in the States and other places), but this is far from enough. This idea for water packaging, however, could be a better one still. The concept for the package above has bee produced by Brand Image, and their idea actually won a prize in IDEA 2008.

Smart step stool to reach on top of large cars.

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:30:59 +0100

This tip comes from our very good friend, Lars S. What he's found is the Step-up car step from Yellowsmarts, a step up helper for tall cars. It's kinda clever, and you don't even have to own one of those out-of-favor SUVs; an ordinary estate with a car box on top could be just as difficult to reach. With the Yellowsmarts step up even shorties like us would have a chance to reach high enough to load or unload, wash the roof or brush off snow. The step rests with one end on the car's tire and with the other on the ground. When you don't need it anymore it folds into a smallish flat-pack for the cargo compartment. The step-up is available in three heights, and it is USD 49:95 in America (no web shop) and EUR 51:47 in Europe. Prices from the Yellowsmarts website. Thanks Lasse for the tip!

Elegant closet lighting.

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:34:49 +0100

Have you ever been met with the comment "Closet lights out?" when you have shown up at work or at some party?. Neither have we, but there must be something behind this since it's almost a saying (at least in Sweden, we must add). The idea as far as we know, is to make a friendly comment to a person's lack of clothes coordination and style. If the closet light is out, it's difficult to find matching clothes. However, this can be caused by other things than the lack of lighting, for instance being fashion illiterate In such a case this invention will not offer the slightest help. But for everybody else who lack lights in their closets, it appears to us to be both smart and stylish. The lighted closet rail comes from Hettich, but it only seems to be mentioned on their American web site.

Another lovable micro tool.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:18:20 +0100

We don't exactly know what makes us want these wonderful micro tools that keep popping up all the time, but we do. This one is no exception. It's called the Pocketwrench and is manufactured from stainless steel. The bigger opening to the left is a wrench that can handle nuts and bolts from 3/16" to 11/16". The serrations help keep nuts from spinning as you tighten the bolt. The other end is tapered as to serve as a screwdriver or paint can opener. The hole on the right is a 1/4" hex hole, which allows you to slip the wrench over a standard hex bit. The whole thing is 4" long and 1" wide, and will set you back a measly USD 10:-. That's a cool stocking filler in our book...

Clothes hanger with its own clothes brush.

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:18:27 +0100

The tip from Björn O. the other day made us curious enough to browse through the entire Manufactum web shop to see what else we could find to post on the site. And we did find some fun and smart tools and gadgets. We will come back to them in the future, but we could not resist to write a post on this smart clothes hanger and clothes brush right away. It's GBP 16:- (approx. USD 23:-) which is pretty steep for a clothes hanger, but we want one anyway.

Holder for clothes hangers on a clothesline.

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:10:43 +0100

This tip comes from Smart Stuff subscriber Björn O. He found this clever hanger on British Manufactum web store. What it is? Well, it's a smart holder/hanger for when you want to use an ordinary clothesline to dry your shirts or sweaters or whatever. What often happens when you do this, is that all the shirts tend to slide down to the lowest part of the clothesline, i.e. the middle. This clothes hanger holder sticks to the clothesline and the hangers stay put. It's GBP 6:50 (approx. USD 9:70) for five pcs. Thanks, Björn, for the tip!

Fold-out ironing board and ironing stuff in own cabinet.

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:02:38 +0100

Ironing board, iron and ironing stuff has a tendency to lie around and be in the way. Or at least to lie around and look like clutter. We have been thinking of a dedicated ironing cabinet like this for some time, but it was not until the other week we stumbled upon this solution from Nimoverken. A decent wall mounted cabinet with a fold-out ironing board and room for everything you might need go get the job done. And afterwards it all goes away into the cabinet. Goodie.

Exercise machine for the disabled.

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:23:37 +0100

Disabled people rarely get enough exercise. This is of course for the obvious reasons, but also because care staff often don't have the time to help them with more than the bare essentials like food, hygiene and medication. People confined to wheelchairs, for example, often don't get to exercise their legs enough which in time can lead to atrophy or cardiovascular problems. If one could help them move their legs, their situation would improve greatly. This new Swedish exercise machine, the Actileg invented by Sten Bodin, is one way of achieving this. The Actileg basically consists of two sets of pedals with a set of gears in between that lets both patient and care giver pedal in the same direction. It looks a bit like two opposed recumbent bikes. Either person can set the pace, but if the patient doesn't have the strength he or she can just follow the pedals along. Even such a half-passive movement can improve circulation and help avoid future trouble. The Actileg has patents pending and Sten Bodin is presently looking for interested manufacturers for his invention.

Golf cart and bicycle trailer - all in one.

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:13:45 +0100

Golf has never really looked like a "green" sport to us, even considering the often beautiful surroundings. At least not when one considers parking areas filled to the brim with large SUVs and lawn mower tractors working around the clock. If we also weigh in golf cars, fertilizers, irrigation and every other must-have to keep a golf course in peak shape... Well, you see our point. However, here's a way for you to take charge of a piece of your own carbon footprint an make at least your own golfing a bit greener. It's called the Gocy Active and it's a combined golf-cart and bile trailer. With the mounting kit installed on your bike, it's easy to hook up the trailer/cart and pedal off to your local links with a better eco conscience. On arrival you unhook the cart, extend the third wheel and swing away. After your last hole, the procedure is of course the opposite. You use your own golf bag, but the Gocy is delivered with it's own special bag for grocery shopping, picnicking or whatever you need to schlep along.

Label that watches over food safety.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:21:16 +0100

Tempix is a Swedish company with cool idea. A temperature indicator for chilled or frozen foodstuffs. The Tempix system can keep a watch over products down to an individual package and create an alert if a package has been exposed to an unsafe temperature during the transport from manufacturer to customer. The Tempix temperature indicator is integrated into the package bar code. If the product has been exposed to a too high temperature, part of the bar code is destroyed, thus making the product impossible to check out through the cashier. The indicator is also readable to the naked eye. Compare the area inside the green circle in the two labels above. The top label indicates that the product has been correctly treated, the bar code is intact and a singe line i clearly visible inside the while square. The bottom label, however, indicates that the product has been exposed to temperatures above the allowed level. The black line in the square has disappeared, and the last part of the bar code has been erased.

We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:19:53 +0100

Jim Parsons on smartness. Cut from the Swedish edition of Elle magazine #10, October 2008. Thanks' Jim...

Simple, smart weather cover for your bike seat.

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:13:44 +0100

The Neverain bike seat cover is both simple and smart. Just what we like. The whole thing consists of a bag to be attached under the saddle, not unlike the small tool bags some people use. The Neverain bag comes with an attached weather cover that can be easily pulled out and deployed over the saddle. You can either cover your saddle before a rain, or, if you missed the forecast, cover the wet saddle before you get on your bike. No more wet butt biking. The cover is of course waterproof, and the bag is ventilated to ensure drying of the cover until next time you need it. One extra feature is that you need to remove the seat post to install the bag, thus ensuring that no-one can steal your seat cover without destroying it in the process. The Neverain cover will be about SEK 100:- (approx. USD 12:- when it hits the stores later this year.

New old water purifier wins Swedish Skapa award.

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:02:00 +0100

The Solvatten water purification device won first prize in this year's Swedish Skapa awards and boosted inventor Petra Wadström's bank account with a cool SEK 400,000 (about USD 50,000). The invention is a water purifier where the sun's heat and UV radiation does most of the cleaning work. A filter on the tap does the rest. After sitting out in the sun for three to four hours, the device can deliver ten liters of clean, drinkable (and hot) water. Anything that can help fix the lack of drinkable water in the world gets our support. However, as good as it may be, the Solvatten is not the first of it's kind. We have covered three similar ideas before, the latest one only last August. Then, designers Alberto Meda and Francisco Gomez Paz won first prize in the Home category in the Index:2007 design competition with their very similar (but better looking) concept, the Solar Bottle. In March of 2006 we also presented two other, and much simpler and cheaper, solutions using the same principle. Petra Wadström's Solvatten, however, seems to be much nearer actual production than the Solar Bottle. The two other ideas are already in use, we think.

Invisible reflective spray.

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:20:32 +0200

We spent a great deal of yesterday visiting this year's Tekniska Mässan (the Scandinavian Technical Fair). We knew that the Swedish Inventor's Association and the Skapa Foundation (Swedish only) were to present a lot of new inventions this year and that many of the inventors themselves were going to be on hand for chats. Over the next few days, we'll present some of the inventions we found at the fair. We'll start out with C Me. C Me is an aerosol spray that can make virtually every garment in your closet reflecting in the dark. It is said to work best on denim, fleece or linen but other fabrics won't cause much of a problem either. The spray is totally invisible in daylight, does not leave stains or affect the feel or function of the garment sprayed. The persons in the picture above have each had one trouser-leg treated with the spray. It strikes us as a way to make teenagers wear reflexes, since they would be reluctant to wear ordinary reflecting tape or fobs. The C Me spray is also available in a version for pets, i.e. dogs and cats. It would probably work well on cats that like to run outside and can't be persuaded to wear a collar.

Bolt with a secret stash.

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:43:42 +0200

Maybe you can't get very much into the little compartment, but if you have something really, really secret this hollowed out 5/8" bolt looks like a great stash indeed. What if we would keep it in our tool box with some other bolts just like it, or actually screwed on to something innocent like one's car or porch swing. No-one would have a clue. According to the Spy Coins site, who sells different spy tool replicas, among them hollowed out coins, these things were actually used by spies during the Cold War as means to hide and transport secret documents on microfilm. Apparently U2 pilot Gary Powers was carrying a hollowed out silver dollar when he was captured by the Soviets in 1960. The coin contained a suicide-device, but Powers either failed to, or chose not, use it. The coins are mostly US, so we chose to write about this bolt instead, since it would work all over the world. The bolt is USD 40:- and current American nickels and quarters are about USD 20:-.

3D printers down to desktop size (almost).

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:46:54 +0200

On top of our wish-list for Christmas is our own 3D printer. Especially now since they are down to a size where one might hope they can be fit into a normal office space. We've covered 3D printers before, but the first one was the size of a closet and started at USD 25,000:-. A little later we found another, smaller version that even a one man (or one woman) design firm could afford at a measly USD 5,000:-. The latest evolution in 3D printers, the Alaris 30 from Objet Geometries, is supposed to have taken detail to the next level and have added the ability to print movable parts inside the model. No word on pricing or availability yet, though.

Sticky stuff for removing tech dirt.

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:09:52 +0200

Cyber Clean is supposed to sport a combination of viscosity, elasticity and stickiness that lets the goo penetrate small crevices and catch all kinds of uncleanliness. Like between the keys on your keyboard. To boot, the sticky stuff is supposed to be antibacterial. And invented in Switzerland. Just push it down on the surface you wish to clean and pull up. We don't know if it's reusable, but one might hope so... GBP 7:95 (about USD 14:-) for a 500g (about 18 oz) tub.

Prettier carpets with a rug rake.

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:28:38 +0200

We had to do some hard thinking before we could make up our mind where to put this idea. First we thought it was a definite Plain Crazy post. That's the site where we put all the weirdness we find. But after some more thinking we decided it was kind of smart after all. Not that we have any rugs, but for those who are so inclined. After all, the vacuum does not always have the power to give the rug that new look. Especially after a few years. And in particular in places with heavy traffic, or if you have a pet that likes to sleep on the rug. Whatever is the case, the rug rake is USD 10:-. Handle not included.

Recycled rubber roofing can help solve two problems.

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:40:53 +0200

Old discarded tires in an environmental problem in many parts of the world. Not just in the industrialized part, where we live, but also in the Third World where lots of old tires are sent to become landfill or just be put in piles. Some tires are reused or re-cycled. They can come back as re-threads, as rubberized pavement, in road construction etc. But many million old tires are just piled up or used as landfill. Therefore, we're pleased to present a new (at least to us) way of re-using rubber. As roofing. One might ask why no-one has thought of this before, since the product promises to solve two problems. Firstly, a lot of old tires never end up in landfills or piles. Secondly, you get a virtually maintenance-free roof that can take everything nature can throw at it. The manufacturer, EuroSlate/EuroShake, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, promises a 50 year warranty on the roof.

Four-in-one garlic tool.

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:08:02 +0200

Today's news is this smart garlic press that we just found the Sur la Table webshop. It has no less than four different pressing tools on a rotating disc. You make your choice by turning the dial to place the tool you want to use next to the handle. You have a choice of fine press, coarse press, julienne cutter and slicer. USD 30:-.

Pitcher with a built-in ice compartment.

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:11:43 +0200

The site that sells these pitchers claim that they are hand made in Mexico. Be that as it may. It could explain the rather steep price tag. Anyway, this pretty smart pitcher has a special ice compartment, thus avoiding diluting the beverage with water from the melting ice. They also claim it's perfect for sangria, lemonade, and ice coffee. We might add ice tea and white wine. USD 49:95.

Hi-tech walking stick for grandma or grandpa.

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:06:31 +0200

We're less than three months away from Christmas. And, as always this time of year, the presents fever starts setting in. We'll be suggesting some smart Christmas presents on the site from time to time from now on until Christmas, and we'll start out with grandpa and grandma. They are usually the most difficult to buy for, because they either have everything already, or don't really want anything. So. Here's the multi functional walking stick. It's an adjustable walking stick fitted with a LED light, a sound alarm and a reddish orange flashing warning light. It's all powered with three AAA batteries and it's USD 31.

New toilet with built-in freshener.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:09:13 +0200

We suppose you have seen, and perhaps used, some of those little plastic containers with perfume and (possibly) some sort of disinfectant in your toilet. You're supposed to hang them over the edge of the toilet and every time you flush it should dispense a small amount of freshness into the water. They usually don't look so good after a while. Now, however, there's a new idea on the market, that makes the perfume tablet invisible. It's called Fresh WC and the smart part is integrating the whole thing into the flushing mechanism. The freshening block is about the size of a pencil, and it's loaded into its dispenser inside the toilet via an opening just under the flushing button. As long as the water comes out blue, the tablet is fine, when the water goes clear it needs a refill. So far the Fresh WC innovation is available in two toilet models - the IFÖ Sign and the IDO Seven D.

Paintbrush with interchangeable brush modules.

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:43:54 +0200

The manufacturers, or at least the re-sellers, of this innovative idea for a paintbrush claims it's the first real innovation in paint brushes since 200 years. Be that as it may. We haven't seen anything like it, anyways. But we know one thing, though. One of these sets, with two handles and four interchangeable brushes, used to be USD 29:99. Now the same set is USD 12:97 on sale. Maybe the brush-buying public wasn't ready for this innovation? But with the new price we're tempted to give it a try...

Pull-down shelving for kitchen cabinets.

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:13:51 +0200

High kitchen cabinet shelves can be hard to reach. Not just for kids, but especially for the disabled and of course for us shorties. The solution is to make the shelves come down to a convenient height. We have bee looking for a solution like the American Rev-A-Shelf (A) for sale in Sweden, but we have not found any. However, we have found a different solution to the same problem. Granbergs of Norrköping develops, sells, and builds shelving systems for kitchen cabinets where the inside of the cabinet is lowered through the bottom. Picture (B). There is also a version where the entire cabinet is lowered. The Granberg shelving is power assisted and you can even get them with remotes. The Rev-A-Shelf is hand powered, but probably somewhat more affordable A Rev-A-Shelf shelving addition comes from about USD 200:- depending on cabinet width and is available on Amazon- among other places. The Granberg system is POA.

Cable management for wires you don't use all the time.

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:28:19 +0200

Design firm Harry Allen of New York has come up with this cable management device called The Wire Stay for Doug Mockett. The simplicity is striking; an extruded rubber shape holds the cables you don't use all the time. The Wire Stay can be mounted on a wall or a table top by drilling through the middle or simply by using good old fashioned double sided tape. The WM25, as it is also called, is available in powder blue, mango (yellow) and avocado (green). The device is USD 33:75 a piece up to 11 examples, which feels like robbery, but if you can't live without one you have to pay the price...

Microplane citrus tool with four functions.

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:13:23 +0200

We often use peel, or zest, from lemons or lime in cooking. Or both, for instance with oven baked salmon. To grate the peels we use the razor sharp and remarkably effective Microplane grater Now we see that Microplane has come with a new citrus tool, where they have combined the super sharp grater with a scorer and two strip zesters. We have not tried this new tool (yet) but considering how well our other Microplane tools work we'll start looking for this one in the shops right away. Soft handle. Washing machine safe. USD 12:95 from Williams-Sonoma on Amazon.

Über serious crustacean crusher.

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:02:48 +0200

Johan Norin and Erik von Schoultz, the guys behind the Drosselmeyer nut cracker are back. This year's new product, found at the Formex fair, is called Caretta and seems to us to be an utterly serious and competent lobster crusher. Made in Sweden from heavy duty stainless steel, the Caretta has the feel of a product that could last for several lifetimes. What the shop price will be is not determined at this point, but even though we fear it's not going to be cheap, we still want to be in line to secure one of the first examples...

Twelve-year-old invents twice as efficient solar panel.

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:43:13 +0200

William Yuan, 12, from Beaverton, Oregon, has impressed scientists and engineers with his innovative idea for a three dimensional solar panel for both visible and ultra violet light. His idea can absorb as much as 500 times the light of commercially available solar cells and up to nine times the light of advanced 3D cells. If his idea can be commercially produced it could produce twice the amount of electricity as the best existing solar panels. He has also developed an idea for at solar tower and software to simulate and optimize the performance of the towers. William Yuan has been awarded a USD 25,000:- scholarship by The Davidson Institute for Talent Development. He is also looking for a manufacturer for his new solar cells.

Modular fridge for students and work places.

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:03:34 +0200

Stefan Buchberger, a design student at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, submitted this concept for a modular refrigerator to the Electrolux Design Lab 2008 competition. The fridge is designed for student's dorms or other places where a shared refrigerator is common. With the modules, every inhabitant can have his or her own fridge to stock with one's favorite food. The logical development of the idea would of course seem to be locks on the different modules so that one can keep one's goodies away from pilfering co-inhabitants. The fridge is powered with the base unit, to which can be added up to four fridge modules. Link to more pix of the different EDL 08 entries on a Flickr after the jump.

Bookcase with it's own stepladder.

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 13:47:50 +0200

Conceptual designer Danny Kuo has come up with this bookcase to help us use our wasted or unused space better. He calls it StairCASE and the idea (like most good ideas) is pretty simple. But with the StairCASE it's clear we could use a lot of space that otherwise would be unused or littered with never-looked-in boxes. Click for a link to Danny Kuo's own website.

Bike with belt drive instead of chain.

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:28:02 +0200

A few years back we had the pleasure of owning and driving a Harley-Davidson motor cycle. This bike did not have a chain transmission and it did not use a shaft like for instance BMWs do. Instead the transmission of power to the rear wheel was handled via a belt drive. We should admit that we were a little skeptical towards the belt drive at first, but it proved to work perfectly and never caused any problems. Now, American bicycle brand Trek has introduced two new bike models (called District and Soho) with a similar belt drive system instead of a chain. The advantages are a lighter, quieter, cleaner and more reliable transmission. The downside? It's more expensive. The District model is USD 930:- and the Soho is USD 990:- for the 2009 model. And the Soho is the only one with gears...

Four wine glass clips.

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:40:05 +0200

We couldn't resist staying on the party theme a little bit longer. But instead of party plates, we have four different clips for resting your wine glass (works only with stemmed glasses) on the edge of your ordinary plate. Three are plastic and one is stainless steel, but they are all designed around the same basic idea. Prices, however, differ a bit. Number 1. From It's All Wine. Plastic. Similar to number 3. USD 5:- for four. Number 2. From Waitstuff. Plastic. USD 0:98 a piece. Number 3. From The Wine Cellars. Plastic. Similar to number 1. USD 1:99 a piece. Number 4. From Handpicked Collection. Stainless steel. USD 19:95 for six. Which would you choose?

Party plate with room for more food.

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:34:37 +0200

It's called the Go-Plate and it's yet another attempt to create the perfect party plate. What's different with the Go-Plate is that you use your bottle, can or cup to support the plate while you use your other hand to stuff your face. It seems clear, however, that you would be wise to shift your grip and remove the plate from the bottle before you attempt to take a sip. Otherwise we can see guacamole all over the front of your shirt. The Go-Plate is USD 20:- for an even dozen.

Field cooker without the back ache.

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:04:55 +0200

It's made from a steel plate, a leather strap, a spirit burner and a tiny cutting board. You strap it to a tree and (presto!) you have a camping cooker with the right working height. Stefano Santilli has designed the field cooker to encourage the frying of freshly picked wild mushrooms right away in the field. And he's right. There's hardly anything tastier than freshly picked chanterelles fried in butter in the woods on a clear and mild autumn day. Besides, Stefano's idea should be appreciated by everyone with a bad back. The operation of ordinary camping cookers often means a lot off kneeling and bending of one's back. And, with the addition of a couple of portable sitting sticks, you are looking at a very nice day out, indeed.

Instead of your ordinary old door stop.

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:35:16 +0200

This clever take on the old door stop was allegedly first designed for the emergency services. The Wedge-It is made of tough and durable Lexan plastic and it can hold almost any door at 90 degrees. The little device can be applied either on a hinge, like in the drawing above, at the top, or at the bottom of the door like an ordinary door stop. It's small and reasonably cheap at USD 12:50 a piece. Buy three or more for USD 10:- a piece.

D-I-Y guide for fixing Apple's laptops, iPods and iPhones.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:20:52 +0200

iFixit is an American web shop working out of Atascadero, CA. They sell spare parts and accessories for Apple's laptops, iPods and Phones. And even though their purpose clearly is to sell more stuff, they have been kind enough to put up a bunch of very informative and free guides and instructions for different repairs and upgrades. But be warned, even though the instructions are clear, it does not always mean that the operation they describe (above changing the hard drive) is an easy one. No way. As tech-illiterates, we would probably not attempt any of them, except maybe battery change and AirPort card installation. But at least now we know the theory. If you have an Apple laptop, iPod or phone we recommend a look at the site. If not for anything else, it could be interesting to see how they look inside... Thanks to Laurence for the tip!

Flatproof airless tires revisited.

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:35:28 +0200

We have mentioned flatproof tires before, and we think it's a brilliant idea. Earlier we found the Michelin Tweel (picture 2) and a little later the Amerityre (picture 3). The Michelin Tweel seems to be a research project and we have not seen any updates on it for some time. The Amerityre is apparently a tyre meant for slow moving vehicles like golf carts and perhaps motorized wheelchairs and the likes. The new player in this field is American Resilient Technologies (picture 1) who are developing flatless tires for the American army with money from the Pentagon. Now, since wars always give an extra boost to technological development, this project will hopefully take the whole niche several steps forward. The new tire is supposed to be strong enough to be used on a Humvee, but still soft enough to offer at least a rudimentary comfort.

How to get a large jack into a very small box.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:44:41 +0200

Danish engineer Jeans Jørren Sørensen (now CTO of Danish Kataka, who sells the product) in the nineties developed the segmented linear actuator. It's kind of hard to explain for us tech illiterates, but it's basically a large jack broken down into small sections that can be stored i a small box and by a rotary motion built up to be a jack whenever needed. Just watch the video, and we're sure you'll get the idea.

Fresh thinking in vacuum cleaner bags.

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 19:37:46 +0200

Vacuum cleaner bags are perhaps not the sexiest of products, but why have they made it so complicated to buy them? Why do all manufacturers need to have their own unique bag design, and why do we have to spend fifteen minutes in the store trying to find the right one? These questions must have been asked by the creators of Dustie, too. But unlike the rest of us, they set out to do something about it. The Dustie vacuum cleaner bag system is a new Swedish venture we hadn't even noticed until the other day. We have just had time to try it out in our own vacuum. The idea behind Dustie is simple and, we might add, seems to us like a stroke of genius. Instead of looking for the particular bag that fits your vacuum, you look for the particular Dustie bag holder that fits. And this you do only once. From then on, all Dustie universal bags will fit your holder and vacuum. We bought bags and a holder for our Siemens DynaPower (#634) the other day, and the system works like a charm. The holder was about GBP 2.50 and a five pack of dust bags was GBP 7.50.

The anti-impotence bicycle seat.

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:01:03 +0200

The subject is far from uncontroversial and we're pretty sure the last has not been said or written regarding bike related numbness to male cyclist's genitals. However there are works that suggest that the actual design and construction of the ordinary bicycle seat lets the seat's "nose" cause an unfortunate pressure in the perineum, i.e. the area behind a man's penis and in front of his anus. This pressure can apparently compress nerves and blood vessels which in turn could lead to numbness and possibly erectile dysfunction. With the X-Seat (above), however, you could avoid this risk, since the entire seat "nose" has been eliminated. How riding an X-Seat actually feels like, we don't know, but in spite of it's odd appearance, the manufacturer promises a comfortable ride. From USD 88:-.

Combination lock for all things USB.

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 02:46:57 +0200

Japanese Thanko's have become famous (and perhaps infamous) for all their weird and wonderful gadgets. There seems to be no end to what they can come up with. Here's the result of one of their latest brainstorms; the USB combination lock. The lock can obviously be used on any USB connector, be it memory sticks, peripherals and what have you. One might question the level of security the little lock offers, but surely it will deter the casual snooper. The lock is JPY 780:- (about USD 7:-) on the Japanese Thanko's website (Japanese only). If you don't live in Japan, all you can do is hope the US Thanko's website will pick it up...

An easier way to carry boxes.

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:44:08 +0200

It's called Strap-A-Handle and it's a smart carrying strap for boxes and just about every other burden you might encounter in life. It's all pretty simple; you wrap the strap around the box, making sure the handle is on top, and there you go. Available in two lengths; six foot for USD 13:- on Amazon, and eight foot for USD 15:- also on Amazon.

Umbrella with a built-in flashlight.

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:43:49 +0200

This product came as a minor shock to us when we discovered it on the 'net. The fact is, we've been tinkering with a similar idea ourselves. And the Light ‘N Go umbrella is very much like what we've been working on. The idea was that when you're walking home from the store you'll be carrying a shopping bag in one hand and and your brollie in the other. With no hand to spare for a flashlight. Well. We'll just have to munch down the sour grapes and file the lighted brollie under "too late". The Light 'N Go has LED lights and the actual canopy measures 44 inches. It's available in four discreet colors for USD 25:-.

Steak thermometers for the whole family.

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:44:17 +0200

Do you find it hard to determine if a steak is cooked rare, medium or well done? We learned a useful trick once, where you feel your own hand and compare with the steaks, but without this trick it can indeed be very difficult. I such cases maybe these miniature steak thermometers can come in handy. They come in a four-pack, allowing the whole family to have their steaks done to order. They are USD 22:- for the four.

Down with the mother of all colds.

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:26:28 +0200

Been in bed for the past two and a half days with an impressive cough, sore throat, headache and a head full of mucus. The cough is such as one needs to hold on to something not to fall over. Sides are aching for coughing so much, hope no ribs are damaged. Posting will be slow for a few days until this goes away. Love/Ed.

Safety handle for your summer beer enjoyment.

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:49:40 +0200

As we are posting on drinks related stuff (and in the middle of this year's hottest heat wave) we must have a look at this aluminum beer handle. Everybody must have experienced how fast even a well chilled can of beer gets warm just from your body temperature holding it in your hand. Or how easy it is to drop a perfectly good brewski because your hand is sweaty or the can is wet from condensation. Now, all these risks can be avoided with the Beerhandle that snaps easily to any 12-oz can. (Does not look like they have any handles for the bigger European 17-oz [0,5 liter] cans, however.) The handle is USD 9:88 a piece and available in four colors.

How to chill a drink really quickly.

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:20:26 +0200

We suppose that you (like us) have been in the situation where the only drinks in the house are at room temperature because you (like us) have forgotten to put them in the fridge. However, there is a way to save the day, and it works with both cans and bottles, soft drinks and beer. Here's how:
1. Get your miserably luke warm cans or bottles and put them on your kitchen counter.
2. Fill a bowl with cold water and ice cubes from the freezer. Ice and water in 50/50 proportions usually works best.
3. Get out the salt. Ordinary cheap table salt will do. No need to waste the expensive sea salt.
4. Add a small handful of salt to your ice and water. The salt will lower the water's freezing point, and this means that the water can get colder than the regular 32°F (0°C).
5. Put a test can or bottle into the icy salted water and stir rapidly. Stirring speeds up the heat transfer from the can to the water. Wait two minutes and taste the beverage. If it's not cold enough, put some more cans into the icy water, stir like before, but this time wait three or four minutes before you take them out.
6. Pour and drink. Enjoy.

Wine chiller that chills the wine, not the bottle.

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:22:06 +0200

The Ravi is a wine chiller that chills the wine as it is poured. The wine is chilled as it flows through the chilling tube that has been prepared by freezing in the freezer. As the chilled tube is warmed up by the room's hotter temperature the wine needs to pass slower through the tube to get the right temperature. This is achieved by an air valve that is controlled by the thumb. The Ravi is (among other places) available from Amazon where it is USD 50:- . We have also previously posted on another similar product; the Leopold cooling staff. More on the cooling staff after the link.

Gone for vacation.

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:57:40 +0200

We’ve gone to Gotland for a spot of vacation. We’ll be back on July 15 with some new cool stuff. Love/Ed.

Convert 12V to 220V and charge your laptop in the car.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:34:52 +0200

There has been some occasions when our laptop has run out of power just when we needed it the best. Once in line waiting for the ferry in Fårösund. Pretty frustrating, actually. What do you do, sitting in a seemingly never-ending line of cars a couple of hours from the ferry, but get ahead on some blogging? An alternative could be to have a couple of ice cream cones, but there's a limit to how many we could eat. (Yes, really!) With a converter like this our afternoon would have been saved from utter boredom. It would have provided power for the laptop all the time waiting in the ferry-line for Fårö. And we would not have eaten all those cones. The converter is USD 30:- on Amazon- and it could sit in a cup holder.

Beach towel and picnic blanket holder.

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:11:43 +0200

There's something with beach towels and pick-nick blankets that make them crumble up the second you take your weight off them. The solution is usually to place something heavy on the four corners of the blanket or towel. But how many heavy items do you usually bring along? The only really heavy thing is usually the drinks cooler, but it can only cover one corner. Remains shoes, hats filled with pebbles, emptied bottles re-filled with sea-water or larger rocks from the vicinity or maybe a log of driftwood. A lot of work when all you want to do is chill. Instead, you could try these beach towel spikes. They have a clamp for the corner of the towel or blanket and a spike for pushing into the ground. USD 15:- for four.

Four handy tools for summer.

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:02:53 +0200

We totally hate ticks. These disgusting critters that suck our blood and infect us with disease. A recent bout with Borrelia has not endeared us to the pests either. A good tick tool is a must in our picnic kit and a definite must in our bathroom. We thought we had found all the tick removers in the market, but here are three new ones (and one old favorite). Out favorite is the tick crowbar from French O'Tom (A). It can be found in pet stores (at least in Sweden), but it's also available on Amazon for USD 3:20. Number two (B) is called the TickKey [Via]. It can be used as a key ring and can thus be on hand whenever needed. The TickKey is USD 5:- on Amazon. Number three, Ticked Off (C), is promised to work on crawling ticks, too, and it's available on Amazon for USD 3:-. The Tick Nipper (D) tick tool sports a built-in magnifier to let you have a closer look at the critters. The Tick Nipper is USD 6:- on Amazon.

A helping hand when fixing your bike.

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:13:15 +0200

Alex Ramon is apparently a guy who knows a lot about fixing, tuning, adjusting and generally keeping bikes in good working condition. Now he's made a web site full of short and instructive video tutorials where he shows and explains how to go about getting some of the most common jobs done. The site is called Bicycle Tutor and it's pretty straight forward and easy to understand even for tech illiterates like ourselves. The site has an easy to use index and you can search by pointing your cursor to the part of a bike where your problem lies. There's also a comments section where you might find even more tips and tricks. Right now there's videos of 30 different jobs, but more are promised to be in the works.

Logistics company intros pickup machines for on-line shoppers.

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:17:34 +0200

Norwegian Box logistics company with divisions in both Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Estonia are in the process of building a network of delivery machines for web-shoppers. The idea is that your purchases will be available for pick-up from your closest MyQuickBox delivery machine within one or two days. At the time of purchase the system will send you a text message with the code to open the appropriate compartment in the machine of your choice. And if you have not already paid for your stuff on-line, the machine will be able to accept payment at the time of pick-up. We found one machine at the Gullmarsplan subway station in Stockholm today, but Box claims to have machines set up in Malmö and Göteborg, too. We found a small leaflet (detail above) next to the machine, where Box refers to a page on their web site, where they claim to have a list of web shops using their system, but the page does not seem to be up, at least not today. However, if you read Swedish, you will find a link on site to the scan we made of the leaflet with the text readable.

Folding bike handlebar - if you want to bring your bike inside.

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:05:41 +0200

We don't know about you, but we prefer to bring our bikes into the apartment rather than leaving them in the street or even in the bike shed. We feel safer that way. There's an incredible number of bikes stolen in Stockholm. The biggest problem with having bikes in the apartment is of course that they take up a lot of room. No matter how close to the wall you put it, the handlebar sticks out anyway. However, designer Joe Wentworth has made an effort to solve this problem with his concept for a folding handlebar. We like. Now we'll have to wait and see if it's going into production.

A more discreet satellite antenna.

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:28:26 +0200

We were about to write "dish", but since a dish by definition has a bowl shape, we settled for "antenna" instead. But, this is no ordinary satellite antenna, as you can see from the picture. In part because it has a rectangular shape and in part because it has camouflage. Since your neighbors may not enjoy the sight of your new satellite antenna, you can order your Sqish with a custom camouflage. Just attach a picture of the wall where you're planning to put the antenna, and for en extra GBP 25:- (USD 50:-) the Sqish people will deliver your new antenna with a custom color sticker to match the wall. The Sqish antennas are available from GBP 150:- (about USD 295:-).

Cable holder for the edge of the desk.

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:26:54 +0200

It's called Keep-a-Cable, and the idea is very simple in the way that good ideas so often are. All you have to do is attach it to the edge of your desk (it comes with double adhesive tape and holes for screws). After that you pull your cables through. The ones you don't use stays in the holder within easy reach. No more crawling on the floor looking for them. What strikes us about the way it's attached to the desk is that you could just as easily attach it under the tabletop. That way it would be out of sight, too. It's USD 11:- for a pack of three on Amazon. Also available in cut-your-own lengths (4 feet, 6 feet and 8 feet) from the manufacturer.

Teflon coated roller tray - just peel off dried paint.

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:25:31 +0200

There are few things as boring as cleaning roller paint trays. Unless one use disposable liners, we suspect that many people discard the whole thing rather than cleaning them. That's not too smart environmentally or economically. This new roller tray might help solve this problem. It has a teflon coating that lets you peel off dried paint without much effort. The big question is why it took so long before someone came up with it. The paint tray is made of metal with a non-stick teflon surface. USD 8:99 on Amazon.

Fake bus stop stops stray Alzheimer patients.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:05:31 +0200

The idea was first tried by the Benrath senior citizens home in Düsseldorf where the staff placed a fake bus stop sign at the sidewalk near the premises. The only difference between the Benrath sign and the real deal is that no buses stop at Benrath. The Benrath staff took to installing the fake sign as an attempt at solving the problem of old patients going astray trying to return to their previous homes or families, often to be collected by the police and brought back to the home at Bentrath. The patients are old, and their memories of recent events are often non-existant. Their long term memories, however, are often very clear to them. It seems they recognize the bus stop sign, remembering they used to take the bus to go home. Now, if they stray into the street, they wait patiently by the bus stop, soon forgetting why they went outside in the first place. Then they are collected by the staff, and brought inside again. The idea has apparently proved so successful it's tested in other places in Germany, too.

