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art
Papercraft Castle Is More Gorgeous and Intricate Than Most Real Castles
This unbelievable papercraft project, by Japanese art student Wataru Itou, took over 4 years to create and features lights and a moving train. It's probably the most stunning papercraft sculpture we've ever seen. More » -
concepts
All-In-One Card Stamp Wishes You Get Well Happy Christmas Thanks Easter
Fact: 99% of holidays were invented by Hallmark back in 1623, and since then, yearly life has been punctuated by needless festive ceremony. Well here's the stamp They Don't Want You To Know About. More » -
printing
Every Sheet of Paper Has a Unique 'Fingerprint'
What you see here is an 8.5x11 piece of paper scanned by an ordinary scanner (with the contrast bumped up). From shots like this one, researchers claim they can "fingerprint" any piece of paper. More » -
Fixing stupidity
Cheap User Interface Hack Finally Solves TV Remotes Stupidity
I love the ingenuity of this solution to one of the biggest cancers of modern technology: A/V remotes' complexity. And with "complexity" I mean "stupidity." My mom loves it. [Designing Interactions via Dark Roasted Blend] -
Shipping Hall of Shame
Best Buy Mails Tiny Photo Paper in Massive Box
How much packaging is necessary to ship a small package of 4"x6" photo paper, Best Buy? More » -
epaper
Finally, E-Paper That Challenges a Real Paper
Next Monday, we'll probably see a new Kindle. But you know what? It won't feature a 24-inch screen that's ready to out-paper a newspaper. More » -
art
Web Design Sketchbook Beckons Web 3.0: Back to Nature Edition
While most web design takes place on computers, innovators are using a watershed material to imagine websites—paper. More » -
architecture
$5,000 Paper House is the World's Swankiest Hobo Pad
Swiss company The Wall AG has a perfect solution for third-world shanty towns, semi-permanent refugee camps and approximately 7.2% of adult Americans: paper houses! More » -
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paper bottle
Eco-Friendly 360 Paper Bottle Concept Makes Tetra Paks Look So '60s
I tend to avoid bottled water—my tap-water's fine and way cheaper—but since millions don't think the same, this concept from designers Brand Image would be a way to reduce the eco-impact of all those nasty plastic bottles. The 360 is a paper bottle, molded from 100% recyclable, food-safe paper, and its simplicity makes even the venerable cardboard Tetra Pak drinks carton look outdated. These things are almost "printed-out," they stack, are re-sealable, and look fab. These ought to be real, and when they are I hope they get the texture of the "lip" right: you don't want fuzzy cardboardiness there. [Core77] -
2001
HAL 9000 Papercraft Will, At Some Point, Cut You
We know. He certainly looks cute and harmless. But sooner or later, the HAL 9000 (freely printable papercraft version) could get a small, unintentional dent in the side. "I'll just toss him in the shredder for another," you say out of earshot from the harmless little paper computer. Or so you thought... [Mr. Hal 9000 via Botropolis] -
books
The Digital Book: Paper's Last Hurrah
While Sony Readers and Amazon Kindles take to the scene, one paper lover, in celebration of the Blood on Paper exhibition (something we've never heard of but have a pretty good idea what it's about), released this USB copy of The New Machiavelli. Photographed page by page, those who think its contents might resemble Google Book Search would be dreadfully wrong: More » -
shredder
Paper Shredder Reinvented In Sculpture-Like Paper2Dust Concept
Paper shredders are usually simple and utilitarian-designed boring boxes, which may be why Bluelarix Designworks went to town on this reimagining of the machine. Paper2Dust is bizarrely sculptural, and works by having a "fast turning cord" spinning inside the top that literally rips the paper you slide into it into dust. The glass lid of the machine lets you see how pulped the paper's getting—when you're satisfied you simply release the power button, and the dustified paper slips down into the machine's leg. There's the usual safety features of course, but if it ever made it into a real product I think its selling power would be the therapeutic value of seeing hated paperwork being vaporized. [Yanko Design] -
3d printers
Mcor Matrix 3D Printer Replicates Objects on the Cheap With Simple Paper and Glue
