Duracell's compact USB car charger transforms your cigarette lighter socket into a charging station for smartphones, iPods, navigation devices, and more. The pocket-sized adapter features a blue-glowing port for easy visibility in the dark and works with any USB-compatible device.
Twisted Ties reimagine the classic necktie with a clever reversible design—business-appropriate stripes or solids on one side, wild party patterns on the flip. Made from 100% polyester, these $22 accessories transition seamlessly from boardroom to bar without anyone knowing what's hiding on the other side.
Located between Berlin and Warsaw, Blow Up Hall 50 50 is a themed luxury hotel where guests become part of a digital art installation. Rooms select you based on your spirit animal, determined by color and image choices. Your iPhone room key unlocks a stay starting at €316 per night.
The FreeLoader Portable Solar Charger harnesses solar energy to power any USB device—phones for 44 hours, PSPs for 2.5 hours, PDAs for 22 hours. Its rugged aluminum body handles outdoor bumps, and it holds charge for three months without sunlight.
This modular putting rug offers golfers an affordable indoor practice solution. Eight square tiles arrange into three different course configurations, from Par 3 to Par 5. At $139.99, it's a portable alternative to expensive permanent putting greens that works in any room.
The Wave is a sculptural hammock-parasol hybrid mounted on a single steel leg that appears to float. Its perforated fabric roof blocks 85% of sun while the hammock cradles up to two people. Built by Royal Botania with weather-resistant construction, it sells for $23,439.
Water-powered devices are emerging as green alternatives to solar gadgets. This roundup explores hydroelectric innovations including a water-powered jet pack that soars 50 feet high, a lemon-juice clock, and Japanese NoPoPo batteries that run on almost any liquid.
Bring medieval siege warfare to your cubicle with these wooden catapult and trebuchet build kits. Assemble your weapon with pliers and glue, then launch paper wads and rubber balls at unsuspecting coworkers. The catapult offers accuracy for close targets while the trebuchet achieves impressive distance.
The Apache Pocket Pistol was a bizarre 19th-century gangster weapon that folded to under two inches. It combined brass knuckles, a bayonet blade, and a pinfire revolver in one ultra-compact package—though its aim was terrible and finger holes too small for modern hands.
This futuristic Bluetooth laser keyboard projects a full-sized keypad onto any flat surface using red laser beams. The matchbox-sized device offers 120 hours of continuous typing, works with any Bluetooth-enabled device, and lets you type at normal speeds without lugging around a bulky keyboard.
The Guitar Hanger solves the age-old problem of guitar storage with an ingenious coat-hanger design. It keeps electric and acoustic guitars organized on any sturdy rod, maximizing space better than floor stands while keeping instruments within easy reach and safe from accidents.
Wave Sport's Project 54 CX pushes kayak design to its limits with a feather-light 20-pound carbon-kevlar body. This limited-edition freestyle playboat promises effortless paddling and nimble maneuvering through rapids. Only 50 units available at $2,500 each for serious whitewater adventurers.
Echo Bot is a tripod alien desk companion that sticks to any surface and repeats your 10-second recorded message to anyone passing within three feet. With suction-cup feet and motion detection, this quirky English-speaking robot turns memo-taking into entertainment—or the perfect office prank tool.
This Rubik's Cube salt and pepper mill set brings retro puzzle style to your table. While you can't solve them like real cubes, the tops twist to grind salt and pepper. Perfect for game lovers, kitchen collectors, or anyone who enjoys quirky functional decor.
The Strap turns bicycle-style straps into clever wall storage. Stretch them tight across any wall and slip items between the bands—toys, kitchen tools, shoes, whatever fits. Available in four colors, or DIY your own with large rubber bands for even less.
The USB Doomsday Device transforms mundane port expansion into Cold War theater. This square hub features authentic-looking dual switches, a key lock, and a shielded button that must all be activated before your devices connect. Four USB 2.0 ports hide behind the apocalyptic interface, perfect for geeks who want their desk setup to double as performance art.
This magnetic business card holder transforms a boring desk necessity into desktop entertainment. Twelve magnetic figures and poles let you stage tiny jousting battles, build sculptures, or practice your stacking skills—all while keeping your business cards handy and organized.
Artist Aaron Foster transforms decades-old license plates into stunning US maps, hand-carving each state's shape and mounting them on cedar backboards. Each 62×40-inch installation features unique color combinations from 50s-70s plates, making every piece completely one-of-a-kind. At $3,900, these handcrafted maps turn any blank wall into a conversation-starting centerpiece.
Build your own army of six-legged robot crabs with the KicCrab Walker kit. Each programmable bot runs on a KicChip processor you can code in BASIC or simple Flowchart language. The $79.95 kit includes servos, LEDs, circuit board, battery, and all body parts for assembly.
In April 2012, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines will commemorate the Titanic's centennial with the Balmoral Cruise, retracing the ill-fated ship's exact route. The 12-night voyage carries 1,309 passengers from Southampton to New York, with memorial services held at the sinking site at the exact times the tragedy unfolded.
Datamancer crafted this stunning Art Deco keyboard for Cinema 16:9, a themed movie theater. The custom piece combines 1930s elegance with modern typing function, featuring a black acrylic faceplate, wood and chrome frame, and vintage typewriter aesthetics that work as beautifully as any standard keyboard.
The Readius was an innovative ebook reader prototype with a roll-out display that expanded from pocket-size to five inches. Developed by Polymer Vision with E Ink technology and 3.5G connectivity, the device promised to solve the size-versus-portability dilemma but never reached market after funding collapsed.
The Sony TG5V Handycam records up to six hours of video with expandable memory stick storage. Its standout feature is a built-in GPS antenna that maps your footage to locations, perfect for travel videographers who want to pin their clips to an interactive map viewable on PC.
The Mokai Jet-Propelled Kayak combines manual paddling and motorized speed in one compact watercraft. Swap between modes in under a minute using a removable 6hp Honda engine that reaches 15mph. At just 100 lbs dry weight, it fits on a car roof without a trailer.
Pet Airways is the world's first pets-only airline, providing luxury air travel for dogs and cats. Founded by Dan and Alysa Binder, the service features climate-controlled cabins, supervised care, and scheduled potty breaks across major U.S. cities, with tickets starting at $149.
The RoboCup putting aid sits in the golf hole and automatically returns every ball that drops in from up to 14 feet away. Pair it with the optional Caddy Cord accessory and even missed shots roll back to you. Running on four AA batteries good for 15,000 putts, it keeps practice flowing without interruption.
Flogos transform advertising into floating art—shaped foam clouds made from soap and helium that rise thousands of feet and drift up to 30 miles before evaporating. Generated by repurposed snow machines at one Flogo every 15 seconds, they've been used by Disney World, Mercedes Benz, and major sporting events.
