Gizmodo: low tech solutions

Four-Minute Hourglass Shower Timer for Drought-Stricken Georgia Folks, Smelly Hippies

Matt Buchanan — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:10:13 EST

Unlike the rest of the Giz crew (especially Chen), I shower daily. But I'm also currently located at ground zero for god's wrath. Despite the governor's public missive for divine relief, Georgia's still got less moisture than scarecrow, which is really the only reason this four-minute shower timer in hourglass form interests me. It's only three bucks, and I'd probably mostly ignore its silent screaming, but I feel like I might shower just a little bit faster. Every drop counts right? [Envirosax via Green Deals Daily via Crave]

Hippies Using Human Hair to Soak Up Oil Spills

Matt Buchanan — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:00:58 EST

If you've given more than a second glance to your greasy IT guy's matted, oily hair—or just don't wash your own that often, you might pick up that our hair holds onto oil like gas'll hit $100/gallon tomorrow. Gross, yeah, but apparently useful! Some hippies are taking mats made of human hair to mop up oil on SF beaches, which are then packed with oil-eating shrooms that turn the pads into compost for lovely landscaping. See, Exxon helps the environment! [Pop Sci]

Disposable Camera Belt Perfect for Chris Hanson Wannabes

Matt Buchanan — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:20:42 EDT

One of the quirkier DIY projects we've seen, the disposable camera belt is not a disposable belt for your camera, which is what I initially thought. No, it's a disposable camera strapped to a belt. But! That's a lot cooler than most of the "ironic" giant belt buckles assaulting my eyes lately—and hey, it's easily moddable. [Pop Sci]

Bubble Wrap Curtains (Verdict: Ghetto Classy)

Matt Buchanan — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 03:33:11 EDT

If you're looking for a cheap but aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious way to both tantalize your neighbors and keep them from peeping all the goods, we can't think of a better way than bubble wrap curtains. Hell, we even have real curtains and we might put some of these up instead. If we can resist the temptation to pop it all. [Street Use via MAKE]

How You Should Cook Your Hot Dogs Tonight: With Electricity

Matt Buchanan — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:37:31 EDT

Evil Mad Scientist's disclaimer that this little project "just isn't safe" kind of lowballs the danger level involved, since you're basically plugging your hot dog directly into a power outlet.

To be more precise, you alligator clip two forks, which you shove into the hot dog, into a wall socket (or power strip, which would be moderately safer). Wait about two minutes for a snap, crackle and pop—you have yourself a cooked dog, which you can eat or shove LEDs into (pictured).

Definitely recommended if your barbecue gets rained out and you can't shoot any fireworks to spark that annual family trip the emergency room.

Cooking hot dogs via electrocution [Evil Mad Scientist via Neatorama]

Modern Art Nutcracker: Simple and Well, That's About It

Matt Buchanan — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 09:50:48 EDT

The Nusskubus nutcracker, uh, system is a set of beechwood cubes with a a variety of hollows for cracking nuts of myriad sizes. After setting your desired nut in the appropriate spot, smash the other cube into it and you're ready to go. Or you could save $35, be a man and just use your fist.

Wow, we managed to get through three entire sentences talking about a nutcracker without a single innuendo. That's quite the accomplishment on our part, no? – Matt Buchanan

Nusskubus Nutcracker [MoMA Store via Cooking Gadgets]

DIY Ghetto Hovercraft Uses a Leaf Blower and Duct Tape (Naturally)

Matt Buchanan — Sun, 20 May 2007 13:38:05 EDT

If you're looking for something to keep the kids busy on a Saturday morning (and they've already finish mowing the lawn, sweeping the gutters and trimming the hedges) then this leaf blower-powered hovercraft construction project might be a good way to keep them busy so you can watch Saturday morning cartoons in peace.

Just tell them not to dart into traffic since they'll have to use their $2-a-week allowance to pay the hospital bills if they get smacked by a car.– Matt Buchanan

[via Neatorama]

Video: Cash Money Wallet to Hold Your Cash Money

Matt Buchanan — Thu, 17 May 2007 21:15:00 EDT

While you could always show off how hot and heavy your pocket is with a money clip force-fed with Franklins, why not go one step further and make your money-carrying apparatus out of Franklins? The guy in the vid uses dollar bills, but if you're ballin', you don't have time for singles. Or I guess to make a wallet out of hundred dollar bills. But you should. I have it on good authority that Bill Gizates rolls with a Wilson wallet. – Matt Buchanan

[via Geekologie]