Slot Car Clock
Every so often here I will post something which I assumed already existed. Well much to my surprise, there is no such thing as a Slot Car Clock. There are probably power issues involved in such a design, still it would be fun to have on the wall.
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Geeky Power Tools
Power tools are often referred to as toys by those in the handyman segment. These tools are designed to look as good as their functionality, to the point where the color scheme is the brand identity. Many tool jockeys like a uniform set of tools, making them a prized collection of sorts. But what about tools aimed at pop culture savvy geeks?
Currently there are no tools designed to lure in the geeks, and that’s a shame. There are many possibilities that would entice geeks to enter hardware stores, perhaps even for the most minor home project.
Above is a Constructicons-themed power tool. Rather apt for building stuff, if I may say so. To some it may look like a toy, but to a geek it says elite handyman.
Other brands that could be used for a tool line to revolve around: Hot Wheels, Star Trek (engineering), X-Men (based on the mutant Forge, or the Sentinels), Bob the Builder (hey some people would like that!), and Tonka to name a few.
My personal choice would be the Constructicons one. Their distinct color scheme - likely created to avoid lawsuits with Caterpillar and other heavy machinery companies - is just so unique and recognizable.
It would also be so cool if Caterpillar painted their construction vehicles in green and purple. Construction sites would never look the same!
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Karate Kid Tournament Poster
UPDATE: You can purchase a more screen-accurate version here.
A replica of the poster seen in the Karate Kid, hanging in the Kobra Kai dojo. It’s a good thing it was on the wall, otherwise the plot would have been completely different. Read the rest of this entry
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Earbud Ideas
1. Built-in speakers. You can take off your earbuds and switch these speakers on. Handy for times when you want tunes, but cannot wear earbuds (like talking with your buds).
2. A built-in jack. This way you can plug your MP3 player directly into an AUX port, without having to switch to another cord entirely. This would flip out of one of the earbuds like a switchblade.
3. Visualizer. Okay this one is entirely cosmetic, but I always liked the idea of a visualizer on the earbuds or the MP3 player itself. Sure it’s a bit Lady Gaga, but it looks cool.
4. A spare jack port for sharing the audio feed. Sure it seldom ever happens, but this would be nice feature that would allow a friend to listen in. Handy for when you want to a share a film on a long flight. You could buy one of those splitters, but they are never around when you need one.
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Nintendo Wii U Makeover
To me the appearance of a game console is something of an art - well, a lost art. Console design has been languishing these past several years, as every console maker opts to release piano black or ivory white slabs that exclaim ‘adult contemporary’. Gone are the colorful palettes and unique designs that game consoles were once known for. Read the rest of this entry
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If IKEA Made Geeky Furniture Part 15: Comic Book Display Case
I recently used a Comic Book rack for Blu-Ray movies earlier in the IKEA series, so where does that leave actual comic books? A bookshelf based on a popular superhero building will do the trick. There are several popular locales, like the Baxter Building (Fantastic Four), Wayne Enterprises, LexCorp, the Stark Building/Avengers Tower in New York, and so on. For this design I’ll be enlisting in the Daily Planet from Superman. Read the rest of this entry
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Fictitious Food Ideas
With news that South Park’s Cheezy Poofs will actually become a product available for Walmart shoppers next year, I thought I’d offer up some ideas for other fictitious food products.
In no particular order:
Duff Beer. This Simpsons’ staple is actually available in a few countries (Mexico, Germany), but Matt Groening refuses to license out the brand, in fear that it will incite kids to drink. How about Duff Root Beer? I think the Jones Soda Company would be all over that. The same could be done for Pawtucket Pat’s beer featured in Family Guy. Alamo Beer from King of the Hill too. Fox loves to shill beer, it seems.
Slurm. Futurama had a knife out for soda manufacturers with this spoof product featured in a classic episode, and the Slurm soda brand continues to be a recurring sight gag on the show. I’d like to think Mountain Dew could do a limited run of their soda adorned with Slurm branding.
Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs. The cereal of choice for Calvin and Hobbes, well, Calvin anyway. The ridiculousness of actual children’s cereal brands was an easy target for the comic strip. In fact you could say Calvin’s hyper behavior could be attributed to this very cereal. While I would not recommend the manufacture of this actual cereal as described (there is also a variant with marshmallows even), some sort of souvenir box would be great. This item will never happen - Bill Watterson’s stance against products based on Calvin and Hobbes is the stuff of legend. I still want a plush Hobbes tiger…for my niece. Heh-heh.
Powdered Toast. Alright this one would be impossible to do (powder that forms slices of toasted bread), but a gift canister featuring Powdered Toast Man (and maybe Ren and Stimpy too) would be a funny item to display.
Soylent Green. I think this should be offered in milkshake form - like those Shamrock shakes McDonald’s use to sell for St. Patrick’s day a long time ago. Mmmm Shamrock shakes. This could even double as that green milk from Star Wars. UPDATE: You can now buy Soylent Green crackers.
Battlestar Galactica Ambrosia. BSG has taught me many things, like the essential need for alcohol to help cope with difficult times. Certainly helped me get through Season 4 of the show, Ha. This liqueur of Admiral Adama and Saul Tigh would look great in your study.
Sweetums Snack Bars. This food company is a regular staple in Parks and Recreation. A bit obscure to be on this list, but I want these. Speaking of Parks, maybe some TV dinners based on Ron Swanson? Gotta be manly dinners.
A few real ones:
Stay Puft Marshmallows. I bought these from Thinkgeek. The caffeinated ‘mallows aren’t bad. The box they came in is a nice keepsake.
Popeye Spinach. That’s actually a thing (or it was). And a smart product tie-in, but for the love of me, who wants to buy canned spinach?
