This device came to fruition because of EUREKA, an EU research agency that brought together Merck, a power player in the chemicals industry, AkzoNobel, one of the world's biggest paint producers, and BYK-Gardner, a firm that makes quality control equipment. Together, they were able to produce the BYK-mac, which has a database of more than 100,000 colors to work with.

The device has a spectrometer that not only analyzes color, but also can pick apart the texture of any paint. Texture is referred to as paint components that affect the appearance, but not necessarily the color—most of the time these are the glittery or sparkle effects in the paint, which can change the appearance of a paint job depending on what angle you view it at. All these colors and textures in the database of the BYK-mac have mathematical values attached to them, and fiddles around with all these different colors until it can match what it reads in the spectrometer perfectly.

The Economist also writes that paint matching is much more difficult these days because the complexity of how car paint is made and how it's applied has increased significantly. Even using a stock paint, applying paint in the wrong direction can make it look mismatched. In any case, there's no mention of when this will leak into the public sector, but seeing as they have a working prototype, I'd assume we'd see it sooner rather than later. [The Economist]

The project is still in the proposal stage, as the university is still entertaining bids, and they expect the project to take up to 15 years to complete. And speaking of residents, while he may not be one of the brightest, I'd like to endorse Jack Carter for town sheriff. [Courier Mail via Slashdot]

Congratulations to Jordan Brough, winner of a brand new iPhone. His invention was the Tongue Jacket that lets anything you eat taste like anything else. Not only does he have a cool idea, it's very Eureka-like as well. Oh, and he did a great job with the art too. We'll forgive him for not having a nasal attachment, since a big part of taste is determined by smell.

Our honorable mention goes to Vic Soto with the iRing. Vic's professional renders (that's what he does for a living!) really convinced us that we need an iRing.

Thanks again to everyone who entered! And also, thanks again to Eureka, A Sci Fi Channel Original Series. Make sure to catch the second episode of the series tonight, at 9/8C.

Thanks again to Eureka, A Sci Fi Channel Original Series. Make sure to catch the second episode of the series tonight, at 9/8C.

1) Q. Which invention's name dropped an H because Americans are foul-mouthed and mostly illiterate?

A. The Bic pen was originally named after its French Inventor, Marcel Bich. However the company decided to drop the 'H' from the name fearing that the American market might pronounce the name 'Bitch'.

http://www.comedy-zone.net/triviazone/history/page5.htm

2) Q. What was invented when a guy couldn't get to his delicious, delicious ice cream in time?

A. The outboard motor. Ole Evinrude was rowing his boat to an island picnic and watched his ice cream slowly melt before he could get ashore to consume it. During that harrowing journey, his brilliant idea was born.

http://www.tenonline.org/art/usa/9808.html

3) Q. What popular product could you make legally in your bathtub, as the formula has never been patented?

A. Coke. No. Not that coke. Coca-cola. The formula is only shared with a few select people. But if you schnapps one of them up, they just might tell you.

http://www.tenonline.org/art/usa/9808.html

4) Q. Jamie Lee Curtis, famous movie star and children's novelist, is the inventor of what?

A. A diaper with a front pouch that holds moist towelettes. No word yet on whether the diaper simultaneously accommodates both boy and girl parts.

http://www.tenonline.org/art/usa/9810.html

5) Q. What Utah native and aspiring Disney parks employee is the reason millions never got laid in the '80s (and probably still don't today)?

A. Nolan Bushnell, inventor of Pong.

http://www.tenonline.org/art/usa/9901.html

6) Q. Bonnie Tyler and Celine Dion owe Roberto Del Rosario a huge debt of thanks. Why?

A. Because he invented the Sing-Along-System that eventually led to karaoke, bringing these two chanteuses' oeuvres back into the lives of the sad, drunken masses.

http://www.galingpinoy.com/body_trivia.php

7) Q. Why are we thanking Ed Peterson for our weight problems and wrapper-strewn car floors?

A. Because the glorious bastard invented the Egg McMuffin in 1977.

http://www.geocities.com/odiecus/cosasinteresantes/ingles/triviainventions.htm

8) Q. Who was the original scissor sister?

A. Known drag queen Leonardo DaVinci, inventor of everyone's favorite cutting implement.

http://www.geocities.com/odiecus/cosasinteresantes/ingles/triviainventions.htm

9) Q. Why does Gloria Steinem hate May 9th, 1958 more than any other date?

A. Because on that fateful day, Mattel patented Ruth Handler's slightly disproportionate Barbie doll.

http://inventors.about.com/library/bl/cal/blmay.htm

10) Q. What item patented in 1999 allows children (and Richard Gere) to keep their gerbils and hamsters close to them at all times?

A. A vest covered with tubes. Seriously.

http://www.arcamax.com/technology/q-1154

11) Q. We have a lumberjack to thank for what, er, handy invention?

A. Jergens lotion, invented in 1880.

http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/q-triv.html

Questions [Gizmodo]

Contest [Gizmodo]

Contest Questions [Gizmodo]

Contest Questions [Gizmodo]

Contest [Gizmodo]

It's called the DreamStream, and it allows you to choose exactly what dreams you want to have and allow it to be piped into your brain overnight. Live the ultimate life before you have to wake up and toil away at your day job.

Hit the link below to see how you can win your own iPhone.

Contest [Gizmodo]

Contest Questions [Gizmodo]

Contest [Gizmodo]

Mail all answers to contests@gizmodo.com (one big email, not one email per question) with the subject line "Eureka Trivia". Contest ends July 10. Here are the questions:

1. Which invention's name dropped an H because Americans are foul-mouthed and mostly illiterate?

2. What was invented when a guy couldn't get to his delicious, delicious ice cream in time?

3. What popular product could you make legally in your bathtub, as the formula has never been patented?

4. Jamie Lee Curtis, famous movie star and children's novelist, is the inventor of what?

5. What Utah native and aspiring Disney parks employee is the reason millions never got laid in the '80s (and probably still don't today)?

6. Bonnie Tyler and Celine Dion owe Roberto Del Rosario a huge debt of thanks. Why?

7. Why are we thanking Ed Peterson for our weight problems and wrapper-strewn car floors?

8. Who was the original scissor sister?

9. Why does Gloria Steinem hate May 9th, 1958, more than any other date?

10. What item patented in 1999 allows children (and Richard Gere) to keep their gerbils and hamsters close to them at all times?

11. We have a lumberjack to thank for what, er, handy invention?

More details here.

Contest [Gizmodo]

No difficult invention designs this time. We're just doing a trivia contest, and all you have to do is answer the questions correctly and we'll pick from the correct entries. Sit tight, and we'll have a question up soon. Start practicing your look of disgust for your current cable-company-rented DVR. The normal Gawker contest rules apply.

Sponsored by Eureka: "Eureka: A Sci Fi Channel Original Series
An All-New Season Premieres Tuesday July 10 at 9/8C"

We've got another example of a great entry here by Sean Ross for a holographic rear vehicle display. It's got three states, left or right turn, stop and stolen (which is triggered by the car alarm). Like this invention, your entry doesn't have to be practical or "realistic." It just has to be cool and good. Hit the link below to see how to enter.

Contest [Gizmodo]

It's a toilet that can't overflow, which is made out of a regular bowl and an extra pipe that drains the water in case the water level gets too high. Ethan isn't an actual designer, but fanciful inventions that are pretty cool and useful are what we're looking for. He sent in a bunch of other renders as well, but we'll post them when it comes time to vote.

Hit the link below to see how you enter.

Contest [Gizmodo]