Teapot Dribble

Today the ever-inspiring Richard Banks tweeted today about this blog post on Technology Review.

Solving teapot dribble. What an amazing idea. Teapot dribble is one of those things that is really, really annoying and every time it happens you swear a little bit inside before duly getting a cloth to wipe up the mess.

I personally think that it's one of those common, really irritating problems that are often overlooked. They're the sort of problems designers should love to solve. But that got me thinking - they're so small (albeit VERY annoying) so is an improved product going to help?

A car without power steering. Nightmare to drive but probably cheaper than a car with power steering. So, given the choice, would you pay extra to make your life easier? Probably - in fact, more than likely. So surely, a teapot that doesn't dribble falls into the same category. If you look at two teapots on the shelf in your average teapot shop, are you going to pay £10 for a regular teapot, or £15 for one that doesn't dribble? I can't help but feel that more people are going to buy the regular teapot. Maybe I'm wrong, but a non-dribbling teapot just isn't being treated for the innovative design that it is.

I'd probably buy the one that looked nicest.

LED Eyelashes

LED eyelashes! This is so amazingly interesting and creative.

These LED eyelashes could be just the thing to light up this year's Halloween costume. Designed by Korean artist Soomi Park, the LEDs sit directly underneath the eyes and are powered on or off as the head tilts downwards and upwards, respectively - presumably to avoid blinding the wearer.
The electronics to power the LEDs and detect tilting of the head are cleverly disguised as a set of headphones, so those seriously considering creating their own pair of light-up-lashes need not despair that unsightly wires will ruin this unique look.
But apart from a desire to stand out in a crowd, why would someone bother with this ocular accessory? According to Park's website:
"The LED Eyelash project is brought into the world to find an answer to this simple question: Why do women want larger and bigger eyes? In particular, Asians tend to have stronger needs for bigger eyes as a standard of beauty."
(via wired)

Life Update

HELLO BLOG. I have deserted you since March. I do apologise.

I've spent the last 6 months working as a Senior Watersports Instructor and PR Manager at an activity centre in South West Scotland. It was good - being a new senior member of staff brought different responsibilities and challenges. I was also lucky enough to get to spend a lot of sunny days on the water and a lot of wet ones in the office!

But anyway. Life goes on and you can't live in a caravan forever (it gets really cold in the autumn). I have just started my fourth and final year of university. My project is going to me AWESOME.

Watch this space...