Gizmodo: mud

Mud Computer: Even Your Keyboard Isn't This Dirty

Brian Lam — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:58:09 EDT

Tom Gerdhardt's computer is disgusting. I found it by following the squishing noises at NYU's ITP spring show. The entire UI and display is basically a giant pile of wet dirt. That's right. Mud.

By sloshing, squishing, pulling, punching, etc...users control games, simulators, and expressive tools; interacting with a computer in a new, completely organic, way. Born out of a motivation to close the gap between our bodies and the digital world, the Mud Tub frees the traditional computer interaction model of it's rigidity, allowing humans to use their highly developed sense of touch, and creative thinking skills in a more natural way.

I can't for the life of me think of a way that this UI becomes anything other than an interactive mutation of the same sort of fun we'd have as children helping mom in the garden, playing on the beach as the tide rolled in high or sitting in a sandbox a little too soon after a heavy spring rain. And that's ok with me.

Imagine using it to model roughs of buildings, the fender of a new car design or any other number of physical representations previously requiring CAD expertise. No longer. Just fire up a mud UI. And start shopping for hand wipes at costco. [Tom Gerhardt at ITP]

Mud-Powered 'Soil Lamp' Proves Water and Electricity Go Together Well

Erica Ho — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:15:00 EST

This zany lamp created by Marieke Staps outdoes most lamps in more ways than one: the electricity is powered through the organisms contained in the mud. The mud is enclosed in cells that contain copper and zinc, which conducts the electricity in the LED. Besides doing wonders for your energy bill, Staps claims that the only thing the lamp needs is a "splash of water" every now and then. I wouldn't stand too close when you are doing it though, or the end result might be akin to sticking a live hair dryer in your bathwater. [Marieke Staps via MAKE]

Eco-Friendly Mud Clock is Powered By ... Mud

Travis Hudson — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 17:00:05 EST

Don't believe what your mom has been saying all your life—there is always a place for mud in the house, especially in the bedroom (kinky). The Mud Clock is a eco-friendly clock that requires no batteries, just a little dirt and water. Stick the clock powering components in the dirt and voila—the Mud Clock is functional. Toss some seeds in the dirt to grow some maize, or something. $20. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Red Ferret]