How’s this idea for a new kind of resort? Everything there is straight from the 1950s, when life was simpler, slower, and, OK, maybe phonier and definitely more biased. But permit the better side of the illusion: ’50s music, ’50s TV, dramas on the radio, board games, ’50s books and magazines, ’50s dance classes, ’50s Read More …
At the risk (no, certainly) of possibly being tasteless, the Minneapolis bridge collapse made me think: Could cars be designed to be bridge-collapse-resistant? It was amazing how many motorists survived. Does that mean cars, unintentionally, are made to withstand falls? If so, what could enhancements do? Have bigger tires, better shocks, ceiling airbags, sunroofs that Read More …
What if … you had a very light spacecraft … OK, maybe it’s just a satellite with microchips … and suppose (yeah sure) they reallly could build a buckytube-walled space tube that’s 100 miles high … following me so far? … OK, we’ve got the outer part of our space elevator, but what’s to lift Read More …
When you write Part 1, you’re supposed to write Part 2. So here goes: A golf club you can’t destroy — it’s rubber-coated wire like those posable toys. Whack, smack, hurl, throw in the lake. It doesn’t break. (Plus, it’s got a string for reeling it in?) … Or how about the enviro-friendly disposable club? Stomp it, Read More …
Clearly, newspapers are best when readers have lots of time. And newspapers know they need to have content for the five-minute reader. But how about being multi-tasking friendly? What kind of content could you enjoy while you’re watching TV? Eating dinner with the family? Driving? Out on a date? (Patience: Asking dumb questions sometimes leads Read More …
There’s a National Smoke-Out Day, where people try not to smoke. How about one for driving cars? Sure it’s impossibly impractical (not enough mass transit to handle the crowds). But just the call for considering the sacrifice might help us all realize how demoralizingly dependent we all are on cars … and foster creative efforts Read More …
Those Segway Human Transporters have yet to revolutionize the world. Maybe one reason is that the joy of riding them can’t be shared. So make one so two people can ride. Standing. (Not expecting it’d work with one on the handlebars.) Even more economical. Fun on dates. And one person could hold the umbrella. Hey, look there already is Read More …
Put on a shirt from my suitcase and it was wrinkled. Why not an iron that would work while you’re wearing clothes? Shape it like giant tweezers. The space-age insulated heatproof shield size goes under the shirt. The steamy / ultrasound size goes on the outside. Move it around and wrinkles disappear. OK, no way Read More …
Today’s airplane bombing plot, supposedly involving mixing chemicals on board a plane, resulted in the banning of all sorts of liquids and semi-liquid substances in carry-on bags. If this possibility is real, the threat could last. So what’s the permanently mandated security measure? No carry-ons? No bottles of shampoo or soda or perfume, no tubes of hair gel or toothpaste, no Read More …
Could hotels do a midday business? You work downtown, but got too little sleep. You’re a traveling businessperson who justs needs a shower, a shave and Internet access. You really just want to use the workout room and the indoor pool. You want a spot to get ready for an important meeting or interview. Or maybe you’re a tourist driving Read More …
Yo, this also works in Chicago, New York, Miami and other cities. Anyplace with a rich legacy of dastardly illegalities. Forget those namby-pamby horsebleep-and-buggy rides. Instead, get into a long black limo that’s riddled with bullet holes. In fact, your guide, Vinnie “Oyster Crackers” Badabing, will grunt, as he waves his tommygun, “Youse’ll get in Read More …