The Weber grilling shirt.

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:30:58 +0200

Today is reportedly the hottest June 6th for many years, and what would be more appropriate on our National Day than a grill gadget. But it's not just any grilling accessory. It's the official Weber grilling shirt. It's made of stain resistant cotton and it has lots and lots of pockets. Here's a pocket for lighter/matches, a specially coated pocket for spatula or basting brush and an extra deep pocket for tongs and the likes. Mesh under the arms for better ventilation. Available in charcoal grey (of course)and it is USD 30:-.

Picnic box for dogs.

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:28:36 +0200

Since June 6th is the Swedish National Day, and the weather is the best possible, a picnic in the park is a very tempting proposition. But. If you have a dog you should of course bring some picnic for Fido, too. The Charlybox consists of two separate parts, easily snapped together or taken apart. Just fill the water container with water and one of the bowls with dogfood. At the picnic site you just open it up and fill the water bowl and Fido is all set. USD 60:-.

Mobile camera microscope add-on.

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:27:07 +0200

A team of researchers at UC Berkeley are developing technology that will allow anyone anywhere in the world to diagnose malaria without any other equipment than a mobile phone with a camera and the microscope add-on. The idea behind the CellScope is to facilitate malaria detection and treatment without the need for a doctor on site to make the diagnosis. All you have to do is put a glass with a blood sample in front of the microscope, turn on the LED lights and look for the tell-tale blue dots that reveal wether the patient has contracted malaria. If need be, the mobile image can be sent to experts anywhere in the world for analysis.

BMW working on exhaust generator, nixes ethanol.

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:00:07 +0200

Cars are great wasters. Of all the energy stored in the fuel, only a third is used to propel the car and run its systems. The rest is lost in heat from the engine and the exhaust system. One way of getting more bang for the fuel buck could be the exhaust powered generator developed by British Foresight Motors that we posted on earlier. By using engine exhausts to power the car's generator the engine is relieved of this work and hopefully uses less fuel. Another idea, under development by BMW, is a thermo electric generator also placed in the exhaust system. Such a generator generates power by utilizing the dynamics of cold and warm air. Similar systems has been in use by NASA for years. BMW hopes to have a working system capable of generating 1,000 W within five years. This will be enough to run a car's AC and heat seats - and save up to five percent on fuel. BMW does not, however, have any plans to develop engines capable of running on the increasingly popular E85 methanol fuel.

GM closes four SUV and truck plants. Hummer next?

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:59:04 +0200

GMs massive Hummer SUV has drawn much of its popularity from its percieved relationship to the US Army's HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), developed and manufactured by AM General. The Humvee is clearly a very competent off-road vehicle and weapons platform, but it's hardly suited for everyday civilian use. The same can be said of the Hummer, too, even though it hardly has a single bolt in common with the HMMWV. The Hummer is based on GMs large SUV and truck chassis who now may have passed their expiration date. In any case GM apparently has felt the icy winds when they make public that they are shutting down no less that four(!) SUV and truck factories. The rising price of gas seems to have caught up with them at long last. There's no word on the Hummer, though, but GM finally seems to have seen the writing on the wall.

Frost sensitive road markings.

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:58:04 +0200

French company Eurovia is reported to be developing a kind of thermo sensitive varnish that can change color as the temperature changes. The application Eurovia is looking for is road markings that can warn drivers when the surface temperature on the road comes close to freezing. When temperatures rise again, the varnish resumes its original color. If they can get this to work at a cost that allows it to be implemented on a wide scale, the safety implications are of course obvious. Every driver does not automatically consider bridges and low ground as potential ice patches.

Baby bottle with medicine dispenser.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:24:36 +0200

Administering medication to babies is no easy task. They spit, they refuse to swallow, they do anything not to ingest the often less-than-sweet tasting drug. This is of course instinctive, and really a good thing, since it's meant to protect babies from eating anything suspicious. But it does not make giving them meds any easier. This invention, however, may well do the trick. The Medibottle is a baby bottle with an inset syringe. The idea is to mix the medication, a little at a time, with milk or baby formula so baby will not notice. It just could work. The bottle is USD 13:- on Amazon.

Coffee mug carrier.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:21:48 +0200

Of course there are the ever present cardboard trays. But this looks a lot smarter. However, there does not seem to exist much information as to who sells them or gives them away. The only thing we know is that they were apparently first(?) posted on a German blog or site, and that the pictures were picked up from there. Still, we like the idea, and if anyone out there knows more about this idea, we'll be happy to hear from you. Link to the German site's post after the jump.

Collapsible and portable laptop stand.

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:19:31 +0200

We are naturally pretty fond of our own little laptop stand invention since it's cheap and doesn't take up much room, but the Cricket laptop stand (above) is pretty cool, too. And we have to admit that the Cricket elevates the laptop a lot more than our improvised idea does, it can be adjusted, and it's available in more colors than one. On the other hand it's more expensive than our idea. A lot, actually... The Cricket is USD 40:- on it's own site.

Salt cubes - because we use too much of it.

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:38:38 +0200

Salt is one of the most useful spices for cooking. And for a long time essential for our ability to preserve foods for longer than a few days. Salted herring. Salted salmon. Salted meat. You name it. Without it long sea voyages would hardly have been possible, and the great discoveries possibly not discovered. Way back, salt nodes in rocks or mines were worth their weight in gold and an excellent trading commodity. Now, however, when salt is readily available, we tend to use too much. Hence this idea; the Kakujio. The Kakujio is a 2.5cc salt cube. Enough for cooking. Designed by the De Meyboom Lab in the Netherlands by Yasuhito Hirose and Ryohei Yoshiyuki it was featured in the Muji Awards 02. Also check out the Muji Awards 01, and the call for entries to Muji Awards 03.

USB equipped desk grommet insert.

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:36:54 +0200

Nearly all mobile gadgets plug in to the computer using USB. Many, if not all, modern desks have cable grommets to push cables and connectors through. Why not combine the two? Why not, indeed. We just wish we had thought of it first. With the In-Desk USB Hub you can connect a flash drive, a camera, etc and save space around your computer. The Hub is made to fit a 3 inch round grommet hole and connects directly to the computer with the included USB cable. It is USD 30:89 on Amazon.

Simple, ingenious cable holder for any shirt button.

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:34:41 +0200

We know next to nothing about this invention, except that it apparently is called "Wire Button", and that it was designed to help keep headphone cables and the likes in order. No word on availability or cost, but it does not look like it is going to cost an arm and a leg when (and it must) goes into production.

Mini travel iron.

Tue, 27 May 2008 16:46:17 +0200

This mini travel iron could mean the end of our crumpled travel life. It's so small it looks like it could be stuffed in a pocket. Providing it has had the time to cool off, of course. It looks like it would fit into most any suitcase or bag waiting quietly to un-crumple any garment and make us more respectable looking in a jiffy. Oh, belay that. The size of the ironing surface may actually make the process of ironing a shirt a rather lengthy one. Wonder if the actual design of a travel iron really has to resemble a conventional iron. Could there be a more efficient form? USD 14:98.

Pet water bottle and watering bowl.

Tue, 27 May 2008 16:44:00 +0200

We have previously covered a travel water bottle and bowl for dogs (and cats) on the site, so this one is to offer a competing design that may better suit your circumstances and preferences. Both ideas address the same problem in different ways, and this new addition has a few perks the older one did not have; like a belt clip and a carrying strap. USD 8:99.

Holy hot dog! A hot dog grill grid.

Tue, 27 May 2008 16:42:49 +0200

There seems to be a never ending demand for grilling gadgets. Part of the cause for this is of course the fact that we keep buying the stuff, thus encouraging people to keep inventing and manufacturing such gadgets. Never mind. Here's an idea that we think could easily be adapted to a weekend project of our own. A piece of steel mesh and something rounded and smooth to make the wavy bending with, and we'd be home. The site that sells them says they are made from recyclable aluminum, and that's okay we suppose, but what's wrong with stainless steel? USD 2:99 for two.

Wire skillet for grilling the small stuff.

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:16:13 +0200

We have a perforated skillet that we use for grilling small stuff like vegetables, shrimps and so forth. It works just great and we have used it for years by now. However, the other day we stumbled upon this alternative take on perforated skillets that was new to us; the mesh skillet. The principle is the same, of course, but the mesh, providing more holes than our old skillet, may let more heat and aroma through. The site that sells them claims the idea comes from the Spanish Basque province. We would not know about that, but we would really like to try one of these mesh skillets. USD 29:95.

Pitcher with coldpack.

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:14:13 +0200

Now that summer finally seems to be coming along, maybe it would be just about time to introduce this pitcher with its crushed ice cooling compartment. You will agree, we are sure, that keeping the ice in its own compartment is preferable to pouring it into the drink itself. There it would dilute your lemonade or your ice tea or your sangria or whatever you prefer to drink on the porch on a hot day. USD 45:-.

Poached eggs, anyone?

Fri, 23 May 2008 13:13:03 +0200

This little silicone cradle lets you poach perfectly smooth and round eggs. Just brush the inside with a little oil, pour in the egg, and let sit in boiling water until firm. When the egg is done, you just turn the pod inside-out and the egg plops onto your plate as a perfect little dome. GBP 4:99 (about USD 10:-).

A smarter skewer.

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:18:45 +0200

We love grilling. Shish kebabs too. But there is always the problem with turning them over. The little pieces of meat or veggies or shrimps or whatever do tend to turn on the skewer as you turn the skewer over and thus ending up with the uncooked side on top as before. The answer to that was the double skewer with two prongs that stopped food from turning. But there still was the chore of turning all the skewers. Enter the eight-pronged grill fork. Or the quad double skewer. No food spin. And just one turn to turn all the skewers. Could skewers get any better? GBP 10:- (about USD 20:-).

Two ways to keep a tidy car tidy.

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:17:21 +0200

We had an e-mail from Tony B. the other day. Tony is the inventor of EasyBin (left), and he wanted to let us know about his invention. Around the same time, we had found the Car Bin on the British Lakeland web-shop, but had not posted on it yet. So here's a double whammy directed at all the messy cars of the world. You know who you are. The Car Bin is waterproof and washable. The Easybin has individual plastic bags that you tear off and discard when they are filled with candy wrappers, banana skins and other trash. The Car Bin is to be hung from a hook or knob in the car. The Easybin has its own hanger. The Car Bin is GBP 4:- (about USD 8:-). The EasyBin is SEK 79:- (about USD 13:-) for a starter kit with holder and 15 bags. A refill kit with 15 new bags is SEK 39:- (about USD 6:50) Which is your favorite?

The best whisk ever.

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:16:08 +0200

Grandmother had one. Auntie had one. Mum had one. Wouldn't be surprised if every Swedish kitchen had a whisk like this during the fifties and sixties. The there was the electric whisk, but we still think this old invention is the better of the two. It's cheaper, there are less parts that can break, and it does not use any power. On the contrary, it helps you improve muscle strength while you get the whipped cream ready. The whisk in the picture is from the British Lakeland web-shop where it is GBP 9:- (around USD 18:-). We could not find a Swedish web shop that sells them, alas.

New take on power splitters.

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:17:22 +0200

With this Plug Multiplier you can easily convert one wall socket into four without getting tangled in the long power cord that accompanies ordinary power splitters. It also sports color coded on/off switches and a built in power surge protector. All for GBP 20:- (about USD 39:-).

Knife holder that goes under the cabinet.

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:15:55 +0200

Ordinary knife stands, knife blocks or knife holders have one problem in common. They take up space on the kitchen counter. This knife holder from Wusthof, though, offers an alternative. Mounted under a kitchen cabinet, it swings out to present the knives and back again to keep them out of sight. Clever. And the best part is it has a magnet inside to prevent the knives from flying all over the kitchen in case you get too enthusiastic. Room for 8 knives no longer that 10 in. USD 40:-.

Portable picnic grill.

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:14:39 +0200

Folded it's no thicker than an inch. Fold it out and pour in the coals and you have a pretty competent looking picnic grill. So far so good. The problems comes later; when you want to go home again. Better grill early and give it lots of cooling time... Yours for GBP 20:- (about USD 39:-)

Magnetic swiveling mini LED light for grill, etc.

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:02:45 +0200

It has three LED lights, a magnetic mount and it can be turned in any direction. To boot, it is heat resistant up to 176°F. Its magnet foot will attach to any ferrous surface, like a grill or a spatula. This is very well, but we think we could find lots of other uses for it. The limits of our, and your, imagination is all that's stopping us. And the prize tag, of course... USD 15:-.

Crank powered shaver.

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:35 +0200

It is supposed to work just like any other electric shaver. Minus the batteries or the power cord. Just turn the crank to shave anywhere you feel the stubble. One minute of turning gives two minutes of shaving. Seems to be the perfect gift for the frequent traveller or camping enthusiast. Or the guy that has a five o'clock shadow already before lunch. Sold with travel pouch with a mirror, cleaning brush and a power adapter just in case you couldn't be bothered with the cranking. Yours for USD 46:- at the manufacturer's own website.

Adjustable mandolin with a ceramic blade.

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:00:29 +0200

We bought one of these Kyocera ceramic mandolins recently, because we were curious to see how a ceramic blade would compare to a steel one. And it has not disappointed. The blade is almost too sharp, so the handle for whatever you're slicing is not to be ignored. Any macho chef stuff is hereby strongly discouraged. We've cut most anything on it. from cheese via ham carrots without any sign of the blade getting duller. It is promised to stay sharp ten times longer than a steel blade, so we'll see. Another feature is the easy adjustment of the cutting thickness. All you do is turn a square rod on the back of the mandolin. There are four different thicknesses available - 0.5 mm, 1.3 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm. Machine washable. It's available for instance on Amazon- for USD 24:95.

Table leg cable organizer.

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:40:57 +0200

We bought this cable organizer in Bangkok in February. A store called Playground had a clearance sale (it looked as though they were moving or going out of business). The store is (was) located at 818 Soi Sukhumvit 55. The idea is you put the plastic ring around one of the legs of your desk, and push the cables into the different slots in the ring. Works very well, as long as the table leg has a big enough diameter. The slots have different sizes to accommodate different size cables. We bought the cable ring for THB 65:- (about USD 2:-) on sale, and it was the very last one they had. It had been THB 215:- (about USD 3:85) so it was quite a bargain. Too bad they didn't have any more.

Copy vinyl to CD - and now to MP3, too.

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:39:38 +0200

We have mentioned a similar idea before. That was when we found a vinyl player that could burn to CD. Now, we have found one that is one better. The Ion LP2CD Converter can write to MP3, too. And if you need to tweak the sound a bit afterwards, it comes with software that can accomplish this; EZ Vinyl Converter 2 (EZVC2) for PC and EZ Audio Converter (EZAC) for Mac. The whole thing is USD 399:95, with Gracenote MusicID software that will analyze the vinyl record and fetch the name of the artist, album, and songs from the 'net

Slippers for muddy boots.

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:37:41 +0200

We don't know if we're going to laugh or cry over this one. Of course it's a pretty smart idea to let you get away from taking your boots off if you're just stepping inside to pick up a screwdriver. On the other hand it's kind of frightening to think that enough people walk into houses with muddy boots or wellies enough times to make boot slippers like this a marketable product... Made out of felt with a no-slip stripe on the soles. Hand wash only. Available in two sizes. A pair of the smaller slippers will set you back USD 29:50. The bigger ones are a bit more expensive.

Generate power as you flush.

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:09:59 +0200

Hydroelectric power is generated when moving water passes through turbines. And that goes for any kind of moving water, not just rivers. So the idea hatched by Leviathan Energy to use water moving through the sewer system could work, too. That means you could help power your house or community every time you flush the toilet. According to Tree Hugger (and Wired) Leviathan’s scalable turbine could be installed on a municipal system, or fitted to your own toilet to make use of the potential power just running down your drain. And if that is possible, why couldn't a similar turbines be fitted to the water mains, letting us generate power from incoming water as well.

Preventing theft by design.

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:08:35 +0200

After some 195 projectors were stolen from London schools in the first three months of 2005, the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) proposed a simple and low-cost design solution. It suggested that all educational equipment could be produced in a bright and distinctive orange color so that they would be easily identifiable and more difficult for criminals to sell on. Potential customers, it was thought, were likely to find the orange units less desirable and might also know that the orange color meant it was stolen property. According to Becta, the orange idea had an immediate beneficial impact. In the London Borough of Havering annual thefts of projectors and other electronics from schools had exceeded GBP 150,000:- (about USD 293,000:-) in one year. But with the orange projectors and other security measures, such as etched and forensic marking on the equipment, burglary rates fell substantially. Brilliant! More on British Design Council.

Back saver.

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:07:12 +0200

Part of the Smart Stuff editorial team has suffered from a bad back for years. On occasion acute lumbago has had to be treated by our favorite chiropractor and plenty of acupuncture. Now, this ergonomically designed handle, an easy addition to straight-shaft tools, could have saved us on several occasions. By changing the position and angle of one's grip, it helps reduce back strain, fatigue, and stress injuries caused by repetitive movements. Sounds like Gospel to us. The handle is made from ABS plastic, and it can be used on any long-handled tool, such as a rake, broom, shovel or mop. USD 9:95.

Peel-and-stick solar panels.

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:32:02 +0200

We don't think it's as easy as your everyday peel-and-stick adhesive bumper sticker, but just the same. It sounds like a major improvement from the tedious drilling and constructing that goes into the installation of ordinary solar panels. The Lumeta PowerPly solar panels are glued in place on the roof, using adhesives normally used in roofing. So far the method/product is only available for commercial buildings, but we hope an application for private homes will be in the market soon.

Pen with own writing light.

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:29:37 +0200

This LED equipped pen is meant for pilots who may have to take notes during flights in the dark. Why they did not use a more night vision friendly red LED, we don't know. The ink and the light in the pen can be used individually, so you can use it as a daylight pen or just as a flashlight if you like. It's called the Pilot's Pen, and it's USD 20:- on Amazon.

Shower for the outback.

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:28:29 +0200

The deal with this water bag is the shower nozzle in the bottom. With the Pocket Shower, you can have a nice warm shower when you get back from whatever it is you do in the wilderness. At least as long as you have a base camp to come back to. No-one will want to carry a filled water bag along all day, and if you fill it up when you pitch camp, it's not going to deliver a particularly warm shower. The idea is you fill it up in the morning and leave it out in the sun all day to get nice and warmed up. The bag has room for 10 liters (2.6-gallon) of water that is supposed to give you about 8 minutes of shower joy. If you don't use it for water you can always pack it with stuff you want to keep dry. It is, after all, water proof. USD 24:95.

Bamboo clothes - future of the garment industry?

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:16:13 +0200

Making textile from bamboo does not seem to be any more strange than making clothes from wood. Yes, they do. The wood fiber is called viscose, and the fabric is very soft and nice to wear. Bamboo fiber is made in much the same way as viscose, but the bamboo has a lot of other nice properties, besides being soft. Here are some of them. Bamboo fiber absorbs perspiration and will not stick to your skin. It's great ability to breath makes bamboo garments particularly comfortable in hot temperatures. They are also warm in cold weather. Bamboo is also naturally anti-bacterial and this makes bamboo clothing stay fresh and odor free longer. It is also anti-static, UV protecting and anti fungal. Bamboo is also considered environmentally friendly since it grows like wildfire, and does not require green thumbs to cultivate. To add to this, bamboo grows in many Third World countries that could well use the additional export revenue. We have a couple of bamboo (and bamboo-cotton mix) t-shirts and they really are comfortable. The only draw-back seems to be that they wrinkle very easily.

Slide bolt with combination lock.

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:15:13 +0200

We have seen plenty of slide bolt locks before, but the Combi-Bolt is something else. It has a built-in four digit combination lock with 10,000 possible combinations. You can change the combination whenever you feel like it, and the lock is supposed to be resistant to weather. It also comes with a kind of "one way" screws that are meant to make it difficult to remove. Available in black- or chrome- for about USD 25:-on Amazon.

Insulating emergency thermo blanket.

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:14:02 +0200

The material used in these heat insulating emergency blankets is said to have been developed by NASA, to be used as heat insulation during space expeditions. But it can be put to a lot of other good uses besides space travel. At the scene of a car accident, for instance, you can often see injured or shocked people wrapped in blankets like these to preserve their body temperature. In less serious situations, the blanket is very handy when camping, and it makes an excellent sleeping bag liner. Made from water proof, wind proof and highly reflective (90 percent of body heat is reflected) Mylar fiber, they have one more interesting feature. They are just USD 5:- for a 4-pack on Amazon.

Smart, dead simple wine rack.

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:20:10 +0200

Wine storage can become almost as complicated as space travel. We have some friends who put a lot of work into transforming a basement room into a wine cellar and bodega, complete with wine racks, furniture and lots of candles. Others have fancy wine fridges. Others still, and we find ourselves in this group, would be just fine with a kit like this. Two rubber or plastic wedges that let you stack the bottles on top of each other. It would probably work best if all the bottles are the same kind, so you won't have to rearrange them... It's GBP 4:95 (about USD 9:66) for two.

15 smart uses for aluminum foil.

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:19:04 +0200

Fellow blogger Anna Sattler on DIY Life have written a list of fifteen unusual and smart ways to use aluminum foil. The post is not new, but we like it just the same. We'll give you our three favorites; for the rest, please visit DIY Life. 1. Sharpen scissors by cutting through some seven layers of foil. 2. Clean guck from the grill by rolling a foil ball and scrub. 3. Prevent static electricity build up in your clothes by putting a ball of rolled up foil in the dryer.

Holder and drip tray for beer can chicken.

Thu, 08 May 2008 16:18:02 +0200

It has been a while since we posted on the beer can chicken, and to be frank we have not gotten around to trying it yet. Maybe this summer. Here's a gadget that's supposed to solve a problem we didn't even know existed. Apparently beer can chicken produces spillage that in turn causes flare-ups on the grill. The Steven Raichlen Beer Can Chicken Rack with Drip Pan is supposed to stop flare-ups since spillage collects on the tray. The tray will also collect meat juices so you could make sauce afterwards. USD 24:95 on Amazon.

Pet food cookbook.

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:39:14 +0200

Don't know if you've got a pet or not, but we have a cat that's allergic to almost anything on this Earth. It will sport a rash as soon as it's fed the wrong kind of food. Now we know pretty much how to handle this, but we would have been happy to have some help in the beginning. We think we would have been helped by this book - The ultimate pet food guide - by Liz Palinka. We just wish we'd known about it a bit sooner... Available on Amazon- at USD 11:96.

Motorola sponsors charging kiosks in Uganda.

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:37:54 +0200

The Third World has had an explosive growth in mobile phones. The mobile phone technology has meant a leap in so far as the developing countries has not had to go via landline phones to create a telecommunications system. However, it is not without problems. The most difficult is probably access to electrical power to charge phones and to power base stations. In many places where there is no, and probably never will be, a power grid people are left with diesel generators, with all the problems they bring. A better solution would be to use solar power, a commodity that's abundant in most of the parts of the world that need it. Motorola has sensed this, and are now testing placement of charging kiosks where you can charge your cellphone for free. If there's only Motorola chargers available is not clear at this point, but during the wait you'll be able to check out the latest Moto offerings and perhaps re-fill you cash card. The idea seems to be to entrust the kiosks to female micro-entreprenours. The whole thing is smart for several reasons; 1: you can get a charge for free. 2: Moto gets a lot of goodwill, and 3; net providers must be cheering with joy since a powerless phone does not generate any revenue on the network...

Serious work gloves.

Wed, 07 May 2008 21:36:36 +0200

Designer Shawn Campbell from LA has, apart from a lot of other cool stuff, created these very serious work gloves. They are made for the "Grunters, Framers, Grippers, and Handlers" out there, i.e. all the people that makes it possible for us to watch shows, movies and concerts and to be able to move house without breaking our backs.

Finger cutlery.

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:08:54 +0200

We have previously presented the finger paintbrushes and a finger toothbrush. So we suppose it's about time to introduce the finger cutlery. The culprit behind the finger cutlery is designer Merry Kawamura Ganjavian, and there's a finger fork, a finger knife, and of course a finger spoon to let you cope with every eating situation. Maybe the finger cutlery would be the perfect picnic gear. At least you don't have to carry the weight of the handles...

World's first semi auto shotgun for left-handed people?

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:07:52 +0200

The credits for this invention goes to Italian arms company Benelli. It's something we've been wanting for years; an auto-loading shotgun for us left-handed shooters. There hasn't been much to choose from for us lefties. You either live with having the hot shells zip before your eyes after each shot, or go for the classic systems with a bock (over-under) or a side-by-side. However, there has for some time existed another alternative; an auto-loader from Remington that ejects the shells downwards. We have posted on the Remington before, and maybe their solution is the best in the long run since it's okay for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.

Wash without detergents.

Tue, 06 May 2008 21:06:48 +0200

Our good friend and frequent tipster, Monica F., sent this snippet from a Swedish house-and-garden magazine. It's about washing balls (they look a lot like small UFOs) that, if they work as advertised, could replace ordinary detergents. It sound pretty fantastic, but the balls, when immersed in water, are supposed to produce ionized oxygen. The oxy is then supposed to activate the water molecules to penetrate deeply into the fabric and lift the dirt off. The upside would be that you could save on detergent, on running shorter washing cycles, and running them on a lower temperature. Three balls (supposed to last for a thousand washes) are SEK 750:- (about USD 123:-).

Transfer and measure angles.

Sat, 03 May 2008 17:12:03 +0200

Here's a a quick way to measure angles without having to construct a special template. Set the tool in place, adjust its arms to conform to your project’s angles, then tighten the thumbscrews. Tiling and flooring is much easier with a tool like this. We have tried it both ways. The Angle-izer comes with a CD-ROM for Windows (no Mac version, alas) with a calculator for cutting parts to fit arches or circular patterns. USD 24:95.

First really waterproof watch?

Sat, 03 May 2008 17:10:57 +0200

Most watches are called waterproof but they’re really not waterproof. If you try to engage the chronograph on most pieces the watch will become unstable and could let water in. Breitling has solved this problem by placing a magnet on each button, and another magnet inside the case. When you press the button, it engages the movement without actually touching anything. The magnets repel each other. The downside is that Breitling has used their caliber 73 SuperQuartz motion, but if you can live with wearing a quartz watch on your arm...

Hand powered onion chopper.

Sat, 03 May 2008 17:10:00 +0200

We have another Chef'n product in use since a couple of years, the Rev'nChef herb chopper, and it works like a charm. Just put whatever herbs you want inside and pull on the string. Their new onion chopper (above) uses the same basic tech (a string like on a lawnmower) but on a bigger scale. But if our experience with the Rev'nChef can be trusted we think this one is equally good. USD 29:95.

Coach gets adjustable window tint.

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:54:49 +0200

Japanese coach and truck maker Hino has developed a new luxury coach with windows that let passengers individually adjust the degree of tint in the windows. The coach has more than 11 square meters of glazing that can be varied from crystal clear to a tint six to eight times darker than normal tint. The technology can block more than 99% of UV radiation, drastically reduce heat build-up and glare inside the coach and as an added bonus it offers better soundproofing and greater structural strength to the bodywork.

Shine your shoes like a pro.

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:53:54 +0200

Now, if you want that pro shine you can't keep shining with just one hand. No way. You will have to imitate a professional shine man's moves. With this convenient shoe holder you get to use both hands, while not having to assume the shine man's kneeling posture. Just attach the holder to the wall at a convenient height. The holder can be adjusted to accept shoes up to a man's size 13. USD 21:95.

Sponsor a water purifier for just USD 25:-.

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:52:56 +0200

Vestergaard Frandsen, who created the smart Lifestraw water purifier, has taken their technology one step further and developed a family version; the Lifestraw Family. After recently delivering 75 Hippo Rollers in Africa, Project H Design has started a project to fund 100 Lifestraw Family units for a slum community in Mumbai (used to be Bombay) in India. For no more than USD 25:- you can sponsor one system for one family, and the water purifiers will be delivered and installed this summer by Project H Design. In a world where more than a billion people lack dependable drinking water, and where each year five million die from water related diseases this is an opportunity for anyone to make a difference. The Lifestraw Family can clean at least 10 liters of water an hour and more than 10,000 liters in the span of the units life span. That means an average family can have 18 months worth of clean water for a measly 25:- bucks.

The Th!nk electric car enters production.

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:43:45 +0200

Almost exactly one year ago we posted on the little G-wiz electric car, we'd found on London's streets. Now we've discovered that the Norwegian electric car project, Th!nk, is about to enter into production of its City model. The company hopes to produce 1,200 cars in its Aurskog, Norway, plant this year. Meanwhile Th!nk apparently has secured financial backing from US partners and are planning to set up a plant in California, too. It has been a bumpy road for Th!nk since the first prototype was introduced in 1991. The TH!NK City model (in its fifth incarnation above) first entered production in 1999, when the Ford Motor Company was a major shareholder and sunk some USD 150 million into the operation. Ford pulled out after four years, and the company was more or less put to pasture. Norwegian investors, however, supplied fresh funds in 2006, and now they are ready to start production again. If the Th!nk lives up to its promises it could be a serious competitor to the Smart city car, a model still using the traditional internal combustion engine. The Th!nk company also has more prototypes in the wings, among them a convertible (Open) and a four-door version (Ox).

Bicycle with electric motor assist.

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:39:54 +0200

It's not exactly cheap, but it could be a steal anyway. The Electric Motion Systems' E+ electrically assisted bicycle could prove to provide a major improvement in your health, the health of the planet and, of course, the health of your finances. After the initial investment you could improve your health by biking to work instead of driving, you would use much less gas, and subsequently spend less money. The E+'s electric motor is situated in the rear hub and the battery in the front. This could make the bike a little front heavy, but we'll reserve any opinions on its handling until we've had a chance to test drive it. Other things are more obviously smart, like the regenerative braking, which enables the battery to get charged each time the rider brakes, and the the handlebar-mounted LCD display which shows speed, distance traversed, battery level and whether or not cruise control is enabled. It is a hefty USD 3,495:-, but considering the price of gas lately...

Cane flipper.

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:38:52 +0200

Upright a cane using just one foot. Just apply pressure on the tip to raise the cane to its upright position. The rubber tip can also serve as a cane stand when you're not using it. Fits most canes. USD 12:95.

Folding balcony.

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:51:17 +0200

Lots of people who own condos in old buildings in Sweden are looking to add balconies. Balconies are rare in buildings from the turn of the century (the one before last) and it seems everybody wants one. Now the planning authorities never allow balconies to be built facing the street, but it's okay to put them in back in most cases. If you're looking to add a balcony, here's a novel take that can make you reconsider the traditional box. It's been dubbed the BloomFrame and it transforms a standard window frame into a balcony. It can be installed in both new buildings as well as retrofitted to older buildings. The idea comes from Hofman Dujardin Architects.

Pill bottle magnifier.

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:49:50 +0200

What can we say? There's almost nothing as important as being able to read the text on a medicine bottle. This clip-on 2x magnifier fits most prescription bottles. Just clip magnifier to bottle & swing lens outward to magnify text. Folds inward for compact storage. USD 7:95.

Hanger for five pair of pants.

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:48:40 +0200

We were actually looking for something entirely different, when we happened to stumble on this five pants hanger on Ikea. We've never seen it before. Now, someone might mail us and tell us it's been in the store for years, but it's the joy of discovery that counts. And that it looks very clever. USD 3:99 at Ikea.

Stackable thermo glasses.

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:27:27 +0200

We've covered thermo glasses and other thermo insulated kitchen stuff before, but this is as far as we know the first time someone has made the glasses stackable. They keep drinks hot or cold, and does not occupy the entire cupboard. Now, they're not as pretty as some of the other glasses we've shown you, and they don't have a cool brand name. But if you're only shopping for function, our guess is these glasses will do just fine at a fourth of the price (at least compared to the ones we found at MoMa recently). Glasses are dishwasher, freezer and microwave safe. Available in two sizes; 8 oz. and 11 oz. The small ones are USD 16:95 and the big ones are USD 21:95.

Israel to install AA missile defense on airliners.

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:26:36 +0200

According to reports, Israel will be outfitting its airliners with defense systems designed to thwart missile attacks. The defense will probably be a system with flares, designed to distract an incoming missile's heat-seeking mechanism. It will be installed first on planes flying to destinations considered dangerous, i.e Africa and parts of Asia. The need for a missile defense system was recognized in 2002, when an Israeli passenger jet was targeted after takeoff by Islamic militants using shoulder-fired missiles outside Mombasa, Kenya. The rockets missed, but spurred Israel to find a way to protect its airliners with a defense similar to that already used by its air force. (The picture does not show an Israeli airliner, anyone reasonably familiar with aircraft can see that, we just wanted to show you what firing a massive bunch of protective flares looks like.) Then imagine this over airports all over the world...

The world's 50 best restaurants according to S.Pellegrino.

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:24:39 +0200

Mineral water firm S.Pellegrino, together with a bunch of others, have come out with a list of the world's fifty best restaurants. The list is an orgy in food pr0n for the culinary crowd, us included. And, to our delight, we discover that there's a Swedish among the fifty; the Oaxen Skärgårdskrog, a really nice place indeed. What we don't understand, however, is why the two in our opinion best Swedish restaurants; Edsbacka Krog (two Michelin stars) and Mathias Dahlgren, are not on the list... Anyway, according to S.Pellegrino, the best restaurant in Europe (and the World) is Spanish El Bulli (chef-patron Ferran Adrià in the middle of the top row). The second and third best restaurants are British The Fat Duck and French Pierre Gagnaire respectively. Want to see more of the world's best eating places? See our list of the fifty complete with links after the jump.

Walking-stick headlights.

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:30:00 +0200

This is something we never thought we'd see. But. Here it is. A headlight for your walking-stick. Just switch on and head out into the night. The LED light can be rotated 360° and the clasp should fit most canes. The light can even be set to flash, which might be would be a good thing if grandpa should happen to stray into the street. The cane light is USD 12:95.

Pendulum serving tray.

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:28:54 +0200

This is a bit hard to understand. And to explain. But we've seen that it works, since we've watched numerous waiters in different countries use trays like this one. Apparently it works like a gimbal, which balances out the swinging and prevents spills. We thought these trays were restaurant supplies, but we've found a place where anyone can buy one. They are GBP 27:50 (about USD 55:-).

Silicone squeegee replaces chamois.

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:27:51 +0200

We bought a squeegee like this one for our latest car, and much to our surprise it worked like a dream. It was also a lot faster to work with than an ordinary shammy. The soft silicone blade adapts to the car's lines and curves and removes the water after a wash and rinse. (We always hand wash the cars.) The people that sell this thing also says it works equally well in the kitchen, bathroom, shower and to wash windows. We're sure that's true, but we haven't tried it. The silicone squeegee is GBP 18:95 (about USD 36:-), but we don't think we paid that much for the one we have...

Cargocycles promise greener deliveries.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:39:59 +0200

French La Petite Reine has come up with a greener alternative to business deliveries by using truck-sized cargo bikes. The firm has a fleet of about 60 Cargocycles for hire in Paris, Bordeaux, Rouen, and Dijon. Weighing 80 kg, each Cargocycle can transport about 180 kg of merchandise in its 1,400-liter cargo space. The Cargocycles can go most anywhere and they can park easily between two cars. Cargocycle deliveries are completely nonpolluting, in terms of both emissions and noise. Cargocycles are also available for lease or sale, should you be inclined to have your own.

The push and hang picture hanger.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:38:52 +0200

The Push & Hang promises to let you hang a picture or mirror in just seconds. We suppose they do not count the time it takes to determine the exact spot to put the hanger. Anyway, you're supposed to be able to push it into drywall with no other tool than your own thumb. The Push & Hang hooks are also easily removable and reusable. You get 10 hangers that hold up to 60 lb. each and 20 hangers that hold up to 10 lb. each for USD 19:95.

