The Modern Materialist : safety

60s Mod Safety

Shaun Seneviratne — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:03:00 GMT

When I get a helmet for when I bust the bike out for spring I'm totally getting a scooter helmet. I don't care if that makes me a scooter poser, but they are just too cool. I don't even think I'd take them off when I'm done riding. Borsalino takes the mod, 60s influenced helmet even further with fur, snakeskin leather, and ornate detailing:

I'm not digging the fur so much, but that orange one at the top is so mine.

[Borsalino]

[Via Selectism]

Related: Looking Hot While You Sweat

Make a Bike Lane

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:01:00 GMT

[photo via]

It's a habit of mine to to break traffic code and ride on the opposite side of the street. I'd much rather face the crazy drivers head on than continually look over my shoulder.

And nighttime? Forget about it. It's easier to maneuver between people on a sidewalk than dodging sleepy, drunk drivers!

However, I'd possibly consider riding on the right side of the road at night if they put this into production:

Safety rules!

[Via Gizmodo]

Design Concept: Finger and Pull Out

Shaun Seneviratne — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:45:00 GMT

It's a plug with a hole in it. What did you guys think I was talking about?

If you can't figure it out, here are some simple instructions:

[Via Product Dose via I New Idea]

This USB Device Has a Fingeriffic Secret

Alex Zalben — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:05:00 GMT

Sure this looks like a normal flash drive, but it actually has an awesome secret, and to unlock it, all you need is your fingers:

This is actually a fingerprint activated password protector, which stores your online info, and can only be activated with your finger. Now all I need to do is steal your fingers. I mean, all theives need to do. Cough.

[$50, Amazon]

[Via GeekSugar]

This Bikini Has a Secret

Alex Zalben — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:02:00 GMT

This bikini has a pretty great secret, but you're going to have to look lower to find out what it is.

No, not where you're looking right now. Do you see it? Yup, it's...

...The beads that hold the secret! They change shades of purple, depending on the intensity of the UV rays in the area. Sexy, and safe. Now, if they can only invent a bikinin that does the same thing, except intense UV rays make it see-through...

[$99, Solestrom]

[Via Gadget Miss]

Most Useless Product Ever?

Alex Zalben — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 21:35:00 GMT

Is this the most useless product ever? It buzzes when liquid is about an inch from the top of your glass or mug. So what do you think?

Turns out, if you thought it was uselss, you're a jerk, because it's for the visually impaired. Or, for people who like the sound of things that buzz. See? Now I'M a jerk.

[$13, Independent Living Aids]

[Via Book of Joe]

Good Idea, Bad Idea: Deep Frying Your Hand

Alex Zalben — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Above? A bad idea. Below? A good idea:

I've seen products like this before, but none quite so much like a crocodile's nose.

[$18, Fusion Brands]

[Via Gearfuse]

World's Most Awesome Fire Extinguisher

Alex Zalben — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:02:00 GMT

The above? Boring. The below? Awesome:

I think if this moved out of the concept stage, I would start fires, just so I had an excuse to use it.

[Via Yanko Design]

How Do You Make a Nudist Float?

Alex Zalben — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Scoop of ice cream, scoop of nudist, of course. Or, you could just use this:

The ZAK Nudevest is specifically designed to let nudists, you know, show their junk, without dying of drowning.

This is a problem I never knew existed, but now makes total sense once I think about it.

[$15, Early Adopter]

[Via Thoughts From the Sidelines]

Fight Fires, and Look Good Doing It

Alex Zalben — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Having had two brushes in my life with the life-saving properties of fire safety equipment, I'm a big supporter of that whole "not burning your house down" thing. But what if you want to not burn your house down in style?

Enter the Fire Safety Design kit. With sleek black and white pieces, you'll save your life, and look good doing it, too.

[FireInvent]

[Via TrendHunter]

The Reasons My Smoke Alarm Goes Off...

Steph Auteri — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:30:00 GMT

[$99.99, SmartHome]

My fire alarm frequently goes off for any number of reasons:

I'm grilling shrimp.
I'm baking mini-hot dog weenies.
I'm stir-frying vegetables.
I'm browning the Italian sausage.
The condo is burning down.

Actually, that last item has never happened, but if it does (and even if it doesn't, as the smoke tends to fly whenever I bring out the frying pan), this Onelink smoke detector has my back. With the ability to connect up to 16 detectors within the house, the wireless connectivity ensures that, if one goes off, they all go off (hard to miss that). And, with its voice functionality, it even lets you know where in the house the danger is!

"Kitchen alert! Kitchen alert! Stephanie is frying vegetables! Please evacuate the kitchen!"