SmashingLists

Month: February 2012

  • 10 More Amazing Inventions You Didn't Know Existed

    A well known misquote said that everything that can be invented has been invented. That was uttered more than a hundred years ago, and if it had been true, we wouldn’t be reading this article sitting hundreds or thousands of miles apart in front of a lit up glass screen. Thank God for the spirit of invention and innovation. Even the most skeptical among us sits up to take notice when some breakthrough happens. But the really interested of the lot go out looking for any new cool invention that’s being cooked up. Last time we saw 10 amazing inventions that you didn’t know existed, now we have 10 more of them!

     

    10. Self-Inflating Tires

    self inflating tire

    One of the things that causes us a great deal of annoyance is the sight of a flat tire just as when we have an urgent task at hand, right? Well, its time these worries were brought to an end. Coda Development has already come up with a tire design that is self-inflating. This self-inflating tire, developed in the Czech Republic, takes this out of your hands by inflating automatically through a device called a peristaltic pump which inflates the tire as it turns, keeping it at a constant, safe pressure level. This technology, if adopted widely, will not only make the roads safer, but will have a positive environmental impact by way of savings on fuel (cars with under-inflated tires use more fuel), resulting in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, and an increase in the lifespan of tires. (Link)

     

    9. Invisibility Cloak (Optical Camoflauge)

    The words “invisibility cloak” tends to summon images of fantastic adventure, magical espionage and otherworldly deception. Well Muggles, science has some good news for you: Invisibility cloaks are a reality. Optical camouflage delivers a similar experience to Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak, but using it requires a slightly complicated arrangement. Optical camouflage doesn’t work by way of magic. It works by taking advantage of something called augmented-reality technology — a type of technology first pioneered in the 1960s by Ivan Sutherland and his students at Harvard University and the University of Utah. The invisibility cloak is still in its infancy and real-world applications are still being tested. Invisibility allows light to bend around an object. Once this technology becomes more advanced, scientists believe that it can be used for many safety measures, including eliminating blind spots in cars and planes to prevent accidents. (Link)

     

    8. Bionics

    Bionics is a term which refers to flow of ideas from biology to engineering and vice versa. Hence, there are two slightly different points of view regarding the meaning of the word. In medicine, Bionics means the replacement or enhancement of organs or other body parts by mechanical versions. Bionic implants differ from mere prostheses by mimicking the original function very closely, or even surpassing it. In technology, Bionics refers to the development of specific technologies which mimic biological adaptation to the environment. Examples include a ships hull that mimics the thick skin of a dolphin, or sonar, radar, and medical ultrasound imaging imitating the echolocation of bats. Is it done? Yes. This technology has been in development for a number of years and, while still in the early stages, has already produced many devices. Examples of technological bionics include Velcro and Cat’s eye reflectors. Examples of medical bionics include artificial hearts and the cochlear implant. (Link)

     

    7. Read my Lips Lipstick

    A new lipstick has gone on sale that shows when women are in the mood for sex. The saucy slap changes from clear to deep crimson as the wearer feels frisky. Invented in California, the Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lip Gloss works by reacting with a girl’s body chemistry. Priced at 12 pounds each, the tube comes with a colour chart so men can work out how randy their partner is feeling. “The colours change depending on your emotional state,” the Sun quoted a spokesman for makers Too Faced as saying. (Link)

     

    6. Weather Control Device

    Each year, hurricanes or typhoons may cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage and a large number of fatalities. It would be hugely significant if we could find an effective way of reducing the destructive power of these storms, which convert heat energy from warm oceans into damaging kinetic energy in the atmosphere. Arkadii Leonov at Ohio’s University of Akron has “invented” a method of dissipating hurricanes that threaten populated areas.  The method, according to the patent submission, involves flying supersonic jets in concentric circles around hurricanes, allowing the released sonic booms to disrupt the delicate air pressure balances these weather phenomena need to operate. is the act of manipulating or altering certain aspects of the environment to produce desirable changes in weather. Weather control can have the goal of preventing damaging weather, from occurring; of causing beneficial weather, such as rainfall in an area experiencing drought; or of provoking damaging weather against an enemy or rival, as a tactic of military or economic warfare. Weather modification in warfare has been banned by the United Nations. (Link)