Measuring spoon with scale.

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:37:46 +0200

It looks (almost) like an ordinary measuring spoon, but it has a feature that we've never seen in a measuring spoon before. Its built-in scale can be switched between ounces and grams, and it can measure from .0005 to 10.5 oz. It is available for GBP 18:50 (about USD 35:-).

Smart, simple water purifier.

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:53:28 +0200

The thirst aid water purifier is one of the simplest to use that we have ever seen. You fill water from the bottom, shake the bag and let it sit for 15 minutes. After that you have drinkable water, even if you originally got it from a ditch or a standpipe. No price yet, though. From Thirst Aid.

Make your own fake headline t-shirt on CNN.

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:52:24 +0200

CNN apparently has a function where you can choose a current headline and have it printed on a t-shirt for USD 15:- plus shipping. That's no big deal, but the fun part is that you can hack the URL to show the headline of your own choosing. Or write just about anything you like. Try it. Here's the link to the t-shirt we just made (a bit of wishful thinking perhaps, but why not?). Make your own before they close it down.

Think the car has been re-painted? Check the paint thickness.

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:51:27 +0200

Are you looking to buy a used car? Do you suspect your "new" used car has been in an accident? Has the body been filled? Well, with the Westfalia paint thickness tester you have a chance to find out. The measure tests paint on both steel and aluminum and the three LEDs show any irregularities in the paint thickness. Just take a measure from the middle of the roof, for instance, and the tester will store this paint thickness as a reference value. By placing the test probe on any part of the vehicle body, you can compare it with the first value and have a chance to determine whether parts of the body have been replaces or repainted. Comes with a key chain and battery. GBP 9:99 (about USD 20:-).

BBQ burger basket.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:48:28 +0200

There are similar baskets for grilling fish, and there are perforated skillets and woks for greens and shrimp and other small food, so why should there not be a burger basket. Our guess is that this contraption is brilliant since the friggin' burgers have a tendency to stick to the grid all the time and resist flipping. The burger basket should solve that problem. The only downside is that it requires hand wash... The burger basket is USD 19:95 at Sur la Table.

Really easy point-and-show for globetrotters.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:47:29 +0200

When in Thailand you probably order your moo yang with naam saparot or a bia sing lek or maybe some extra nam prik pla with your shrimps without trouble, but how do you do in Cambodia or Japan or Russia or Pakistan? Somewhere in the world you'll be a newbie like the rest of us, and then you'll need this book. "Point It" is a point and show book with 1,200 pictures of most anything you'd need to communicate and all you have to do to be understood is to point. Even in Ulan Bator. Apparently UN personnel on assignment in the bush uses it. Available on Amazon- from USD 4:62.

How to freeze food in just the right size.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:46:26 +0200

We freeze a lot of food. It's always nice to have some lunch just a nuke away in case we're not in the mood for cooking. But if you freeze for instance ground meat in pound batches it's not easy to get just the amount you need. On the Slashfood blog we find this tip (and they have found it on Lunch in a Box). It appears to be a Japanese idea (the Japanese seem to be very clever, indeed) and it's very simple. Just fill a plastic bag with ground beef (also works with thick sauce) flatten it to get the air out and pre-shape breaking lines before freezing. A lot like chocolate bars. We like.

New thermo effect glasses.

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:47:43 +0200

We've covered this ground before, with glasses that keeps your drink cold or warm depending on your preference. But these glasses have a new and cool design by Alissia Melka Teichroew. They are called inside-out glasses and they are, from the left, cocktail glass, liquor glass and champagne glass. All are mouth blown with double walls using borosilicate glass. They are USD 65:-, 55:- and 65:- respectively for a two-pack at the MoMa store.

New lancing device promises to reduce pain.

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:46:43 +0200

Most, if not all, lancers or auto injectors works by jamming a spring loaded needle into your skin to draw blood or inject drugs. This creates several problems, one of them is that the cutting depth cannot be adjusted and that the wound tract is quickly contracted often causing a bleeding under the skin. (fig b). Many, particularly children, also think the pinprick is uncomfortable and downright painful. A new device, the Pelikan Sun lancing device, promises to remedy this. By pushing the lancet into the skin, stopping it, and pulling it out in a controlled motion over about one second, no sudden trauma that causes pain should occur. Also the wound canal does not close immediately, making the blood sample easier to collect without squeezing (fig a). A microprocessor controls the entire operation and determines how deep the cut should be. The device is available in the US, Germany, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand. If your insurance does not cover the expense it is about ca USD 200:-. The cost of the disposable lancets should of course be added.

Watch out for these baddies if you go to Australia.

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:45:43 +0200

Australia probably has more dangerous and/or poisonous animals, insects, reptiles and fish than the rest of the world combined. Maybe the continent's isolation and harsh living conditions has benefited a natural selection of the most dangerous. Anyway. Many young Swedes goes to Australia to work and to experience the world, and that's cool. We'd like to go, too. But before you go you might want to check out some of the animals you'd better stay away from. Here's a web resource where they have collected some of the most dangerous fish (are jellyfish really fish?) that you'd be wise to recognize before you encounter them. From the left, the Blue Ringed Octopus, the Stonefish and the Box Jellyfish.

Plastic wool shears to cut lettuce.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:33:25 +0200

Maybe it's better and easier than cutting with a knife. We're going to have to try it. At least you can use it with just one hand, and the plastic won't oxidize the lettuce the way ordinary knives do. It's our old favorites at Chef'n who has come up with it, and it's USD 4:95 at Sur La Table.

Pack a six month maybe-box to unclutter your home.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:32:26 +0200

We all have stuff we rarely use and probably wouldn't miss if it was to disappear. Here's a cool idea from the ZenHabits blog. They suggest packing a "maybe-box" with stuff you haven't used for a long time. Then store the box somewhere out of the way and make a note in your calendar to look in the box in six months time. When you get the box out, chances are you did not miss anything in it and can dump the whole thing or put it up for your next garage sale.

Alarm padlock.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:31:35 +0200

This padlock will protect your bike, garage door, garden shed, side gate, tool box or locker not only with the strength of the actual lock. To make things even sweeter, it also sports a 96 - 98 db alarm that is triggered when someone tries to tamper with your stuff. You can choose between siren and no siren, so you can use it as an ordinary lock if you prefer. But why should you? We'd like to use this at the gym... USD 20:-.

Lawn aerating sandals.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:09:24 +0200

We use lawns for lounging and playing and we also mow the grass more or less regularly. With all this use and weight, the soil under our lawns gets compacted and less healthy over time. These lawn aerating sandals provide an easy way to revitalize hard compacted soils. Aerating your soil creates passages that allow air, water and nutrients to reach the root system. Wear them while mowing. Your lawn will thank you. USD 17:-.

New take on the old snow shovel.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:08:12 +0200

The Snowscoop has a wheel on the back that allows it to roll over any surface, carrying large amounts of snow to the side. The patented design is promised to make clearing the driveway or back yard easier than with an ordinary shovel, the weight of the snow being supported by the wheel and not by one's back. A steel edge on the front lip will completely clean a smooth surface. And the best of all; it uses no gasoline. USD 100:-.

Ladybugs as garden pest terminators.

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:07:29 +0200

Ladybugs are, in effect, a garden killing machine. They have become a symbol of biocontrol and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Although they tend to be flighty even if released properly, the Ladybugs that stick around will be diligent to chow down on their favorites: aphids, mites, insect eggs, etc. Ladybugs can be very cost-effective and are a natural way to rid your lawn and garden of unwanted pests. Each order will contain approx. 4500 (adults) USD 70:-.

Life hammer for your car.

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:18:49 +0200

Today's cars envelope you in a cocoon of safety. But what happens if your seat belts won't release, or the door locks jam? You could be imprisoned in a flaming wreck. The Life Hammer comes with two heavy, conical steel points that will quickly shatter a side window and a recessed razor-sharp blade also cuts through your seat belt in one quick motion. Awarded Silver Medal by German Traffic Safety Council. USD 23:-

WTF? A golf tee with a brush?

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:17:30 +0200

Finally someone has attempted to improve the ancient wooden golf tee. At the critical intersection where club meets ball, you want maximum transfer of energy and nothing to deflect your ball off line. Brush-T supports the ball on the tips of flexible bristles that bend on impact. So instead of a stiff wooden or plastic cup cradling your ball, Brush-T suspends your ball on a cushion of air and supposedly offers a gain of up to 7 yards. Promised to conform to all R&A and PGA regulations. Set includes three 2" Brush-T's (for 3-woods); three 2.2" Driver-T's; three 2.4 Oversized-T's (for higher launch angle with larger drivers); and two 3.125" XL-T's (for maximum carry with 360-480cc oversized drivers). USD 20:-.

Gardner's goggles.

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:16:15 +0200

These plant examining glasses brings technology developed by NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to your own backyard. With these purple lenses you'll be able to see areas of your lawn that may need a little help long before you'd observe the problems with your naked eye. The lenses block out the green reflected by chlorophyll in the healthy areas of your lawn and garden, causing those areas to show as black or gray. Unhealthy spots, deficient in chlorophyll, will show up as pink, red or coral. USD 50:-.

Extra long toe-nail clippers.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:46:44 +0200

Don't know about you, but we have had the feeling that our toes have moved further from our hands lately. It sounds crazy, since our legs have not grown longer. It must be that our arms have somehow become shorter. Anyway. The Easy-grip scissors sport an extra-long handle and angled blades for faster and neater clipping of toenails. Just USD 55:- .

TV terminator.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:45:45 +0200

TV is everywhere. Even in places you don't particularly want to watch or listen to TV. Like bars and restaurants. Or waiting rooms. Or shopping malls. With the Vigilante, however, you can be the TV overlord in any bar, restaurant or lounge. The little wonder contains over 200 infrared on/off codes covering the overwhelming majority of TV models. Just aim and press, and silence will ensue. But do it discreetly, since there might be other patrons who actually enjoy their daily brain-washing. And depending on the bar, they will be more or less prone to violence. USD 20:-.

Seat belt light.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:44:05 +0200

This might be a product whose shelf life has expired even before it has begun. Because if you have a GPS in your car you will probably need a seat belt light just as much as you need a hole in your head. But if you don't have a GPS, it could be just the thing. Imagine trying to find the remote ski lodge you just rented in the middle of the night, and you'll get the idea. It has two levels of brightness from 4 LED lights and it uses 3 AA batteries (not included). USD 15:-.

Bike stand for small spaces.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:31:13 +0200

Here's a bike stand that can help make space for two bikes in a garage or apartment. There's even an extension to accommodate four or six bikes, but it won't be as slim, of course. With the stand bikes won't topple over and since they are upright, they will take up much less space. USD 55:-.

Tie-pod for tidy travelers.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:29:45 +0200

We don't use neckties all that often, and we're not about to start. But if we were, and if we travelled a lot, we'd think of getting a few of these tie pods. Keeping a tie tidy in a suitcase can be a problem, but rolling it into one of these see-through tubes would make things a whole lot easier. No wrinkles. No dust. You need one pod per tie. USD 5:-.

Pocket shawl.

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:28:20 +0200

No, it's not a pocket sized shawl. On the contrary. At 66" x 16 1/2", it's quite generous, actually. No the thing is the actual pockets where you can warm your hands on a chilly evening, or keep stuff you don't want to carry. The one in the picture is acrylic, available in black or tan and will set you back some USD 15:-, but perhaps you could knit your own?

Tweezer with built-in loupe.

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:35:28 +0200

To remove those bits that you can't see but know are in there. You know how it is. One of these days you'll get a teenzy-weenzy splinter in your finger and you'll be at a loss to find it without these. USD 6:50.

Thermo serving plate.

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:34:36 +0200

Hors d’oeuvres are promised to stay cool or warm for up to two hours with this thermo-insulated serving tray. Put it in the freezer to serve cold food, heat it in the oven to serve warm food. USD 30:-.

Carrying handle for buckets or shopping bags.

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:33:38 +0200

Mabe you have an old bucket that's still useful but missing its plastic grip, leaving just a bare wire handle that dig into the hand. This little helper snaps onto the wire handles of 1 to 6 gallon buckets, making it less painful to lug a load. They are also great for carrying plastic grocery bags. USD 1:95. Link to the other grocery grips and carry handles after the jump.

No posts today. You probably wouldn't believe us anyway.

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:22:06 +0200

Some days are best spent in bed. April first is one of those days. But we are up and about anyway, preparing to-morrow's posts and looking for more smart stuff for your enjoyment. Until to-morrow!

Password strength checker.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:19:34 +0200

If you are anything like most of us, you have a few favorite passwords that you use over and over again. Very few seems to invent new passwords, but use and old one that is easy to remember. With the Password Meter you can check your favorite passwords and see if they are up to par. You can also easily experiment with different variables to improve your password and make it stronger. Hint: try to use lower/upper case letters and throw in a number or the odd symbol.

Rope fastener for the knot challenged.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:18:37 +0200

Anyone awkward with knots will appreciate this simple fastener. Resembling a large paper clip, it securely holds line up to 3/8" in diameter. Load rated up to 150 lb., the steel fasteners are available with two spiral ends for splicing or with a hook end for use as a tie-down. Comes with instructions. USD 2:75 for a pack of two.

Fire resistant document bag.

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:17:44 +0200

This fire resistant bag can be used to store deeds, car title, passports, wills, and other important papers that you want to keep away from fire. It is woven from fiberglass and can withstand up to a 1,000 degrees F. It's USD 12:99.

The perfect travel jacket?

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:56:59 +0100

If anyone knows, National Geographic should. Using almost 100 years of travel experience they have created the National Geographic Global Travel Jacket (USD 150:-. It is made from teflon coated wrinkle resistant cotton which means it's both water- and dirt repellant. And of course it has leather patches on the elbows and at the end of the sleeves, besides no less than 14 different sized pockets for all your stuff.

The most awesome search engine...

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:56:12 +0100

We got this link from Joe on Bookofjoe today. And before we knew we had spent the better part of an hour flipping through the pages. And it was worth every minute. That's why Smart Stuff is late today. So you know. Searchme is a new search engine that shows the actual pages in your results much like a rolodex if anyone remembers those. The service is in private beta which means you need an invitation to sign up for it. You can get yours here. When this is written there's 708 private beta accounts left. Better hurry. this can be big.

What you see is not always what you get.

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:55:01 +0100

But you knew that, didn't you? Or at least suspected. If you have ever bought a frozen or otherwise packaged meal, chances are the actual food did not live up to what the picture on the box promised. A bunch of Germans behind the Verbung gegen realität (Advertising vs. reality) website had noticed the same thing, and with almost proverbial German thoroughness they have gone through exactly 100 ready-mades of all kinds, taken pictures of the packaging, cooked the food according to instructions, and finally photographed the often pretty pathetic result. The pictures are organized in sets of three (example above) where everyone can compare what you're promised with what you actually get. The food in the project comes from German stores, but we don't think the assortment in your or our store is much different. Take a few minutes and look through the gallery before you go grocery shopping next time! Bon appétit!

New LED light rig for compact digital cameras.

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:45:16 +0100

We found this new ring light, the Marumi LED-8, for digital compacts today, and we think it looks pretty smart. You attach the light rig either to your camera's tripod mount or to the tripod itself and attach the camera on top (like in the picture above). The flexible arm the lets you either center the ring light around the camera lens, or, if you prefer, to light up the object from another angle. Battery powered. EUR 79:99 (about USD 125:-).

Stab-proof t-shirt.

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:44:08 +0100

The company Nihon Uni has created a t-shirt that they say will protect against stab wounds. They were doing research to find a lightweight way to offer a bit more security in your day to day routine. The shirt is made from a fiber that is three times stronger than the cotton used for an average T-shirt. It is a ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber, which is supposedly equal to the aramid fiber used in body armor. It will be released in Japan in June in both short sleeve and long sleeve versions, the long sleeve variant offering a bit more arm protection. The long sleeve will be sold for USD 220:- and the short-sleeved version for USD 190:-. Expensive, but perhaps we could hope that companies will buy them for their employees...

Self inflating tire.

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:43:02 +0100

Tires lose their pressure over time. This is a factor in both road safety, fuel economy, and of course in the cost of having a car. Tires wear out before their time when they do not have the correct air pressure. This solution comes from Czech Republic CODA DEVELOPMENT company and is an integrated system that inflates itself using the air around us. The system consists of a tube chamber in the tire wall that acts as a peristaltic pump, inflating the tire as it turns against the road. Once correct pressure is achieved a valve shuts down any further inflation. Impressive.

Put your extra lighting inside the car.

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:07:27 +0100

Putting large extra lighting on cars seems to be very much a Swedish and Finnish thing. Maybe it has something to do with the long and dark winters and a bit with rally tradition. We of course understand the reasons to add extra lights (most cars have deplorable lighting) but we have never understood the tendency to put these expensive lights at the very front of the car where they are the most vulnerable for parking damages. On one of our cars we were thinking of putting extra lighting on the roof, to get the lights out of harms way. Maybe if these Rayzer lights had been available at the time, we would have been tempted to buy them. Apart from traditional extra lighting the Rayzer light from Swedish Visualeyes mount inside the car, which solves some of the problems with traditional extra lights. But at what cost... SEK 7,950:- (approx USD 1,312:-) Ouch!

Kitchen towel with grip enhancing rubber print.

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:06:32 +0100

This kitchen towel has a grip-friendly rubber print pattern that gives extra strength when for instance opening jars of relish. Folded, it can also be used as a trivet. The back unprinted and absorbing. Designed by Josephine Drakenberg it is SEK 125:- (about USD 20:-) on Nytta Design. Josephine Drakenberg is the designer behind the clever string-less kitchen apron that we have posted on earlier. The aprons are also available from Nytta Design at SEK 495:- (about USD 81:-) each.

Umbrella pole hooks.

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:05:40 +0100

How many times have you wondered what to do with all your gear on the beach? How many times have you had rust stains on your clothes from hanging them over the umbrella rig? Or had sand in your camera? With the Pole-R-Bear Handy Umbrella Hooks, (almost) any umbrella pole can be made into a convenient hanger for all your stuff. Made from rubber with four rubber coated hooks. USD 12:99.

Birgitta's flush-pod can reduce the risk of Legionnaires' disease.

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:54:45 +0100

Birgitta Olsson of Färgelanda has been awarded the 2008 prize as the year's Swedish female inventor. Her idea, the "Spoldosan" (approx. Flush-pod), has been developed into a product with great commercial promise. The flush-pod is meant to be used to rinse away stagnant warm water left in pipes, shower-heads and hoses, etc. By letting the water run through the Flush-pod into the drain, the amount of water vapor in the air is drastically reduced as is the risk of spreading the Legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease.

Tea light holder with tea light dispenser.

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:53:45 +0100

The Lighthouse tea light holder is one of designer Carina Ahlburg's latest bright ideas. The tube/tower can hold one lighted tea light on top, and several more in reserve below. You fill the Lighthouse via the opening near the top, and remove one tea light at a time through the opening at the bottom, much like any old dispenser. We like. Also check out Ms. Ahlburg's clever collection box for recycling old newspapers, that we posted on a while back.

Braille cellphone for the visually challenged.

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:52:38 +0100

All cellphones rely heavily on their UI. Some are good, some barely OK, and some suck. But to a blind or visually impaired person this does not matter, since he or she can't use the phone anyway. They would be happy with a phone without all the bells and whistles, as long as it is good for calling up friends and family. Now, apparently, Indian phone service provider Spice has recently showed a USD 20:- braille cellphone. Phone manufacturer Doro also has a cell phone model meant to facilitate for the elderly or visually impaired, but although it has a very simple UI, it does not use braille. Now our question is this; how hard could it be for Motorola, Nokia, Samsung or Sony-Ericson to add braille to the keyboard next time they re-design one of their phones?

Deer whistle promises to reduce wildlife accidents.

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:45:08 +0100

The Save-A-Deer whistle is an animal alert, deer warning device that aids in accident prevention with animals. Help save human and animal lives through reduced deer and vehicle collisions. Not to mention, you will be able to avoid the severe damage animals can do to your vehicle. Tack till Helen M. for the tip!

Waterproof socks.

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:43:38 +0100

The breathable sealskinz type boot liner has a patented fabric structure of three highly engineered layers including a membrane capable of allowing perspiration to escape while not allowing water to penetrate (Gore-Tex principle). Each sock is high-pressure tested to make sure there are no leaks. That makes them suitable for most any activity where you risk getting your feet wet. And at USD 14:95 they will not break your budget.

Bake potatoes on the barbeque.

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:42:13 +0100

From the website: "The Baked Potato Grill Cooker makes it twice as fast to cook a potato on the grill ... Stick your potato onto the prongs of the rack, then place (it) on the grill. The metal rack will conduct heat from the grill, cooking it from the inside while it’s also cooked from the outside. Also keeps the potatoes from rolling around." USD 7:99.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke CBE, dies at 90.

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 00:33:07 +0100

Arthur C. Clarke, possibly the most visionary sci-fi author of all time, has reportedly passed away. He had just turned 90 years old. The AP alert reads:

"AP News Alert
1 hour ago
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Aide says science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90."

Clarke is most famous for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, and for collaborating with director Stanley Kubrick on the film of the same name. He is also is accredited with inventing the concept of the communications satellite. Wikipedia.

Power-strip with ejector pedals.

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:50:52 +0100

The Eject Power-strip is a concept that uses a pedal device to eject power plugs that lead to devices not in use to prevent "vampire" power consumption. That's pretty neat, especially if the power-strip is hard to get at, i.e. under a desk. But being clever, unfortunately it does not help you get the stuff connected again, since it appears you still have to bend down and crawl under the desk to plug them back in. Maybe further development is required, like making the pedal device into a circuit breaker...

Eco friendly dishwasher tablets.

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:49:26 +0100

This is from Smart Stuff reader Helen M., who writes (somewhat edited) "I would like to suggest ... (these) dishwasher tablets, non corrosive, environmentally friendly ... all (the company's) products are probably innovative and smart, but the only ones I have tried are the dishwasher tablets only sold by Överskottsbolaget (Swedish outlet store/Ed.). They are great. (I) use two tablets per wash in Gotland. In Stockholm one (is enough)." According to the Biotab site the contents of the tablets are sodium carbonate, softener and enzymes and the ingredients are declared to be biologically dissolvable according to OECD guidelines. And there's no perfume either. From Biotab in Skellefteå, Sweden.

African bike-moped does 50 km per liter.

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:47:59 +0100

This is a motorized bicycle, made in Kisumu, Kenya and purchased in Kakemega. The tank can hold about two liters (about 0.5 US gal.) of petrol (gas) and can theoretically get around 50 km (about 31 miles) a liter. They cost around 7,000 Kenyan shillings (about USD 107:-). To start the bicycle you start pedaling manually, then you flip a switch on the left handle that starts the engine. Then you have a normal motorcycle throttle control on the right side. It's a bit like the iconic French VelóSolex mopeds that were the preferred simple and cheap transportation for millions of French for almost sixty years.

Double suction cup fixes bowl to bench.

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:30:13 +0100

The Sticky Bowl has been designed to attach mixing bowls securely down to a flat surface. It basically provides an extra hand in all types of kitchens, whether you’re working on your own or with others. Sticky bowl can also be applied to plates, bowls and platters. One side has been designed bigger than the other to accommodate a larger range of bowl sizes. On the side are easy to find release levers. AUD 19:95 (ca USD 18:-)

Adjustable candle holder grips (almost) any candle.

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:29:07 +0100

Joakim Norin and Erik von Schoultz (the guys who created the "Drosselmayer" nut cracker) has done it again, it seems, with a clever adjustable candle holder that accepts almost any candle without carving the candle or stuffing the candle holder. It will accept candles with a diameter from 17 to 40 mm (about 0.6 to 1.5 inches. Just turn the top and the bottom grips the candle. SEK 360:- (about. USD 60:-).

Camcorder with 16GB SSD + SDHC card slot.

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:28:37 +0100

We do not write much about new electronics, but we will make an exception fort this new Canon HF10 camcorder. If we are not mistaken it is the first camcorder with a 16GB SSD that can record up to six hours of video. And if that is not enough, it has a slot for SD/SDHC memory card, if you need additional memory. This should have been enough even for Andy Warhol in his day. The downside is perhaps that its memory only lasts for 3 hours, so an additional battery might be a good investment. Other features include 12x optical zoom, HDMI out, built-in electronic lens cover, built-in video light, 3.1 megapixels photo shot, and more. It will be available, among other places, no Amazon from May first.

Winner of Smart Stuff Readers Choice Award 2007. PlayPump!

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:12:19 +0100

The PlayPump is a children's merry-go-round hooked up to a water pump and water storage tank. The idea is simple and smart. The kids spin the merry-go-round, which works a water pump that pumps water into a storage tank just a few feet away. Each installation can pump up to 1,400 liters per hour. The initial investment is USD 9,000:-, and maintenance costs are covered by advertising. Besides the benefit provided by access to clean water, the pump can also improve the situation of girls and women, who would otherwise spend hours each day fetching water instead of going to school. The pumps are manufactured and installed by South-African Roundabout Outdoor Ltd., with funding coming from an international coalition of governments, NGOs, companies, foundations and individual donors. See a link to our previous winners after the jump. Thank you all for voting!/Ed.

A lock you can re-program yourself.

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:08:16 +0100

Lock maker Kwikset has announced the SmartKey. Its main feature is anti-bumping technology, which supposedly makes the lock un-pickable (bumping is probably the easiest way to break a lock, using just a hammer and a dummy key). The SmartKey lock can also be re-keyed by the owner. You put in your old key, hit a "learning" button inside the lock, swap in the new key and that key is immediately paired with the lock.

Shinfin - a swimming fin you can walk with.

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:07:04 +0100

Shinfin is a different kind of swim fins. Instead of putting the fins on your feet like ordinary swim fins, Shinfins are made to be put on your - you guessed it - shins. This demands a different swimming technique, where you move your legs at the hip rather that at the knee. The advantages compared to regular swim fins are more or less obvious, and are to a large extent about ergonomics. Shinfin says that their fin gives a lot more natural swimming movement. This can only be determined by a test swim, but just the fact that you can walk in them, and use all sorts of water sports equipment, goes a long way in our book. The Shinfins are AUD 99:- (approx. USD 92:-) on the site. Thanks to Kirsten for the tip!

Safety belt for your fly.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:11:19 +0100

Lisa Sjövall writes in to let us know about her invention, the ZipHolder. As far as we can tell it is an elastic thread that you first fasten on your zipper, and then around your pant's button. In place the ZipHolder will hold the zipper in place and you do not risk any sudden slide-down and involuntary exposure. SEK 39:- (about USD 6:30).

Ratchet powered mixer.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:10:11 +0100

You run the mixer with a squeeze of your fingers. Or several, we suspect. The ratchet mechanism and the supposedly highly efficient blade makes mixing vinaigrettes and powdered mixes quick and easy. The pitcher and the mixing blade are dishwasher safe; the ratchet mechanism must be hand washed. 2-cup capacity. USD 9:95.

Snaps bottles with built-in thermos.

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:09:14 +0100

Maybe they are not really meant to be bottles for snaps, but that was our first thought when we laid eyes on them. The bottles have a built-in thermos effect, i.e. the space between the walls helps keep the fluid inside at temperature, be it warm or cold. They are made from heat resistant, micro safe glass and have a bottle top. Capacity 16-oz. USD 99:- at MoMA. Expensive? Well, yeah, but they would look just great on the table...

Bed with own elevator makes more room.

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:18:13 +0100

We have seen quite a lot of different ideas for loft beds, or elevated beds, or whatever you like to call them. And we are not talking about murphy-beds here. Many of these ideas have been used, or suggested, for small apartments where you really need the extra space. Now, elevated beds or loft beds need a lot of headroom. You can hardly even contemplate getting one for a modern apartment. You need something from the turn of the century before last. Now here is another idea that might actually work even in apartments of more recent vintage. French Bedup (site in French) makes a smart bed with its own elevator, that lifts the bed almost flush to the ceiling when it is not in use. They are from EUR 2.810:- (approx. USD 4.300:-) if we are not totally mistaken.

Color coded cutting boards for fish, meat, veggies, etc.

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:17:03 +0100

These four color coded polypropylene chopping boards are designed to help keep different kinds of foods separated and avoid cross-contamination. The red one os for meat, the white for already cooked food, the blue is for fish, and the green is of course for vegetables. They come in a plastic box with no-slip rubber feet. We particularly like the little tabs... From MoMA store at USD 85:-. Design by Damian Evans.

Stain removing tips and tricks.

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:15:59 +0100

The School of Fiber Science and Technology at the University of New South Wales have prepared a simple and easy to understand table of good solid tips for removing stains. We have covered some of these tips before, but check it out anyway. These people should know what they are talking about!

Skoda Superb gets a sedan trunk AND a hatchback.

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:13:50 +0100

It will not arrive in Sweden until September, but via Skoda Auto's home page we have found pictures of Skoda's (we think) quite unique solution with double trunk doors. With the Skoda double door on the new Superb model (based on the VW Passat) you can either open the trunk like on an ordinary sedan, OR choose to open it like on a large hatchback! why did not Saab come up with this? They could have used the publicity.

Make a flash diffusor from an old film canister.

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:12:57 +0100

A stroke of genius, we dare say. After about five minutes' work with ruler, pencil and scalpel we have our own diffusor for the Lumix DMC-FZ20. The only little hitch was that the pop-up flash on the Lumix is so wide we had to cut the canister from opening all the way to the bottom. This meant that the lid would not stay on by it self, but a little superglue fixed that. The difference between using the "naked" flash and the diffused one is easy to see. Too bright parts and dark shadows are softened, and the pictures appear much more balanced. Now all we have to do is remember to bring the little thing.

The Knork revisited - here are two Swedish examples.

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:11:59 +0100

After our post on the knork the other day, Smart Stuff reader Peter K mailed us to remind us that there are at least a couple of Swedish takes on the knife/fork combo. There's the classic hot dog stand fork (left) that has been developed and manufactured by Merplast in Ängelholm since the 60s. The hot dog fork has a serrated edge, but as far as we know it only really works for right-handed people. Peter K also says that a Knork is pretty similar to a pastry fork. And he's got a point, there. We have not been able to find a representative pastry fork, but we have a picture of the Gense hors d'oeuvre fork that looks like it has knife edges on the sides. Thanks to Peter for the mails!

Micro mini bike tool.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:53:45 +0100

This very, very compact bike tool is probably the smallest we have ever heard of. It sports five different Allen wrenches and one Philips screwdriver bit and the whole thing can be folded to the size of a walnut. Since the tool is so small, it cannot do the toughest jobs, but it will handle most of the tinkering you will need to do on your bike.

Prize winning telephone designed for the elderly.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:52:46 +0100

Telephone manufacturer Doro has won a French design prize - The Janus Award - for their senior telephone called MemoryPlus 319ph. The phone is specially designed to be easy to use by elderly people. Design by Ergonomidesign design firm.

Smart measuring jar.

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:51:43 +0100

Sometimes measuring the exact right amount of a liquid can be a pretty messy affair. And this is especially annoying when handling oil or chemicals. Enter this pretty smart double compartment measuring bottle. First measure by letting some liquid into the smaller measuring compartment (1). Then check to see if you got it right (2) and adjust if need be (3). Finally pour the desired amount (4). USD 8:-.

Braille marked beer cans.

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:51:30 +0100

Japanese brewers have begun stamping Braille dots on top of their beer cans. In Braille, the dots read "alcohol" though some of Kirin Brewery's cans spell out "Kirin Beer". Alcohol Braille identifiers on beer cans are just one more way the visually impaired are given extra consideration in Japan. Braille raised dots can also be found on handrails leading to and from underground subway stations, where they state the name of the station.

Whale fins inspire more efficient fans.

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:44:18 +0100

Toronto-based WhalePower Corp. is using the fins of humpback whales to help design a better fan (and, hopefully, wind turbine). US scientists discovered some time ago that the little bumps on the Humpback whale's fins result in less drag and better lift when compared to a smooth fin. A fan blade with similar bumps makes the fan quieter, more efficient, and better at pushing down air, according to Envira-North, the company that has licensed the WhalePower design. Fans using WhalePower's design could use 20 percent less energy, and now that fans are incorporating the design, WhalePower will continue to work to apply the idea to wind turbines.

Knife + fork = Knork.

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:42:38 +0100

We have previously posted on a couple of of fork/spoon/knife combinations, but for some reason we have missed the Knork. The idea came to Knork inventor Mike Miller while eating pizza with a group of friends. Trying to cut and eat pizza with just a fork, he realized he had a better idea. After several years he pursued a patent by researching and developing a prototype. He took a regular fork and covered it in auto putty with the hopes of creating a multi-functional utensil. After taking pictures of people of all ages using a regular fork, Miller combined all this into one utensil that was suitable for all ages and right or left handed users.

When you need an extra hand.

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:15:59 +0100

The extra hand has an 18-inch long, flexible, stay-in-place goose neck. The rubber-tipped steel clamps at both ends can grasp most anything, letting you use both hands to get the job done. Good for holding instructions, work lights, flashlights, tools, etc. USD 24:95.

Portable water purifier.

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:14:47 +0100

With the BottomsUp water purifier, all you have to do is fill any PET type bottle with water, screw on the BottomsUp top, turn it upside down, and the water what comes out will be a whole lot better. Design by Samgmin Bae.

Weight loss pill in the works?

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:13:18 +0100

The amount of fat that your body stores is regulated by a complex chemical network. We won't go into much detail here, but researchers have thought that interfering with these chemical pathways could perhaps reduce fat build-up. One promising substance, according to a group of researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA, is a signaling molecule called neuropeptide Y (NPY) known to regulate feeding habits. The team at Johns Hopkins says a chemical belonging to a family of chemicals called butyrolactones reduces the amount of NPY produced by the brain, thereby reducing the appetite. The team has tested the idea in mice and says it can precisely control the amount of food mice eat by varying their dosage of C75. Extensive clinical trials will of course be needed before the efficacy and safety of C75 in humans can be established.

A second life for old jars.

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:19:31 +0100

Industrial designer Jorre van Ast (remember his Clampology we posted on a couple of years ago?) has come up with a way of re-using old glass jars. He has made new lids for them. The lids are made to fit a number of different purposes, like sugar dispenser, oil and vinegar, spice containers, etc. Check them out on Jorre's own site...

A lock for the deadbolt lock.

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:18:39 +0100

It appears that the bad guys have advanced to a point where they can open deadbolt locks using a method called lock-bumping. It's fairly simple and straight forward; you insert some sort of tool into the lock and hammer it stuck. Then you can turn the deadbolt with the tool. The solution is just as simple. It's preventing the deadbolt to turn. The Lock-Jaw is available for USD 19:95 on Amazon.

Office in a trunk.

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:17:26 +0100

Everybody who works at home, or maybe just needs a workspace every once in a while should have a look here. If you're looking for unconventional office furniture, you might also find it suitable. The office box called Trunk Station can be folded up and rolled away when you don't need it. Available in several different colors on Japanese design shop Caina for JPY 198,000:- (about USD 2,000:-).

Eraser with 28 corners.

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:16:16 +0100

It's called Kado-Keshi and it's an unusually smart eraser. It has an abundance of what is most often lacking in ordinary erasers. Sharp corners. The Kado-Keshi has no less than 28 corners, which should be enough for most applications. The eraser won the Kokuyo Design Award in 2002. (BTW, Kado means corner and eraser is keshigomu in Japanese). It's USD 2:50 on J-list.

Door mounted cat climbing device.