3D printers are awesome. Feed them a computer model, and out comes a real object—often with complexity that is impossible to conjure into reality via any other means. Still blows my mind nearly every time I see one in action. Especially cool, then, is the Mcor Matrix, a 3D Printer that aims to keep cost of ownership at a minimum by using as its elementals regular office paper and a common water-based glue. This hand model, for instance, was produced for only €3.70 ($4.73). More » -
netflix
Netflix Origami Folds Out the Trash
Even with Netflix's reusable mailers, the little torn-off panels begin to add up. Of course, you could just throw these away. Or if you're a bit more pretentious about it, you could recycle them and tell the whole block what a fantastic recycler you are—after all, some people just throw these things away. Or, if you're really great—and by "great" I mean freaky-obsessive compulsive—you'll fold these scraps into origami. Full instructions await those who are finished tweezing microscopic shreds of red paper from their rug while patting their heads and singing The Wheels on the Bus. [NetFlix Origami] -
paper chips
Slim Chips: A Zero Calorie Snack Made From Tasty Paper
Like the infamous Canburger before it, this snack food seems totally unnatural. I mean, chips made from "edible" paper? The creators claim that it is a zero calorie alternative to regular chips that offers a dining experience akin to "eating tasty air." First of all, what kind of paper is it? Rice paper has calories, so that should be ruled out. Does A4 have calories? Did anyone bust out a calorimeter? Will eating this stuff result in death or Olestra-esque "anal leakage?" All good questions, but it probably won't matter unless Slim Chips actually make it to the grocery store. [Slim Chips via Book of Joe via Boing Boing Gadgets] -
Kindle Review
Review Addendum: Using Amazon Kindle on Vacation
Although Wilson tested the Kindle in bed, on the toilet, I had the chance to use it on vacation and found myself reading a great deal more than I usually do. Unlike regular books, which cause me to fall asleep pretty readily after less than 50 pages, I'd finish about 300 pages in a stretch, with no eyestrain in dark rooms or in the sun. I suppose it felt a lot more like reading on a computer or handheld. Bezos set out to build something better to read than a book, and by vacationing standards, I think he's easily met that goal on his first try. That's my quirky experience, at least, being the type of person who hates stockpiling physical media of any sort. Of course, I found lots of other things I liked and disliked about specific to using a Kindle on vacation. More » -
papercraft
Hit Coworkers From Afar and Burn the Evidence With DIY Paper Rocket Kit
USB rocket launchers are expensive and overrated, in my opinion. I say give me Luddite papercraft rocket launchers or give me death. So you'll excuse me when I say I downloaded the template for this DIY paper rocket launcher [PDF] from German design site Paper Puzzle Parade and made a small army this morning. The site says if you do "good work" the rocket should reach heights of about 15 feet! I sense a Cold War with my USB-armed office brethren brewing. [Paper Puzzle Parade via MAKE] -
television
Brendan Koerner Teaches Stephen Colbert About CFLs and the Environment
Friend of Giz and contributing editor Brendan I. Koerner was on the Colbert Report last night to school Stephen on ways to save the environment. Koerner discussed the paper/plastic debate, using air conditioning vs. windows, and whether it's cheaper to buy CFLs or regular bulbs. Colbert let the green-concious Koerner off pretty easy, but he did manage to raise a fascinating point: If CFLs weren't meant to be licked, why do they look so damn delicious? [The Colbert Report, Brendan Koerner] -
retromodo
Rockport Paper House Is Most Ambitious Papercraft Ever
Back in 1922, a mechanical engineer began building his summer home in Rockport, Massachusetts, out of paper. Originally used just as insulation, Elis Stenman soon began to make furniture and decorations out of paper as well. What resulted was Rockport's Paper House, which is remarkably still standing after 80 years. Stenman's grandniece is now in charge of the house, which was turned into a museum in the 1930s. More » -
transistors
Scientists Make First Paper-Based Transistor