     

  • Top 10 Robots from Japan – Page 2 of 2

     

     

    5. HRP-4C

    Watch out, Gisele: there’s a new fashion phenom in town. Top model HRP-4C, another robotic humanoid, made her catwalk debut at a Tokyo fashion show in early 2009. At just over 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall and 95 lb. (43 kg), HRP-4C is modeled after a typical Japanese female frame. Developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, HRP-4C boasts 42 motion motors programmed to mimic the movements of real fashion models, as exhibited in her latest show for Japanese designer Yumi Katsura, to the beats of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Walk it, girl!

     

    4. Paro

    When you’re feeling down, why not turn to Paro, the cuddly, furry robotic baby seal? Paro, developed by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, is modeled after a Canadian harp seal, recordings of which provide the crying noises that Paro makes while it blinks adorably at you under its long robotic eyelashes. The robot responds to petting by moving its tail and opening and closing its eyes. First exhibited to the public in 2001, Paro is said to have a calming effect on people and is intended for patients of hospitals and nursing homes. The furry invention is reportedly already in use in nursing facilities in Japan and Denmark.

     

    3. Chef Motoman

    Look out, Chef Morimoto: Chef Motoman SDA-10 is on the job. Motoman is a dual-arm robotic chef developed by Yaskawa Electric Corporation in 2007, ready to whip up some Japanese savory pancakes for anyone who asks. At 4½ ft. (1.4 m) tall and weighing about 480 lb. (220 kg), Motoman can work next to humans and even communicate with diners, reports say. Its newest model, the SDA-10, is programmed for a wider range of tasks behind the kitchen counter, on the factory floor and playing in a band.

     

    2. CB-2

    In June 2007, researchers from Osaka University’s Graduate School of Engineering creeped the world out with their introduction of CB2, short for “Child-Robot with Biomimetic Body.” Measuring 4 ft. 3 (130 cm) long and weighing 73 lb. (33 kg), CB2 is designed to mimic the motions of a toddler. It responds to sounds and reacts to people by wiggling, changing facial expressions and making mechanical gurgling sounds. Thankfully, this one is still in the labs.

     

    1.  Sony’s QRIO

    A dance ensemble made up of robots? That’s right. Sony’s QRIO — “Quest for cuRIOsity” — robots combined artificial intelligence and dynamic technologies to move, gather information and dance. At 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall and 16 lb. (7 kg) apiece, QRIO was developed to be a humanoid entertainment robot. Sadly, the dancers were given the pink slip three years after being introduced in 2003.

  • Top 10 Remote Small Towns

    5. Jarbidge, NV

    Another mountain town, Jarbidge is on the edge of the Jarbidge Wilderness – a name that should give you some idea of its remoteness. One of the ways of reaching is is via an 80-mile dirt road, that only opens a few months a year due to snow, although there is another road from closest town Twin Falls, 36 miles away. Penny Eggen, who has the challenging job of Jarbidge Director of Tourism and Public Relations, describes the areaas a “recreational paradise and a history buff’s dream”. It certainly looks scenic, and if you like your paradises secluded, she may well be right….

     

    4. Edna Bay, AK

    A settlement that’s both remote and tiny, Edna Bay is located on Kosciusko Island and comprises a shop, a church, a marina, some houses and rentals…and several saw mills. Visitors are advised to bring everything they would need for “remote outdoor survival” with them, as the local shop/post office isn’t huge. The whole town has 49 permanent residents, who are mostly loggers or fishermen. There is another town – Cape Pole – a mere 5 miles across the island but that is a similarly small settlement, which had 100 people at its most populated, 40 years ago. The nearest town apart from that is Petersburg, 31 miles away in a straight line. And when you’re dealing with icy waterways, there isn’t much in the way of straight lines. Just pack for remote outdoor survival…

     

    3. Eureka, NV

    Another entry for Nevada, Eureka is on Highway 50, a full 77 miles west of the equally isolated Ely. The Highway is marketed as “The Loneliest Road in America“, a phrase originally derived from a very negative piece in Life magazine around 1987. In the article, they urged travellers to stay away from the emptiness of the road “unless they’re confident of their survival skills.”. The tourist board of Nevada have turned this around and now the lonely road is a popular attraction, taking in ghost towns, cemeteries and…Eureka. Bigger than most of the settlements on the highway, Eureka boasts a population of 610 and an opera house. There are also a bizarre series of circlesin the ground just outside the town, which have been the subject of some paranormal speculation. Rather boringly, they’re just circles made out of crops by a local farming method. Or maybe aliens. Who knows?

