Miscellaneous

Human Hamster Ball Makes Walking on Water a Reality... Sort of

by John P. Barker

Want to walk on water? Well, with a little practice... maybe more like a LOT of practice... The Inflatable Water Ball may let you do just that!

Add new comment

8-Wheels Plus 8 Motors Equals 1 Fast Hybrid

by George Delozier

Not too long ago, we showed you the Covini CW6, the six-wheeled supercar with a top speed upwards of 180mph. For many, six wheels were more than enough to keep them occupied. For some reason though, someone out there wanted more. Enter the all electric 8-wheeled Eliica.

Add new comment

SUV Tent: Great Idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US D503143, which refers to an SUV Tent is not a new idea; in fact, tents have been made for pickup tricks and station wagons for the last 40 or 50 years. The idea to patent it though, is fairly new, dating back to 2006. Read on for more details and…bring along your lunch.

2 comments

Florida Company to Make Plug-In Porsche

by George Delozier

Making an electric sports car that is just as much fun to drive as the traditional sports car is no easy task. So far, only a handful has managed to accomplish this, with names like Fiskar and Tesla coming to mind. A small company out of Florida has taken a different approach to this problem and come up with a promising solution.

1 comment

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!

Add new comment

Don't Be a Sucker - Pucker Up to This Art

by Diana Eid

Millions of people kiss many things every day. Babies, relatives, lovers, pets, even the ground they walk on..…but a ceiling? Photographer Fred Muram has created a unique series titled ‘Kissing the Ceiling’.

Add new comment

Water Ski and Fly at the Same Time: Great idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US 6786785 also known as the Flying Ski is the perfect invention for the sports enthusiast with phobias. Now you can water-ski even if you are afraid of it and soar at high speeds even if heights give you agita. Read on and…be amazed.

4 comments

No Smoking Sign Ashtray: Great idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US D500166 also referred to as the No Smoking Sign Ashtray is, so they say, a design that only a New Yorker could have come up with. Being a former one (both smoker and New Yorker) I might opt to be insulted by that. Then again, I might just laugh and forget about it because this silly patent is really quite funny. Read on and see if you don’t agree.

Add new comment

Russian Electric-Powered Sportscar: Meet Marussia

by M Dee Dubroff

A popular Russian singer and former car-racing champion, Nikolay Fomenko, is preparing to give Russia its very own electric sports car. Read all about the Marussia and this fascinating project that will concentrate on predominantly non-metal exchangeable bodies.

Add new comment

One-of Dodge Viper Concept Up for Sale

by George Delozier

Since its introduction, the Dodge Viper has been about one thing; Raw horsepower. With a 500hp V10 under the hood and a 6-speed transmission to get the power to the ground, it's no mystery why it became so famous. Now, an even more rare and refined form of the Viper is up for grabs, but you better act fast as there is only one in existence.

Add new comment

Scent Delivery System: Great idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US 6842218 known to some as the Scent Delivery System, is a 2005 invention that involves a flow of air via a single conduit with a nasal interface at one end and a fan or canister of compressed air at the other end. Read on for more details even though they already seem superfluous.

Add new comment

Pity These Businesses: It’s Their Job To Hear You Complain

by Beth Hodgson

Who doesn't like to complain? We take pride in our ability to whine, moan, and gripe to whoever will listen. The people hearing our issues can become tired of it; but they might not if they're getting paid. Two innovative businesses have kept this in mind, and not only will they hear out your annoying ranting, they also help you solve your problems.

3 comments

Methods of Promoting Sleep Systems: Great idea?

by Cosetta

Patent #US 6997070 better known as Methods of Promoting Sleep Systems is one of those things whose purpose isn’t all that clear. Whether or not this is a good thing remains to be seen. Read on and if you can figure it out, please pass it on.

2 comments

Ford Demonstrates New Active Park Assist

by George Delozier

For some reason, parallel parking seems to cause problems for many drivers. Of course, there are some who have no problems with it at all, but they seem to be a minority these days. If you are among the populous that has not yet mastered the art of parallel parking, Ford has joined the handful of other manufactures to offer a solution.

Add new comment

Bottle Cap Necktie: Great Idea?

by Cosetta

Patent# US D509944 represents an idea for an invention known as the Bottle Cap Necktie. If you want to buy one of these, it won’t be easy because it is not a reality and may never be. Read on anyway and be amazed at what some people can conjure even without a single drink.

Add new comment

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.

2 comments

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.

2 comments

Garden Ornament and Cremation Container Combo: Great idea?

by Cosetta

Patent # US 6854165 refers to the Combination Lawn/ Garden Ornament and Cremation Container, which transforms the idiom of pushing up daisies to a new but unimportant and rather silly level. Memorializing the deceased is an old ritual, but surely even the ancient world would have laughed at this garden sculpture that doubles as a cremation urn. Read on and…try to believe.

Add new comment

Dying to Own the Rights To Your Favorite Song? Bid On It With SongVest

by Beth Hodgson

Finally, a unique online auction allows music lovers to enter the industry by purchasing the rights to their favorite songs. Users bid to purchase songs as gifts for the person who has anything, or for an indulgence of their own.

Add new comment

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!

Add new comment