Gizmodo: popular mechanics

ASCII Art, Since 1948

John Mahoney — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:10:00 EST

Before there were ASCII portraits of Dwight [PDF], there was this: "Keyboard Art," from Popular Mechanics, October 1948.

Browse the PopSci and PopMech Archives On Google Books' New Magazine Search

John Mahoney — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:50:00 EST

Google has added the complete archives of several magazines, including Popular Science (est. 1872) and Popular Mechanics (est. 1905), to its books search—complete with advertisements and illustrations. It's awesome.

There really is nothing quite like geeking out on the past's vision of the future, and PopSci and PopMech are among the best for that, from the fantastic covers to the equally fantastic cigarette ads. Google's growing magazine collection also features New York Magazine, Ebony, the Bulletin of Atomic Sciences and more. Each page has its own URL, so it's a blogger's paradise. Say goodbye to doing work for the rest of the afternoon. [Official Google Blog]

Dealzmodo: One Year of Popular Mechanics for $5

Mark Wilson — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Whenever I fly, I go to the airport newsstand and pick up a few magazines...often in spite of already having a subscription because I'm a poor planner. Popular Mechanics is one of them. Now Hearst is having a $5 sale on one-year subscriptions of many of their magazines, including Pop Mech, along with Esquire, O The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan...OK, I'll cut this list off before it gets any girlier and leave you to stare at the awesome retro cover art. [Hearst via dealnews]

Behind the IMAX in The Dark Knight

Elaine Chow — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EDT

One of the many exciting aspects of The Dark Knight is how the movie incorporated IMAX shots. Friends who watched the film have called the shots absolutely stunning and incredibly immersive; another reason why this is the Best. Movie. Ever. Having yet to see it, I can only sigh wistfully and aggregate information on how it was done. Popular Mechanics has a great write-up of the challenges in shooting with an IMAX camera, including a behind-the-scenes video on how the action came together.

IMAX cameras, which use 70mm film, are much larger and heavier than a traditional 35mm machines. Among the plethora of changes to accommodate IMAX, technicians reinforced gyrostabled remote control camera cranes, crafted sturdier rigs to be mounted on cars, and forced one poor cameraman to actually carry the damn thing on his shoulders in an especially tense S.W.A.T. Team sequence.

When you're done checking the video out, head over to Wired (if you haven't already) for even more information on Christopher Nolan's methods and madness. Helicopters, wrangling with the Chinese government; the making of this movie could be its own movie. [Popular Mechanics]

Popular Mechanics Call Zune 2, Apple TV 'Worst of the Year'

Adam Frucci — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST

Popular Mechanics knows how to get people pissed off. They just released their "Worst of the Year" list, and while much of it is the type of crap that I've never heard of that I'm sure is lousy. it has some stuff on it that quite a few people might actually, you know, like. Such as Apple TV, Zune 2 and Pleo. What were they thinking?

This is sensationalism to the max. Zune 2 is the worst of the year, really? Are sure it's not at the very least second best? This is stuff that might not have lived up to the editors' high expectations, but it's not the "worst" by any stretch of the imagination. There are dozens of crappy, cheap MP3 players that the Zune blows out of the water, and plenty of mediocre "Internet on TV" solutions that Apple TV makes a fool of. As for Pleo, how is it the worst? Compared to what?

In the end, I'm sure the editors of Popular Mechanics don't really think these things are the worst product releases of the year. But hey, controversy gets clicks and sells magazines, right? Just be a little less blatant about it next year, OK? [Popular Mechanics via CrunchGear]

JetPacks You Can Buy Now, Reviewed Head-to-Head

Brian Lam — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:05:08 EDT

Did you know that not one but two JetPacks are for sale right now? Pop Mechanics puts em to the test in the July issue. The Tam Rocket Belt costs $250k, flies for 30 seconds and has a top speed of over 60mph. The JetPack H202 goes 70mph, flies 33 seconds and is a bargain at $155k. Both weigh over 100 pounds, include lessons with the purchase price and are powered by hydrogen peroxide.

Next year, Jet Pack International will release a model with 19 minutes of flight that runs on Jet-A fuel, however.–Brian Lam

Jet Packs Finally On Sale: How to Buy Your Rocket Belt [Pop Mechanics]