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Retro Toys and Stuff Gift Guide
In our latest Christmas gift guide it’s the turn of retro toys and stuff, so if you missed out first time round here’s your chance.
Etch a Sketch
When I was a kid just about everybody on the street had an Etch a Sketch, just think of it as low tech tablet.
The amazing Etch a Sketch originated as the Magic Screen in France and is now a pop culture icon around the world! Over 100 million Etch A Sketch drawing toys have been sold in 67 countries worldwide since its introduction in 1960. Unsing a mixture of aluminum powder and plastic beads, the screen allows you to doodle, print, draw, then just shake to erase, and do it all again! Recommended age: 4+.
Cost : From $5
Rock Em Sock Em Robots
They are no where near as cool the robots featured on our toy robot gift guide but Rock Em Sock Em Robots are still a pretty entertaining blast from the past.
The original Rock’Em Sock’Em Robots™, first introduced in the 60s, are back and hotter than ever in this nostalgic reproduction. Maneuver Red Rocker® and Blue Bomber® around the ring as you try to knock your opponent’s block off with jaw-jolting action! Remember how the losing robot’s head pops up with the power punch?
Cost : $19.98
Continue reading » Retro Toys and Stuff Gift Guide
Stirling Engine Kit – Can It Save The World Too?
In the family of heat engines, “Stirling engine” is defined as a “closed-cycle regenerative hot air engine”. In this context, according to Wikipedia, “closed-cycle” means that the working fluid is permanently contained within the system, whereas “open-cycle” engines such as internal combustion engine and some steam engines, exchange working fluid with their surroundings as part of the cycle. “Regenerative” refers to the use of an internal heat exchanger. In contrast to internal combustion engines, Stirling engines have the potential to be more energy efficient, quieter, and more reliable with lower maintenance requirements.
Was that enough engine nerdiness for you? No? Then do I have something for you.
The Continue reading » Stirling Engine Kit is a great little gadget that will run off the residual heat off your body or any other warm surface it comes into contact with. Stirling Engine Kit – Can It Save The World Too?
Bachelor Gift of the Holidays … Your own Neon sign
Every bachelor has the bar fantasy for their bachelor pad. Pool table, big screen TV with NFL Sunday Ticket, Girls dressed in Dolphin shorts serving up brewskies, and that flashing neon sign that says “Joe’s Place.” Well, the DYI Neon sign can’t help you with the Dolphin dressed drink servers, but it does allow for the creation of custom neon signs at a very affordable price.
Continue reading » Bachelor Gift of the Holidays … Your own Neon sign
Musical gifts: Real or fake music? Guitar Hero or Ukulele?
I couldn’t help but notice the success of Guitar Hero, Karaoke games, and the general transition to simulated music. Because such a game becomes rewarding very quickly, many ‘play’ the simulated instruments instead of choosing to make real music. This pains me a lot, even more so because I’ve been playing the guitar for years.
This summer however I discovered a great little instrument, that becomes rewarding in the first day, and even in the first hour. While I was abroad in the summer holidays, I went to a music shop to buy some strings and picks for my guitar, which was home (much to heavy to carry around while traveling). That, day, I discovered the Ukulele.
Continue reading » Musical gifts: Real or fake music? Guitar Hero or Ukulele?
SNES Style Wii Controler for Retro Gaming Fun
If you spent most of your childhood playing Super Mario World on your Super Nintendo, you may just die from the nostalgia when you lay eyes on this product.
Members of Club Nintendo in Japan will have the opportunity to purchase a Continue reading » SNES style Wii controller in April of 2008. Retro gamers outside of Japan may have the chance to pick one of these controllers up in the import market – and it’ll cost you! SNES Style Wii Controler for Retro Gaming Fun
Levitating Balls – Sports Balls, of course!
Here’s a new levitating deco gadget. Instead of the usual Earth globes or other planets, this one’s more mundane. Actually, it’s quite a nice present for any sports buff.
Whether it’s that snobby boss of yours, or your kid you’re pitching to on Saturday morning, you’ll find one for any of them.
There’s a golf ball floating above a mini pitch, and a baseball that levitates above a base.
Click on for some bigger pictures and for the little extra info you need to know about these.
Continue reading » Levitating Balls – Sports Balls, of course!
Post A Phone is your Snail mail phone backup
With Europeans using cellphones more than a conventional landline these days (and in our mobile global culture, it makes sense), what happens if your phone dies, gets stolen, trashed or merely lost? Concept designer Priestman Goode noticed a need and sought to fill it. Enter POST A PHONE. The idea is that users can order a temporary phone and have it delivered in the mail right away. Made out of recycled cardboard, plastic, and no doubt printable circuits, the phone fits in an A4 envelope and measures a mere 4mm thick. But here’s the weird the part. In a culture where mobility is practically worshiped, the Post A Phone is a conventional landline telephone.
Continue reading » Post A Phone is your Snail mail phone backup
Anti-stress milk, from Japan of course
Yet another strange product from Japan. This time, it’s a natural product. Milk. However, it’s not normal milk.
It’s taken from cows only once a week, at the break of dawn. This way, the milk is about 4 times richer in natural melatonin than usual. Melatonin is considered to be a strong stress reliever.
The fact that the milk is bottled at no more than 6 hours after the milking also helps it to retain natural properties.
What’s truly stunning about this milk however is its price: $43 for a 900-milliliter bottle. Quite ‘spensive, isn’t it?
The original press release is right after the break.
Continue reading » Anti-stress milk, from Japan of course