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:14:29 +0100

Anybody with a feline in the house knows that the little critter likes to occupy the high ground. There it can look down on the rest of the world. Shelves, closets and other in-house heights are usually popular places, but many pet shops also sell dedicated cat climbing furniture. A new take on these is the idea for this door mounted cat climber by Angela and Jeremy Moser. The only question is what kitty thinks of anyone opening the door... It is also pretty costly; USD 200:- at CatLivin.

Deja vu. Knife stand box with bamboo skewers.

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:12:54 +0100

Good ideas seldom come alone. Or maybe they serve as inspiration for other designers and inventors. Look at this knife stand. A wooden box with a bunch of bamboo skewers, that allows knives to be placed at will. The first time we laid eyes on this idea was back in August 2005 when we stumbled upon Martin Robitsch's design. A little later we found Jörg Gätjens' interpretation that was even more minimalistic. And now we have encountered the Mikoto knife stand from French design firm Ekobo. It is available in three different sizes at USD 150:-, 95:- and 55:- respectively but they look very much like Martin Robitsch' design from 2005.

Shower and shower curtain rod all in one.

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:25:11 +0100

If this concept could actually be made to work, it would be pretty smart, don't you think? The less holes drilled in the bathroom walls, the better, we say. We don't really understand how the pipe is supposed to support the wet shower curtain, though, but we trust they'll work that out in time. From Matteo Thun & Partners.

Power strip with room for more AC adapters.

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:24:04 +0100

Contrary to many smart power strip concepts we've seen, this one looks like it could go into production. Albeit just for American plugs, alas. Tributaries' PWRS-T10 sports five regular sockets plus five that can be turned to accommodate five AC adapters. Nothing on price, though. How hard would it be for someone to make a thing like this for Euro standard plugs? Please.

The famous kik-step turns fifty.

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:22:47 +0100

Cramer, the company that makes the classic and famous Kik-Step step stools, have made a special edition of the step stool to celebrate it's first fifty years. The celebratory model is topped with a unique pattern with quotes from classic literature, and available in black or silver. Cramer charges the same for the anniversary model as for the ordinary ones, but the regular line is available in more colors. USD 65:- at the Cramer web shop, or USD 51:- on Amazon. Our favorite, the stainless one, is USD 93:-, also on Amazon.

Step stool in a drawer.

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:53:39 +0100

We spotted another idea much like this one a while back. That one was meant to be used in the kitchen. If we remember correctly, the step drawer was removable so it could be used anywhere in the kitchen. This step drawer is just as smart, and it can stay in the same place all the time. And when the kids are big enough to reach the mirror without help, you can just forget about the drawer. Or maybe remove the top and use it as a regular drawer.

Picture hanging tool.

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:52:03 +0100

You place the picture's wire over the hook, and move the picture around until you have found the perfect place for it. After that it seems to be an easy thing to twist the tool and make a small indentation in the wall. The indentation will appear at the exact place where you should hammer in your nail to hang the picture just right. Think we're going to have to get one of these, especially since they are just USD 4:-.

Build you own bike hanger from Ikea stuff for around EUR 40:-.

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:16:09 +0100

The folks on IKEA Hacker blog has a neat description how to make a bike hanger for two bikes for a fraction of the cost of a similar bike rack. Using a Stolmen post, two end fixtures and four hooks, plus a couple of pieces of square profile aluminum tubing and some nuts and bolts, you can make this hanger. Should not take more than an hour to build. We might add that your ceiling must be somewhere between 210 and 330 cm (83 - 130). And that the top bike should be reasonably lightweight to allow anybody to put it up. But we do like the idea. Check the description on Ikea Hacker.

Cat brush that grabs undercoat, leaves topcoat.

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:58:32 +0100

Ordinary cat- and dog grooming brushes often have way too timid brush bristles. To get to do a good job on your pet (and reduce hairs on furniture as much as possible) you need heavy duty tools. This steel rake takes care of the undercoat, and grabs only loose hair in the topcoat. From FURminator. Available on Amazon- for USD 28:-.

More work space with a corner cutting board.

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:57:28 +0100

Here is an idea to how you could utilize some possibly unused space in the kitchen. Most people should have at least one corner (we have two) where this big, round cutting board could fit. And provide some extra work space. The board is USD 134:-, and is claimed to have some sort of clip on the under side to keep it in place. Now, if you could live without the clip, perhaps you could make one yourself as a woodcraft project..

Mobile phone with battery back-up.

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:56:13 +0100

We have sometimes made fun of Philips for their often pretty un-cool products. But this time they have come up with something we think is more worthy of applause than razzberries. Philips' new mobile telephone, the Xenium 9@9j (coming in April) has a new smart feature - room for spare power. The phone has a slot for an ordinary AAA battery to be used when the re-chargeable battery runs out of power. The AAA backup is said to provide up to three hours of extra yada-yada time. The downside is of course that the phone is a little bigger, but that we are definitely willing to forgive.

Plastic razor blade cleans without scratching.

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:19:15 +0100

What possible use could one have for plastic razor blades? They could not conquer one's stubble, could they? No, but they very popular with the car detailing crowd. It seems that plastic razor blades can remove old paint, adhesive or any other kind of goo without scratching the underlying surface, i.e. your freshly applied n-teenth layer of clearcoat. The plastic razor blades Pare double sided, have the same dimensions as ordinary razor blades and they will fit most common holders. They are available in three versions; a hard, durable yellow, a soft, flexible blue, and an in-between colored orange. USD 9:- for a pack of 25 from ScrapeRite.

Spray in all directions.

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:18:54 +0100

Pump spray bottles really suck. As soon as you turn one a teenzy-weenzy bit off its upright position it stops spraying. Getting the last of the contents is also virtually impossible. With this extra flexible piece of tube with its weighted end, most pump spray bottles can be made to work in most any position. The SprayRite tube is supposed to replace the original tube inside the bottle. It is USD 5:- for three.

Paint both sides in one session.

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:16:52 +0100

These Painter's Pyramids are supposed to allow you to finish both sides of a shelf, a door or any other finishing job without having to wait for one side to dry. They are pyramid shaped distance blocks made of plastic, and they are promised not to dent or leave marks on the surface. The plastic is also supposed to be resistant to paint, varnish and the likes. USD 7:- buys you a pack of 10.

Gecko's feet provide ideas for new sticky stuff.

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:46:53 +0100

Anyone who has seen a gecko race upside down across the ceiling must have been impressed by the the little critter's ability to stick to any surface. Scientists at UC Berkley and Lewis & Clark College in Oregon has gone beyond fascination. They have developed a new material sporting millions of tiny plastic fibers that imitate the gecko's abilities. The material will grip whenever slid across a surface, and releases when pulled at a 90 degree angle. According the researchers a 2 square centimeter piece can support almost a pound of weight.

Apple corer with apple core ejector.

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:45:42 +0100

We have mentioned apple corers before, but this particular solution is new to us. It offers a new take on the eternal problem; i.e. how to get the core from the corer without hurting your fingers. Here's the apple corer with its own core ejector. It is USD 10:-.

Expanding power strip provides room for adapters.

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:44:01 +0100

All our bulky adapters is a constant problem. If you have a home office with computer, printer and scanner, if you want to charge your cellphone and your iPod and maybe your digicam, you need room for six adapters. Very few power strips can provide that much space. This clever idea, though, provides space through expanding. Each socket can be pulled away from the others to make room for more adapters. It is USD 40:- at Ideative.

Grommet that holds cables in place.

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:16:33 +0100

We suppose you have seen those holes that some office desks are endowed with. Those that you are supposed to put your power and other cables through to minimize clutter. Well, we think this idea for a cable duct grommet beats everything we have seen in this area so far. Admit it, you have crawled on the floor to retrieve an unused cable, too. Or maybe you are in the habit of placing something heavy on them, when they are not in use? Cable grommet by Ram-hae Keum and Jung-Jin So. Love it.

Waste basket that hides the unsightly plastic bag.

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:15:33 +0100

As smart as it is simple. Just the way we like it. The waste basket has two parts; the inner one for putting the plastic bag (and the trash) in, and the outer cover to hide the plastic bag and make it appear more elegant. From Ideaco. Design by Ichiro Haba and Kazuya Koike.

Unlocking roadside toilets via text message.

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 10:14:39 +0100

The highway authorities of Western Finland had had some problems with people vandalizing the public roadside restrooms they had installed for the urgent needs of travelers And, one might surmise, to reduce the number of patches of yellow snow along the side of the roads. The solution was not closing down the restrooms altogether, or investing in video surveillance. No, instead the Finns decided to put in text message controlled locks. The cost of opening a restroom is nothing more than the regular text message, but the senders number is kept in a database for some time, allowing maintenance to track down vandals. The state of Swedish roadside restrooms is usually somewhere between "horrible" and "core melt down", so this idea might be something for Swedish Vägverket to study?

The African cargo bike is coming to Europe - and the US.

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:56:33 +0100

We have posted on the African cargo bikes before. They have been manufactured in Kenya among other places, but as far as we know they have so far only been sold in Africa. Now, however, one manufacturer -- Yuba - is going to try and sell their bikes in both Europe and the US. The Yuba Mundo has a longer wheel base than ordinary bikes and a large cargo holder with room for two people or 220 kg (485 lb.) of cargo. They are supposedly going to sell three versions; a one-speed, a six-speed, and a five-speed with a specially reinforced transmission. In the US prices will start at USD 750:- and in the EU it will start at EUR 540:- (about USD 798:-).

Safety lock for nervous hotel guests.

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:54:42 +0100

There are occasions when you might want a little extra privacy. In hotels, offices or maybe student accommodations. At the same time, door locks are not always up to the standard you might want them to be. The How Sar lock has been made to address this problem and to offer a little more safety to those who want it. It consists of two parts. The flat one is placed by the recess where the door latch goes and it will sit between the door and the sill when the door is closed. By inserting the crescent-shaped part you lock the latch in its position and the door cannot be opened. To unlock, you simply remove the crescent part.

Bike stand with integrated bike pump.

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:51:25 +0100

This stainless steel bike stand has been made for an art project in Ypenburg (a new dwelling area in the Netherlands). Eight stands will be placed outside eight buildings, with the purpose of stimulating neighborhood interaction as people pump their bikes. An added benefit is that bikes will be a lot easier to top up with air. We should have these in Stockholm.

Slippery-tape with extremely low friction.

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:33:55 +0100

This tape can be used whenever you want to reduce friction between two surfaces. Like drawers, for instance. The tape is transparent, and is promised to be very tough, so it will not wear down any time soon. The slippery-tape is USD 11:70 per roll of 18'. That should be enough for all the drawers in an average home.

Automatic turn indicators for cyclists.

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:32:45 +0100

Safe Turn is an Australian invention aimed at improving safety for cyclists. It is a small automatic turn indicator to be attached to a sleeve or glove with a clip or an elastic strap. It is completely automatic; a tilt switch reacts as you raise your arm to signal a turn (you do signal your turns, don't you?) and starts the flashing light. As you bring your arm down after the turn, the switch turns the indicator off. Pretty smart. It is AUD 19:95 (about USD 18:-) a piece.

Cook pots that can cook different dishes at the same time.

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:31:53 +0100

The pot to the left is the Eco-Cook, a concept for a new cook-pot insert by French designer Camille Kechenyi. It is not yet in production, but we guess one or other of the world's cook-pot manufacturers will adopt (or steal) the idea pretty soon. By cooking more than one food in the same water you will not only save time, but energy, too. As a comparison, we offer the triple-partitioned pot on the right, that we ourselves found in use at a street restaurant in Thailand recently. The Thai pot has permanent partitions, which of course allows simultaneous cooking of foods whose flavors are not supposed to be mixed.

Smart towel wins Muji Awards.

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:28:07 +0100

Muji is one of our favorite stores, and has been for years. Their simplicity and no frills attitude to the products has great appeal to our inner minimalist. Muji has sponsored an international design contest where the entries of course all have been in the Muji spirit. The first prize winner was this idea for a towel, called "towel with further options". It begins life as a large bath towel, but as it gets worn it can be cut down to face towel, bath mat, wash cloth, cleaning cloth and dust cloth. The ready made cutting grid means there will be no fraying along the cut edges. More on the prize winners on Muji's competition pages.

Wall for flat tv combined with home office.

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:26:27 +0100

Anyone who works from home, and do not have a spare room to use as an office, may find this idea appealing. It is a swiveling mounting wall for a flat-screen tv combined with a fold out workspace. You work on one side and when it is time for play you just swing the leisure side forward. Come to think of it, it could be just great for people with lots of space, too. Then you do not swing the thing, but let it be a room divider between the home office and the living room. From Gruber+Schlager.

Make tarp weights out of old PET bottles.

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:26:03 +0100

There seems to be no end to the uses people can think of for our everyday used PET bottle. Here is one we have not seen before. For those occasions when you cannot use a rope to tie down a tarp, fill used PET bottles with water or sand, screw on the special cap, and attach the clamp to the tarp. USD 2:40 at Lee Valley.

Simple carrying device for largish PET bottles.

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:57:42 +0100

Large PET bottles can be a pain to carry around. This simple carrier handle addition to larger bottles (like 1.5 and 3 liters) makes them easier to carry. We have never seen it before now, but it is no doubt available in lots of places. we found these in Hanoi, and they were put in place after purchase on the bigger bottles. Unfortunately the handles are not removable once they have been pushed in place. Re-use would of course have been preferable...

Eye-glass frames with its own carrying strap.

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:56:10 +0100

Anybody who watches television with any kind of frequency may recognize the glasses. You can for example see actor Robert Joy wear them as a forensic doctor in CSI New York. If the producers of the series thought these frames enhanced his geekiness, or if it is a simple product placement, we do not know. The frames, however, seems to have become quite popular lately, with the smart magnet on the bridge to make them easy to put on and take off. More info on Clic's own web site.

Crank powered rechargeable battery.

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:54:10 +0100

This small spare generator and battery could be perfect for anybody who has to be busy with their hands. Two minutes of turning gives six minutes of yada-yada time. Fully charged it provides 2-5 hours of play time on a MP3 player, five hours of talk time or up to two days of stand-by time on the phone. It is about USD 40:- and is promised to suit most MP3 players (like the iPod), portable games, cell phones, PDAs, and USB powered accessories.

Corner power extension box.

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:49:33 +0100

Why have we not seen this before? It should not be that hard to come up with. Not that we have thought of it ourselves, but just the same. It sports five outlets, generously spaced to give room for a few bulky adapters It is USD 12:- a piece if you buy a couple of them at once.

Gorilla Gripper helps you carry drywall sheets.

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:47:45 +0100

A sheet of drywall is not exactly easy to handle. Not extremely heavy perhaps, but hard to get a grip on. The Gorilla Gripper is meant to make it easier. You put the grip in the center of the board, and when you lift, the grip squeezes the board and holds it tight. The heavier the board, the tighter the grip. The Gorilla Gripper is USD 50:- on Amazon.

Two chairs in one.

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:46:05 +0100

Want a rocking chair on an ordinary one? Want both, but do not have the room for them? Now you can have both chairs all in one. Portuguese designer Luís Porém has designed the doubly functional Inverso chair. All you have to do is tun it over as you preferences change. It would look great on the balcony.

Hands free level device.

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:18:15 +0100

With its u-shape, this spring loaded level tool can straddle standard stock up to 2". It also works perfectly on standing girders with the v-shaped notch. In those cases you fasten the level with the elastic strap. USD 10:50 at Lee Valley.

Bluetooth headset with telescoping microphone.

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:16:01 +0100

The Joby company is reported to present this Bluetooth headset at CES in Las Vegas. It is called Zivo, and it has one feature that we would appreciate a lot. The telescoping mike. We do not like all the headsets where the mike sits somewhere in the vicinity of your neck. With this solution you can have a choice, and it promises to be perfect in noisy places. No price yet, though.

Ten ways to live longer - and enjoy every day.

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:14:37 +0100

It does not all have to be about no-fat lattes and treadmills. There are apparently ways of achieving longevity that are quite definitely enjoyable. Like the following list compiled by behavior expert Mark Stibich. Among other activities, he recommends drinking red wine, eating dark chocolate, smiling more (even if you don't feel like it), getting enough sleep, and having more sex. The whole list after the jump.

Small handy electric snow blower.

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:20:04 +0100

Here is a simpler way of clearing your driveway, garden path or patio. Just plug it in and go. No engine, and no fumes. The machine can clear a 12 inch swath through 6 inches of snow and throw it up to 20 feet. Yours for USD 200:-.

Smart and fun ideas for the city environment.

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:19:06 +0100

Swiss INOUT design shows a line of both fun and smart ideas that could enhance the cityscape. The Swiss designers featured show great inventiveness. Axel Jaccard, for instance, designed the water trough (above) that can be fitted to the end of a downspout. Another is the hanging garden by Yves Fidalgo; a kind of window shutter with a planter that allows plants to become a sunscreen when the plants grow. Adrien Roveros bicycle parking takes the same space as a car, but allows parking for six bikes. Sibylle Stoeckli uses wood from old packing crates to create an urban wood floor, and Damien Regamey has made enclosements like colorful necklaces.

Help cutting beets and swedes.

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 16:18:10 +0100

This handle, that can be put across the back of a large knife, gives a helping hand when you need to cut hard veggies like swedes, large cheeses etc. USD 5:75.

Turning stapler saddle staples booklets.

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:48:35 +0100

Of course there are staplers that can saddle staple booklets and 'zines. But who has one, except maybe graphic designers and ad agencies? Now there is a chance for the rest of us to make neatly stapled booklets or 'zines, too. This stapler from Japanese Max can be turned 90 degrees to allow it to reach long enough to saddle staple a booklet. Available from Amazon for USD 9:22:-.

Vote for the smartest stuff of 2007.

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:47:55 +0100

Among all the gadgets, inventions and ideas we have posted during 2007, we have put together a shortlist of 35, that we think were the smartest of the smart last year. Now we need your help to pick the smartest of them all, the idea, gadget ocr invention that is to be awarded the badge above; to be tha Smart Stuff Readers Choice of 2007. Go to our voting page to see all the nominees and to vote fcor your favourite. And in case you should disagree with all our 35 nominees, of course you have the opportunity to send us a completely different suggestion.

Smart Stuff enters its fourth year!

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:46:39 +0100

It's really exciting to start our fourth year with a growing number of readers and supporters. We are very grateful for all the e-mails we get, both with critique (yes, we are) and cheers. A very special thanks goes out to our tipsters, and in particular those that frequently come back (you know who you are) with new interesting stuff. During this our fourth year, we will also have a couple of new features on the site that we hope will prove useful. That's about it. We wish you a great new year 2008, and we hope you'll want to stick with us during year four. Thanks for your support! And don't forget to vote for the smartest of 2007. Voting ends January 31 2008. Click here for the voting page. Love/Ed.

Taking a few days off – wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:32:37 +0100

Today we arrived at our Christmas hide-away. We'll be back with more smart stuff on the 2 or 3 of January 2008. Until then we wish all our old and new readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Simple and cheap laptop stand.

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:31:56 +0100

We have been reading about this and that laptop stand for years. All have the purpose of rising and angling the laptop to make typing more comfortable, and to lift it from the table to enhance cooling. Earlier today we had this idea. We put the suction cups from our travel clothes line under our laptop to raise it from the table. So far it has worked just fine, and it has not cost us a cent since we already had the clothes line. The travel clothes line cost SEK 40:- (approx. USD 6:-), but after all we have just borrowed the suction cups...

D.I.Y. blood type test.

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:31:18 +0100

Don't know if we really would have believed in this, if it were not for the fact that our favorite anesthesiologist blogger, Joe on Book of Joe, had mentioned it. We have been thinking of having our blood typed, but the only way we figured out was to become a blood donor. Now that is not a bad idea in itself, they usually need all the blood they can get, but the thought of leaving a pint or so short has kept us away. If this test kit works as advertised, you can get the whole shabang done with just a couple of tiny drops... USD 8:99 on Think Geek.

Crank powered, collapsible camping light.

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:30:36 +0100

This camping light fills all the basic requirements we would put on such a device. Except possibly that we would probably pick another color. It is crank powered and rechargeable. And it is collapsible. You get about 10 minutes of reading light for every minute of turning. And should you get tired, it will also accept power from a solar panel or, if the sun should have set already, from the car's lighter output.

Breakfast set with minimal footprint.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:06:47 +0100

This smart little breakfast set with two chairs has, as far as we understand, only been available from Amazon UK. And it has been sold out there. But we wanted to include it anyway, because it is cleverly thought out; designed to occupy a minimum of space in a small apartment. Hopefully it will be an inspiration for others to work on space saving furniture?

New luminous paint will glow for years without re-charging.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:06:11 +0100

Litrospheres are tiny luminous particles that can be injection molded or mixed into paint. The company that makes the product believes it will primarily be used for rescue and safety, but we think people in time will find many useful and fun applications for this invention. Especially since the luminous material is pretty cheap (approx. USD 0:35 to cover a 8 x 11 surface), and that it can be made in different colors. A more detailed description of the Litrospheres can be found on PESWiki.

Heated ice-scraper charges in the car's lighter outlet.

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:05:15 +0100

Christmas will be all over us any day now, but there is still no sign of snow in Stockholm. In spite of this, ice will still form on windshields at night. So why not write a post dedicated to traffic safety. The electrically heated ice scraper is charged in the car's lighter (or power) outlet, and it is promised retain a working charge for three hours. We have never had that much ice on any car window, so it should be enough for most situations. Available on Amazon for USD 17:-.

How to rescue culinary mishaps.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:04:37 +0100

What to do when guests are already in the elevator and your carefully prepared dinner has crashed? Often, but not always, there are ways to get out of such pinches with dignity. Here is one example: Problem: You were going to cook the perfect spuds, but when you drained them they collapsed into mushy pieces. Rescue: Make mash. Preferably with a lot of butter and grated cheese. Or fry the pieces golden brown in oil and butter in a skillet or oven pan. More tips is available on Real Simple; you can learn how to rescue stale bread, tasteless tomatoes, dry overcooked chicken, limp veggies, etc, etc.

Diffusion screen for digital cameras.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:05:45 +0100

Our old Lumix DMC-FZ20 digicam has a fantastic zoom and a wonderful image stabilizer, but we always think the flash is too hard. We have pushed it down it to the -2 position, but there is still a definite Tunbjörk feel in our flash pictures. That can be fun sometimes, but most of the time we would prefer a softer light. For those pictures, maybe a diffusion screen like this would help softening the flash. Worth trying, but before we shell out GBP 10:- (approx. USD 20:-) for a Lumiquest Soft Screen for DSLRs with a pop-up flash, we will try using a bit of sandwich wrapping paper.

Non permanent glue stick.

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:07:02 +0100

Most glues are of course made to stick permanently. The harder they stick, the better the glue. Bu for those occasions when you do not want stuff to stick forever, a glue that is just a little sticky would be just the thing. The Scotch Restickable Adhesive Glue is such a glue. It will be like making your own notes stickers.

Christmas paper roll holder.

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:05:29 +0100

We realize it is meant for Christmas wrapping paper, but that would not stop us from using it for other purposes. Like organizing drawings, plans, posters, large photocopies, tablecloths and other stuff that are best stored rolled up. They are available in three sizes and they will set you back between USD 2:50 and 5:50 for a three-pack depending on size.

Solid state drive reaches 256 GB.

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:04:14 +0100

And not a day too soon. After a number of hard drive crashes and other drive trouble, we would look forward to a "drive" without moving parts that can break. SSD drives are also faster than hard drives, and not as vulnerable to shocks. This is the largest capacity SSD drive announced so far, and it has the exact dimensions of an ordinary 3,5 inch SATA hard drive, so swapping should be easy.

CO2 powered compressed air tools for the D.I.Y. crowd.

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:03:15 +0100

This refillable CO2 power pack, the JetPac Regulator Kit, is supposedly the first time us ordinary D.I.Y. people can get our hands on real compressed air power tools. The CO2 pack will last about 500 nails, and you will be entirely free of compressors, batteries, fumes and noise. The universal connector is promised to fit most compressed air power tools in the market. A starter kit is USD 99:- on Amazon.

Help hitting the nail instead of your thumb.

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:57:09 +0100

This is a concept for a carpentry aid developed by Arthur Se. The idea is a soft plate with cross-shaped cutouts where the nail is placed. The plate then holds the nail in place as you whack away with the hammer. Since the plate is soft it can be pulled over the head of the nail once it is sufficiently fastened. Smart. Particularly for those tiny nails, that almost always seems to cause blue thumbs and/or forefingers.

Not your ordinary three-pack of socks.

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:56:25 +0100

By that we mean that this three-pack does not contain three pairs of socks, but rather three socks. Period. Perfect for Rolf Harris, if anyone still remembers him. Anyway. Both the Throx (left) and the socks from Little Miss Matched (right) are sold by threes, for the event one is lost or disappears in laundry. The Throx socks are USD 9:- for three and the Miss Matched ones are between USD 8:- and USD 10:-, but then you get socks that are beautifully mismatched, as an additional feature.

Find a loo with SatLav.

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:55:38 +0100

The authorities of London's Westminster City have apparently had enough of people (well, men, actually) who urinate in alleyways causing a foul smell. To try and solve the problem, they have now started a service to help visitors find the closest public lavatory. The service, called SatLav, directs the needy to a loo nearby when one texts the word "toilet" to number 80097. Now, the serious flaw with this much needed service seems to us to be the fee. They want GBP 0:25 (about USD 0:50) for every SMS sent, and seriously we doubt that the average alleyway urinator would like to spend that kind of cash. If they really want to keep the streets cleaner, the service should be free.

The ultimate emergency doohickey?

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:50:18 +0100

This little wonder sports no less than 12 different functions, that can prove handy in a case of emergency. How about a hi/low beam LED flashlight, a red flashing distress signal ti get the attention of passers-by, an oil filled compass, a signal mirror, a low voltage outlet to charge your cellphone, MP3 player and other indispensable gadgets plus a motion triggered alarm. The whole thing is self powered via a crank rechargeable Li-Ion battery. From Swiss+Tech and available on for instance Amazon- for USD 30:-.

Heavy-duty potato scrubbing glove.

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:49:06 +0100

This summer we posted on the potato scrubbing mitts we had found at Clas Ohlson. Afterwards we tested the mitts during our stay in Gotland, and they proved to work fine. The only downside was that the mitts are knitted, and thus lets water through. Today we found another take on potato scrubbers; these gloves from Taylor Gifts. They are made from a material that seems to resemble the stuff they make dishwashing gloves from, covered with sand. This would mean that they are waterproof, and that the surface is rougher than with the mitts we tested. These gloves are USD 6:- a pair.

Folding bookcase replaces door - creates secret room.

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:47:51 +0100

If you are a bit short on space at home (and who is not) this bookcase should let you hit - not two, but three birds - with one stone. Not only do you get a bookcase, you get a door, and a secret room. How cool would it be with your own secret room? From Barndoor Hardware.

RFID door lock makes safer doors.

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:12:38 +0100

Previously, we have been critical, or at least skeptical, to RFID technology. At least as far as it involves passports, ID-cards, bus passes and so forth, since those will reveal your movements. This application, however, may be a really bright idea. The door lock is managed via RFID key-fob or card and all you have to do is touch the card or key-fob to the lighted button for the lock to identify you and open the door. The RFID lock should be suitable for security doors too, since it requires no physical contact or hole in the door to work. It also has a dead-bolt feature and a built in alarm if someone tries to force the door. The RFID door lock is USD 300:- on Think Geek.

The Benjamin Franklin chair and stepladder - revisited.

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:16:27 +0100

This smart chair and stepladder combo was supposedly invented by Benjamin Franklin for the libraries of the USA, but it looks as though his patent has expired (if he ever had one). This is the third chair and stepladder based on the same idea that we have seen so far. This one comes from Stonewall Kitchen and it is USD 159:-.

Cleaning beads for hard to reach places.

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:10:45 +0100

This must be the thing for everyone who likes to use a decanter to aerate their wine, or on the other end of the scale, those who pour their BIB wine into a carafe to make it appear a bit less like plonk. Both groups have probably noticed the cleaning the carafes is not a simple thing. With this product, however, all you are supposed to have to do is pour some water into the carafe, add the beads and swirl around for a while. The balls of steel will remove residue from the bottom, and afterwards you rinse them off to use them again. Wonder if it would work with ordinary smallish steel ball point bearing balls? From Wine Enthusiast for USD 20:-.

Cellphone with a built-in bluetooth headset.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:53:08 +0100

Chinese mobile telephone maker Naxin are selling a mobile with a smart compartment with a bluetooth headset. The headset is charging in its slot when you are not using it. The phone, called NX788 has GSM double bands , supports Bluetooth A2DP, has twin SIM card slots, a 1.3 mega pixel camera, a microSD slot, supports MP3 and MPEG-4 plus a QVGA touch-screen display. The little miracle is on sale in Hong Kong for USD 190:-. We would be tempted to pick one up if we were going that way.

Shopping bag grip #15.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:52:06 +0100

We just could not resist this one. Not after we have posted on no less than 14 other solutions on the bag grip. It is amazing how much thought and creativity that is being spent on coming up with new solutions to this rather trivial problem. USD 6:-. See the other bag grips here.

Breathing wine glasses.

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:51:31 +0100

German glassworks Glashütte Eisch has a series of glasses made using a glass quality they call Breathable Glass. Wine poured into the new glasses and left resting there between 2 and 4 minutes will, according to the Eisch web site, get the same aeration as decanted wine left alone for between 1 and 2 hours. The glasses are made from lead free crystal glass and have been oxygenated after manufacture to get the desired properties.

Secret stash in your laptop's PC-card slot.

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:06:01 +0100

We have posted on several different clothes and shoes with built-in secret pockets and stashes. Now the turn has come to the computer, at least laptops with PC-card slots. If your laptop has a PC-card slot you can substitute the card with a Stash Card, that has room for some of your dearest stuff. Some cash, perhaps, or a couple of flash cards. Or a credit card... probably not, come to think of it, since if the Stash Card could swallow a credit card, they would have said so on the site. The Stash Card is USD 8:- with Wireless Garden.

More ventilated shoes.

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:05:11 +0100

The other day we posted on the ventilated Breezewalk shoes, and just a couple of days later we stumble on an ad poster for these shoes. They are called Geox, and they look like they breathe with the sole, rather than with the heel as the Breezewalks do. The Geox shoes uses a patented membrane in the sole of the shoe that lets water vapor through but stops water drops. The Geox shoes are around USD 70:- on Amazon.

Hanger and squeezer for toothpaste tubes.

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 10:04:05 +0100

We have a special fondness for tube squeezers of every kind. This is a new find from a Bangkok department store. Sorry we cannot remember which one. It is a tube roller where you put the end of the tube, and turn until it sticks, and a hanger with a suction cup to be placed on a bathroom tile. The squeezer/hangers were available in orange, green and blue plastic (we would have loved a transparent one) for THB 25:- (approx. USD 0.73) which must be considered reasonable.

Phone strap for stemmed glasses.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:09:35 +0100

Not because it is über-smart. But because it is a bit funny. And because it reminds us of Henry Chinaski (Mickey Rourke) in "Barfly". The phone strap for everyone who wants to keep his or hers wine glass close to the heart. It is USD 25:- on Wine Enthusiast.

Minicam to inspect hard to reach places.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:08:50 +0100

It is called SeeSnake and it is a very small inspection camera that can help you get to look inside, under or in between those really hard to reach places. Or just spy on your neighbor if you are so inclined. At the end of the 3 ft. cable, there is a water protected little camera and a couple of adjustable LED lights. The pictures are transmitted to a 2.4 in. color LCD. It comes with three different tools; a hook, a magnet and a mirror. The SeeSnake is USD 239:- and it comes from Rigid.

Extra rear view mirror for big SUVs.

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:08:01 +0100

Anyone who has driven a large SUV must have noticed that it is hard or even impossible to get a good look rearward. The standard mirrors can show you what lies a few feet behind the truck, but they cannot show what is just behind. The fresnel lenses you can mount on the rear window will help some, but this large extra rear view mirror will probably make it a lot easier. Of course it requires you you to drill a couple of holes in your new Lexus, but that is a small price for safety. Found on the street in Bangkok, where they are quite common on larger SUVs.

Self retracting tow line.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:25:59 +0100

The Smartstrap is a nylon tow line or tow strap with a 3,300 lb. capacity (breaking limit 10,000 lb.). The strap is rolled onto a spring loaded roll that dispenses the strap symmetrically as you apply pressure to it. Thanks to the spring it stays tightened and suspended above muck and sleet. When you are done, the strap retracts into its casing again for easy storage. You can probably get one for around USD 25:-.

Wardrobe computer for the fashion illiterate.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:25:18 +0100

Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed al closet with an integrated computer system that can keep you and your wardrobe in order. Just what us fashion challenged have always wanted. The 'computer will know what clothes you have and when you have worn them. It can also synch with your agenda, so you will never again wear the same shirt to a second meeting with the same person. The system is also supposed to be able to give hints as to what matches what. So far, alas, the whole thing is still in the laboratory stage, but given the number of fashion challenged people on the planet and the speed of fashion changes, it is probably bound to be a smash hit. A feature we would like to find in the finished system is an automatic update for new trends in fashion.

Spare power for laptops and mobiles.

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:24:28 +0100

Duracell has launched the PowerSource Mobile 100, a contraption that can serve up spare power when you need it. It sports two USB ports and one ordinary power outlet, so you could power almost anything. Duracell says the PowerSource could keep your laptop running for up to two hours, provide up to 18 hours of yada-yada-time on the cell, and no less than 96 hours of listening pleasure on your MP3 player. Plenty of muscle, but it does not exactly come cheap. The thing is USD 140:-. Hope there is a version with a euro plug really soon.

Clean your microwave with vinegar.

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:09:33 +0100

Messy micro? A simple way to make it sparkling again is to mix vinegar and water in 50/50 proportions and heat the mix in the micro until it starts to steam. Shut off, remove the container and wipe with paper. This tip can be found in the book Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile, and Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of. available on Amazon- for USD 9:-.

Shoes with built-in fans - a dream for tired feet?

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:08:35 +0100

They may look ordinary, but under the surface they sport what technology that, as far as we can understand, is quite unique. The Breezewalk Shoes have built-in fans, or air conditioning if you prefer. The patented air channels are designed to let air circulate around the feet, with the aim of keeping shoes (relatively) cool, socks presentable and feet nice and dry. The shoes are available in several different models and from USD 150:- to USD 40:-.

Printed solar cells. Solar energy at a tenth of the price.

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:07:41 +0100

Ordinary solar cells are pretty complicated technology, even though the theories behind them are reasonably simple. They will also be expensive since the manufacture gets pretty much as complicated as the tech. Now, however, a couple of companies have presented ideas for the manufacture of solar cells that in principle means that they can be printed on a thin metal film. Since manufacture with the printing method would resemble an ordinary printing press, the cost could be a tenth of what is the case today, and they could make solar energy available to more, and cheaper than fossil fuels. One of the companies is American Nanosolar, who recently were awarded Innovation of the year by Popular Science magazine.

A portable office away from the office.

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:58:36 +0100

I you for some reason do not have access to a permanent office, or if your project requires you to spend a lot of time on site, this could be a good solution. The portable office has pockets for manuals, calculators, phones, pens, plans and what not. It consists of a nylon shell with two pockets where you stuff two pieces of plywood for stability. When you need to relocate, you just fold the desktop up and carry the whole thing away using the handles. Basically like a large briefcase. From Finley Products. Available, among other places, on Amazon- for USD 65:-. PS. It seems like the width is made to fit US standards for studs, but how hard could it be to adapt the idea for some other standard?

Eraser for old hard drives.

