International

Meet Runflier Stalker: Russia Introduces the World’s First Airborne Car

by M Dee Dubroff

From the maker of the flying rug, comes the flying car, much to the amazement of everyone. Read all about brilliant aircraft designer, Alexander Begak’s newest baby, Runflier Stalker, and…don’t forget to duck!

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Esquel: A Chinese Shirt Company in Sync With the Environment

by M Dee Dubroff

The Esquel Group is a Chinese company whose mission involves a great deal more than just the manufacture of premium cotton shirts. Its powers that be have made a serious commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable growth on the Chinese mainland. Read on for more “green” details.

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These Companies Are Getting Their Own Piece Of The Revenue Pie…With Pizza!

by Beth Hodgson

Pizza; a favorite meal embraced by so many people around the world. With a growing industry of its own, companies in the pizza service industry have learned how to put unique twists on their preparation and delivery methods to stand out from the rest!

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10 Refreshing Designs From The Rainforest

by Toby

Julia Krantz is one of the most exciting interior designers working in wood today. Trained as an architect, Ms. Krantz creates from the wood of her native Brazilian rainforests. That her designs seem to emerge from the woods themselves, rather than pre-drawn concepts, makes Ms. Krantz's work so fresh and captivating, it's almost mesmerizing.

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Save the Shavings with Chocolate Pencils

by Steve Levenstein

Ever notice how much pencil shavings look like those chocolate curls you see on delicious cakes? This set of assorted chocolate pencils from Nendo comes with a sharpener so you can save the shavings and feed your cravings!

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Maternity Insanity? Japan's Baby Inboard Campaign

by Steve Levenstein

Maternity Marks Make Pregnant Women Stand Out

Japan has taken the "Baby On Board" trend and backed it up a little - now pregnant women can call attention to their delicate conditions with Maternity Marks.

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Russia Sends the World’s Hardiest Organisms Into Space

by M Dee Dubroff

Can the world’s hardiest organisms survive three years in outer space? This year, a Russian spaceship will send more than 10 of earth’s toughest life forms into space for the answer. These organisms will face harsh radiation, extreme temperatures and few nutrients, but scientists believe they will survive.

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Copycat “Shanzhai” Culture Becomes Innovation in China

by M Dee Dubroff

Now innovation in China has taken on a new and strange dimension that depends upon imitation in order to flourish. If you are about to argue that this is a contradiction in terms, suffice it to say that you are right. Read on anyway, for the fickle finger of marketing and fate points to a very interesting phenomenon.

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Community Toilet Scheme Gives People A Place To Go, Literally!

by Beth Hodgson

The Community Toilet Scheme is a not-for-profit partnership of businesses in the UK that open their doors to give the public access to their washrooms whether they're paying customers or not.

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20 Awesome Icons Of Modern Design 'As Seen On TV'

by Toby

You won't find them on late-night TV informercials; you may never see them advertised on TV at all! But they are seen on TV... on the production sets of your favorite TV shows... and these stunning furnishings are from the world's most renowned interior designers. Like the Akari floor lamps by Isamu Noguchi, as seen on House, or the George Nelson wall clock, as seen on The Apprentice, or...

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Japanorama's Top Twelve Twisted Topics of 2008

by Steve Levenstein

Looking Back at 2008 with the Top 12 Japanorama Topics

2008 may have been a tough year economically, but it's been a great year comically, at least where weirds news and articles about Japan are concerned. 2009 is sure to bring another year's worth of fun & frivolity from the farthest east. For now though, let's enjoy a dozen of the weirdest & wildest from Japan - and Japanorama!

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Russian Lab Promises Affordable Cure for Cancer In the Works

by M Dee Dubroff

A laboratory in Russia says it has built a proton accelerator for treating cancer victims that is 10 times cheaper than any similar device. It may provide salvation for millions of oncology patients around the world. Read on and learn more about this amazing device.

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2009 Stamps Commemorate 10 Iconic British Designs

by Toby

The British Royal Mail picked a panel of prominent designers to choose which designs Great Britain should commemorate in a design series of stamps for 2009. There were no rules for this panel; they chose designs from furnishings, fashion, transportation and even graphic design. Here are the 10 design icons that were chosen....

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Nuclear Waste Disposal System: Great Idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US 6846967 also known as the Nuclear Waste Disposal System entered the world in 2005 and just won’t leave. Perhaps it is waiting for the all clear signal from those controlling the sub-sea volcano which the inventor so stoutly advocates as the way for all nuclear wastes to go. Read on, and…. stand back a bit from the shore.

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Will China Lead as White Knight in Troubled World Economy?

by M Dee Dubroff

World leaders with the largest cash reserves, which include Russia, India, Brazil and China recently met at the Group of 20 Summit and asked China to lead the financial way through the troubled forest of an unstable world economy. Can China assume this role? Read on, but don’t invest yet.

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Healthy Snacks Delivered To Your Office For A Grazing Lifestyle

by Beth Hodgson

Like cows, nutritional experts urge us humans to graze throughout the day; eating smaller portions of healthy snacks instead of binging during our 3 daily meals. A new company in the UK plays into this trend, by offering consumers a convenient method to snack. I bet their name won't come as a surprise either, accurately describing their nutritional services by calling themselves Graze.

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Elder Driver Badges 'Leaf' Japanese Seniors Cold

by Steve Levenstein

Autumn Leaf Elder Driver Badges Tick Off Seniors

Anyone driving in Japan will soon notice curious badges on many of the other cars. Both are shaped like stylized leaves, with green & yellow (Wakaba) for first-year new drivers and red & yellow (Koleshiya) for seniors over 75. It's the latter that are ruffling a few feathers. After all, what person of advanced age wants to be likened to a dying leaf?

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Tokyo Tower Celebrates Golden Anniversary with 24-Carat Gold Replica

by Steve Levenstein

Tokyo Tower notched an important milestone this past December 23 by celebrating its 50th anniversary. In tribute, Ginza Tanaka is offering a 26.4 inch tall replica made of 24-carat gold for the towering sum of 50 million yen - about $510,000.

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Net-A-Porter Makes Sure Travelers Always Dress Their Best!

by Beth Hodgson

When traveling for business, you may not be aware of all the events that will make up your journey; or their corresponding dress codes. So you can impress other attendees with your business savvy, instead of causing them to focus on your inappropriate wardrobe choices; Net-A-Porter offers emergency wardrobe solutions with delivery directly to your hotel room.

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Year 2036: The World According To Garth

by Toby

African designers and artists are bringing their own unique talents into international design exhibitions, and the 2008 biennial St. Etienne (France) Design Show was no exception. One of the most interesting exhibits was Garth Walker's, a South African who was asked by the event organizers to create his vision of St. Etienne in 2036.

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