Gizmodo: mask

The Comfort Respirator

Jason Chen — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:30:00 EDT

This respirator mask design by Elijah Stillson is meant to have comfort AND function, ensuring that when a biological attack does hit, you won't even notice that you're wearing a mask. You will notice the dead bodies, however. [Yanko Design]

This Is How Darth Vader's Mask Looks Inside

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Here's the (probably) most famous mask in the world from the inside, which you can barely see in the movies. Lord Darth Vader's mask is supposed to help him breathe, but what do all those other little electronic parts do?

Monitor his state? Give him physical feedback about his environment? Amplify his powers? Pick his nose? Facial massages? Shave him? I think I'm going with scratching his face when it gets itchy. It makes perfect sense. [Walyou]

Dreaming in Pixels

John Mahoney — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:20:00 EDT

Or digital electric sheep. Both possible with this 8-bit slumber mask, $22 shipped from Thailand. [Studiobo via Unplggd]

Liquid Image Scuba Series HD320 Diving Video Mask Is Dumbtastic

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:20:00 EST

When I go on my diving vacation at the end of this month, I won't be bringing this video mask. Why anyone would like to attach dumb headlights to vital diving gear is beyond me.

While Liquid Image Scuba Series HD320 is a huge jump over their previous toy-mask—reaching 115 feet and capable of capturing 720p video and 5 megapixel photos—didn't anyone tell these people that one of the first rules of scuba diving is not to have objects protruding out of your personal space beyond your tank and BCD?

Apparently not. Even if the lamps get off easily in case your mask gets stuck in the coral or some underwater plant, it still looks dangerous and complicated. You can use it without lamps, but then you won't be able to use its features to its full potential. Light and color quickly disappear when you go down. In addition to that, in terms of function you will be limited to the movements of your head as far as angles go.

In other words, if you are serious about getting good video or photographs underwater, forget about gimmicks like this and get external equipment. It will be more flexible and safe. [CES Show]

DIY Sleeping Mask Puts You In Control of Your Dreams

Benny Goldman — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:50:00 EDT

There's a Lucid Dream Machine sleeping mask on Instructables that pulses LEDs in your eyelids four hours after you fall asleep, waking you up just enough to notice your dreams and control their outcomes. The mask requires a fair bit of soldering and programming experience, so it isn't for DIY luddites like me. Which is good, because my sleep is too precious and my dreams are too weird to want one of these anyway. [Instructables via Make]

Emotion Mask Brings Kekekekeke To Life

Jason Chen — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EDT

This "Mask of Emotion" was made at the Hongik University in Korea, which explains why their emoticons are very Asian, as opposed to the more :'( style us westerners use. It's supposed to be hide your personal emotion while displaying whatever one you choose, which is limited to happy, kinda happy, very happy, sad, another kind of sad, and angry. Don't expect to see anyone wearing this on the street unless you're roaming the streets of Hongik University. [Mask of Emotion via Make]

Japanese Nose Mask Pit Saves You From Allergies, Talking Normally

Jason Chen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Are your allergies so severe that a Claritin has no effect? The Japanese have a solution, and it involves shoving round pieces of plastic up your nose to block out allergens. It may seem unorthodox, but as the lady at the clinic keeps telling me, prevention is much more effective than cures. We'll stick to pills, thanks. [Impress via DVICE]

The Dalek Voice Changing Helmet Will Exterminate Your Love Life

Sean Fallon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The popularity of the hideous Dalek Sec Hybrid Mask last year proved once again that Dr. Who fans are a loyal bunch. Soon, these fans will be able to strike fear/laughter in the hearts of their enemies once again by donning this dapper Dalek voice changing helmet. Naturally, you will be able to run around yelling "EXTERMINATE" with the classic cold, robotic tone—but you will also be able to play back recorded Dalek phrases or activate the exterminator sound. But before you get too excited, check out the image after the break to see how un-cool you will look wearing it.

Available for pre-order now. Ships in May for $74.99. [Big Bad Toy Store and Toyology]

Iron Man Toys: Guns and Action Figures...Made of Plastic

Brian Lam — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:13:23 EDT

Die cast metal. That was a stamp of approval all premium toys in the 80s received. But not now. And if there is a modern set of toys that deserves to be metal, its the official line of Hasbro made IRON Man toys: an action figure, nerf machine gun and mask/repulsor glove combo. He's not called Plastic Man for a reason, you dolts! Was metal cheaper then? Were there one too many cases of schoolyard bludgeoning with imported Voltron? I don't know and I'm too lazy to look it up, but in any case, these plastic Iron Man toys, which at first disgusted me, actually came out all right. Begrudgingly, I will agree that plastics are the future.