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:57:41 +0100

We have old hard drives in our safe since years back. Drives we have replaced with bigger ones, or drives from old computers we have discarded. Who wants to send an old computer to the scrap-yard or recycling with the drive intact? Or leave the replaced drive behind at the computer mech's place? You can call us paranoid, but the chances that data can be recovered even from crashed drives are pretty good under any circumstance. So we think this drive eraser can be a good buy for all the paranoids out there. The basic rig can erase a 250 MB drive in two hours, and the top "Pro" model for USD 150:- even does multi-pass erasing.

A different idea for a party plate.

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:56:42 +0100

This tray or party plate, named Nibble Tray, is made from recycled stainless steel. It provides secure footing for a stemmed glass, a tray for snacks and a slot for cutlery. Compared with the other party plates we have posted on, it is rather expensive at GBP 20:- (approx. USD 40:-). A piece, we presume.

Adhesive free tape leaves no residue, lifts no paint.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:02:18 +0100

Maybe it is not strictly correct to call this product "tape", but that is the closest thing that comes to mind. But unlike "tape", Flat Twine has no adhesive. Instead the plastic wrap clings to itself, much like the plastic sheets they use to wrap up pallets. Advantages are obvious; no sticky residue and no lifted paint. It is USD 10:- for a 650 ft. roll and one applicator handle. Extra refill rolls are USD 6:-.

Wrist warmers with secret stash.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:01:13 +0100

We have from time to time posted on different garments with hidden pockets and secret stashes to hide away money, credit cards and other stuff that one does not want to be relieved of. Check the links under related below for our earlier posts. Today's feature is the secret stash wrist warmer. Perfect when jogging on a nippy day. USD 15:-.

Smart, simple, cheap cord organizer.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 21:00:16 +0100

It could hardly be any simpler. Or cheaper. Or smarter. To avoid tangling your extension cords fold them gently one by one and push them into one of those cardboard tube that is at the center of rolls of kitchen tissue or t.p. Found on Unclutterer.

Socks with hidden passport pocket.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 20:58:55 +0100

We love apparel with hidden pockets. Previously we posted on a sock with a hidden pocket the size of a credit card. This is a development of that idea. A sock with a pocket that can accommodate a passport. Plus credit cards and cash we suppose. USD 25:-. [Via]. There is one thing though. The foot and sock in the picture looks definitely male. But the hand holding the passport looks very female. What is really going on in this picture?

Fold-out ironing board.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:41:18 +0100

We have seen wall mounted folding ironing-boards before, but this looked both nice and discreet. It is made in solid wood, and the mechanics are chrome steel. Height is adjustable between 35 in. and 40 in. to give everyone a decent working height. There is also a shelf, where ironing utensils can be kept. USD 250:-.

Dusting micro-fiber slippers.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:40:39 +0100

Are you lucky enough to have a marble floor in your house? Or maybe tiles? Or hardwood? In any of those cases you could make cleaning easier by walking around in these micro-fiber slippers. Contrary from other similar ideas we have seen, these are actually for sale. They are supposed to work on marble, tiles and hardwood floors, and to pick up dust, lint and animal hairs as easy as a walk in the park, or across the room, as it were. The only draw-back is maybe the pink fluffiness, that at least part of the Smart Stuff editorial staff would find it very hard to be seen in. Available as slippers or flip-flops, and comes with an extra dusting sole. USD 20:- .

Ashtray for beer- and wine bottles.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:39:47 +0100

Nowadays you cannot smoke in bars and restaurants, and many people does not like you smoking in their homes. Now since we quit the habit, this is not a problem for us personally, but we have seen how groups of people gather outside to smoke. Either outside restaurants or on people's balconies or patios. Restaurant usually provide ashtrays, but others may not. So, if you smoke, and you are going to a party, you might consider one of these ashtrays. They will transform any beer-bottle (and wine-bottle, we suppose) to an instant ashtray. Or ash-hole as they have named it. They are no more than DKK 10:- (approx. USD 2:-) a piece.

Serving tray for six glasses of wine and some snacks.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:39:00 +0100

This serving tray has clever cut-outs for six stemmed glasses and additional space for some snacks or hors d'oeuvres. Made from bamboo, probably one of the world's best materials, ecologically speaking, since it grows like wildfire and needs no attention except chopping down. The tray is USD 60:- on SkyMall.

Confidisc - self injection aid.

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:26:26 +0100

Chris Hillios has diabetes. Chris Hillios needs daily injections, which he has to administer himself. This would not have been a problem, had Chris not also been a little insecure and shy when it came to pricking his skin with a syringe. His invention, the Confidisc, is a plastic disc to be placed over the needle of a syringe. The thought is that if you do not see the the needle entering your body, you will be less nervous. This may seem like another case of snake-oil, but Chris Hillios, says the disc reduces the perception of pain which in turn makes the patient more confident and less prone to mistakes, thus reducing the risk of bent needles, failed injection, etc.

Three tier oven rack.

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:25:40 +0100

This kitchen gadget is clearly made to meet the needs of Thanksgiving weekend. When else do you have this many dishes in the oven at the same time? But, we will admit, the oven does fill up pretty quick when you have more than two things cooking at the same time. with this rack you can have three tiers of food going at the same time, and if it were not for the turkey, there would be room for three more. USD 20:-.

Christmas tree remote control.

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:24:57 +0100

Tired of crawling behind the tree to turn on the lights? Or going out to the garage to light up your Rudy the Red-Nosed Reindeer on the front lawn? Here is the solution. The Smart Home Insteon wireless remote control lets you switch on/off and dim up to six different holiday decorations. How many do you have? USD 90:-.

Mosquito tent for camping cots.

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:24:09 +0100

A mozzie net must have a certain distance to the body to be any good. But you do not always have a hook in the ceiling or a tree branch to hang it from. Enter the one man free standing mosquito tent. The tent is suspended by two fiberglass rods, and fastened to the cot with velcro. We found it on Danish Dupont Design where it is DKK 625:- (approx. USD 122:-).

Snow auger (hand powered snow-blower?).

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:16:21 +0100

Since there are hand powered lawn mowers (yes, they still exist) so why could there not be a manual snow blower? It is called Snow Auger and it moves the snow to the right as you go along. In most cases, we suppose that is all it does, since you will need to achieve considerable speed to enter into snow blower mode. ;-). Available on Amazon for USD 35:-.

LifeLight aims to make Africa a brighter place.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:15:31 +0100

In places where there is no powergrid, hand cranked gadgets and generators naturally have great importance. Lately there has been reports of devices from mobile chargers to the famous USD 100:- laptop from OLPC (albeit it is USD 200:-, it is still a good idea). Among the first modern devices that used this old technology was the clockwork radio invented by Trevor Baylis. Now the Freeplay Foundation, who has been financing and distributing clockwork radios in Africa (above), has started the LifeLight Project in order to develop, produce and distribute lamps based on the same tech. They are currently developing prototypes that are to be field tested in Kenya, and the aim for a base unit that can cradle and charge several portable lamps.

A free resource on materials and their use.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:18:28 +0100

The new website Material Experience has been started in an attempt to reduce the distance between engineers designers. On the site, hosted by consultant and materials expert Chris Lefteri, you can learn more on different materials, manufacturing methods and a lot of other stuff that could be good to know.

An alternative anti theft strategy.

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:13:09 +0100

It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions theft prevention, but it actually could prevent theft. Maybe. The idea is to apply small stickers printed with likeness of corrosion damage to your car or bicycle, or whatever you own that could rust. Inventor Dominic Wilcox will not offer any promises or guarantees on his website, but we think his idea does have some merit.

More space with smarter cabinets.

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:26:59 +0100

We do not have enough room in our kitchen cabinets. Or maybe we have too many gadgets. The latter is perchance the more accurate of the two, come to think of it. But there is help. Here is a system of extra shelves and drawers that can help you utilize the unused space in your kitchen. It comes from American Decora, but our kitchen furniture companies should be able to come up with something similar.

Trash bag holder.

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:26:07 +0100

This would have been great in our garage, during the days when we had one. But there must be lots readers who have garages, studios or tool-sheds, so here goes. It is simple and smart. A U-shaped piece of steel to be screwed to the wall, and a steel rod on which you roll the edge of the bag. Once the rod is replaced into the U, it holds the bag in place. it is USD 14:-, but one might even be able to make one's own...

CPR assistance glove.

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:25:27 +0100

One of the winners in the healthcare category of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2007 is a glove that assists in performing CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Even trained healthcare or emergency staff often find it difficult to perform CPR perfectly, but they, too, will be helped by the glove. Three undergraduate students at McMaster University in Canada have designed the glove, that is brimming with sensors and chips. The glove will provide instructions on the CPR procedure, and apart from being a help for emergency CPR, it may also prove to be valuable in training. The glove is to undergo market testing in 2008, and hopes are it will prove cheap enough to achieve wide use.

Hans Olsen's perfect compact dining set.

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:24:42 +0100

A dining set for four that occupies no more space than the table itself. All four chairs are delicately integrated with the table in a both compact and graceful design. Danish designer Hans Olsen created this set for Danish furniture manufacturer Røjle Møblefabrik in 1953, and it is felt to be the major work of his career. It was considered modern and revolutionary at the time, and we think it is just as good today, 54 years later. The set was recently sold on Ebay for USD 4,301:50, so if you have one of these sitting in the dining room, you might consider raising the insurance a bit.

USB multi card reader.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:14:26 +0100

Elecom's memory card reader for USB 2.0 supports SDHC, SD, MMC, xD and Sony Memory Stick MagicGate/Pro/Duo cards. On top of that, it sports a clever storage compartment for the cards and a hideaway for the USB connector. USD 28:-.

Micro water power plant may provide cheap green power.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:13:38 +0100

The new (patent pending) micro water power plant has been developed by Norwegian/German company Smartkraft and it consists of an open tube with a turbine on the inside. The construction is called a Hamann-turbine, after its inventor Georg Hamann. The tube with can be placed in a stream and the turbine will generate power from the running water. Contrary from conventional water power, the Smartkraft needs no altitude, thus it does not require a dam to be built. Several tubes can be combined, or installed i parallel, if you want to extract more energy, and have the room. The main target group for the Smartkraft are power companies, counties and towns that produce their own power, but the company thinks the tube also can be an alternative to solar panels, smallish wind power, and ground heating for private homes. The forecast is to have the new power plant commercially ready by the summer of 2008. Via Uppfinnaren & Konstruktören.

Steel mesh glove for preparing game or oyster opening.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:12:51 +0100

It is the season after all. Both for hunting and for oysters. Remember the old adage; never eat oysters during months that does not have the letter "R" in their names... Well, it works in Swedish and it should be the same in English. Anyway, both for gutting game and opening oysters, a sturdy protective glove is strongly recommended. For example one of these steel mesh ones. It is just like an old fashioned chain-mail shirt, that will stop pretty much everything that cuts or pricks. They are not exactly cheap, but how much is one of your thumbs worth? The Victorinox stainless steel mesh glove is USD 107:- on Amazon.

Work glove clip.

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:11:30 +0100

With this little clip you can keep your work gloves handy without shoving them into already brimming pockets, or putting them on the ground. The glove holder keeps them safe, but has a breakaway function to protect you from getting into trouble with heavy machinery and the likes should the gloves be caught. Of course the clips can be used for other stuff than gloves, and they are available in two versions; one with two clips and one with a belt loop. From Glove Guard at USD 4:50 a piece on Amazon.

World's most powerful flashlight?

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:42:06 +0100

It is called Xenide and it comes from AE Light. That is a firm we have never heard of, but they make flashlights (torches) that may well be the most powerful around. The flashlight in the picture is the 25W Xenide and it sports an HID halide light-source (what we usually call Xenon) with 1,500 lumen that can illuminate a target over 900 meters (3,000 feet) away. The light is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery with 120 minutes of endurance. The light is built tough, with IP67, which means it can survive being submerged in 2 meters (6.5 feet) of water for a short time. Comes with charger, shoulder strap (it weighs in a 2 lb) different colored lenses, protective caps and a travel case. "How much is this goodness", we hear you ask. Well, you can get one for USD 435:- on Amazon.

Gimbal bowl for little kids.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:40:53 +0100

Why have no-one thought of this before? Here they have used the same tech that has been used to mount compasses on ships (before GPS) to try and make a less messy feeding utensil for the little rugrats. The handle and the outer bowl moves independently from the inner one, so that the inner bowl should always stay in the horizontal position. USD 8:-. Promised to survive the dishwasher.

Energy tower may prove more efficient than windmills.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:39:30 +0100

Swedish inventor Erik Stiig has designed a wind power plant that works a bit like a tornado, and where al moving parts are placed inside the construction. Besides the obvious safety advantages with this design, tests conducted indicates that the Energytower is 30 to 40 percent more effective than a conventional wind power-mill. To boot, a conventional windmill has to be shut down in winds over 25 meters/second (about 48 knots), while the Energytower can operate in wind forces up to 50 meters/second (about 97 knots). This means that they can be used for more hours and thus generate more power. The company are now working on energy towers from 2.5 meters (about 8 ft.) in height (picture) up to 90 meters (about 295 ft.). A 15 meter (about 50 ft.) tower is calculated to be able to provide power for a small farm. Next year the company are planning to build 40 towers in pre-serial production series and they are all but sold out beforehand.

Finger wrench.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:36:53 +0100

We could have used this numerous times. And we had no idea it even existed. Think of all the times you have to hold a nut on some inaccessible place, and you keep dropping the thing. Or when you do not seem to reach just far enough. Brilliant. Handles nuts and bolts up to 0.5" and it is USD 3:50 a piece.

Help loading moving boxes.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:04:55 +0100

Moved house recently? Neither have we, but we still remember what is was like. One of the more irritating things was keeping the flaps of the storage boxes open while loading them. You often pack with one hand and try to keep the flaps out of the way with the other. Now we have found a solution to this problem. Instead of wrestling with the flaps, you just fold the flap outward and slide a Tiger Taco over the fold. A Tiger Taco is a piece of steel or plastic, bent to a u-shape like a taco that locks the flaps in an open position. Smart. Four orange steel Tiger Tacos are USD 18:95. Their plastic brethren are USD 4:95 also for four.

Dishtowel mitts.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:02:41 +0100

Get the mitts on and start drying those dishes. The gloves or mitts have a terry-cloth surface and a water proof layer so you do not have to get your hands wet. We know it is a lot more convenient to use the dishwasher, but these mitts would probably be great when you want perfectly spotless wine glasses without any fingerprints. Available in red or white and USD 15:- a pair.

Bath mat with built-in slippers.

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:29 +0100

Of course you need a bathroom rug to avoid flooding the entire room after you have had your morning shower. If you want to move around before you are dry, you can always slide the rug forward with your feet. We have done this many times without much trouble, but designer Paolo Ulian has conceived an even more elegant solution; a bath mat with integrated slippers. It is USD 50:-, which may be a bit harsh. But there is something more disturbing than the price tag. Have a look at the picture. Aren't there too many hairy legs?

Trio - the peeler with three blades.

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:58:23 +0100

This must be the Swiss Army Peeler. It sports three different blades hidden in the handle, and you shift by pulling one blade in, positioning another by turning the knob at the end, and pushing the new one forward with your thumb. A bit like those fat ball point pens with different colored points. The peeler, named Trio (surprise) has one ordinary straight blade for taters or squash, a serrated one for tomatoes, and a julienne cutter to make cool carrot curls. When you are not using it, all blades can be stored in the handle. The Trio is USD 14:95.

Smart furniture idea hides clutter.

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:27:32 +0100

We do try to keep our entrance tidy, but it is not exactly easy. Cellphones, keys, wallets, sunglasses, bike pumps, you name it. At one time or another, they all end up on our hall table. Berlin designer Ralf Schmitz has made an effort to solve this problem with the Handschuhbox, (glove box), above. It has sliding lids or trays, is available in walnut or mahogany with accent colors and it is EUR 209:- (approx. USD 302:-) plus shipping.

Automatic pet feeder no. 2.

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:23:20 +0100

We had hardly published the last post when we stumbled over this one. An automatic programmable pet feeding machine. It sports a digital programmable timer to make the four food trays open at the exact time you want your pet to eat. You can even record your own voice, thus allowing "you" to call Fido to dinner. The containers are good for both dry and wet food, and there is even room for a freezer block to keep the stuff from going stale. USD 90:-.

Party plate no. 4.

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 18:54:26 +0100

It seems that good ideas always come with company. Either these ideas float around in the air like some kind of virus, just waiting to pounce on some unexpecting person. Or maybe the simple truth is that people rip each other off, and change them just a bit not to be too obvious. Anyway, we find it interesting enough to feature the forth party plate so far. This time in plastic and for sale in the US. It is USD 13:- for four of them. Available in red.

Ottoman transformer turns into guest bed.

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:05:54 +0100

Couches with fold-out beds are commonplace, and so are the almost infinitely variable murphybeds. But tis is something new. The ottoman/bed is the first we have seen. The actual bed looks a bit narrow, since it has be folded into the ottoman, but if you have limited space and no room for another sofa, this must be a great solution. It is USD 399:- plus an additional USD 100:- for shipping.

Butter cooler with built-in spreader.

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:28:18 +0100

This butter box has its own cooler that you freeze in the freezer. When you want to serve the butter you place one or two sticks of butter on the ice cold tray. There the butter is promised to keep cool for two hours. Maybe an idea for a real long and s-l-o-w sunday breakfast? Only USD 7:95 and then you get a special spreader that attaches to the lid.

Drawing straight lines with a folding rule.

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 15:38:14 +0100

Of course any master carpenter with fingers like oak do this without any help. But for the rest of us who who have fingers soft as wieners, this could actually be a great help. The 90° ruler guide has a slot fitting the classic Swedish folding ruler, provides a firm grip and we are sure we could now draw straight lines without getting splinters in our fingers. From Kawator Produkter (no website, alas) in the Swedish town of Sandviken. We paid SEK 40:- (approx. USD 6:-) just because we could not resist owning one.

Jar opener.

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:09:34 +0200

Most, if not all, glass jars of pickles, relish, cornichons, salsa or spaghetti sauce has a vacuum sealed metal lid. That lid has to come off if you want to enjoy the contents. Now, there are many techniques for achieving this. Bare hands, damp cloth, silicone trivet, knocking the the lid against the counter top, inserting a soon or knife under the edge of the lid... All of those may work fine, but here is another solution that employs a cleverly designed piece of steel. The Lee Valley Jar Opener. Simply insert the end of the instrument under the lid, apply gentle force, and pop goes the lid. Handles most lids known to man for the measly sum of USD 8:-.

Wall cleat power cable organizer.

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:40:56 +0200

There seems to be an infinite demand for organizers in general, and cable organizers in particular. Our on-line lifestyle brings us more cables all the time, and naturally we must come up with ways to organize them. So why should your power cables collect dust devils on the floor when they can be neatly rolled up on a cleat like this. The concept and prototype comes from Karl Zahn and it is really very simple-. A new face plate to the old socket, and you are set to go. It is made for US plugs, but adapting it to European, Australian, UK or Japanese standards should be a cinch.

Coffee table grows to double size.

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:36:40 +0200

The Hexa coffee table is the bigger brother of the smart Tetra coffee table, we have mentioned earlier. The Hexa version has six hidden extra table tops that can be pulled out to provide extra room for guests, snacks, and drinks. If you just need a regular size table, you just push all the extensions back in again. Design Bernard Vuarnesson. USD 1.543:-.

At last in Sweden. Battery powered mobile power reserve.

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:21:29 +0200

Energizer are launching a mobile charger powered by ordinary size AA batteries. It is supposed to have adapters for Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, HTC and Blackberry. Just our luck it does not come with an adapter for Palm. Beginning next week it will be available in grocery stores, and after that in gas stations and c-stores and the likes. It vill be around SEK 179:- (approx. USD 28:-) with batteries.

Design deja vu all over again.

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:49:41 +0200

This morning we suspected that the student(s) who created the blue coach/bed had possibly pinched the idea from those that designed the red coach concept. Now it turns out that maybe both have borrowed the idea from Gruppo Strum (G. Ceretti, P. Derossi, R. Rosso) who designed the green version for Italian Gufram. Contrary to the blue and the red, however, the green one in being produced and can be bought from German Connox Shop. Bu it does not come cheap; it is EUR 8,045:- (approx. USD 11,500:-).

25 skills everybody should have.

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:49:57 +0200

Popular Mechanichs has served American (and other) boys and men with tech news and skills for generations. In the October issue there is an article on important everyday skills that they think every man should have, and they also describe how to do them in case you do not alreday know. so if there are som things you do not master, just read up on PopMech.

Here are some we thought both important and interesting:
Patching a radiator hose, backing up a trailer, finding your way with a map and a compass (without a GPS, that is), sharpening a knife, perform CPR, getting a car un-stuck, cleaning a rifle, changing oil and filter, bleed brakes, and fixing a bike flat.

Design deja vu.

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 11:01:50 +0200

This probably sucks for both parties. For Elena Haller, Julia Meisel, Martin Nowitzki and Hanni Schermaul, who created the Schlafgras (B) it could feel like someone has pinched their idea. We wrote about on 28 December 2005. For the nameless student(s) at Bucks New University in the UK who created (A), it might be a bit embarrassing if we suggest they may have borrowed an almost two years old idea.

Double bowl has room for both nuts and shells.

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:51:05 +0200

Eva Solo, with designers Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbæk, do not usually disappoint. Neither in form nor function. In fact, what is close to unique with EvaSolo is their ability to combine harmony in form with out-of-the-box thinking when it comes to function. And they have done it again. The Smiley bowl, that is really two bowls in one, is hand made in glass, and thus no Smiley is exactly like the other. What they have in common is function. One part for nuts, another for shells; one part for candy, the other for the wrappers; one for chips, one for the dip. You decide...

Power splitter wall holder.

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:49:05 +0200

Now that it sits right in front of our eyes, it is embarrassingly simple. We could have come up with this ourselves. How hard can it be? But like always, only hindsight is twenty/twenty. That is why congratulations are in order for Tommy Pettersson in the small Swedish town of Ålem for the idea for the Grenfix, a holder for all the power-strips he, and we, and probably you too have lying around everywhere. The Grenfix is comes in different widths for different power strips. It is really just a piece of bent metal with clever barbs for holding the power strip in place. According to Uppfinnaren & Konstruktören magazine #4/2007, it is almost ready for market. We can hardly wait...

Pet water bottle with integrated water bowl.

Sun, 21 Oct 2007 14:41:22 +0200

Getting the dog water on trips can be done in many ways. A separate bowl brought from home, a paper picnic plate, a hubcap (in the time when there were real hubcaps), your own cupped hand... well, there are many ways. Here is a novel attempt to solve this problem. A water bottle with a water bowl attached. Just pour and serve. And you will not forget the bowl. USD 8:-.

Table with built-in electric outlets.

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:36:36 +0200

Why not? If you settle for the sockets on the sides and legs, and maybe put a few in under the tabletop? Or put a row of them along the sides? Or... There is no mention of production, but don't you agree it would be both stylish and practical? The electric table is made in MDF board with electrical installations as a concept for custom order by Broberg & Ridderstråhle.

The no-tape roller kit.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:12:39 +0200

Anybody who has done some paining at home has probably learned that putting up and removing the masking tape often takes longer than the actual painting. And even though taping is not particularly fun, it is important for the end result. Now there may be a solution to this. The Zibra Edge-n-Roll kit consists of a tray, insert and a special roller with twin rolls. The idea is that the cover on the outer edge of the rollers should shield the edge where you do not want to paint. The handle can also be turned 180° to facilitate finding a comfortable working position. USD 19:- on Amazon.

Cellphone jammer makes your own mobile free zone.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:37:56 +0200

Would it not be nice with some peace and quiet on the train, subway, bus, café, theatre or anywhere else where you are surrounded by people not of your choosing? With this little 70 gram beauty that blocks GSM 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz, you can create your own 10 meter cellphone free zone. It is not for free, of course, but with the dollar at a record low at least us Europeans can pick one up without too much damage. USD 166:- here. A warning is in place, though. It appears that jamming mobile signals can be illegal in some places. Better check.

And now there appears to be three wheeled shovels.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:13:25 +0200

Just spotted (A) on one of our favorite blogs, and that set the old memory in motion. It looked like a great ideas, but at the same time strangely familiar. After a bit of research in the dusty corners of Smart stuff HQ, it came back. Our post on wheeled snow shovels of January 2006 vintage. Back then we had found two different shovels, and we first thought the new one (A) was the same as (B). But it is not. (Compare the fastening of the handle.) Although no-one has been as bold as the Wovel (C), design (B) must have inspired someone to make their own and make it a little cheaper, too. B is still USD 60:-, and (A) is USD 45:-.

Smart compressed travel towel - now at a better price.

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 19:14:49 +0200

We have posted on a similar product previously, but then they were USD 6:- for eight; about 75 cents a piece. Now they are (soon) available from another shop, and they offer to send 96 of them for USD 13:-. That is about 13 cents a pop. They are promised to be available from 8 November, if you want to try them out. They could be very useful for travel, or whenever one wants something to freshen up with. Just add a drop of water or two, and the pill becomes an instant towel.

Nightclub stamp advertising revisited.

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:22:46 +0200

A while back (on 10 May 2006, to be exact) we posted on how a nightspot in India had persuaded the local taxi company to buy advertising space on the club's stamp (left). We thought it was a brilliant idea, an idea that could make some money for the club, attract more customers for the local taxis and hopefully reduce the number of drunks driving home. Now it is apparent that someone else also liked the concept, since a California company has applied for a patent and wants to start selling ads on club stamps (right)...

A better bike stand.

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:35:29 +0200

If there is anything in the city we would wish to have more of, it is good bike parking. In particular bike stands where you can lock your bike without acrobatics, and that are placed with enough distance to the next stand not to tangle bikes. Most public bike stands must have been designed in the days when they did not have to lock bikes. But there may be better designs in the works. This bike stand, for instance, by Belgian designer Roel Vandebeek for Wolters Street Furniture affords both support and a convenient locking device and a small footprint.

Power-yoyo could power Third World mobiles.

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:38:14 +0200

As we could learn from the example of Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, a micro credit can allow a poor villager in a Third World country to buy for example a mobile phone and start making money from setting up a telephone service for his neighbors. One of the problems with the phone proliferation in the Third World, though, is access to power to charge the ever hungry phones. There are some crank-powered or solar chargers, and here comes a new take. The power-yoyo from Potenco. The device is the same that is fitted in the OLPC "100 dollar laptop" (now USD 180:-, alas), but as a separate unit it could power mobile phones, LED lights and many other things. All for free, once the device is paid for. It works a bit like an oldstyle outboard motor or lawn mower; you pull the string to generate power. A minute of pulling should give 20 minutes of talk time on the mobile.

Solid state drive to replace hard disc drive.

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:49:18 +0200

A while back we were forced to perform a disc drive transplant, since the old drive started making horrible dying noises. Our computer mechanic guessed the old drive was just worn out mechanically. This event came to mind when we read about Samsung's new "Solid State Drive", a flash memory without moving parts that cannot crash. At least not mechanically. SSD is not just mechanically safe, it is also faster than any disc drive, and the allow laptops to be built smaller lighter and quieter. The only problem is that SSDs do not yet have the capacity of disc drives. But with this memory Samsung has managed to join together several flash memory units and have reached 64GB. Another step on the way to finally retiring disc drives.

Food dispensing baby spoon.

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:52:23 +0200

Feeding became a sloppy affair after the little darlings started eating other stuff than breast milk and baby formula. (The fact that it would become even worse when they started eating by themselves, did not occur to us at the time.) This invention could have made it a bit easier. The spoon is fastened to a soft bladder or balloon, which you fill with baby food. When feeding time comes you squeeze the bladder to dispense a small amount of food onto the spoon. The bladder has room for 3 oz., is promised to be dish washer safe and the spoon comes with a protective cover for to keep it clean between feedings. This could be great for outdoor feeding. Should be available during October from Boon, but no price yet.

Smart tourniquet can be applied with one hand.

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 22:48:04 +0200

Everybody knows you should apply pressure to stop a severe blood flow, for instance from a nasty cut or a bullet wound. But applying a tourniquet has never been as easy as it sounds, in particular if you are the one that has been wounded. The device in the picture, MAT (Mechanical Advantage Tourniquet), has been developed to help solve this, and it could prove to be a life saver. It is simple to apply, just hook it up around the injured limb, tighten, and turn the dial until the flow of blood is stopped. The MAT won a gold medal in IDEA 2006 in the medical products category, but the best thing is really that it is relatively cheap (about USD 35:-) and re-usable. More on the Ewing Design Group site and with Cybertech Medical.

Tool for opening difficult packaging.

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 14:01:04 +0200

Changed the ink cartridge in your printer lately? We did last Sunday, when three of the cartridges decided to quit at the same time. We would have loved one of these, then. We could hardly believe how theft proof they have made at least the Canon Photo-printer cartridges. Come to think of it, that is probably the idea. Theft proof, that is, to keep people from stealing the cartridges, and leave the empty (and alarm chipped) boxes behind in the store. Anyway, we had to work a bit to get into them without any tools. I such cases maybe a tool like this could be just the thing. It is called Zibra Open It and it is equipped to cut, slice, nip, screw and pinch. About everything you need to open modern packaging. It is available in different colors and it is USD 11:- on the Zibra website.

Travel alarm for bags, doors, fire and attack.

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 10:56:52 +0200

It is New Zealand company Travelsafe that has come up with this multi function alarm they call Cavius (possibly from latin caveat, meaning warning). As a luggage alarm it uses a motion sensor, as fire alarm an optical smoke detector, and as an attack alarm you will have to push the red button yourself. It has a 130 dB siren, and it could be an alternative to using different devices for luggage protection, fire warning and door safety. It is USD 70:- on Cavius' own website.

Precision butter slicer.

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 23:04:00 +0200

If you absolutely, positively must have an exact measure of butter, and you do not trust those little lines on the package. Stainless steel and with measures for both short and long butter sticks. USD 9:50 at ChefTools.

Nail holder saves fingers and curses.

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 11:26:40 +0200

The most fun with carpentry is wielding a powerful nail-gun. But there are of course moments when the good old hammer still is the best tool. And in those cases there is always the risk of accidentally hitting oneself on a finger or two. So, to avoid this, perhaps the Nail Assist (concept) may be just the thing. Place the nail in the holder, the holder against the wall, pull out and bang away. The holder will keep the nail against the wall, and protect your pinkies at the same time. Now, this method may be slightly slower than the more straight forward thumb-and-forfinger approach but if you are in the habit of hitting yourself... Design Michael Harris.

Easy filling sports bottle.

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 12:13:59 +0200

Water bottles and sports bottles have been notoriously hard to fill. At least if you have been trying to re-fill them in narrow wash basins in gyms and sports halls. There is simply not enough room to hold the bottles upright under the tap to fill them. One person who saw this problem too, but unlike the rest of us did something about it, is Anna Axelsson, who designed a sports bottle with an extra nozzle that could fit under wash basin taps. With her Binibottle she won a gold medal in the Finnupp inventor's contest, only 15 years old. The bottle, that takes one liter (about 34 fl. oz.) is available in (Swedish) sport equipment stores and it is SEK 30:- (about USD 4:60).

Samsung Armani phone has rape alarm.

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:32:57 +0200

The new Samsung Armani cellphone comes with a built-in rape alarm. All one has to do, apparently, is pre-program the number of one's five closest relatives and trusted friends under a special contact group, and whenever one feels threatened, just press the volume button four times to set off the safety feature. The phone will then send an SOS text messages to those numbers. The integrated GPS tracking system will also activate so that one can be easily tracked down. We think this is a great idea, so we will join Gadget Guild in demanding that this feature be made a standard on all new cellphones.

Built-in, folding urinal for the home bathroom.

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:10:33 +0200

From yesterday's water purifier and citrus juicer there is only a small step to today's folding urinal. One thing leads to another, as they say. Home urinals may be the next big thing in bathrooms, but we suspect the ladies may have a tendency to slow the process down. We mean, how great is it to use the bathroom with a urinal in nose height right next to you? Well, this particular urinal may make the whole family think again. First of all it helps, like all urinals, the males in the house avoid making those nasty yellow spots on the rim of the toilet, which the ladies surely will appreciate. Secondly, it folds into a recess in the wall after use which makes it almost invisible, or at least hardly noticeable when it is not in use. Thirdly, the flushing of the folding urinal is only supposed to use 10 ounces of water, which is a lot less than the toilet uses. The only drawback may be that the whole thing is made of plastic, which, at least to us, seems less hygienic than porcelain. If your are interested in this kind of home improvement, it is USD 295:- at Mister Miser.

Rosendahl lemon juicer.

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 02:10:40 +0200

We have a hard time resisting a new take on citrus juicers. This time it is well known Danish designers Claus Jensen and Henrik Holbaek who have come up with the lemon twist citrus screw. The idea is simple, and usage uncomplicated; just screw the steel twist into the lemon, squeeze a bit, and watch the juice emerge from the end. It is USD 39:95 at Nova 68, which is quite a bit more than every other citrus juicer we have ever mentioned, but after all it is Rosendahl...

New water purifying straw.

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:04:22 +0200

Drinking water straight from the tap may be OK in Sweden, but it could definitely get you into big trouble in many other places. Buying bottled water may be easy in many places, but there are surely a lot of places in this world where that is not yet an option. So, what do you do? Use water purifying tablets? Sure, but the taste... Perhaps a better idea is getting a water purifier like the iStraw, here. There are several different products available that does more or less the same thing (see the list of links below). The iStraw is a lightweight polycarbonate straw that boasts its own internal filtration system. Most contaminants found in water are removed thanks to the micro-filtration process employed by the iStraw, and would be an essential item to bring along on your the next camping trip. The iStraw is capable of filtering up to 500 liters (132 US Gallons) of water before a replacement is needed. It retails for GBP 20:- (about USD 40:-).

Welcome, Yellowknife!

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 12:00:03 +0200

Ever since one of our second cousins held a brief teaching job in Yellowknife (62°27’ N - 114°22’ W) in the seventies, we have been wanting to go there ourselves. Just because of the coolness of the name. (We'll tell you about our trip to Muckle Flugga another time). Canada actually has lots of cool names; we have previously visited Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat, just to mention a couple. The reason we discovered our honoured visitor from Yellowknife, is the interesting Who's Amung Us service, thet we have had on the site for a while now. With it, you can see what visitors are reading, and with the map, where they come from. As you can see, most of our visitors come from Europe and North America, but we are very happy to see the little stars pop up Asia, Australia and Latin America, too. If you have a blog or website of your own, you could find Who's Amung Us worth a closer look.

Angle cutter.

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:42:16 +0200

From now on, it will be easier to make nice and straight angles on. This tool is called the Ultimate Easy Cutter and it looks really simple, all right. Just set the desired angle (from seven pre-set) and cut away. From Amazon- at USD 23:40.

Doorstop alarm.

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:58:24 +0200

Travel can have its perils. Imagined or real. A good alarm may help you sleep better at night. This doorstop not only stops a door from opening (providing it opens into the room), but it is also promised to make a frightful noise (125 dB) when the wedge is depressed. There is also a movement sensor with adjustable sensitivity to activate the alarm if tampered with, and an on/off switch to keep it from going off in your luggage. USD 15:- at Stunster.

Emergency flashlight - always charged and ready.

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:46:01 +0200

Our newest flashlight is charged by induction while it sits in its holder in the wall power outlet. That means it is always charged and ready for service when it is needed. One other smart thing is that it automatically lights up if the current is lost, for instance in case of a power outage or when you remove it from the charger. While charging it emits a soft blue light to make it easy to find. It has seven LEDs, three power settings, and it is promised to provide about five hours of light when fully charged. We have not had the time to test this, however. Available in black, silver or white from Clas Ohlson where it is SEK 149:- (about USD 23:-).

Baby thermometer for the forehead - or built into pacifier.