A team at Universidade Nova de Lisboa in Portugal have produced the world's first field-effect transistor based on paper. The paper layer acts as an "interstrate", with the actual FET components being fabricated onto both sides: so the paper holds the transistor together and acts as an insulator. Amazingly in tests the paper transistor performed better than amorphous silicon transistors and even approaches the performance of state-of-the-art oxide thin-film transistors. Why is this interesting news? Mainly since paper is a lower-cost substrate than silicon, so this invention opens the way for cheap, or even disposable, paper displays, smart labels, RFID technology... basically expect more ubiquitous technology integration in future products. [Physorg] -
ipod touch
Moleskine Sketchbook Turned into iPod touch Case/Reader
Wired's Man in Barcelona, Charlie Sorrel, has made a rather wonderful e-book reader using his iPod Touch and a Moleskine sketchbook. The version you see here is Mark One, and he's already working on Mark Two, as the flap he created after the touch kept falling out of the notebook isn't really practical enough. Sorrel claims he did this to look cool and hip in Barna's bars and cafes and thus get the girls, so I'm looking forward to the follow-up post detailing his successes and failures. How-to video is below. More » -
papercraft
DIY Papercraft Steve Jobs: Enact Your "One more thing..." Fantasy
Courtesy of Joe Chiang you too can have a tiny printout-paper Steve on your desk in a matter of minutes, ready to act out this afternoon's action— just swap out the picture of the iPhone for your fantasy iPhone 2. Check out Joe's other creations too, from Mario to R2-D2. [Toy-a-Day via Technabob] -
smartpens
Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Here
Hey, we just got one of those Livescribe Pulse Smartpens. You remember these, right? The Pulse is one of my favorite gadgets from the past year, because it'll do basic computing like math and translation via a paper UI. But more importantly for a reporter or student, or anyone who takes notes, it'll record voice notes that you can play back by clicking on the text you wrote at that moment. Pretty insane. More to come in a bit. -
gadgets
Paper E-Mail Revolutionizes Meatspace Communication
Do you want to prove to your office mates that you've got an acerbic wit and great sense of irony? This Paper E-Mail isn't the way to do it. Sure, it's clever to write notes to Bob that look like emails (cc: your mom!), but is it really clever? Is it $3.99 clever? Perhaps. Is it $3.99 plus shipping clever? Perhaps not. Either way, you only get 50 chances per pack to impress. [ThinkGeek via Tech Digest] -
paper trail
Pencil-Pushing Census Bureau Dumps Portable Tech for Pencils
To our friends at Treehugger, please look away as we report that the Census Bureau is ditching plans to go digital and will return to its sinful pencil-pushing, paper-crazy roots. Originally, the Bureau planned for workers to use 500,000 wireless handheld devices from Harris Corp. as a replacement for the paperwork used to collect information from Americans who do not respond to the census. The $1.3 billion program looked great on, well, paper, but was ultimately derailed by hardware issues and incompetence. More » -
paper arcade
Flatpack Cardboard Mini Arcade Pimps Your PSP Into Something Awesome
Just like its cousin, the flatpack boombox, the cardboard mini game for PSP comes in a pack of two, complete with authentic graffiti and mall-rat detritus. Cost is $12.49. [Suck UK via Perpetual Kid via ALBOTAS] -
gadgets
Paper e-Ink Scale Design Looks Great on Paper, Might Not Be Practical
This e-paper bathroom scale idea from Duck Image Studio seems like a fantastic idea at first. It's e-ink, so it's thin, which means you can embed it into bath mats or floor tiles or maybe even into your shower. Imagine being able to see how much you weigh every time you bathed, or brushed your teeth, or took a leak (men only). You'd develop body image issues in record time. [Yanko Design] -
apple
A MacBook Air Parody that Goes One Better than Wafer-Thin
Gadget Lab's Rob Beschizza has made himself a little piss-take of the MacBook Air. Curved corners—that's an Ives-esque attention to detail you've got there—and a killer punchline. This one goes out to all the secret Luddites who read the Giz. [YouTube via Wired] -
toys
Electric Paper Plane Launcher; Stocking Filler For the One You Love
Let us assume you have a girlfriend; what would you get her for Christmas? Imaginary problem solved; enter the Electric Paper Plane Launcher Educational Aid. The kit contains all the materials to construct a launch pad for paper planes, which will allow them to travel at speeds of 50km/h. Fifty freaking km/h! More » -