     

    2. Supai, AZ

    If you thought Jarbidge was difficult to get to, why not try going to Supai? This town is perched on the edge of the Grand Canyon, and the only access is by mule as the nearest road is 8 miles away (there are no cars in the 208-strong community). It is officially the most remote place in the lower 48 states and there is a hotel, cafe and convenience store there but nothing else. It is one of only two places in the US that still receives its mail by mule. It’s safe to say there’s not a great deal to do in Supai, except visiting the Grand Canyon but it’s a spectacular looking place. And someone has kindly compiled a list of 6 ways to pass the time, although they largely revolve around waterfalls and canyons. If you don’t like both of those, probably best to stay away.

     

    1. Barrow, AK

    And now for the most remote place in the whole of America – Barrow, on the north coast of Alaska. Famed for its constant stretches of darkness during the winter months, Barrow is not the destination of choice for winter-sun-seekers. The feel of the town was captured by the vampire movie “30 Days of Night“, set during the polar night – a month of darkness.

    The town is unconnected to the rest of Alaska by road, relying on air transport to bring in supplies and visitors. The nearest town is probably Fairbanks, around 300 miles away over ice sheets and national parks. With a population of 4,212 Barrow isn’t the smallest settlement-  it even has its own high school football team, although a team had to be flown in from Delta Junction to play them in 2006. It may not be as tiny as some on the list, but it is very, very far away from anywhere and so is the remotest small town in the whole of the USA.

  • Top 10 Most Intense Method Actors

    5. Joaquin Phoenix

    From someone who started out as just River Phoenix’s brother, Joaquin Phoenix has gone on to become an extremely credible actor in his own right. When he played Johnny Cash in “Walk the Line”, he learnt to play guitar from scratch and insisted on being called “J.R.” on set (for John R. Cash). He also improvised the scene in which he pulled a sink off a wall, by actually just pulling a sink off a wall – it wasn’t scripted, he was just in the moment and it happened like that.

    But that’s all minor, compared to the weird hoax that was “I’m Still Here“. Phoenix announced he was retiring from acting and starting a music career, and it was all filmed as a documentary, as he grew his transitional beard and struggled to make it as a musician. After the film was released, Phoenix made another announcement – he wasn’t retiring after all, the film had just been a publicity stunt. Clearly someone who struggles to separate film from reality…

     

    4. Heath Ledger

    Ever wonder how the late Heath Ledger got his Joker to be so compelling? It was by living the unhinged character, day and night, while shooting. He had some high expectations to live up to – following the legendary Jack Nicholson – and the initial fan response to his casting was dismay. But Ledger threw himself into the role, shutting himself away and meditating on the role while reading comic books. As he put it: “I sat around in a hotel room in London for about a month and I just locked myself away and formed a little diary and experimented with voices. I ended up landing more with in the realm of like a psychopath, someone with no empathy.” The result was a terrifying, astounding performance but it was to be one of Ledger’s last, sadly, as he died shortly after filming wrapped.

     

    3. Marlon Brando

    And now onto one of the giants of Method Acting, Marlon Brando. Famous for such films as “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Wild One”, Brando was one of the first actors to employ this technique. His method was known as Stanislavski’s System, and relied on actors drawing on their own experiences to flesh out their roles. The logical conclusion of this is that if you don’t already have the experience needed for that role, you go and get it. So Brando did, with his very first film “The Men”, shot in 1950. In it, he played a paraplegic veteran and to get into character, he spent two weeks in hospital receiving therapy and learning to use a wheelchair. Apparently, producers were impressed by his dedication but also panicked at his lacklustre performance in rehearsals, mumbling his lines and failed to interact with his co-stars. But the minute the cameras were rolling, the Brando magic emerged and he delivered a flawless scene, earning a standing ovation from the crew. An exceptionally controlled actor.