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:18:21 +0200

Checking a baby's temperature is no easy thing. But with either of these new thermometers the job might be a little easier. The first one (A) is made to measure temperature outside of the body. You place the sensor against baby's forehead, and the results can be read on the display in a couple of seconds. The thermometer measures from 35,0 to 42,2°C. Available at Clas Ohlson for SEK 198:- (about USD 30:-). The other (B) is made to measure temperature inside the mouth and it is cleverly hidden inside a pacifier. It makes its measurements in two minutes. From Dosis, and available at Clas Ohlson, for SEK 98:- (about USD 15:-).

Smart bottle cleans foul water in a jiffy.

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:59:23 +0200

Michael Pritchard of Ipswich, UK, has invented a bottle that makes foul-smelling, infected or polluted water drinkable in seconds. Pritchard hopes the bottle will find use in disaster regions where access to clean drinking water is vital. The military, however, seems to become his first customers. The military think the bottles will have huge benefits for soldiers who hate drinking iodine-flavoured water. Michael Pritchard's water purification bottle can clean up any water - including fecal matter - using a filter that cuts out anything longer than 15 nanometers, which means that even viruses can be filtered out without the use of chemicals. That is pretty amazing, but it does not come cheap. The bottles are GBP 190:- (about USD 383:-) a pop.

Super mini flashlight #3 (at least).

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:23:23 +0200

We have written about miniature flashlights like this one twice before, the first one in May 2005, more than three years ago. But we still think the idea is so neat and useful, we are not ashamed to post on this one, too. However, there is a clear trail of evolution, here. The first and the second ones both had two LEDs. This one has three. The first one was USD 24:95, the second was about USD 18:-, and the newest kid on the block will hopefully be under USD 10:- when Kikkerland (website down today) starts shipping them in October.

Soft silicon lemon squeezer (#3).

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:26:30 +0200

We had the opportunity to test one of these lemon squeezers at Formex the other week. And since we do have a certain faiblesse for all things lemon, it has to be included on the site. We often use lemon in our cooking, and for drinks of course. Thus we think every well equipped kitchen should have a least one lemon press or lemon squeezer. This particular silicon squeezer is called Luki after its designer Luki Huber. Huber has designed a whole collection of stuff for Spanish Lékué. With this you just put one half lemon into the squeezer, open the spout, and squeeze. If there is any juice left in the lemon when toy are done, you can replace the stopper and keep the whole thing in the fridge until next time. available from, among other places we are sure, Amazon-, where you get two of them for USD 13:-.

Coffee scoop with built in bag closer II.

Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:37:10 +0200

The other week we posted on a bag clamp coffee scoop combo from Danish Brix, that we had found at the Formex fair. And not long after, we stumble upon this scoop with built-in bag clamp. Only metal instead of plastic. What is going on. Are scoop/clamps the latest thing, or what? This clamp-scoop is made from stainless steel, 7 in. long and comes from Zaccardi's, where it is USD 7:-.

Two wheel drive off-road motor cycle.

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:46:59 +0200

How on Earth do you make a 2WD motor bike?i Well, the front wheel gets its power through a drive shaft that runs through the frame via a knot joint under the handle bars to a gear box right above the front fender. From there the power is distributed via a chain, just like the one on the back wheel. The Rokon bike is not like any other. It is a work horse without the fancy stuff featured on many other bikes. It has no speedometer, no odometer, no fuel gauge and no warning lights. Nowadays it has a spring loaded seat, but this was an option for many years. You start it with a pull string, like a lawn mower or an old outboard motor. On the other hand, the Rokon bikes have a bunch of other smart features. The front disc brake is placed behind the front light, hidden from dirt and moisture. The hitch (of course they can pull a trailer) is movable to allow the back wheel to be in contact with the ground at all times, and the wheels are hollow to allow storage of extra fuel or drinking water (between 3.17 and 4.5 gallons depending on wheel size. You could also cross a stream by letting the bike float across. The motor is a 6.6 hp four-stroke. It is not exactly a racer, but torque and power has been the priority, here. The Rokon is popular among hunters and fishermen, and it has also been used by US Special Forces in both Vietnam and the Gulf. Brazilian and Jordanian Special Forces have also acquired the bike. A Rokon Trail-Breaker is about SEK 60,000:- (plus VAT) in Sweden (That is about USD 9,000:-). More on Rokon USA.

Smart watering can won the Rusta Design Award 2007.

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 20:31:15 +0200

Jonas Forsman, with the "Twin" watering can above, won the Rusta Design Award of 2007. The jury, chaired by Alexander Lervik, thought that the can showed a "playful design" and that it was a "multifunctional watering can, both decorative and practical". The can can be used in different ways depending on how you wish to do your watering. There is the usual narrow spout, and then there is a wide mouth that can be covered by turning the removable rose for soft watering. The Rusta Design Award is presented by Rusta (building materials firm) and Svensk Form in cooperation with the purpose of encouraging young Swedish designers. Besides the bragging rights, Jonas Forsman collected SEK 20,000:- (about USD 3,000:-) and the chance of more income if and when his design enters production.

Hydraulic bike hanger.

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:42:11 +0200

A hydraulic bicycle lift like this would make it pretty simple to hang the bike on the wall. It appears to have been meant for garages or storage rooms, but it could serve just as nicely in the hall of our apartment. (We don't like to leave our bikes outside overnight). Perhaps painted white. The hydraulics are supposed to be the same as is used in liftback trucks and cars. Found on Brookstone where it is USD 49:95.

Double thermos for outings with both coffee and tea.

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:47:14 +0200

The twin containers in this thermos flask are completely independent from each other. This means you can bring something hot in one, and something cold in the other. Or a drink in one and food in the other. Or coffee and cognac. Or whatever you like. The thermos comes from Swedish Bozlé and it is made in stainless steel. It comes with two cups and two extra bowls plus a carrying strap and it is about SEK 390:- (approx. USD 58:-).

Hands-on with the adjustable measuring scoop.

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:36:42 +0200

We have been waiting for the adjustable scoop to surface in Sweden, and now we have had the opportunity to try it out in our own kitchen for a few days. The fact that impresses us the most, is that the scoop is actually quite water tight when you wish to measure something liquid, like vodka for instance. It works equally well for dry stuff, like flour or sugar. The scoop comes from Swiss Dalla Piazza and is available in two sizes. The smaller one measures from 1/8 tablespoon to 2 tablespoons; the larger one from 2 tablespoons up to 1/2 cup or 1 to 4.5 oz. The small one- is about USD 12:- and its big brother- about USD 14:-.

Two piece picnic cutlery.

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 17:34:48 +0200

Since you can take this cutlery kit apart, you can actually use both the fork and the knife at the same time. Besides the fork and the knife, the kit also sports can opener, bottle opener, cork screw and a spike. The black surface is made from a rubber-like material that is actually very comfortable to hold. The kit comes from Swedish Bozlé, and is about SEK 95:- (approx. USD 14:-).

Energy saving pot helps getting dinner ready.

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:51:23 +0200

Well, it is not a pressure cooker, even though one might think so at first. But it is a clever system that helps cooking and saves energy at the same time. Here is how it works. You bring your vegetables, stew or whatever you want to prepare to a boil with the lid on. After that you reduce the heat to the lowest and let the pot sit for a couple of minutes. Then you put the pot into the insulating heat-retaining bowl where the food cooks using the heat already built up in the pot. The bowl can keep the food warm up to 2 hours, saving the energy that would have been spent keeping the pot simmering. It is called Hotpan and it comes from Swiss Kuhn Rikon.

Coffee scoop and bag clamp - all-in-one.

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:53:54 +0200

We found this in the Danish design firm Brix's stand. They sell all kinds of smart products and aids. This thing is really a mash-up of an ordinary bag clamp and a coffee scoop, but it is kinda clever to put them together. It is smart, it is simple and it is reasonably low-cost. The scoop/clamp is available in different sizes from tiny to LARGE, meant for sacks of dog food. The RRP in Sweden is SEK 29:00, (about USD 4:20).

Garlic Zoom, the rolling garlic chopper.

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 15:27:57 +0200

Inside the transparent plastic top a number of sharp rotating knives is waiting to chop up your garlic. From one to 3 or 4 at a time of they are not too big. The power that drives the knives comes from the the wheels at the bottom, and to start chopping you just have to roll the chopper back and forth along the counter top, cutting board or your own arm. The whole thing comes apart for washing in the dishwasher. It is from Chef'n (we have mentioned them several times before) and it will be available in stores in the fall at SEK 159:- (about USD 23:-).

Grater and collecting vessel all in one.

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:05:22 +0200

EvaSolo does not usually disappoint when it comes to kitchen tools and gadgets. Neither in form nor function. This new grater is both sleek and practical. The designers, Henrik Holbæk and Claus Jensen, who have created the entire Eva-Solo catalog, have again managed to think outside the box and have combined the classic grater with the collection bowl in something we are inclined to call grating beaker. It is made from stainless steel in one piece, needs no assembly, and has no moving or loose parts. Genius. Will be available in shops later this fall for about SEK 269:- (about USD 40:-).

Hanger for sweaters with narrow necks.

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:26:06 +0200

This fall's Formex exhibition looked like a disappointment. We must have walked around for a couple of hours without finding much along the lines of new and smart. Or even fun. It looked like the hanger below would be our only catch of the day. But after a spot of lunch we could continue our search with renewed energy, and lo and behold; things brightened up. We actually found a number of smart new gadgets, inventions, tools and ideas and we'll be posting some of them over the next few days. But first the hanger...

Guess we have all over-extended the necks of our sweaters by forcing them over hangers. Or tried to insert the hanger from below through the sweater, which is a hassle even on a good day. Our guess is that Andrew Shove, the designer behind this special hanger had, too. The difference is that Andrew did something about it. He created a hanger especially for sweaters with narrow necks. How it works is explained by the small drawings to the right. Smart and simple. From Maze International.

Smart water purifier one of Index 2007 winners.

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:49:36 +0200

The Danish design competition Index rewards design that can make life on this planet a little (or a lot) easier. The other year the smart personal water purifier LifeStraw won one of the prizes. We have covered LifeStraw previously. One of this year's winners is a smart lid that transforms discarded soda- or beer cans into a safe disposal for medical sharps. Our previous post here. An idea that we have not seen before, however, is the 2007 winner in the Home category; the Solar Bottle water cleaner. The Solar Bottle utilizes the known fact that heat and UV radiation cleans water from bacteria and harmful micro organisms. The new design makes this process faster and more efficient. The four liter bottle is wide and flat, thus exposing a larger surface towards the sun; one side is dark colored, which enhances infrared absorption and speeds up heating. The carrying handle, finally, is designed to allow adjustment to achieve the most efficient angle towards the sun. Design Alberto Meda and Francisco Gomez Paz. More on Index 2007.

How to avoid groceries all over the floor II.

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:30:42 +0200

A while ago we posted on a clever hanger for grocery bags we had found in car accessory store Biltema's catalogue. The idea is to hang the grocery in the car and thus avoiding spilling the contents all over the floor in the first corner. Now we discover that others have experienced the same problem. It is Lasse Åkerlund, of Järvsö in the Swedish province of Hälsingland, who got tired of picking up his groceries from the car floor and invented the Baggis, the bag hanger in the picture above. You put the loop over the headrest and hang the bag from it. In comparison to the Biltema hook which is SEK 19:90 (about USD 2:80) for two, the Baggis is a bit on the expensive side at SEK 48:- (about USD 7:-) a piece, but then it is made right here in Sweden, which is probably not the case with the Biltema hook. More on the Baggis web site (Swedish only).

Competition for the FoodLoop.

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:52:49 +0200

It is a dog-eat-dog world out there. Since we posted on the FoodLoop, a clever silicone cable-tie for food, the competition has been busy it seems. Just today we found this on German webshop Design 3000. It is called the Schürli (a diminutive on the German word for string). We like the FoodLoop for when we like to tie-up a stuffed chicken breast or fish with herbs inside, (much easier than the old trussing string we used to use) and we suppose these Schnürli work in much the same way. The Schnürli is EUR 9:95 (approx. USD 13:50) for two. In comparison, the FoodLoop is USD 14:99 (about EUR 11:-) for six on Amazon.

Microwave oven in a drawer.

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:39:43 +0200

After our previous posts on fridges, freezers and washing machines with drawers, here is the microwave i a drawer. Of course we had to find it, it was just a matter of time. Now we could do an entire kitchen with no high cabinets. This micro comes from Dacor who offer all kinds of kitchen appliances. The oven in the picture is available, among other places, from HomeClick where it is USD 1.049:-.

Another idea for a party plate.

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:37:31 +0200

We have posted on party plates before, but this is a new take. The first one we see that handles paper plates. The previous ones have been made of plastic or porcelain and you were meant to put your food directly on them. This one just holds the paper plate in place. It is USD 19:99 for 8, it is only available in red, but it is machine washable on the upper level.

3D printer for the home office.

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:25:18 +0200

3D printers are among the most fascinating pieces of technology on this planet. Nerdy? Well, in that case, so be it. It is close to pure magic to watch a product prototype slowly growing in the printer chamber. We saw it once at an industrial fair a couple of years back, but that machine was the size of a closet and cost maybe USD 60,000:-. Now, however, technology has reached a point where 3D printing might be affordable for the home office or small business. Desktop Factory has designed a pretty small 3D printer that can build objects up to 5 x 5 x 5 inches (12,7 x 12,7 x 12,7 cm) and will have a reasonable price tag; USD 4.995:-.

Cool idea if you have your own site or blog.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:53:56 +0200

If your site or blog is anything like ours, you get quite a lot of visitors who just check out the current page (i.e. this one) and then move on to some other site. But what if we could send our leaving visitors to you and you could send yours to us? If our blogs have anything like the same visitor numbers, we could double them! Now there is actually a way to do this, and it is called ExitExplosion. Corky name, perhaps, but the tech seems solid. Here is how it works: They put up an exit page on your site that offers alternative sites to visit after yours. And since everyone else in the program displays your site among the alternatives, you look to get a lot of new visitors to your site. Check it out on ExitExplosion.

Bicycle chain spa.

Wed, 22 Aug 2007 10:47:15 +0200

We did not even know this invention existed until we browsed through the new Biltema catalog. Cleaning one's bike chain is a sloppy job at best, so this little chain washing machine has lots of promise. The washing box attaches with the chain in place, som there is no need to dismount it. Inside the box, the chain runs past three brushes and one sponge. The first brush scrubs the chain with cleaner, the second and third removes dirt, and the sponge, finally, wipes off exess cleaner. Apparently there is a need for some sort of cleaning agent, but the Biltema site is not clear on this point. Anyway, the chain cleaner is SEK 69:90 (approx. USD 10:-) and its article number is 27-042. There is a similar gadget on ComCycle USA for USD 14:95, and one for USD 24:99 on Gregg's Cycle. Finally, there are several like it on Amazon, for instance the Clean Machine for USD 12:99.

Grow your own fresh air.

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:55:05 +0200

The fact that house plants contribute oxygen and moisture to the air is nothing new. But our leafy friends can do more. Some can even be used as air purifiers. The plant that is said to be the best moisturizer is the Areca palm (left), and we have posted on it earlier. It I moisturizes, absorbs pollutants and above all, it can be grown in the house. The Rubber Plant (right) is supposed to be a champion chemicals absorber. It cleans the air from formaldehyde (found in fiber boards and furniture), ammonia and benzene. It, too can be grown in the house without much trouble. This and much more can be learned in a book titled How to Grow Fresh Air, where you will meet 50 plants that are good for the indoor environment. It is on Amazon- for USD 12:25.

Coolest fridge - now from Norway.

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:45:00 +0200

A while back (on October 19, 2005, to be precise) we wrote a post on a both smart and good looking fridge with drawers instead of doors. It was from American Sub-Zero, who celebrated their ten year anniversary with drawer fridges. In the post we asked where Electrolux and everybody else had kept their heads during all those years. We still do not know, but we now now that Norwegian company Norcool has had their heads scewed on right, and are now selling a fridge with drawers. And, since it is a Norwegian company, there might be a chance that we can find their products in our country, too...

Paper thin flexible battery in the works.

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:12:54 +0200

Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY have developed a new energy storage device that easily could be mistaken for a simple sheet of black paper. The nano-engineered battery is lightweight, ultra thin, completely flexible, and geared toward meeting the trickiest design and energy requirements of tomorrow’s gadgets, implantable medical equipment, and transportation vehicles. The device can be rolled, twisted, folded, or cut into any number of shapes with no loss of mechanical integrity or efficiency. The paper batteries can also be stacked, like a ream of printer paper, to boost the total power output. The device is also unique in that it can function as both a high-energy battery and a high-power super-capacitor, which are generally separate components in most electrical systems. Details of the project are outlined in the paper “Flexible Energy Storage Devices Based on Nano-composite Paper” published Aug. 13 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

No spill wine tray.

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:36:16 +0200

This tray is made to make it easier and safer to carry wine and glasses. Anyone who has ever drenched a carpet or sofa in claret will surely appreciate the idea. The tray has room for one bottle and four glasses, it is made in extruded aluminum and it is available in a number of colors. It is from MuNiMulA, and it is available from 2Modern where it is USD 98:-.

Wind-up media player.

Sun, 12 Aug 2007 12:20:13 +0200

Trevor Baylis, the man who invented the wind-up radio, is back. This time with a wind-up powered and eco friendly media player called Eco Media Player. It plays MP3 and video, it has an FM radio, photo viewer an e-book reader. It also has a flashlight, a microphone for recording, offers the possibility to rip records or tapes to MP3, and it has a mobile charger. Everything powered by the crank on the back. One minute of turning the crank is promised to deliver 40 minutes of listening pleasure. If you get tired of cranking, it can also be charged via a USB port. The Eco Media Player has 2GB built-in memory and a slot for SD cards. It is GBP 170:- (about USD 344:-).

Bicycle phone holder.

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 15:04:53 +0200

Sure you have missed something like this? Even if you use a hand free kit when biking, you still want to see who is calling, right? It would be extra smart if one had a GPS in one's mobile. The bike phone holder is promised to fit most phones, PDAs, etc that are at least 39 mm (about 00 in.) and no more than 74 mm (about 00 in.) wide. It comes from Gadget Brando in Hong Kong and they are asking USD 10:- for it. They also promise ti ship world wide for USD 3:-.

Power track with movable outlets.

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:56:12 +0200

This power track is conceived along the same lines as the spotlight tracks you find in shops and offices. But here all outlets are easily movable, and there's room for up to 16 outlets per meter of track (with the EU power adaptor 12). The track has been developed and patented by the Singapore company Eubiq, and it is available in large parts of the world; e.g. Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe. As of yet not in the Americas, though. The picture shows the euro-plug adapter, but adapters are also available for UK, Australian, Indian, and Japanese standards. The track is available for both surface and recessed application, and in a number of lengths; the longest 3.6 meters (11.8 feet). We do not know what it would cost, but we are pretty sure it would look good in the kitchen. Or in the Smart Stuff HQ.

Picnic kit in a small bag.

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:51:14 +0200

It could be that he or she is right, the copywriter on the site where this pic-nic kit is found, that is. Perhaps getting the picnic gear together can be such a pain, that we cannot be bothered. But having a meal al fresco on a warm day is after all very nice. To-day may be such a day, since the thermometer has reached +26°C (about 78° F). We do not get too many such days up here. In that case maybe a picnic kit like this one could come in handy. It is supposed to be small enough to fit in your car's glove compartment, and it sports two plastic plates, two sets of silverware, a corkscrew and containers for salt and pepper. It is USD 52:- however, which we think is a bit steep, but it is a nice idea.

Hydrogen powered fireplace uses water for fuel.

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:09:23 +0200

You fill it up with ordinary tap water (or preferably de-ionized water). With the aid of electrolysis, powered by ordinary household electricity, the fireplace will separate the hydrogen from the oxygen in the water (water, H2O, is basically hydrogen and oxygen), ignite the hydrogen, add some oxygen to make the flame visible, and releases the rest of the oxygen into the room air. With this technology you get a warming fire without carbon monoxide, ashes, smoke, or the energy losses you always suffer in a chimney. The fireplace is supposed to produce 31,000 Btu/hour and it requires 0,5 gallons of water per hour. This smart eco friendly fireplace is called Aqueon, but at present it is a concept and a prototype. But we can always hope...

Credit card sized mini tool.

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:23:11 +0200

We like these little clever mini multi tools, so it was pretty predictable that we should fall for this one. It is called the BCB Mini Work Tool, and they have managed to squeeze in no less than eleven different tools into a piece of stainless steel the size of a credit card. BCB wants USD 11:95 for this little miracle, but we have found a dead ringer on Amazon for USD 3:99.

Sixpack full contact cooler.

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 19:30:19 +0200

I could kick myself for not thinking of this first. Kudos to whoever did, though. It is simple, smart, and usable. Just freeze the cooling blocks like you would any other cooling block, stack your beverage cans in your bag or cooler and off you are. USD 7:98 a piece or 2 for USD 14:98.

Future solar cells may be painted on the wall.

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:40:25 +0200

What if you could paint your house with a kind of paint that transformed the entire house into an energy producing solar cell? Well, researchers at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, directed by Somenath Mitra, thinks they have found a way to do this. They present their findings in a paper for the Journal of Materials Chemistry. In the paper, they explain how a combination of carbon nano-tube complex and Buckyball molecules on a polymer backing can produce create a flow of electrons, i.e electricity. When sunlight excites the polymer, it releases electrons, and the Buckyball molecule catches them. Although the Buckyball cannot create a flow of electrons, it can transfer them to the nano-tube where the flow is created. Researchers hope their discovery will be the base of a simple and cheap technology to build energy producing homes and, maybe, cars.

Micro sized hard drive for backups.

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 18:40:09 +0200

Imation Micro Hard Drive is a portable, 4 GB backup hard drive. It comes with software that automatically copies and saves the current version of a document along with the previous six versions. The design is pretty cool, too. It reminds of a padlock, and the USB plug is protected within the cover. It is also supposed ti have a shock proof chassis around the mini hard drive. The jury of IDEA 2007 practically loved it.

A wrench with a twist.

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:14:22 +0200

This wrench has received seven patents, won a number of industrial awards and an award in the IDEA Awards 2007. We should confess that it took us several seconds to see the actual revolutionizing idea here. Can you see it? Well, the two ends are twisted perpendicular to each other. This offers a better grip and better torque, since the new configuration gives a 500 percent lager gripping surface than that of an ordinary wrench.

Tripod flashlight.

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:04:09 +0200

A tripod flashlight seems to be the thing to have when you are alone and have to change a flat in the dark. We do not know if there are any like it, but this one has been awarded in the recently presented IDEA Awards 2007. The flashlight, called MaxLife 369 TriPod Flashlight from Stanley, is actually even smarter than what one thinks at first, since each of the legs contain 3 AA size batteries. The batteries in each leg is promised to last for 75 hours and the brightness can be adjusted in three steps; 1 LED, 3 LEDs or all 6 LEDs. The flashlight is available, among other places, on Amazon, where it is USD 22:82.

Light-bulb ionic air cleaner.

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:04:06 +0200

This tip comes from Dag N. in Norway, who writes to let us know about the Ionic Bulb, the light-bulb that also serves as an ionic air purifier The bulb uses negative ions to clean indoor air from smoke, dust and other particles. The particles are supposed to attach to the ions, and then sink to the floor (or any other horizontal surface) where they can be removed with vacuum-cleaner or dust-cloth. We have not been able to find any on-line tests of this lamp, but if you have used one you are welcome to submit a guest review. Dag N. found the lamp on a Norwegian site where they are NOK 198:- (about USD 35:-) a piece, which can be compared with Ionic Bulb's own shop where they offer two for USD 19:95.

Electric SUT does 95 miles/h and charges in 10 minutes.

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:03:59 +0200

Phoenix Motorcars in California has used new battery technology to develop the new electric SUT, apparently based on Korean SsangYong Actyon Sports (insert). The Phoenix has very promising stats, among them a working range of over 100 miles on a charge, a top speed of 95 mph and it will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. The new batteries are Altairnano NanoSafe™ based on lithium titanate instead of lithium-ion. The very short charging time is achieved at special charging stations using 480 V three phase current. If you charge at home with your ordinary household current, it will be about 4 to 5 hours. The company will manufacture about 500 SUTs during 2007, and hopes for 6,000 in 2008, when they are looking to introduce a SUV. From available pictures it appears to be based on the SSangYong Actyon. At present all sales are directed at fleets, but Phoenix promises consumer sales during next year. There are no prices to be found on the Phoenix site, but an ordinary 4x4 diesel Actyon Sports is around AUD 33,000:- in Australia (that is about USD 29,000:-).

Keyboard cover you cut to size.

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:57:58 +0200

We had an e-mail from Kenji K. who, after reading our previous post on the silicone keyboard cover, says that such covers are available in Japan for most any well known brand for less than JPY 2,000:- (about USD 16:50). He also send a link to a silicone cover you can cut to size yourself. It is from JPY 1,440:- (about USD 12:-). Thanks Kenji, for your tip!

Peephole reverser.

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:56:38 +0200

Do you think you are safe behind your door and that you can quietly check who is outside before opening? With this peephole reverser your visitor may have checked you out long before you even got close to the door. The reversing gadget has been developed for law enforcement in the United States, and the idea is to enable officers to assess the threat level in an apartment or hotel room before ringing the bell or kicking the door in. As far as we can find out, the thing is only available in the US, but it would not surprise us if it finds its way here before long. It is nice to know that our door peep hole has a small cover on the inside, rendering the reverser all but useless... Available from Spy Gadgets at USD 88:- a piece.

Smart low-tech water filter.

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:05:59 +0200

Abul Hussam is a Chemistry Professor at the George Mason University in Virginia. Hussam was born in Bangladesh, and he has spent a large part of his professional life trying to find a solution to a problem caused by well-meaning but unknowing well drilling campaigns in his country. Parts of eastern India and western Bangladesh has high concentrations of arsenic naturally in the underground water-supply. Drilling wells to provide fresh water for the population has on one hand gotten rid of bacteria and virii, but on the other hand exposed people to the arsenic. The problem got a lot of attention during the 1990s when health authorities discovered that while infectious diseases declined, arsenic-related skin ailments and fatal cancers began to increase. Hussam has tested hundreds of prototypes over the years, and SONO, his final construction is smart, simple, virtually maintenance free and can be manufactured locally using local materials. The filtration system consists of three buckets or barrels, where the water passes layers of sand, charcoal, bits of brick, and pieces of a sort of cast iron. Every filter rig has 20 pounds of porous iron that creates a chemical bond to arsenic. The factory in Kushtia, Bangladesh, is now turning out about 200 systems a week at about USD 40:- each. More than 30,000 units have already been distributed.

Expandable cable organizer.

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:06:59 +0200

Remember Cable Turtle, the soft little cable hider? Now there is a competitor. The Cable Capture uses the same basic idea, but has a small but distinct advantage. It can be interconnected and expanded into something resembling a cable caterpillar. This way you can connect a number of the devices and even attach them under your desk with the optional attachment kit. Cable Capture is available i a number of places, for example on Amazon, where a three pack is USD 17:99.

Playground water pump.

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:21:12 +0200

A PlayPump is a children's merry-go-round hooked up to a water pump and water storage tank. The idea is simple and smart. The kids spin the merry-go-round, which works a water pump that pumps water into a storage tank just a few feet away. Each installation can pump up to 1,400 liters per hour. The initial investment is USD 9,000, and maintenance costs are covered by advertising. Besides the benefit provided by access to clean water, the pump can also improve the situation of girls and women, who would otherwise spend hours each day fetching water instead of going to school. The pumps are manufactured and installed by South-African Roundabout Outdoor Ltd., with funding coming from an international coalition of governments, NGOs, companies, foundations and individual donors.

Workaholic survival kit.

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 13:29:20 +0200

Have you ever worked all night to finish a presentation? Or slept in your car to deliver an important tender in time? Did you feel a bit yucky all day the next day? Well, you could have had use for this all-nighter workaholic survival kit. It is available for both him and her and it is EUR 14:95 (about USD 20:-) on Catapult. It strikes us it would be a perfect travel kit too...

Charger that works on a plane.

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:40:25 +0200

With this smart charger in your kit, you can re-charge your laptop, iPod, DVD, etc. during your flight by taking power from the passenger seat audio jack. With the aid of different adapters you can hook up your device via the charging jack, or, with a laptop, via a USB connector. The charger comes from Inflight Power and it goes under the name USB Power Unit. The prices differ a bit for depending on which adapter kit you want. The one in the picture above, for example, is USD 49:95 on Amazon.

Home cinema remote controlled ceiling speakers.

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 18:40:11 +0200

Practically everyone with a home theatre surround sound system have their speakers on the windowsill, bolted to the walls or on stands on the floor. This seldom does one's home decoration any good, and the speaker stands take up floor-space. If you are looking for a more elegant solution, we might suggest these smart powered remote controlled ceiling speakers. They can be dropped down and rotated by pushing buttons on a remote control. It is not a cheap deal, though, the speakers are about SEK 8.000:- (approx. USD 1,200:-). A piece, we suppose. From Altavox.

The battery mower is back with improved battery tech.

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:20:32 +0200

Ordinary lawn mowers are supposed to be among the biggest air polluters in any community. Two-stroke engines, gas mixed with oil, no exhaust catalysts, spillage... Electrically powered mowers are of course a lot better for the environment, but everyone is not comfortable trailing a long power cord across the lawn. The optimal tool would be the battery powered lawnmower, but these have been hampered with heavy batteries, short operating time, and exacting care. Now, however, these issues may well be resolved and the battery mowers may become a real alternative. The new battery lawnmowers have lithium-ion batteries that are lighter, more powerful, and does not need the complicated care the old ones required. Here is one of them, the Bosch Rotak 43 LI for about SEK 4.000:- (approx. USD 590:-) in stores.

Cooking pot with integrated spoon.

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:05:01 +0200

It is called the Pasta Pot and it is one of the new releases from Alessi. The pot has been developed and designed by designer Patrick Jouin working with chef Alain Ducasse. The basic idea is that you should cook the pasta and the pasta sauce in the same pot, at the same time, and then serve from the Pasta Pot. That is why the pot comes with both its own specially designed trivet and the integrated ladle. Chef Alain Ducasse has also worked out some new recipes for pasta dishes especially for the new pot and method of cooking. We have not seen the pot in any brick-and-mortar stores, but it is GBP 118:- (about USD 238:-) on Amazon UK.

Refrigerator wine bottle cradle.

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:24:52 +0200

A bottle holder like this could be very useful in the fridge, since it would allow us to use unused space. It needs a grid fridge shelf, but most fridges have those. Available from, among other places, Get Organized where it is USD 1:98 for a pair. Marked down from USD 9:98.

Update from the country.

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 15:59:19 +0200

We have gone to Gotland on vacation, but that does no longer mean that the Smart Stuff site needs to go silent. With new tech, an expanded 3G net (and some cash) we can now be online in the country, aboard the boat, in the car, on the bus... well, you name it. With our new wireless modem we can connect to the internet, e-mail and FTP everywhere where 3 has coverage. We have tested numerous places; on the train, the bus, on the dock in Nynäshamn, and now in Havdhem, Gotland. There was no problem installing and setting up. The 3 plan is SEK 99:- (approx. USD 15:-) a month for 0,384 Mbit/s and SEK 199:- (about USD 29:-) a month for 3,6 Mbit/s. With the 0,3 Mbit plan they charge for traffic above 1 GB a month. Both plans also charge SEK 99:- (about USD 15:-) a month for the modem or PC card, but you could also buy it for SEK 1.495:- (about USD 217:-).

Smart Stuff June 2007 round-up.

Sat, 30 Jun 2007 19:54:44 +0200

It's always hard to choose, but with the superb clarity of hindsight we'll look back at June 2007 and pick 5 inventions to make the June 2007 round-up (in no rank order):

• The Worldbike (more) from Kenya, since it helps to solve a problem that really needs to be solved.

• Henry Liu's method of using fly ash as a building material (more), since this too is a problem that has waited too long for a solution. Mr. Liu's idea looks promising.

• The digital luggage scale (more) since it would solve a problem that has cost us way too much cash already.

• The potato scrub glove (more) from Clas Ohlson since it has proved to be such a fun little gift to friends and acquaintances.

• The thermo acoustic stove/fridge/generator construction (more) since it, as the Worldbike, promises to solve a problem that really needs a solution.

Picks from a river of advertising.

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:25:11 +0200

During the past couple of days, we have made two discoveries. The first is we have found that the Benjamin Franklin chair and stepladder (A) is available in Sweden, too. They call it Sally, but its origins seem Franklinesque to us. Available from Nils Holger for SEK 1.795:- (approx. USD 260:-). The other is that the Rusta stores now sell a foldable wheel barrow (B) that we posted on earlier, or at least one like it. It is SEK 99:-, (approx. USD 14:40) which has to be considered reasonable since the U.S. version was about USD 145:- when we saw it last.

Bottle top basting brush.

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:23:00 +0200

You buy basting oil. You pour the basting oil in a bowl. You baste the meat with oil from the bowl. You throw away left over basting oil. You buy more basting oil. This could be perceived as waste, but we have discovered a way of saving basting oil. This basting brush attaches directly to the bottle, thus eliminating the bowl altogether. We have not tried it, but it sure looks like a neat idea. I is also promised to fit most (American) bottles of basting oil. From Organize Everything for USD 3:99.

Thermo-acoustic stove, fridge and generator for the third world.

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 10:25:22 +0200

Researchers from British universities, the charity organization Practical Action, American Los Alamos National Laboratory and the hi-fi company GP Acoustics have cooperated in constructing a revolutionary device that is a stove, a fridge and an electric generator all in one. The machine uses thermo acoustics, a spin off technology from space research that can transform the energy in sound waves to electrical power. The super stove channels the heat from a fire into a specially designed chimney, where gas pressure creates sound. The sound is transformed into electrical current via a linear alternator (described as an inverted loudspeaker) and powers the fridge, a computer, a mobile charger or any number of electrical devices. The stove project, SCORE, is so far a concept, but scientists hope to have a pilot rig for trials within four years.

Modular de-cluttering furniture.

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:49:00 +0200

This is a tip from Smart Stuff reader Thomas C. and it has been sitting in the in-box far too long, since we have been waiting to see if this smart concept for space-saving furniture would enter production. We still do not know if it is being produced, but here goes anyway. The Wohnschiene by Hans Hagemeister is a modular shelving and storage device where different modules; shelf, small bookcase, flowerpot, hanger, mirror, etc, can be combined on a wall mounted track. Perfect for de-cluttering a bedroom, an entrance, the kitchen... you name it. Thanks to Thomas for the tip!

Spray can allows spraying straight up.

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:58:57 +0200

If this is not news to you, you will have to forgive us, but this is something we have never seen before. A spray can with a nozzle that lets you spray straight up. All other spray cans we have ever encountered have the nozzle mounted at a 90° angle to the can, thus making it virtually impossible to spray anything but very short bursts upward (or downward, for that matter) before the spray can releases only the drive agent. This "up-shot" idea should be applied to a lot of stuff other than this, but perhaps it already is, and we have simply missed it. [Via] PS. The product in question is a sort of paint used for quick and effortless cover-up of ceiling stains. If you want some, it is USD 4:47 on Amazon.

Scrubbing gloves for new potatoes.