diy
Circuits Made of Paper, Printed By You
There's very little that's practical about these paper circuits. Oh, except that they can be printed out as a template and glued directly to a cardboard base. From there, builders can trace markings with wire and the circuit practically builds itself (the link here has some cool music boards for the aspiring eletroneers among you to try out). But in terms of building a personal Batcomputer out of nothing more than processed trees...you might want to invest in technologies that won't go up in flames when the Penguin ashes his cigarette. [PCBs via MAKE] -
design
Recycling Paper Shredder Design Concept
This paper shredder design by Hong-Li Zhuo Roy may look like a regular shredder at first, but it's actually supposed to be "Green". We're not sure how the innards are supposed to work, but it takes your crappy credit card applications and transforms them into Post-It Notes. Quite cool if they can actually pull it off, but until then we'll just keep on feeding our shredded papers to our neighbor's dog after we lace it with Rohypnol. [Yanko Design] -
origami for sailors
Giant Paper Boat Made from Tetrabriks, Allows Real Sailors on Board
Artist Frank Boelter has constructed a 9-metre paper boat from the stuff used to make Tetrabrik packs and is sailing it up the Elbe. The 37-year old artist came up with the idea one breakfast time, while he was sitting at his kitchen table fiddling with an empty milk carton, which he cut up and made into a scaled-down model. See how they built it after the jump. More » -
breakthroughs
Paper-Thin, Flexible Batteries Developed
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MIT have developed a battery that uses carbon nanotubes and paper to make a flexible battery that can be cut by scissor and could eventually be printed. The energy density is fair, at about 110mAh/gram, and small prototypes are powerful enough to power small fans. But the flexibility is still the main selling point. Which means these won't make portable CE devices that use molding lithium polymer batteries, like iPods, any smaller. [Ars] -
old skool card
Flatpack Boombox MP3 Dock - Hand Not Included
Nothing to do with Ikea, this boombox iPod dock is made out of paper and comes in a flatpack. Once assembled, its speakers pump out, with the aid of two AA batteries, all the Kurtis Blow and Sugarhill Gang' you ever wanted to hear. More » -
pen and paper
SketchPet Mini Notebook
The SketchPet is an interesting notebook design from MaginWulf that is small enough to put on a keyring or keep in a pocket. If you like to leave the digital behind every now and then to record ideas and notes on paper, then maybe this is for you. They can include up to 150 pages, and the website shows pictures of diaries as well as notebooks. Of course, if you can fit a day of social life on a page this small, then you need to get out more. [Yanko Design] -
professional rps
The Rock Paper Scissors Gadget
Incapable of making a fist, an open palm or a peace sign? Try this electronic Rock Paper Scissors gadget. For $8.89, you get two so you play RPS with a buddy with minimal (and we mean minimal) effort. More » -
music sheets
New Digital Paper Knows How to Play Sounds
Researchers in Sweden have come up with a new kind of paper that's able to play sounds. More » -
breaking
LiveScribe Smartpen Links Your Scribbles with Audio Notes
Remember the Leapfrog Fly Pentop? The educational toy that can answer math problems and translate words you write on the special dotted paper? This LiveScribe is the grown-up version, and I believe it's going to sell like hotcakes. In a nutshell, the most critically cool thing it can do is link audio recordings you make as you jot written notes to the actual text you're writing. And it can later all be indexed on a PC, and played back on the computer. Or by clicking on the notepad. Completely useful for students, journalists, lawyers—anyone who takes a lot of notes. And it works. More » -
hamster-tech
Hamster-Powered Paper Shredder Mark II
Tom Ballhatchet, of Hamster Paper Shredder fame, has gone on to develop a better model. The cage's top and bottom are now matching in lipstick red, and there are slots for depositing food and water next to the paper slot. Gearing is internal, which makes us wonder about Hammy's safety, but if you look carefully and think about it, the lil guy won't get chewed up in the gears if he's running in the wheel. More »







