Action Figure

The first toy is the action figure. Yes, it's plastic, but it stands about a foot tall and the glossy paint'll have you fooled for a second. Powered by a triad of AAA batteries, the Iron Man has a LED repulsor in one hand that triggers when you articulate the shoulder joint upward, or fire the plastic missile blaster in the right palm. Either act is accompanied by noise. There is a heel switch which when lifted off of, triggers flying noises that do not stop until you put the suit's foot down. Can head's eyes do not glow, but his chest plate does when you press it, and a synthesized voice (not even Downy Junior's in disguise) repeats a few haughty phrases more like a Decepticon and less like the charming drunk billionaire inside: "I am IRon MAan!", "REpulSOR Blasts ", "Target Enga-ged!" Unfortunate. I would have liked for him to quip about needing to refill the suit's martini maker.

Kid sized Mask and Repulsor Gauntlet

The mask fits adults. I tried it. But unlike the incredible Optimus Prime voice changing helmet, this one is dead. No lights, no speakers, no mics. Just an elastic band and a disclaimer reading "CAUTION This is not a protective device." There isn't even any plastic over the eye slits. And that's probably best because this thing gets steamy.

Accompanying the mask is a gauntlet that fires six plastic discs (think casino chips), sequentially, using a spring loaded mechanism. It is totally fucking lame. Because each disc flies in a four-foot arc that can best be described as limp. Even more stupid, they engineered a safety that stops the gun from being fired when off wrist. It's a weak gesture at safety because it's so easy to overstep, and goddamn it, if kids want to shoot their eyes out with this thing, it's their American right. Plus, again, there is no way this underpowered toy will ever hurt anyone. Nor will it entertain.

Stark Industries N.R.F 425 Blaster: Nerf Repulsor Machine Gun
Here's a good one. This nerf-designed gun has a magazine for 10 darts, which it can dispense up to 30 feet at an alarming pace. It's all air powered, with the clip being driven up by spring in between shots. It fires one at a time, but to empty the clip in one rapid evacuation, you fill the air chamber with 20 pumps and hold down your itchy finger. The entire thing blows its load in less than five seconds. Very satisfying, and included is a easy wall mountable set of targets that feel a bit like shrinky dinks.

Sippy Mask Turns You Into an Alien From Mos Eisley Cantina

matt buchanan — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:30:27 EST

In the light, this sippy mask by Jennifer Maestre gives me Darkman vibes, like there's some horrible disfigurement underneath. But, under a black light, the whole thing glows, including the little drinkie tube, so I could definitely see more of a Star Wars chillin' at the cantina type of look, especially with some more "in a galaxy far, far away" duds. Practical purpose? What? So, what sci-fi/movie aesthetic do you see? [MAKE]

Liquid Image Camera-Mask Lets You Shoot Video, Take Pics Underwater

AddyDugdale — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:58:09 EST

Although only waterproof to 15 feet, and therefore not exactly serious underwater snapper gear, this Liquid Image digital camera-mask is not a bad idea for kids or snorkelers as it lets you take hands-free images of the Big Blue. Full details will be released at CES next month, but we've got a bit more info after the jump.

Available in 3.1-Megapixel and 5-Megapixel models, you shoot your subject by lining it up in the crosshairs on the mask. LED lights on the glass indicate whether you're in video or stills mode. A USB port allows you to download from its 16MB internal memory, and there's an SD card slot allowing you to bump that up so you can shoot your swimming-pool version of Jaws. Price of the Liquid Image Camera-Mask hasn't been finalized yet, but we think that the smaller version will cost $99. [Liquid Image via Krunker]

Kiss Mask Makes Smooching Mandatory

Jason Chen — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:00:22 EDT

We're not sure what this art project from 1999 is designed to say, but it's a kissing mask that locks two girls into kissing mode when worn. During the exhibition, there was a microphone sewn into the connecting tube that recorded the "conversation, breathing and kissing that occurs inside," which was then burned onto CD as some kinda voyeuristic soundtrack. Weird, yet arousing. [JillMagid via Fleshbot]