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:45:39 +0200

The perfect time to introduce a product like this in Sweden must be right now, less than two weeks before midsummer. Midsummer being the prime time of the year to eat lots of new potatoes. The classic midsummer's lunch would involve pickled herring in a variety of flavors, dill, chives, new potatoes with butter and salt, crisp bread, Västerbotten cheese and, of course, liberal helpings of different kinds of flavored vodka. Although we have not had the opportunity to test drive these scrubbing mitts, we still think they are a pretty cool idea. First of all, the scrubbing of a couple of kilos of taters would probably be a lot faster than with a traditional brush. And, we have heard the ladies in our midst complain that scrubbing new potatoes does bad things to their delicate hands. With a pair of these, that argument is deflated. This alone would probably be worth the SEK 19:- (approx. USD 2:70), that Clas Ohlson charges for them. (Unfortunately they do not seem to be on the web-shop yet.)

The world's best garlic press.

Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:52:50 +0200

Well, according to American Cook's Illustrated magazine (demands free trial sign-up) the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press (above) is the crème de la crème of garlic presses. After an extensive test of garlic presses from Rösle, Trudeau, Messermeister, Zyliss, OXO, Cuisinart, Amco and Eva Solo Cook's has decided that the Kuhn Rikon press was the only one they could recommend without reservations. The winning press scored highest on all tested parameters; garlic consistency, pressing performance, design and cleaning. The press is available on Q.V.C. for USD 29:99:- or for USD 26:95 on Amazon.

Claim money if your flight is delayed.

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:55:49 +0200

According to EU legislation from 2005, airline passengers are can be entitled to compensation in cash for delayed or cancelled flights, or if they are denied a seat on an overbooked flight. However, passengers are not always aware of what they are entitled to, or do not have time to claim compensation. Here is where the Dutch company EU Claim comes in. The company offers to processes claims on behalf of passengers, charging a fee of 27% of successfully claimed compensation. The company claims to have netted its clients over EUR 100,000, averaging EUR 400-500 per passenger so far this year. The company has a website in Dutch (and one partly in English) and a desk in the departure lounge at Schiphol airport. Maybe a business idea?

New grill stick fork. This one from Light My Fire.

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:53:52 +0200

It was quite a while back (August 2005) we posted on The Grill Thing (right), Henrik Nordenhem's smart little grill fork that fits almost any stick you might find in the woods. Henrik's idea seems to have inspired the folks at Light My Fire, because they have now come out with a grill fork of their own; the Grandpa's Firefork. Last we spotted The Grill Thing it was SEK 34:- (approx. USD 0:-) for a two-pack at Clas Ohlson. At Coolstuff webshop they want SEK 59:- (approx. USD 0:-) a piece for Grandpa's Firefork, but then they do have a smart cover that keeps the forks from pricking you.

Mobile antenna with a USB connector.

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:57:26 +0200

According to the buzz, Samsung has taken out a patent for a mobile phone antenna with an integrated USB plug. This would make it possible to charge the telephone via the computer's USB port. It would also make data exchange between the computer and the phone possible, we suppose. We don't write much on mobile tech, but if this is true we think it is smart, and it would be really convenient, too.

Mini stove and oven.

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:28:30 +0200

It has two burners and a self cleaning fan assisted thermostat controlled oven. That is pretty close to all you need. It is 31 cm (12.2 in.) high, 55 cm (21.6 in.) wide and 31,5 cm (12.4 in.) deep. That is almost to the cm the size of our microwave oven, and that is probably all you could have left to wish for. A built-in microwave, that is. But you can't have everything, can you? The mini stove/oven comes from Russell Hobbs and it is for sale on the John Lewis web-shop for just south of USD 100:-.

Digital luggage scale can save a bundle of cash.

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:34:50 +0200

Last we flew home from Bangkok, it turned out that our luggage had turned very heavy during our stay. Not that we had been shopping too much (which perhaps we had), but also because everything in those suitcases probably weighed 20 percent more in the warm and moist weather. We did not care to rip open our cases and start sorting what to keep and what to get rid of right in front of the check-in counter, so we just had to look happy and hand over the plastic. But it was neither fun nor cheap. But, with a scale like this (or one like it) maybe we could have had the chance to give our cases a well needed purge before we even got into the cab to go to the airport. The scale is USD 24:85; it would have paid for itself many times over. But the next time... The scale is available on Magellan's or on Amazon-, where it is a tad bit cheaper; USD 22:95.

Tomato speed slicer.

Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:57:27 +0200

For the salad chef in a hurry. Possibly the fastest way of turning a tomato into 11 even slices. 10 stainless steel blades, cushioned handle. USD 12:99 at The Home Marketplace or USD 8:99 on Amazon.

Coat hook with storage box.

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:49:20 +0200

We all have stuff we more or less always want to carry around with us (cellphone, keys, sunglasses, you name it), but few have any good place to put said stuff when you are at home. The hall furniture is probably in a similarly chaotic state in everybody's house. This, however, is a rather clever way of creating some de-cluttering; a small storage box combined with a coat hook for the hall or entrance. This way everybody can have their own little box with room for their "must-have-stuff". Designed by Luca Nichetto for Bosa Ceramiche in 2005.

Single page cutter.

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:18:09 +0200

In the midst of our digital era, you might think that all information should be ones and zeros. This is of course far from the case. Information on paper is still just as important as it has always been, and even though we publish exclusively digital, we still rely on paper for much of our ideas for posts. And when you find something worth saving, you want to cut it out. In those instances one of these single sheet cutters is very handy indeed. It has a tiny ceramic blade that cuts through only one page at a time. You can probably find one in just about any stationer's or business supply shop, but they are also available from the Levenger web-shop, where they are USD 14:- for two.

Vote for us!

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:16:33 +0200

We have been nominated in the Blogger's Choice Awards in two categories; "Best Blog About Stuff" and "Best Shopping Blog". If you like Smart Stuff we'll be very happy if you want to vote for us!

Umbrella with its own stand.

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:13:51 +0200

Umbrellas are always kind of difficult to put aside. Japanese designer Hironao Tsuboi has addressed this and created an umbrella with a built in stand. A foot, if you like. Available from the japanese 100% webshop where it is JPY 4,200:- (approx. USD 35:-). Choose between black or white.

Building bricks from coal power waste.

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:37:03 +0200

When you burn coal in coal power plants, one by-product produced in the process is fly ash (Wiki). Most of this fly ash is collected by the power plants smoke cleaning gear, and the gathered ash can either be sold off as a component for the cement industry or, which is more common, be disposed of in landfills. This is a growing problem. According to calculations, hundreds of millions of tonnes of fly ash has to be disposed of in the world yearly. In India alone, fly ash landfills are now reported to cover 160 square kilometers (some 40,000 acres). But there may be a solution in the works. Henry Liu (above), a retired American engineer, has developed a method with which fly ash can be used to make building bricks. The fly ash brick, which is made under high pressure, becomes as strong as concrete, and compared to clay bricks, it has several environmental upsides. It requires no mining, no high temperature firing in kilns, and having fly ash in buildings is a lot better than having it in landfills. Henry Liu is now reported to be working on getting his bricks in production some time during 2008.

Worldbike solves transports without gas or diesel.

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:11:53 +0200

Anyone who remember reports from the Vietnam war must still be pretty impressed by the way the NVA managed to bring up artillery, ammunition and supplies using bicycles on narrow jungle paths along the so called Ho Chi Minh trail. Incredible amounts of supplies could be loaded on ordinary bikes. The Worldbike project in Kenya has taken the bike transport idea to the next level with the Big Boda. With a specially developed extension kit, an ordinary bike can be loaded with lots of cargo. Or people. The advantage compared to regular three-wheeled cargo bikes is probably the fact that two-wheelers are easier to drive. The Worldbike extension is about 2,000 Kenya Shillings or approx. USD 27:-. More facts on Worldbike.

Looking for waterfront property? Check this site first.

Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:58:42 +0200

There are quite a few indications that the melting polar ice caps and glaciers will cause the sea level to rise. So if you are about to sign a contract for some sea-front real estate, you may be well advised to think it through one more time. One day you may end up with more sea than property. On the Flood Maps site they have used Google Maps and NASA's topographical data to illustrate how the world's coast lines will change with every meter of sea level increase. Living in Stockholm, we don't seem to run the risk of getting our feet wet. But for those contemplating beach front property in the popular resort towns of Skanör and Falsterbo in the south of Sweden, a bit of caution may be advisable. The left map shows the present coastline. The right one the coastline after a 1 meter rise. And, if you live in Denmark, Britain or Holland you should really have a look...

Non-sticky lemon squeezer.

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:50:33 +0200

We had a similar invention on the site a few weeks back. It was the Lemon Ball. But now that we have found this version, we think it is a lot smarter, mostly because it is made in just one piece. This lemon squeezer ball is made in silicone and comes from American kitchen stuff shop Sur La Table where it is USD 5:95, which sounds a lot more reasonable than the USD 27:- the other guys were asking for the Lemon Ball.

The best on Smart Stuff in May.

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:47:56 +0200

It is always hard to pick favorites, but in retrospect some gadgets, inventions and ideas almost always seem to be smarter or more fun. Here are our 5 favorites from May 2007:

The clay pot fridge.
How to apply basic physics to help give people a better life.

DeVillain folding electric guitar.
Not because we play the guitar, but because it was so improbable.

Q-drum.
Smart water barrel for third world countries.

Compacting waste bin.
Not just because it compacts the trash, but because it uses solar energy to power itself.

Sunlight in the basement.
A smart way of supplying sunlight (almost) everywhere you might want it.

How often do you change your toothbrush?

Wed, 30 May 2007 00:00:44 +0200

We cannot know how often you pull a new brush from its wrapper, but statistics suggest that we in general do it way too seldom. The average Swede, for example, only changes brushes once or twice a year. The toothbrush manufacturers are of course hard at work to remedy this, and are spending millions of ad bucks in the process. So far, however, none of the big budgets (as far as we know) have produced an idea as simple and clever as Patrik Ström Widmark at Bytborste.se have done. He has set up a simple website where he sells tooth brush subscriptions. With such a subscription you get one or more new and fresh toothbrushes in the mail each month. The brushes are available in soft or medium, and they are SEK 24:90 (approx. USD 3:60) a piece plus postage. Now, so far Patrik sell his toothbrushes in Sweden only, but we thought the rest of the world might like the idea anyway.

Sunlight everywhere.

Mon, 28 May 2007 02:00:54 +0200

Using fiber optic wiring and specially developed solar panels and lighting fixtures, it is now possible to install sunlight even in some of the darkest rooms. Sunlight has many advantages over electrical lighting. One of them of course being that sunlight is virtually free once the apparatus has been paid for. An other that the human organism reacts favorably to natural light. The Swedish company Parans Daylight has developed a system with which solar light can be transported up to 3 stories (about 15 meters or 50 feet) via fiber optic cable and distributed through special lighting fixtures, designed to mimic the way light filters through foliage.

Trash can with with solar powered compactor.

Thu, 24 May 2007 01:11:41 +0200

As we drink more and more soft-drinks, beers and bottled water, eat more junk food and read more free dailies, the trash mounts up in our cities. And to add to the mess, at least the people of Stockholm seem to have increasing difficulties in finding a suitable waste bin. If you do not believe us, visit Hötorget (a central city square) on a saturday- or sunday morning. It looks a lot like the picture on the left. The Stockholm City Council are currently running a pretty lame campaign to teach people to find the city's trash cans, but this may be a better idea. This is BigBelly, the trash can with it's own solar powered compactor. Thanks to the compactor, it can hold four times as much trash, and thanks to solar power it does not need any external power. The result? Well, according to a list of American cities that have bought and used the BigBellies, they have saved on trash collection costs and their streets are significantly cleaner. In our neck of the woods, it may work only in the summer, but on the other hand that is when the trash problem is the worst...

Chain free bike with electrical assist.

Mon, 21 May 2007 18:23:05 +0200

American bicycle manufacturer Schwinn has released their 2007 line-up. Among the new bikes are two models with both chain-less shaft transmission and a small electrical assistance motor. The motor and battery is pretty well integrated in the design; the batteries placed under the baggage holder. The batteries will be a lithium polymer variant that Schwinn claims to be the lightest and most durable yet. One charge will last 60 miles. The price for these bikes will range from USD 1,499:- to USD 1,999:-.

Wine taster's glass with nose cut-out.

Fri, 18 May 2007 23:37:41 +0200

At first we did not know what to think. Is this for real or not? But after some research it seems to be kosher. Hammacher-Schlemmer are selling these wine glasses with the novel nose cut-out. And if you read the picture the same way we did, it looks like you are supposed to poke your schnozzle through the cut-out to really inhale the delicate aroma of the wine. But that is not the case, at least it is not the way H-S believes we are supposed to go about it. Their idea is that you turn the cut-out away from you when you sip. We still think our first instinctive interpretation is better. The glasses are USD 50:- a pop on Hammacher-Schlemmer.

Bicycle bag with built-in lights.

Thu, 17 May 2007 17:34:43 +0200

We get quite a load of e-mail every day. Surprisingly many come from businesses in China, Korea or Taiwan. Firms that must have harvested the internet for addresses to sites they think will have an interest in their products. Mostly the mails are about stuff we have already written about (that is probably how they found us) but the other day was an exception, and we learned about a product we had never heard of before. A bike bag with an integrated light. The red parts seems to be something we in lack of a better term will venture to call flat LEDs. Batteries are kept inside the bag, of course. We do not know if, and where, these bags may be available for purchase, but we like the idea enough to post it anyway. The factory that makes the lighted bags (and a lot of other stuff) is apparently the Mustang Industrial Corp.

The original stash sandal. And a stash sneaker.

Tue, 15 May 2007 11:35:40 +0200

At least that is what Matt Potts of Archport claims, and he does have a patent (US Patent 6,094,844) to back up his claim. Matt's e-mail was probably prompted by our previous post on the stash sandals. If Matt's company was indeed the first to incorporate a hidden pocket in shoes, it seems that someone liked the idea so much they decided to make their own version. And if that is not the ultimate praise, we don't know what is. And besides, Archport makes stash sneakers, too. The Archport sandals and sneakers are available in different colors (tha sandals) from Archport or from Amazon at USD 42:45 (sandals-) and USD 79:95 (sneakers-).

Socket Pocket for charging cell, PDA or iPod.

Mon, 14 May 2007 03:05:40 +0200

We have stumbled upon a n number of ideas for a holder for a charging mobile, PDA or iPod lately. For example these charging cradles who both are supposed to be attached to the actual wall power outlet. Or the Mobil Pit that does the same thing, but takes up more space. Today's find looks to us to be a bit smarter still, since it lies flat to the wall. The Socket Pocket will replace the standard wall socket plate using the same screws. It is USD 15:- on Get Organized.

Hopefully non-lethal prison pen.

Sat, 12 May 2007 21:27:29 +0200

Prisoners, at least in the US, seems to have a tendency of killing each other off for different reasons. The power of imagination when it comes to designing improvised weapons seems to have no limits, which has led prison authorities and designers to try to create everyday objects and tools that can not be transformed into weapons. One example is the no-shank toothbrush we have mentioned earlier, and here is another; the bending pen. The pen is supposed to be impossible to make into a weapon, and it is USD 10:- on the Spycatcher webshop.

Braked wheelbarrow.

Fri, 11 May 2007 18:45:44 +0200

This wheelbarrow has to, as far as we can see, pretty unique characteristics and we have given the first one away in the headline. It has a hand brake. This is the first time we have ever seen a wheelbarrow with a brake, but we can see the benefits. The brake will help you keep the, possibly heavy, load under control in a downhill and it will also serve as a parking brake since it is lockable. The other, equally unique property, is the name. Those with keen eyesight have probably already spotted the little yellow sticker. For the rest of you; the barrows name is Jeep, which was news for us. On closer scrutiny, we find that the wheelbarrows are not actually manufactured by Jeep, but the name is used under license. But anyway, don't you agree that it would be kind of cool to park this wheelbarrow on the driveway next to the Wrangler?

Q-drum. Smart water mover for the third world.

Wed, 09 May 2007 15:23:24 +0200

With the persistence of fools, we keep arguing that water, or rather the shortage of clean water, is one of the top health hazards in the world. We also think access to drinking water will be a major reason for war and conflict in the not-so-distant future. If more people could be given access to clean water, innumerable lives could be saved. We could present one idea for a simple transport system for water already in November of 2005; the Hippo-Roller water barrel. Here is another idea along the same lines, one that may be a little simpler to implement, but maybe harder to move. The Q-drum has been designed by P.J. and P.S. Hendrikse as a cylindrical barrel that can be rolled or pulled along the ground and has room for up to 75 liters (about 20 US gallons) of water. Q-drum is one of many smart ideas exhibited at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York as part of the "Design for the other 90%" exhibit.

Sock saver II.

Mon, 07 May 2007 15:40:23 +0200

The fact that socks disappear in the laundry seems to be global phenomenon. It probably occurs everywhere where there are washing machines and tumble dryers. There are also different ideas on solving this problem; we wrote on one the Opair sock saver a couple of years ago, and now we have found the Sockpro. Sockpro is a small rubber disc with star shaped hole in the middle where you stick your socks before washing and drying them. The little rubber disc keeps the socks together during laundry and drying, and makes sure they do not get lost. The Sockpro is USD 19:96 for a pack of 80 in four different colors.

Lemon ball. Juice without the mess.

Mon, 07 May 2007 12:16:55 +0200

And we loved our citrus trumpet so much. But this thing is very smart, too. With the added benefit of (almost) mess-free operation. The lemon ball is called Squeeze-Me and it is designed by Jaime & Mark Antoniades. It is available on Generate for USD 27:-. A bit on the steep side, maybe...

Folding guitar. An airline pilot's contribution to music.

Sun, 06 May 2007 23:28:21 +0200

Swedish airline pilot Fredrik Johansson had a problem bringing his guitar on trips. He tested different guitars, and he frequently asked for folding guitars in music stores. The answer was always that such a thing was impossible. This prompted Fredrik to spend a few years of his spare time designing his own folding travel guitar. And now it's in production and fore sale. It is not exactly cheap (EUR 2,600:- or USD 3,370:-) and it is not easy to get ones hands on, as luthier Leif Jakobsson will have time to finish no more than 300 of them this year. But it is quite unique.

Dell launches hard drive free laptops.

Thu, 03 May 2007 11:43:01 +0200

Besides the fantastic 100 dollar laptop (now unfortunately priced at USD 175:-) Dell is the first manufacturer (we have heard of) that seems to make a serious attempt to market laptops without the usual hard disc drives (HDD). Instead they offer a 32GB flash memory or solid state drive (SSD) in two new products just launched. The flash memory in the Dell machines is the same as in music players and USB memory sticks, only bigger. The advantages are obvious; no moving parts, no spinning fan(?), quicker start-up and access among others. But 32GB? We have 120GB right here and we are longing for more... The new laptops are priced at USD 549:-, but they are so far only available in the Americas.

Clay and sand evaporation fridge.

Wed, 02 May 2007 12:57:36 +0200

This smart preservation device for foodstuffs was invented in 1995 by Nigerian engineer Mohammed Bah Abba. The Pot-in-pot cooler consists of a small earthenware pot nestling inside a larger one with wet sand filling the space in between. As the water in the wet sand evaporates, it extracts heat from contents of the inner pot thus cooling them. The pot cooler is one of many clever ideas shown at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York in its in "Design for the other 90%" exhibition opening 4 May 2007. Here's a link to a preview story and slideshow in the International Herald Tribune.

Funnel for s-l-o-w fluids.

Tue, 01 May 2007 18:10:59 +0200

Getting to use the last of the shampoo or ketchup can be hard. Modern packaging is not exactly designed to help us get everything from the bottle. In that case maybe this funnel could be helpful. It can be used as an ordinary funnel in the usual way, or to connect two bottles together like in the picture on the left. Then you can let the bottles with the s-l-o-w running contents be for as long as it takes. A task that could be very time consuming and irritating should you have to hold them yourself and wait and watch. From Home Trends. USD 10:95 for two.

First to know. Smart Stuff on e-mail or RSS.

Tue, 01 May 2007 18:02:55 +0200

Regardless of your preferences; e-mail or RSS, you can always be notified when we've added some new smart stuff to the site. Pick one of the links below to subscribe to the Smart Stuff News. It's free, and you can always unsubscribe whenever you like. And, since you might want to know; we will NEVER EVER give or sell your address to advertising. Use the first link to subscribe to the e-mail news letter, the second to get our feed via our own server, and the third to get our feed via Feedburner.

Auto-loading shotgun that ejects shells straight down.

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:44:22 +0200

Being left-handed reduces one's choice in guns quite a bit. An autoloader, for instance, that ejects spent shells right in front of one's face has never seemed like a good idea, even though it is probably not really dangerous. We have never seen an autoloader with the ejection port on the left side, but now we have found an even better solution - the auto-loading shotgun that ejects spent shell straight down. We want to give Remington a big hand for eliminating the left/right problem altogether. The Remington 105 CTi has also has newly designed inner workings in kevlar and titanium to save weight and extensive recoil reduction. Expect to pay somewhere around USD 1,300:-.

Sandals with a secret stash.

Sun, 29 Apr 2007 12:10:31 +0200

Previously we have posted on the hidden pocket travel socks and the secret stash cap. Now the time has come for the hidden compartment flip-flops. Inside the sole there is a tray you can use to hide credit cards, keys, money and other small and flat stuff. The sandals comes from Reef and they are USD 46:- on Spydersurf webshop and others. Alas they seem to be available in ladies sizes only.

Stairway with smart storage.

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:53:19 +0200

Don't know if this can be retro-fitted, but even if it does not; this is an idea we are going to keep in our special smart ideas drawer until such a time when we are building or renovating a staircase. From the picture it looks like they have installed drawers in just a couple of the steps, but imagine doing it in all the straight ones. With three pairs of shoes to a drawer and let us say ten steps, that makes room for 30(!) pairs of shoes.

Electrically powered wheel barrow.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:56:13 +0200

A while ago, when we posted on the rare (in Sweden anyway) two wheeled wheelbarrow from Canada, we had a quick response telling us there are such wheel barrows available in this country, too. Perhaps Smart Stuff reader Åke G. read those posts, because he has sent us an e-mail with information on yet another take on wheel barrows. The power barrow. Åke's business, Electro-Mobile, sells these barrows, so naturally he is looking for some publicity. But since we like the idea, he's gonna to get some. Almost any old wheel barrow can be converted to electrical power with Åke's kit. It comes with a wheel with an electric motor in the hub to replace your old one, a battery pack and a throttle/reverse handle. The conversion kits starts at SEK 5.550:- (about USD 820:-), but you could also choose to buy a new ready-made power barrow for SEK 6.525:- (approx. USD 970:-).

Charging cradles for cellphone, iPod and PDA.

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:38:40 +0200

Isn't it funny how things tend to come in two's or three's? What made James M. mail the tip about Driinn (A) the other day? And why should we stumble upon the Load-Thing (B) among old posts on Swissmiss today of all days? It is either a very strange synchronicity, or ideas are sort of suspended in mid air for people to grasp. Anyway. Both these inventions are designed to hold your mobile, PDA or iPod or whatever you need to have charged. The Driinn is hard plastic, available in five (or possibly six) colors and cost EUR 5:- (approx. USD 6:80) on Driinn's website. The Load-Thing is delivered flat and must be folded into a cradle, is available in three colors and they will charge you EUR 9:90 (about USD 13:50).

Magnifier attaches to your bathroom mirror.

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 17:04:42 +0200

Magnifiers lets one see details in one's face that one hardly knew existed. And sometimes even stuff one was better off not knowing about. But of course they are very handy when one's vision is no longer 20/20. This product is called Spegelzoom (Swedish only), and it is a pretty smart magnifying lens that attaches to any mirror with the integrated suction cup. The lens gives approximately 3X magnification and its inventor, Annika Winell, was nominated to the "Best female inventor" award in 2007 by the Swedish Inventor's Association. The Spegelzoom is SEK 895:- (about USD 132:-) on the company website.

Propane container handle.

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:18:59 +0200

We are all surrounded with smart gadgets and inventions that we often take for granted and never think much about. When we were going to exchange our propane tank recently, it struck us we were actually holding one such invention in our hand. We have used this combined valve cover and carrying handle lots of times without thinking about its actual smartness. Instead of the ordinary valve cover you attach this handle and get a cover and a carrying handle all in one. We have no idea who the inventor is, but we want to extend our congratulations and thanks for a smart and useful invention.

Smartest beach chair?

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:06:42 +0200

The post on this pretty cool and clever beach chair is courtesy of a tip from Smart Stuff reader Rauz L. (thanks!) who found them on the Gadling travel blog. The two sticks or posts on the chair, or rather backrest, is pushed into the sand and that's it, folks! Consider the amount of unprintable language and injured hands you could safe by not having a folding chair. It should be easier to bring along to the beach, too. The "chair" is made of plastic, designed by Lawrence Laske, and available from Design Within Reach for USD 30:- a piece or 2 for USD 50:-.

Hammock with integrated tent.

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:03:34 +0200

I think we've always wanted something like this. Ever since we learned about how the British SAS rigged their campsites during the colonial fighting in the jungles of Malaya, we have tried to do the same thing ourselves. First the hammock, the an extra rope above it, and finally a mozzie net and a rain cover. Sometimes it has even worked. Now everything is available in one neat package from Swiss Tammock. Hammock, mozzie net and tent. 2 kilos. EUR 250:- (approx. USD 335:-) from Tammock.

Remote controlled front door locks.

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:23:09 +0200

A few years back there was a show on Swedish TV featuring where the British design firm SeymorPowell attempted to solve various everyday problems by applying industrial design knowledge. Unless we are completely mistaken one of the programs was about remote controlled locks and alarms for ordinary homes. We liked the idea, but unfortunately the program ended in uncertainty wether the ideas would be produced or not. We cannot remember the name of the company involved, but the other day we stumbled upon the remote controlled locks from British Locca. These locks open via remote from up to 50 meters distance, and you do not even have to remember locking it again since they re-lock after a programmable time, from 1 to 120 seconds. The Locca locks are supposed to mount on almost any existing door, and they are sold through British locksmiths and D-I-Y stores B&Q. Locca are planning a launch in Sweden and they will be starting at about SEK SEK 1.200:- (approx. GBP 88:-).

Grocery bag grips #13 and #14!

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:58:01 +0200

This may seem strange, but without any really conscious effort we seem to have become collectors of grocery grips. You know, the little handles that lets you carry grocery bags without cramping your hands. Here are two new for the collection; # 13 and # 14. The one on top is the Helping Hands from Helping Hands. It is USD 19:95 for two. The other one is the One Grip from Space Savers and it is USD 5:- a piece. Link to all 14 grocery grips on the site!

Wanted! Information on Chaino, the chainless bike.

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 15:56:34 +0200

We spotted one of these Chaino bicycles with a flat in a bike stand yesterday afternoon, and we must admit we had not heard of them before. As far as we could see, instead of an ordinary chain, it had a drive-shaft sort of arrangement, much like BMW motorcycles. It also seemed to have some gear shift arrangement. We vaguely remember a bike a bit like this for sale in a Muji shop in London in the eighties, but other than that we have not seen anything like it. Now we want to know more. Do you know anything about these bicycles? Were they nice bikes or disasters? Do you own one, or have you owned one? If you have any information, we'd love to hear from you!

Forget jumper cables. Here's the car battery power backup.

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:01:23 +0200

They call it Simple Start and it is a car battery power backup for those unfortunate moments when you have forgot to turn the lights off or left the radio on or something else that has sucked the power out of your car's battery. The Simple Start can sit patiently waiting in a large-ish glove compartment, charged from your home power or from any 12V power source. The moment you find yourself out of juice, you connect the thing to your cigarette lighter 12V socket and just sit back and wait until the light goes green and you can start up and be on your way. This will take some 10-20 minutes. And once you get the car running, you can spend the drive re-charging the Simple Start, so that it is ready the next time... From Black & Decker, it is USD 49:99 on Amazon.

The perfect hard-boiled egg.

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:54:42 +0200

Just as all previous Easters, we have been cooking and eating a lot of eggs. And just as all previous Easters we have discussed the same thing; how to boil the perfect egg. We have tried a lot of ways over the years, but this year's best (and probably all-time best as well) is a method attributed to all-american housewife Martha Stewart. Here are Martha's egg boiling tip: Place the eggs in a single layer in a saucepan, and cover with one inch of cold water. Bring the water to a boil, cover, and pull the saucepan from the burner. Let the eggs rest for about 1.5 to 2 minutes for soft-boiled, 2 to 2.5 minutes for medium-boiled, and 12 to 13 minutes for hard-boiled. Then remove the eggs from the water. Soft- and medium-boiled eggs should be served immediately, while hard-boiled eggs should be plunged into a bowl of ice cold water, to prevent the yolk from discoloring. Why the hand boiled eggs should rest in the hot water for so much longer than the medium ones, we have no idea. But as long as it works...

The world's best taxi vehicle.

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:00:05 +0200

This is not going to be a car blog, but while we are on the subject of London and road transport, we cannot but mention the classic London taxis. They are, at least from a passenger's point of view, in our opinion the best taxi vehicles ever designed. They are easily accessible, even for disabled persons, they are roomy, comfortable and have lots of space for luggage. The classic London cab has reportedly been made in over 100,000 examples since the first FX series was introduced right after WWII. The taxis are manufactured by LTI - London Taxis International, and the model we are most familiar with is the Fairway, introduced in 1981. The TX I and TX II came in 1997 and 2002 respectively. The brand new TX4 (there is no information as to what happened to the # III) is the latest addition. Interestingly, during our few days in London recently, we saw several examples of all the three latest incarnations. That would mean that the Fairways we saw in the street could be 25 years old and still running. That is quite impressive given that a London taxi averages some 70,000 miles a year. LTI is reportedly experiencing a growing demand from other parts of the world, and sales are reported to increase. There is even a US sales company. A new TX4 Driver sells in England from GBP 26.995:- (about USD 53,000:-) with a stick shift. The TX4 Gold is GBP 35,880:- (about USD 70,000:-) with an automatic at Mann & Overton. If that is too steep, you can always get the beautiful 18th scale model Fairway taxi for USD 96:- or EUR 84:30. More on the history of London taxis here and here.

G-Wiz. The electric car that's actually in use.

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:49:39 +0200

We spent a few days in London recently. We had not been there for some time, so there were quite a few new things to discover. Among them we spotted these little city cars, that kept popping up all over the place. At first we thought they were a version of a EU moped car, but a closer look revealed they are smarter than that. They are electric. The car is called G-Wiz and it is available in two versions. The budget version comes in black only and has a little lower top speed and a little less range. It is GBP 6.998:- inc. VAT (approx. USD 14.000:-). The cheapest Smart Fortwo is GBP 6.770:- or about USD 13.300:-, but then you will have to add the cost of gas. The slightly up-market G-Wiz at USD 16.300:- has a range of 48 miles on a charge, can be coerced up to 45 mph, is available in any number of colors and with options like leather upholstery, AC, alloy rims, carpets, cup holder and a lot of other goodies. At GoinGreen who markets the G-Wiz, they claim to have sold more than 850 of them in London alone. And they have a few pretty good sales points: Apart from the actual cash, they are exempt from road tax and congestion tax, gets free parking and free charging in London and the lowest rate if you should decide to get one as a company car.

Wall mounted home theatre projector from LG.

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 01:29:15 +0200

This may be old-ish by now, but we have not heard of any other wall mounted home theatre projector, so here goes. Hard working contributor Magnus I.B. mailed in this tip, and we are truly sorry it has been sitting in the mail bag for so long. The LG AN110 was the first (and at the time the only) home theatre projector that could be put on a wall, or placed on a small stand like in the picture above. Maybe it still is. Maybe not. In any case it is pretty smart, and had it been around a couple of years ago, we could have saved ourselves a bunch of holes in the ceiling... The LG AN110 won a design award in the Red Dot Awards 2006. Thanks, Magnus, for letting us know!

Sweden's secret weapon.

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:04:54 +0200

The fifties was a decade of cold war between the East and the West. Sweden had a geographically precarious position between Nato and the Warsaw pact. Sweden also had one of the world's strongest air forces and made serious plans to build nuclear weapons. In spite of all the money that was spent (or invested, if you will) in defense during those years, hardly anything remains. Nothing except the only skin care product almost every Swedish male knows and have used. Försvarets Hudsalva, or Defense Forces Cerat. The cerat was developed during the fifties by the Swedish Military Pharmacy as a remedy for blisters and cold sores, but its uses quickly expanded as grunts discovered its versatility. It was used greasing bicycle chains and door hinges, as shoeshine, as a substitute for butter, for dry elbows, as ski wax and, it is rumored, as frying fat. Today this icon product is also used as lip cerat, paw ointment for dogs and much more. A 25 ml pack is SEK 29:- (approx. USD 4:-) at the Swedish Pharmacy web shop. Manufactured by APL, Apoteket Produktion & Laboratorier.

Smart hook for your headrest.

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 21:01:56 +0200

This is a clever looking little hook that attaches to the headrest support in your car (providing your headrests with steel stick supports) and where you can hang your purse or backpack or grocery bag or the bag with take-out food from the sushi place. Or anything else that works better hanging than standing or lying down. We do tend to get a bit upset when the grocery bags fall over and we have to search for lemons under the car seats or when the miso soup spills all over the sushi. So for the SEK 19:90 (approx. USD 2:80) for 2 that Biltema charges, we think it's a both cheap and practical gadget (art.no. 39-206).

Skeppshult introduces auto shift bicycle.

Sun, 01 Apr 2007 18:23:09 +0200

We saw this in an ad in the paper the other day. The new auto shift bicycle from Skeppshult is called Arc Automat (gent's version) or Nova Automat (ladies) and features an eight-speed automatic gear assembly from Shimano. There is no information on how it works on the Skeppshult web site, which is pretty lame, but it could be the same auto shifter from Shimano we posted on earlier. If so, it is electric and gets its power from a dynamo in the front hub. We are going to have to pedal down to our local bike shop for a test drive, but since the bike is priced at SEK 9,895:- (USD 1,415:-) we are probably not going to buy one. At least not this year...

Potato chip maker for the microwave.

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:30:25 +0200

One of these chip makers might very well be the next addition to our ever growing kit of kitchen gadgets. But we do not have ordinary potato chips in mind for it. Instead, we are thinking of making apple chips for desserts like sherbet made from granny smith apples. The only thing you are supposed to have to do is slice the potatoes (or apples), put the slices in the stand, and cook in the micro wave for six minutes. The gadget is supposed to be available in Japanese stores, but you can get it from J-Box for USD 14:80 plus shipping USD 5:80. A similar product is on fiwa-shop on German E-bay for EUR 5:- plus shipping EUR 3:90.

Bicycle brake pads with LED brake light.

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 14:13:09 +0200

These are brake pads for ordinary "V" type bicycle brakes. Only they have a red LED light that lights up when you apply the brakes. The only back side is probably that they need batteries. Available from Swedish auto parts store Biltemas web shop for SEK 49:- (approx. USD 7:-) a pair. (Art.no. 27-287).

Woot! Most popular ".se" site on Populicio.us.

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:47:07 +0100

Since we put the Yahoo! Site Explorer widget on the site, we have been itching to explore the 9,360 9,383 links to Smart Stuff they say we have. Today we took some time and looked some of them over and among them we found this. We're the most popular ".se" site on Populicio.us! Don't know if this means so much, but it sure was fun. Thank you all Populicio.us users!

Toothpaste tube with integrated dental floss.

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 18:45:35 +0100

Just like everybody else we do not floss enough. And if it were not for the little Hummingbird (that we posted on a while back) we would not be flossing nearly as much as we do. To that end, here is a new idea for a toothpaste tube with a built in roll of floss. This will obliterate the "I forgot to buy floss" argument forever. It is called Floss'n'Cap and as you can see it is from Aquafresh. It has been on the market for a while, but we have not seen it in Sweden. If it sells reasonably well, we would not be surprised if there is a Colgate and/or a Pepsodent version on the shelves pretty soon. The tube won a silver award in the 17th DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation in 2004, and it is USD 3:50 a piece on Dentist.net.

