Dec 04
Dec 04
How Chopsticks Were Invented
Posted in: Today's Chili
Created roughly 4,000-5,000 years ago in China, the earliest versions of something like chopsticks were used for cooking (they’re perfect for reaching into pots full of hot water or oil) and were most likely made from twigs. While it’s difficult to nail down a firm date, it would seem it wasn’t until around 500-400 AD that they began being used as table utensils.
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Dec 03
You remember that fateful Thanksgiving many years ago, don’t you? The whole family was over and your cousin was playing with your beloved Game Boy—until you heard the crash. Despite being in another room, you instantly recognized the sound. It was your Game Boy falling to its death. Technically, it still worked, but there were all those lines missing on the screen, and as far as you were concerned, your childhood friend was no more. You’ve never been able to express those feelings of loss, either. But now you can finally put them down on paper inside this lovely Game Boy-inspired notebook.
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Dec 03
25 Sao Paulo firefighters were hurt over the weekend as they battled an electrical blaze at the Lati
Posted in: Today's Chili
25 Sao Paulo firefighters were hurt over the weekend as they battled an electrical blaze at the Latin American Memorial, designed by celebrated Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who died last year at 104. The original plans for the building may have been destroyed in the fire. [Images: Andre Penner/AP]
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Dec 03
I love speakers, but I have to say that I’m impressed by some of the acoustic amplifiers that have been made for iPhones and iPads over the years. They certainly do amplify the sound, and it’s always surprising how loud the resulting sound can be. Check out this gramophone acoustic speaker, which will be a perfect contrast to your shiny new iDevice.
The Gramophone for iPhone & iPad is available from Restoration Hardware. You simply set your device into its handcrafted, solid wood base. The iron and brass horn will amplify the volume of your iDevice by three to four times.
Prices vary from $199 to $299 (USD), and you can decide between walnut and dry oak, in sizes that will fit your iPad or iPhone.
[via Uncrate]
Dec 03
Commuters know how bad things can get if they happen to travel on a bus, subway or train to get to and from work. It seems you’re not the only person traveling on a particular line, which makes cramped commutes something all commuters experience on a regular basis. But a new vest is helping riders keep their personal space while they commute. The name of the vest? Spike Away. (more…)
Spike Away Vest Keeps You Safe From Cramped Commutes original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Dec 02
When it comes to business cards, it is all about making an impression. Sometimes that means a flashy card with great graphics. Sometimes it means a clever card that lights up or turns into a pop-up book or something. But nothing leaves a good impression like a tasty treat.
Meat Cards is doing things right. They’re laser-etching your contact information onto strips of beef jerky. Now you can make an impression by feeding their hunger. The cards are edible for up to a year. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach after all.
Even if they eat it, they are bound to remember you.
[via TAXI via Gizmodo via That’s Nerdalicious]
Dec 02
As the old saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” At the rate people are skipping meals these days, I think you can tweak that to, “Three square meals a day keeps the doctor away.” Skipping meals is unhealthy and basically messes with your digestive system. But with people so busy these days, who has the time to cook and eat three (or more) proper meals a day?
Working with that in mind, designer Ranhee Chung came up with the Plate Cooker concept.
It basically looks like a sandwich maker, except it doesn’t have grills on the inside. Instead, it has a plate with compartments to hold meat, soup, and veggies that’s just perfect to hold a balanced meal.
It’s essentially designed as a food heater, so it could individually heat frozen foods that you prepared earlier. A lot of people actually do this, and by this, we mean cook a big batch of good over the weekend and freeze it to be eaten in the succeeding week.
What do you think? Would you use something like this?
[via Yanko Design]
Dec 02
The stuff we see, touch, and use everyday might not, at first thought, seem museum-worthy, but there are fascinating tales hiding within even the most below-average hunks o’ junk out there. Sometimes all it takes is context to elevate the mundane to legendary status.
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Dec 02
I just mentioned the 3D Systems color ProJet 4500 3D printer. The company has also announced another 3D printer today called the ProJet 5500X. This 3D printer doesn’t print in color, but it does print using multiple composite materials. The company says that the ProJet 5500X is able to produce the toughest multi-material parts out […]
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