     

    2. Daniel Day-Lewis

    And now an actor who is keeping Brando’s legacy alive and proving that Method Acting is not just restricted to the past. For his award-winning role as Abraham Lincoln, Day-Lewis fully immersed himself in the President’s life. He signed text messages as “The Commander in Chief” or “A” and crew members said it felt as if Abraham Lincoln was sitting in front of them. Lucky really, as he insisted on being addressed as “Mr President” at all times during shooting. He showed similar commitment to other roles, getting an apprenticeship in butchery for “Gangs of New York” and using a wheelchair throughout the shoot of “My Left Foot” in which he played Christy Brown, an artist with cerebral palsy. He even allowed himself to be spoon-fed in order to stay in character and says he find it easier than “jumping in and out” of roles. That’s commitment!

     

    1. Robert DeNiro

    No list of Method Actors would be complete without DeNiro, widely considered to be one of the finest actors of all time. His numerous intensive preparations include learning to box for “Raging Bull”, working as a cab driver for “Taxi Driver” and living in Sicily for “The Godfather:Part II”. He even threw anti-Semitic insults at Jerry Lewis during filming of “The King of Comedy“, in order to inspire wrath in his co-star. He truly is an inspirational actor, though you have to wonder just what kind of mental torture preparation he did for his role as psychotic father-in-law-to-be in “Meet The Parents”. You wouldn’t want to date any child of his, would you?

  • Top 10 Autobiographies

    5. Memoirs of the Second World War – Winston Churchill

    Famous British conservative politician Winston Churchill published a number of books during his life, however the one that stands out as most notable is this particular memoir- which documents his experiences as Prime Minister of the UK during the Second World War. From his election to power shortly after predecessor Neville Chamberlains declaration of war on Nazi Germany, all the way through the strife that was the Battle of Britain and the eventual invasion of fortress Europa itself- Churchill’s memoir documents his inner most anxiety’s and reservations throughout an era which made him a British hero.

     

    4. The Soul of a Butterfly – Muhammad Ali

    A poignant read, Muhammad Ali’s 2005 memoir is an insight into the mind of perhaps the most applauded Heavyweight Boxing Champion the world has ever seen. Striking a balance between his career as an athlete as well as his deeply seeded religious and spiritual beliefs, the book is well structured and certainly does well to bring forward his views upon the current state of the world. Tackling the harm faith can cause when used in the wrong way, Ali write’s with warmth and charisma to spread a message steeped in unity and love.

     

    3. I am Ozzy – Ozzy Osbourne

    Feral rock and roll madman turned television personality/part time feral rock and roll not-so-mad-anymore-man Ozzy Osbourne released this long awaited autobiography a couple of years back. I got hold of it pretty much right away- eager to see if there was any truth to be found behind the many, many myths. I quickly realised there was- this man has had quite the life, which I suppose is obvious simply from looking at him. From one hilarious tale to the next- this book is an obscene and deranged journey of debauchery.

     

    2. Life – Keith Richards

    Not usually known for his press quotes, it would be fair to say Keith Richards is certainly of the privative rock star variety. Despite this, we all know that during his half century tenure as the Rolling Stones lead guitarist- the tales he has to tell must be of unfathomable pricelessness. This book confirms those suspicions- taking the reader on a journey to the rock and roll of yesteryear, the original days. In a time so different, Keith describes at length his routines with regards to drugs and, in doing so makes you realise how much of a norm such outrageous and seemingly destructive tendencies were for people like him back then. Excellent work.

     

    1. Cash – Johnny Cash

    Recounting in his own words and on his own terms the many ups and downs on a long road from humble beginnings on a rural Arkansas farm right up until his days as a Sun Records recording artist- ‘Cash’ is a work of extreme humbleness. Not shying away from facing up to the many demons he faced in his time, Cash also does well to highlight moments perhaps more proud, with equal humility and grace. The charisma he showed in public during interviews and performances is carried into the book thanks to his talents as a writer, and by the end you’re just wishing you could have known the guy.