Like peanut butter and chocolate, stop motion animation and Legos are a perfect match. This spin-off site for “brick filming” looks to be a new and upcoming haven for lovers of the genre. Eventually, one assumes a gallery of movies as well as a much more informative blog on the subject. If you build it, they will watch.
The Japanese are the forefront in robotic technology owning/manufacturing over half of the world’s 800,000 robots. Now they’ve made one of action figure stature but large… accrutements. And she’ll give you a kiss. As your girlfriend. My how technology has advanced society.
Ever wonder what’s inside your Gummy Bear that makes it so darn delicious? How about a vinyl toy? Jason Freeny has and is eager to share that knowledge with you. Among several, candy-coated, impressive illustrations; we are treated to some crucial anatomical details otherwise left secret by clowns and candy factories the world over. It’s what’s inside that counts.
Cell phones, these days, are less about making calls as they are surfing the web, sending/receiving emails and playing a particular song whenever your buddies give you a call. SparkFun, however, brings the cell phone back to the past with its innovative Port-O-Rotary. For only $300, you can lug this 2 pound piece of awesomeness around to impress your techno-savvy friends. Or, you could just try to make your own.
Cute is all around us, but none more prevalent as Hello Kitty. This wonderfully kawaii kitten, created by Sanrio in 1974, is one of the most recognized characters hailing from Japan. So much so that there is a plethoria of products bearing her likeness. Hello Kitty Hell is a repository of everything Hello Kitty. Imagine willfully inundating yourself with this much sugary sweetness.
There is no helicopter, ever, that is as cool and as inspiring as Airwolf. For three very short years, Stringfellow Hawke played cello between daring missions as the pilot of a highly modified (and stolen) Bell 222 helicopter. For the price of a mid-range luxury car, you can own this excellently crafted replica of that gorgeous, and deadly, Lady. Volcanic hideaway not included.
Readymechs are a series of free, flatpack “models” that you print out, cut, fold and build to create clever little characters all from a letter-sized sheet. Several characters to choose from; currently on Series 002. Also check out the offerings of these fine mechs over at Corbis. Put a little character in your life.
If you like making stuff or seeing stuff being made, AND you dig the classic genre known as steampunk, then the Steampunk Workshop is the place to be. The industrious proprietor and craftsman, Hieronymus Isambard “Jake” von Slatt, has some projects that are absolutely stunning in their construction and conception. Full steam ahead.
Air shows are a fun link to aviation’s past. We get to see old queens of the air rise again and regale us with their wonder of engineering. Taking it one step further are those shows populated purely by remote control planes. One such plane is a 1/7th scale B-29 bomber made by Hodges Hobbies. Absolutely gorgeous in its construction and incredibly controlled by its pilot. Good things come in small packages.
Gordon Bennett finds a lot of junk and, with inspiration from Norman Bel Geddes and Raymond Loewy, creates some of the hippest robots this side of your local dump. Made from materials ranging from the obvious metal to less the “robotic” options of wood and bakelite. So unique in creation, each robot gets their own tagged number. Surely, Will Robinson would feel safer.
