Gizmodo: pop

The Beer Can Celebrates 50 Years of Metallic Aftertaste

Mark Wilson — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:40:00 EST

Today is the 50th anniversary of the aluminum beer can, released by Coors in 1959. And while I was prepared to make fun of cans for a few hundred words, they're actually sort of interesting.

Some IMPORTANT historical facts:

• Coors spent two years developing the aluminum can.
• Before aluminum cans, the tin can had been in use since the 1800s. It used lead in the seams.
• Tin can beer tasted even worse than canned beer now, as the cans were not easily pre-cleaned, thereby requiring the beer be pasteurized.
• Aluminum cans were the first cans to be feasibly recycled while also lowering shipping costs.
• Coors Light, available in cans, is the preferred beer of resident foodie Wilson Rothman. On his Facebook page alone, he has a collection of eight identical Coors Light gifts.

Happy Birthday, aluminum can. I raise my glass and/or bottle to you. [Rocky Mountain News via Consumerist]

Sony/Universal's 'PoP' Machine Sells Blu-rays and PS3 Games, Not Delicious Grape Soda

Mark Wilson — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:45:00 EST

You know what sounds really good right now? An artificially flavored fruit soda. But since we don't have one, we'll settle for the Sony and Universal joint venture called PoP. It's an "entertainment vending machine" that uses a touchscreen interface to sell and dispense Blu-rays, PS3 Games, DVDs, CDs, and movie/music downloads for the various PMPs. Arriving in your favorite public spaces soon, the systems promise to launch with 150 movie titles and even run occasional sales. So who knows, they could actually be worth using. Hit up the link for a video of the interface. [Stuff Clip and Story via Kotaku]

Mugen Pop Pop Infinite Bubble Wrap Toy Hits the US

Jason Chen — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:30:00 EDT

The previously Japan only Mugen Puchi Puchi bubble wrap toy is now available in the US for $5.99. It's available in four colors: cold sore pink, pea soup green, dying of exposure blue and cadaver grey. It's fun, yes, but the sound effect unfortunately doesn't sound all that much like the *POP* of a real bubble wrap bubble and more of like a generic sound effect speaker noise from a handheld game you played in 1985. You do get a fart, barking dog or door chime sound every 100 pops, which is worth something, I think. It comes in keychain form so as to prevent your keys from flying away, Mary Poppins style. Available at Toys R' Us, Wal-Mart and Target. [Toys R Us]

Cellphone Popcorn Video Is Viral Marketing For Bluetooth Headset

Jason Chen — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EDT

You've probably seen the video above where people put cellphones around popcorn kernels and pop them by making a call. Turns out that it's a slightly disingenuous video by Cardo, a Blutooth headset manufacturer, in order to scare people into thinking that cellphones have that much radiation and they really need a headset. The viral video sure did raise awareness for the brand, but there are better ways of selling your products than to try and scare your customers into thinking they need it. [Cardo]