Why, oh why, did I not think of this?

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 20:41:05 +0100

Some ideas and solutions to common problems are so brilliantly obvious (after you've seen it) that all you can do is blushingly admit that you did not think of it. I'm sure you have experienced that after a bit of working, there is not enough room between the hacksaw frame and the blade. And I'm sure you have worked around it somehow to get the job done. But did you think of this? If you did, we can only congratulate you, 'cause that makes you smarter than we are.

If you want to have breakfast or work in bed.

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 19:10:36 +0100

We must admit we are a bit partial to breakfast in bed. Particularly in hotels. But one problem with eating in bed is that most trays are very unstable. And the bread-crumbs, of course. But we digress. This tray, designed by Harald Hynell (who mailed us to tell about it) for Bosign, has a pillowy base which makes it adapt to whatever it is placed on (your legs, for instance). That makes it steadier than most. We are sure it is very good for using laptops on your lap top, too. It is available in black, white, willow- or wenge wood and it is SEK 494:- (approx. USD 70:-) on the PID web shop.

Transparent thermometer sticks to windows without glue.

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 22:40:49 +0100

This tip comes from Bertil J. who imports these see-through thermometers. We have see the material before; its a kind of plastic that clings to glass through static electricity. This application, however, is new to us, and we think it is kinda neat. The KleerTemp sticks to your window or glass door (no glue, nails or screws) and is easily readable from the inside. It is available in both Fahrenheit and Celsius versions and it is USD 8:- on ElectroOptix' own web shop. It is also on Amazon- for USD 6:-. Plus shipping, one might suppose.

Magnetic induction self powered bike lights.

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 14:13:17 +0100

Today is a sunny day and the thermometer shows +6-7°C. Spring is here and so is the bike season. To mark the occasion we will feature another bike gadget. This tip comes from Paul L., who admits he has not tried them, but still thinks the idea is smart. We can't but agree. The lights are from Danish Reelight, and they are invented by Troels Pedersen. The light, or lights, are based on electromagnetic induction, which means they generate their own power. No resistance like you get from an ordinary dynamo, no battery changes as with ordinary bike lights. The light are attached to the front and back hubs, and the magnets to the spokes of the wheels. Every time a magnet passes a light electricity is generated. Simple. The lights are DKK 299:- (approx. USD 53:- or EUR 40:-) for a kit of front and rear lights, four magnets and mounting details.

Motorized front wheel for the lazy cyclist.

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:21:45 +0100

There was a time when a Solex moped, or VelóSolex as its real name was, was a French style icon comparable to the Citroên 2CV and baguettes. Among all the Solex riders were Steve McQueen, who used the contraption during the shooting of Le Mans 1970-71. But this was of course ages ago. Even though the VelóSolex is rumored to be in production again, it has new competition from The Wheel by American RevoPower. Here the boffins have managed to squeeze a minimal 1,1 hp 25cc two stroke into a bicycle wheel along with the drive train and a muffler. The little engine is said to be able to accelerate the vehicle to 20 mph over flat ground and deliver more than 100 miles to the gallon. It uses gas mixed with oil (two stroke juice) and the gas tank is in the water bottle holder. The wheel is estimated to cost about USD 400:- to 500:- when it's ready for launch in the spring of 2007. And yes, you can choose not to use the engine if you'd rather pedal, but the weight of the wheel (+12 lb. net) might make your bike a bit sluggish. Thanks to Peter K. who mailed the tip!

Bra strap retainer stops dreaded VBS.

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:57:41 +0100

This post is of course dedicated to our female readers in particular, and a bit of research among friends of the female persuasion suggests this gadget would be a welcome addition to the wardrobe. It is called Strap Trap and it is simply a small plastic loop you sew into the shoulders of sleeveless sweaters or blouses to stop bra straps from sliding into public view. Wether visible straps is seen as a problem or not may be an age or culture issue, but here is a ready solution. The tip is from Hilda V., inventor of the Strap Trap. The Strap Trap is available in black or white and a kit of 12 (enough for 6 garments) is GBP 5:- (about EUR 7:30) shipped within the EU or GBP 6:- (approx. USD 11:60) shipped to the US, AUS and NZ.

Crescent shaped shower curtain rod.

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 11:28:21 +0100

This tip comes from Jon B. at Humans.ca in Canada. (Yes, he works for the company that sells these shower curtain rods, but that's okay as long as the thing is smart.) The curtain rod itself is pretty self explanatory, so we'll just add that it is available in white, chrome and gold-ish and it is USD 40:- at Bed, Bath & Beyond or USD 37:- on Amazon-.

Smart cap turns old soda cans into safe sharps disposal.

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 13:47:11 +0100

We'll break the series of reader contributed tips for this very interesting and clever item we just found on Core 77. According to Hân Pham - inventor of the Antivirus cap - unsafe handling of syringes, needles and other medical sharps cause more than 200,000 HIV infections each year, plus millions of Hepatitis cases and other injuries. The solution above, utilizing an item available in great numbers (the used soda can) adding a smart lid to make disposing of needles and other infected sharps easy and safe could save lives. If this invention, an Index:2007 Awards nominee, is not in production, it should be. Check out the Index:2007 list, among the nominees are several we've already mentioned on Smart Stuff during the past year! ;-)

Fridge bin liner and vegetable saver.

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 19:04:34 +0100

Frequent tipster Magnus I.B. is back with a guest review. This time he shares his experience with the fridge vegetable bin liner. He writes (our translation and slightly edited):

"It's a perforated and slightly spongy mat mad of a "non-slip" material. You cut it to size and put it on the bottom of the vegetable bin in your refrigerator. With the mat in place you can take the vegetables out of their plastic wrappers and bags (not cucumber or salad; they need the wrappers to keep their moisture), which keeps them from collecting the moisture that makes vegetables spoil faster. Besides, it looks a lot nicer with the vegetables out of the wrappers. And if something would spoil anyway (like a piece of forgotten cucumber turing into a messy mush) you're still good, since the mat keeps the fresh vegetables away from the goo. I have had mine for close to two years and I would not want to have to do without it."

Thanks, Magnus, for the tip and the review! Now, if you want one of these mats, too, they are available from (among other places) Canadian web-shop Ashton Green for CAD 3:95. A similar mat is on Amazon- for USD 2:49.

Make sure the meat is okay to eat.

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:14:24 +0100

An increasing number of people are suspicious to the food they are offered in stores, and recurring stories of filth and re-stamping in the food industry does not improve the sentiment. Some merchants seem capable of gambling with their customers' health and lives to make an extra buck. If that is your mind-set it will be pretty easy to put a fresh best-before date on a stale steak. However, there's countermeasures. Smart Stuff reader Dag N. found this tool at Sharper Image, and Dag thinks every home should have one. Or at least every restaurant. The SensorfreshQ meat tester is an electronic nose that sniffs the air above the meat and analyzes the bacterial activity with four sensitive sensors. The machine is promise to work with both (uncooked) meat and poultry and it is USD 89:95 at The Sharper Image or on Amazon.

Make real pression coffee in the wild.

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:46:43 +0100

This tip comes from Helen M. who, we suppose, like to have coffee al fresco. And in that case we can not but agree, because there is hardly anything that can top the smell and taste of freshly made coffee in the wild. If anything, it might be freshly fried chanterelles on a clear autumn day right at the best chanterelle patch.... But to the issue at hand. Helen thinks this coffee maker is worth a mention, and we agree. The kit contains a cooker with a one liter vessel and a burner, a coffee press, a container of propane and a bag of coffee to make four cups. Right now it is SEK 999:- (approx. USD 142:-) on sale at Naturkompaniet. Expensive? Er, yes, but...

How to make really cool drinks.

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:27:26 +0100

This is from Jonas S. of Creative Design, and we know he is just looking to peddle his own goods here, since his company is the one selling these things. But, since we know about it, we can take it into consideration. And now we have told you, so you know, too. After all, that we must say that this thing looks pretty cool. We have been experimenting with freezing vodka bottles ourselves, but it has always been a bit of a hassle. You can hardly ever find just the right size for the water vessel; it is always way too big and thus it always takes forever for the thing to freeze. Now the IceJacket promises to make all that a bit easier. Just put the bottle in, lock the container, fill up with water and put it in the freezer. It is USD 35:95 plus shipping.

It's contribution day!

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:25:09 +0100

We must first sincerely apologize to all the good people out there who's been sending us tips and during the past couple of months. We have been pretty busy and has not really had the time to get into the mailbag and go through all your kind contributions, and post the best ones. But now we will. We have quite a lot of reader contributions stacked up for your enjoyment, and today is just the first! Keep'em coming, we love you!

The best of February on Smart stuff.

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:04:26 +0100

It seems a lot of blogs are fond of making monthly roundups. Maybe it is a good idea. Maybe a lot of smart stuff gets forgotten about when it could be appreciated by more people if we were to make such a monthly roundup, too. Let's try it. Here's our five favorite posts from the past month (it's kind of hard to pick five but here goes):

• Extra long finger plasters
• The inkless pen
• The California car duster
• The Multimirror
• Electric power shifter for bicycles

If you have missed any of these, we suggest you click and have a look. We do not think you will be disappointed. /Ed.

Push and pull oven hook.

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:03:36 +0100

Now, as all our regular readers surely know, we prefer a good Nomex oven mitt anytime for handling hot pots and pans. But at the same time we understand that everybody else does not. So for all those out there who prefer a more mechanical way of handling hot pans and such things, here is the push/pull oven hook. We do think it is pretty clever. And it is not very expensive, either; just USD 5.99 (about SEK 42:-) on Walter Drake.

Electrical bicycle auto shifter.

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 20:37:47 +0100

We suppose Shimano has done pretty much everything in bicycle gears except an automatic, so it was probably due. The new (?) technology is launched under the Coasting brand (almost unreadable site), and as far as we can gather it may be available in four bikes from three manufacturers; Trek, Giant and Raleigh. If any of them will hit Europe and Sweden is shrouded in uncertainty, by we think at least Trek has an importer, so maybe... The bikes shown are no sports rigs, they are more like something you'd pedal to the store with. The power shifter is located inside the oversized chain cover, and, if we are not mistaken, it's powered by a dynamo in the front wheel. The actual gears are located in the rear hub. You'll find a longer text on the Bike Gallery web site.

Chair with coat hanger - stolen idea?

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:59:02 +0100

This chair from Pottinger & Cole (right) has been doing the rounds lately. And why not, since it's both smart and fun. It would be perfect by the bed, since it provides both coat hanger and beside table all in one. But even though it is smart, the idea is not exactly new. We already have a similar chair (left) in our archives, that one designed by Jörg Gätjens. Considering the fact that we found Jörg Gätjens' chair already in December 2005, one might suspect that P&C liked the idea and simply ripped it off to make their own interpretation.

Charging box with integrated speakers.

Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:16:32 +0100

Previously we have mentioned the Swedish Contactboxen, the Multipot and the charging box that is meant to be placed under a cabinet. Now we have another installment in the charging box series. Student industrial designer Alexander Lundqvist Cruz has created the Speakerbox and introduced it at the Stockholm Furniture Fair recently. The Cruz box is different from the others since it has integrated speakers allowing you to listen to your tunes while the phone or iPod is charging. So far the Cruz box is a concept, but with the proper interest, it may be produced.

California car duster.

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:44:43 +0100

This dusting brush post is the result of a tip from good friends Klas and Tracy B. The brush has cotton strands treated with a special paraffin wax that collects and lifts off dust from the surface. The brush does not need cleaning, and it is supposedly very popular among the people on the custom car show circuit. We have actually never seen one in this country, but we have found it for sale on a couple of Swedish sites. In the US you can get wooden handled version from California Car Duster themselves for USD 19:99, or from Amazon- where it is USD 15:75.

The Latvian water carrier and folding seat.

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:16:42 +0100

During the Stockholm Furniture Fair there was a special section with works by students at different art- craft- and design schools and colleges. Among them we found the Art Academy of Latvia in Riga. And among the works displayed these two struck us a both clever and good looking. The first (above) is the Yoke water carrying strap by Janis Valdmanis. The simplicity is compelling. A piece of rubber with room for one, two or three bottles, and an ordinary nylon strap.

The other (below) was the Chiks folding seat by Kaspars Jursons, made from a metal tube with a fabric seat. The seat is small, but OK, and the whole thing small and light enough to bring along to the kids football or little league game, we suppose.

Clever mirror saves space and hides clutter.

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:59:05 +0100

Anybody who has been reading our site for some time knows we like inventions that lets us use hitherto unused space. Anything that lets us hide away the stuff that clutters any home, makes even a studio apartment feel more spacious. Architect and designer Charlotte Elsner has created this smart mirror/gadget hider she calls Multimirror. The Multimirror is so far just a concept, but if the final product even comes close to the examples she showed at the Stockholm Furniture Fair we think it has every chance of success. The Multimirror is a sliding mirror mounted on a shallow cabinet allowing space for most anything. As a hall mirror (left) it lets you keep shoe brushes, cellphone, ipod, keys, wallet, notes, etc, within easy reach but still hidden away. As a bedroom or dressing room mirror (right) it can be fitted with an integrated ironing board and space for clothes brushes, sewing kit, etc. Brilliant!

Silicon keyboard protection cover.

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 23:37:25 +0100

Even though we do try not to, it happens that different foodstuffs and beverages end up in close proximity to our keyboard. This is of course not good, but what do you do when things heat up? Anyway, we've often looked enviously at the plastic covers some restaurants and shops use. (We actually know a sushi place where they wrap the entire remote for the stereo in cling-film to keep it out of trouble.) However, we've never seen a cover for notebooks. Until today, when we saw the Sonnet Technologies silicon notebook cover. The cover is as far as we can see only available for Apple's MacBook, MacBook Pro and PowerBook G4, but perhaps other brands will be covered in the future. The cover is USD 20:-.

Extra long finger plaster.

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 18:17:50 +0100

We did not even know there were plasters like this until the other day. We cut a finger in the kitchen, put a plaster on, but the plasters we used did not work very well at the tip of one finger. They came loose and fell off time and time again. Very irritating. At the local pharmacy, however, we found these extra long finger plasters, that go around the finger two and a half times. Now we don't have to change plasters until the old one gets dirty. The finger plasters are SEK 31:- (approx. USD 4:40) at Apoteket.

Door stop with a hole for hanging on the doorknob.

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 15:50:52 +0100

Don't know about you, but we have lots of doorstops. There was a time when we collected doorstops; ever searching for The Perfect Door Stop. We actually went as far as drawing sketches for our own door stop design. Well, we're a lot better now, except for the occasional relapse. Like today, when we found this doorstop designed by Italian design firm Modoloco in Milan and manufactured by Japanese R.F. Yamakawa. We like the fact that you can hang it on the door knob when it's not in use, and also that they have been able to save so much material without compromising on function (we suppose without having tested it). As far as we can tell it's available in four different colors, but we have not been able to find a price.

Pen that needs neither ink, nor lead.

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:04 +0100

A pen that writes without ink? Sure... at first we thought this was a leg-puller and that they simply meant an ordinary pencil. You know, no ink? But after a bit closer scrutiny, it appears they are serious. The pen itself is ordinary steel, but the actual business end; the nib or point, is some alloy that actually leaves metal residue on the paper. It looks a bit like pencil writing, but it cannot be erased. The big thing, besides the obvious "wow" factor would be that it will not run out of ink or dry up on you. And that it is likely to last pretty much forever. Available from Grand Illusions where it is GBP 15:- (approx. USD 30:-).

Office stapler with staple-gun tech.

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:44:32 +0100

We had never heard of this stapler before we looked in on the JND web page, where Don Norman writes on good design and related topics. The stapler is called PaperPro and it uses a new (at least for staplers) approach inspired by - staple-guns. The staples uses an arrangement of levers and springs to load and enhance the power that is applied to the handle in order to release that power accurately and powerfully at the right moment. The model above is promised to staple up to 20 pages of paper, but there are other models available, too, both one smaller and one more powerful. Available from, among other places, Amazon- at about USD 19:-.

Electric 12V jack for your car.

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 23:01:55 +0100

After the electric air pump, it was probably only a matter of time before someone came up with the electric jack. May it even came first. We do not know; today is actually the first time we have seen one. But of course this must be smart, since the ever popular SUV's are getting bigger and heavier all the time. Changing wheels or fixing a flat on an Escalade or Suburban must be hell. It is probably no picnic on a KingCab either. Now that the power jack is only a credit card swipe away, we are waiting for the next big thing, some sort of small power crane to get those big and heavy wheels in place. The power jack is available (among other places) on Amazon, is promised to lift 4.000 lb. and will set you back USD 76:- which sounds reasonable enough, but shipping is of course extra.

Splash proof recipe holder.

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 13:44:27 +0100

The makers of Clipline sent us a sample some time back, but we have frankly had a hard time figuring out what we would want to do with it. The Clipline consists of a sheet of plexiglas a wooden holder (available in lots of sizes and colors) and screws to put it up. You screw the holder and the sheet of plexi to the wall and - presto! - you have a picture holder that allows easy exchange of pictures. We do not feel any urgent need to put photos on our walls, but if we had had a brick-and-mortar store, we would have used it for display purposes. After some thinking, however, we have figured out what we would want to use it for - as a recipe holder on the back-splash. This version takes A4-paper (the size we use to print recipes from the 'net) and it is SEK 250:- (approx. USD 35:50) on Clipline's website.

Kid's backpack with integrated car seat.

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:47:37 +0100

This invention by Maria Munther at Minno is a clever combination of school backpack and car seat for kids up to 10 - 12 years old. If one parent takes their child to school, and the other parent (or grandpa) is to pick up after school, you really should need two or more of the kid's car seats to make sure they ride safe in the car. Even though our young no longer need car seats, we can still remember the hassle of moving the seats around between cars. With Maria Munther's SitSac that is no longer necessary. With the SitSac every child has their own personal car seat and school backpack in one tidy combination. The carrying straps of the backpack is fastened to the car seat and the backpack is in turn fastened to the car seat. The backpack has lots of pockets and compartments and the car seat part even has a hard compartment for fragile stuff, like a small laptop (like a Sony Vaio) perhaps. If everything goes according to plan, SitSac will be available in shops during the spring (2007) and it's SRP is SEK 795:- (approx. USD 113:- or EUR 88:-).

Photo quiz solution. Congratulations to Anders F.!

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:41:20 +0100

Yesterday's picture quiz seems to have been harder than we thought, and we have e-mails with everything from frost to micro fibers close up. Of all the contestants, however, Anders F. got in the right answer first but we must give an honorable mention to frequent suggestions contributor Austin L. who was runner-up with in effect the same solution. So what was that in the picture? Well, it was a classic ostrich feather duster close-up. See the thing in it's entirety above. If you want a closer look at yesterday's picture you'll find a larger version here.

The duster comes from Sahlins Struts in Borlänge (struts = ostrich) and we found it at Formex last Sunday. What struck us when we looked closely at the ostrich feathers was how they resembled fractals or the micro fibers in synthetic products like cloths or brushes. Could it be that ostrich feathers are nature's own "micro fibers"? And could it be that the ostrich feather's tendency to take a static electrical charge made them such a good natural duster?

Pocket sized soft miracle brush.

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:04:04 +0100

Small micro fiber miracle brushes are not exactly news, we have seen several versions of those. But we think this take on the subject is actually new. At least we have never seen any other products with this idea. The smart part is that the entire brush is textile, and thus soft and easy to keep in a pocket or purse. We first saw the idea at the Formex show a year ago, when inventor Wanja Bellander at Binnova had brought a first prototype to test reactions. Obviously Formex visitors were (as were we) interested enough for Binnova to start production. The Handy Dandy palm brush has micro fibers on one side and an elastic on the other. Put it over your hand and you have an instant clothes brush you can bring along wherever you go.

Reader contest! What is this?

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 14:02:15 +0100

The picture above is... well, what is it? Is it plant, mineral or animal? Land living or sea dwelling? If you think you know what this is, you have the chance to win 4 sets of smart Button Clips (2 black and 2 white). More on Button Clips here. We will reward the four first to mail us the correct answer, so mail us your answer right away. Welcome, and good luck!

Tourist map with a built-in compass.

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:07:16 +0100

This is an invention we wish we had come up with ourselves. We bought this map at Borders in San Francisco a couple of years back, but it has been put away and forgotten in our California file since our return. Today, while looking for something else, we found it. The map is printed on heavy glossy paper, and besides the map and the smart compass it also offers a section on sights and interesting to-do's in SFCA. The Imap guides are available for a lot of different cities around the world for USD 6:95, although all may not have the clever compass.

Smart Stuff in fokus.

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:06:36 +0100

Yesterday the story on smart inventions we had helped them put together appeared in Fokus, the Swedish weekly current affairs magazine. Fokus picked five of the smart products we've posted; the O'Tom tick twister, the smart ice bottle we bought at Mats Theselius' shop, the wine cooling rod from Leopold, Marie-Louise Janssons' safety handle for kid's bikes and the smart Coolskin oven glove. In the end, though, the Fokus people proved to be unexpectedly miserly on giving credit, so we're not too happy with them at this point.

Order the smart Coolskin oven gloves from us!

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:05:53 +0100

The smart Nomex Coolskin oven glove is one of our favorites, and soon we'll be able to offer them for sale here on Smart Stuff. The first shipment will not be all that large, so if you want to be sure to get your hands on a pair, we recommend you to pre-order on this page. The page also offers a lot more information on the Coolskin gloves and instructions how to pick the right size. Since we don't yet know exacly how much we are going to have to charge for them after shipping, excise, VAT etc, (probably around SEK 250:-/USD 35:-/EUR 27:- a pair) we'll regard these early pre-orders not binding.

And the winner is...

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:12:28 +0100

Thanks to all who have participated by voting in the Smart Stuff Readers Choice 2006. And congratulations to Inchworm whose expandable kid's shoes won the Award for 2006. Runner-up was the smart Japanese toilet with the integrated wash basin. And we must not forget the four readers who each have have won four sets of the smart Button Clips button savers. Congratulations also to Åsa O., Thomas C., Agne Z. and Gary C. All the winners have been notified via e-mail and as soon as we have their regular mail addresses we'll send their prizes!

Last chance to vote and win!

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:54:43 +0100

Polls close at midnight our time (GMT +1). Have your say before it's too late!

Corner fridge offers loads of space with small footprint.

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:53:08 +0100

We wish we had known of this fridge when we did the kitchen. That had saved us a lot of space problems. This corner fridge from Norcool (in English) will accommodate no less than 1,200 liters (about as much as 3 or 4 ordinary refrigerators) and only takes a little more floor space (Compare the outline of the corner fridge (black solid line) and an ordinary 60x60 cm fridge (red solid line). Placing the fridge in a corner gives lots of extra space and, as a bonus, plenty of room for the required ventilation. The only draw-back is that there is no version with a fridge/freezer combo. That would have been the optimal solution. Who's going to be the first with a combo like that?

Rocking chair for serious story reading.

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:43:45 +0100

It would be great if the man in the picture was the real Hal Taylor and not a model. Hal Taylor is a master carpenter and specializes in rocking chairs. He created the stunning piece in the left picture. He made it because he wanted to read stories to all of his three small children while sitting in the same rocking chair. Truly stunning.

Charger hider to fit under kitchen cabinet.

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 12:44:09 +0100

There are many solutions to the problem of hiding all those chargers and cables we need to keep our digital lifestyle running, but here's one we have missed, though. It reminds us a bit of the Swedish Contactboxen, but instead of placing the box on a table or putting it on the wall, you attach it to the bottom of your kitchen cabinet. We think this invention could be extra useful in Sweden, since our kitchen cabinets almost always have one or more power outlets underneath. That way we would not even have to hide the power cable going into the box. Available from Improvements in white, blond wood finish or cherry finish at USD 55:-.

New thermo glasses from Bodum.

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:14:28 +0100

It's been a while since we posted on the first smart double walled thermo glasses from Bodum. The glasses must have been a success, since Bodum USA are introducing a new range of double walled thermo glasses. The new glasses are meant for drinks, champagne, beer and schnapps, and they are available from USD 9:95 for the cute schnapps glass (2:nd from the left) up to USD 24:95 for the tall beer glass.

Rotating adapter makes room for more transformers.

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 18:13:40 +0100

After yesterday's post on the new wall socket, we happened to stumble upon this pretty clever device . It reminds us a bit of the very smart rotating wall sockets from 360° Electric, but probably easier to install. The adapter is simply a middle plug that goes between your wall socket and the transformer you want to plug in. It's USD 9:99 on Improvements, but there does not seem to be a EU version, alas.

Three-way flat wall socket.

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:37:13 +0100

We are always on the lookout for new smarter electrical plugs and sockets. After all, we use so many electrically powered products and gizmos, that power supply for all our gear becomes crucial. During our first two years with Smart Stuff, we have found some that made us wish they were available in European standard. And som that are. The wall socket above is one of them. From electric supplier Gelia, it sports one grounded socket and two flat Europlug sockets. We found it at Fredells in Stockholm right after Christmas when we were shopping for something else. It was not exactly cheap at SEK 225:- (approx. USD 32:50), but we will nevertheless test it by replacing one of the wall sockets in First Daughters apartment. She really needs more power outlets. See the other smart plugs and socketswe have found after the jump...

Don't forget to vote!

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:20:40 +0100

The voting is on to choose the winner of the 2006 Smart Stuff Readers Choice Award. Go to our voting page and pick the invention you think is the smartest of the ones we have presented during 2006. Among all those voting we'll pick five people who will four sets of smart Button Clips button savers (2 black and 2 white).

Kids bicycle safety handle.

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:19:28 +0100

After inventor-to-be Marie-Louse Jansson's son fell off his bike and had several of his ribs broken by his bicycle's handlebars, Ms Jansson started thinking of ways to prevent such accidents. The results of her thinking is the bicycle safety handle above. The innovative handlebar ends expand and provide a cushioning effect should they impact the body of a small rider. The safety handles are sold in Swedish bike stores and also in several other European countries.

Smart Stuff two years. Thanks for your support!

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 22:18:24 +0100

Welcome Smart Stuff, the ever growing archive of the world's smartest gadgets, inventions and ideas. It's really exciting to start our third year with a growing number of readers and supporters. We are very grateful for all the e-mails we get, both with critique (yes, we are) and cheers almost daily. A very special thanks goes out to our tipsters, and in particular those that frequently come back (you know who you are) with new interesting stuff. During this our third year, we will also have a couple of new features on the site that we hope will prove useful. That's about it. We wish you a great new year 2007, and we hope you'll want to stick with us during year three. Thanks for your support! And don't forget to vote for the smartest of 2006. Voting ends January 15 2007. Love/Ed.

Ingenious ancient Irish camping kettle.

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:02:04 +0100

Smart Stuff reader and tipster Austin L. writes to let us know of this smart almost 100 years old design for an outdoor kettle. The Kelly Kettle is manufactured by Patrick & Seamus Kelly in Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, the fourth generation of the Kelly family associated with the Kelly Kettle. The kettle, sometimes also called the volcano kettle, uses a double walled metal flask that is heated via the internal chimney. This provides fast boiling, safe and weather protected handling (no open fire) and virtually no fuel costs, since the kettle is promised to burn almost anything from newspapers, tinders and small twigs to dried camel dung. The kettles are available in two sizes; 1 pt. for EUR 55:- (USD 66:50) and 2.5 pt. for EUR 62:50 (or USD 75:50) from the Kelly Kettle webstore. Thanks, Austin, for the tip!/Ed.

Swift answer from the Microplane rep.

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:05:56 +0100

Laila J. at Hamonoya ApS in Denmark (the company representing Microplane over here) writes to tell us that the mysterious breaking of our grater is the first such break she has ever heard of, and that she will send us a new grater free of charge. She also says the Microplane engineers will be all over the broken grater as soon as we can get it to them, to make sure this stays the only time such a mishap has ever happened. What can we say? This must be an exemplary way of handling a complaint like ours, and we will all be better at our business if we learn from it. We'll also be asking the Microplane people to let us know what caused the break if they can find out, 'cause we are very curious to know.

...and something on the lighter side.

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:50:22 +0100

We got this little tool when we bought some paint a while back. It is a pretty smart tool for opening tin paint cans without ruining the edge of the lid. Something that happens to us a lot when we try to pry them open with a knife or screwdriver. The extra feature of a beer bottle opener was not lost on us, and we hope you will appreciate it, too. We know that US beer bottles have twist-off caps, but ours do not, so fur us it is a pretty handy tool.

Some sad news...

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:49:40 +0100

One of our favorite kitchen tools has left us. It is one of the super sharp Microplane graters that inexplicably split just where the handle is fastened to the grater. We were grating some cheese for an omelet when the grater broke, and we promise we were not using any excessive force. As you might see from the close-ups it is the clear acrylic(?) plastic that has split. The reason for this is anyone's guess, but there might have been a tiny crack in the plastic. We will get in touch with the Microplane representative to see what they have to say in the matter...

Merry Christmas everybody!

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 13:17:49 +0100

We're taking the day off to get all the Christmas stuff in order. We'll be back in a couple of days with some more stuff. If you have the time, check out the cool Charlie Brown Pathetic Christmas Tree we just posted on Cool Finds. To all of you who don't do Christmas, we wish you a happy holiday. See you soon!

Anesthesia mask with integrated pacifier.

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:11:53 +0100

Small children sometimes need surgery, too. And sometimes they need anesthesia. But, as nurse Monica Dahlstrand experienced when assisting during an operation, ordinary masks do not work very well with small children. She started thinking of a better way. Babies find comfort when breast fed and they also find comfort with pacifiers. When brought in for surgery, babies, like adults, have not eaten for some time. But unlike adults, babies have very little impulse control, making it difficult to put them under and keep them there for the duration of the surgery. But, by combining a baby sized anesthesia mask with a pacifier, Monica Dahlstrand made the whole process of performing surgery on babies much easier. She has won several inventor's prizes and the pacifier mask is protected by a world patent. More on the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology website (Swedish only).

Vote and win!

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:12:17 +0100

The voting has started to choose the winner of this year's Smart Stuff Readers Choice Award. Go to our voting page and pick the invention you think is the smartest of the ones we have presented during 2006. Among all those voting we'll pick five people who will four sets of smart Button Clips button savers (2 black and 2 white).

Avalanche airbag.

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:28:10 +0100

This idea is a bachelor's degree work at the University College of Design in Umeå by Daniel Nadjalin. The thought is that the inflatable collar would protect the head from all sorts of debris floating around inside the avalanche and that the inflated airbag will help lift the wearer up through the avalanche much the same way a life jacket lifts you in water.

The mobile phone winter handset.

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:57:52 +0100

It is not impossible (maybe even probable) that we will see this idea in production one of these days. The integrated glove and handset is meant for situations when it is too difficult or too dangerous to handle the actual phone or an ordinary headset. The glove communicates with the phone in one's pocket via wireless connection (Bluetooth?). The glove is called Wanted and it has been developed by Lena Berglin at Textilhögskolan (University College) in Borås, Sweden.

Finally. A brick floor only 0.6 inches thick.

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:44:26 +0100

We've always admired brick floors. They have an air of age, warmth and general quality about them. Our brick floor plans have never gotten off the ground, however, since we've never had a place where we could get away with a floor that's four inches thick. Now, we discover, there actually exists a new kind of brick floor that can be put into ordinary rooms wherever you can put in tiles. Enter the thin brick floor, only 15 mm (0,6 inches) thick. It is the company Isholtsten in Laholm, Sweden, who has developed a method to make floor bricks suitably thin. The clay comes from Hedemora, Sweden. The prick tiles are set in fix rather than ordinary mortar, and the bricks are finally treated with linseed oil. The floor is SEK 950:- per square meter (that's about USD 140:-) or USD 13:- per square foot if we have not miscalculated. One of these days...

Nipple-adapter for ordinary PET bottles.

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:50:34 +0100

One could be inclined to agree with the statement that it is amazing that no-one has thought of this before. Even the inventor himself, Johnny Habeeb, was surprised there was no such product in the market already. It is after all embarrassingly simple. A special adaptor and a nipple makes almost every PET bottle into a baby bottle. Baby gets a drink and parents know the water is fresh. For sale in American 7-Eleven and Circle-K stores for USD 1:95. More on BabySport. Via Strange New Products.

More affordable lighted bike pedal.

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:47:58 +0100

Regular readers may remember our post on the amazing lighted battery-free lighted bike pedal from Pedalite. The Pedalite pedal had no other drawbacks than being rather expensive. It was about USD 98:- at the time (now on sale for GBP 39:95 (about USD 78:-) a pair on Pedalite's own web shop. The drop in price is perhaps due to the fact that there is a competitor on the market. A similar LED lighted battery free bike pedal is available from Bikemania and it is a little cheaper at USD 29:99 a piece which makes it USD 60:- for two. Via Book of Joe.

Rubber horse shoe.

Wed, 06 Dec 2006 01:59:20 +0100

The rubber horse shoes were invented by Lone Pedersen in the small community of Öllöv in the Swedish province of Halland. Lone thought traditional iron horse shoes must be both uncomfortable and dangerous for horses, even though they have been used for hundreds of years. She started experimenting with horse shoes made from old tractor tyres, and in 1993 she got a patent for steel horse shoes with a rubber coating. The Halmstad Rubber Factory bought her invention, developed the shoes further, and are now selling them under the brand Alive Original. The rubber coated shoe is claimed to improve the horses traction, and be very useful in cities and on paved roads. The Thai Army, the Prague Mounted Police and the Russian President are said to be among the customers. Available from, among other places, Lycke Equestrian Center for SEK 59:- (approx. USD 8:79 a piece.

Emergency battery for your mobile.

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 17:45:29 +0100

We have previously posted on the Charge2Go, a device that can suck the power out of an ordinary AA battery to inject it into your starving cellphone. We've also posted on the hand cranked chargers from Dino and the one from Freeplay. Not to mention the Cellboost, that looks like a small extra battery. Now here's another take on the emergency power issue. The Reload bag of cellphone juice for emergencies when your phone is dying and you have an important call to make. It comes with adapters for a bunch of models from Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericson, LG, and Siemens. Available from Infoferenda for SEK 49:- (approx USD 7:-) and from Elkparts (with a SAAB logo) for GBP 9:99 (approx. USD 20:-) or USD 17:25. That is one expensive SAAB logo...

Time to think of presents?

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 17:44:44 +0100

Lately we have not updated Smart Stuff as often as we used to, and we hope you'll forgive us. There has been a lot of other stuff these past few weeks. Now that we have entered the Christmas month, we will try to be more frequent; a lot of people are surely out looking for presents for their loved ones. And what would be more fitting than a really smart present this year. Like the serrated super peeler from Messermeister, a super sharp grater from Microplane, the smart pepper mill from Chef'n or one of all the other smart products we have put together in our small shop on Amazon. And if you do actually buy something, we will get a small fee from Amazon. This contribution helps us keep Smart Stuff running, so we thank you in advance for your kind support!

Smart Stuff Readers Choice 2006. Vote and win!

Mon, 04 Dec 2006 17:43:59 +0100

Last year we did a reader poll to find the smartest gadget, invention or idea on the site for 2005. The Swedish firm Brighthandle won the poll and is now the owners of the Smart Stuff Readers Choice Award for 2005. Now we're ready to go again. Which of all the gadgets and inventions we have posted during 2006 (and december of 2005) do you think is the smartest? Who will win the Smart Stuff Readers Choice Award for 2006? That's in your hands, now. Yours and all other readers of Smart Stuff. So take your time and browse through our pages for 2006 and cast your vote for the smartest of them all. Mail us with your vote here, no later than December 31, 2006. We will announce the winner in January 2007 and if you vote you have the chance to be one of two winners of a very nice prize indeed! Remember you're only allowed to vote once.