The sound of Mother Nature

Can you imagine that someone can make music from raw nature? It works and the someone is called Diego Stocco. He started small – with a bonsai tree, but by now he creates music with tree bark, orange peel, leaves, almonds, pees, coconuts or rice.





















„I performed the whole composition by playing these natural elements, no synthesizers, samplers or additional sounds have been used“, the composer says.


The world’s oldest annual invention convention starts in three days!

One, two, three… Once again inventors are traveling from across the United States to test market their inventions and network with industry experts. Where they are heading to?

To Redwood Falls in Minnesota where the Minnesota Inventors Congress (MIC) hosts the world’s oldest annual invention convention. You can participate at the Invention & Idea Show this Friday and Saturday at the Redwood Area Community Center.

Since 1958 over 5,000 inventions have been showcased there. The event offers inventors an opportunity to test market their inventions, to network with other inventors and to talk to patent attorneys and consultants who are experts in the product development process.

For more information you can also call 507 627 2344 or email at info@minnesotainventorscongress.org

A new „facebook for inventors“

Have you already heard of Marblar? It´s an invention, well actually a social network for inventors, an Oxford University postgraduate student came up with. The Telegraph calles it „the facebook for inventors“.

According to the article the network allows inventors to post their discoveries and researchers are encouraged to pitch their ideas on how the inventions could be used commercially.

The site plans to launch over the summer. It is currently in discussions with individuals, companies, universities, charities and a Formula 1 team to have their scientific discoveries placed on the network.

Marblar has also already attracted the attention of IP Group, a London-listed business that commercialises intellectual property from universities.

Let ink show you the date

Huuuch, how time goes by! It´s already weekend again!!!

To show how fast time actually is designer Oscar Diaz came up with a calendar using the capillary action of ink on paper.

The ink is absorbed slowly, and the numbers in the calendar are “printed” daily. One a day, they are filled with ink until the end of the month. A calendar self-updated, which enhances the perception of time passing and not only signaling it, that`s how the designer describes his work.

A self-stirring pot

You like pasta but you are tired of stirring the water to prevent the noodles from resting against the hot bottom on the pot? Thanks to Hideki Watanabe, a dentist from Japan, you don´t have to anymore. He invented the Kuru-Kuru Nabe or the “Round and Round Pot”.





As described on inventorspot.com the pot puts basic thermodynamics to work so you don’t have to. The secret is the sculpted sides of the pot, something Watanabe came up with while experimenting with dental plaster at his office. As water in the pot begins to warm up, it rises, but the spirally angled sides of the pot direct the flow into a circular direction.

By the way, it doesn´t only work with noodles, but also with vegetables or eggs.

The possibilities of Augmented Reality…

No invention without creativity… But not only inventors must be very innovative. When it comes to sell a product advertisers have to be too. Here´s an example from the ad agency OgilvyAction from Taiwan.

As described on their homepage in order to sell more Philips Grooming Kits, the agency had to initiate young men into the art of facial hair.

And since the hair salon is where men are most receptive to suggestions about their looks and open to try something new the idea was to transform the whole established hair cutting ritual into a unique opportunity to introduce and demo the new product.

The highlight of the experience was a low-tech ‚Augmented Reality‘ mug (brought with the salon beverage) that allowed men to experience facial hair without inhibitions in a fun and personal way. Look!


New Patent and Trademark Resource Center Now Open to the Public

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced in a press release that the University of New Hampshire School of Law Library, which was designated as the Concord Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) on January 30, 2012, is now open to serve the intellectual property (IP) needs of the public.

“PTRCs serve as the face of the USPTO on a local level and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that ensures that potential filers have the resources necessary to draw on for support as they begin their quest for commercial success with their intellectual property,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO David Kappos. “We look forward to working with the University of New Hampshire School of Law, formerly Franklin Pierce Law Center, to better serve New Hampshire’s IP community.”

Currently, PTRC designated libraries can be found in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This network of more than 80 public, academic, state and special libraries assists a variety of customers including inventors, intellectual property attorneys/agents, business people, researchers, entrepreneurs, students and historians.

In addition to offering free electronic services and resources designed to support the intellectual property needs of local and state patrons, the Concord Patent and Trademark Resource Center will employ USPTO-trained librarians to provide customer assistance on the use of the agency’s patent and trademark databases and public seminars on intellectual property topics for novice and experienced users.

Four cuts and an apple turns into an exciting puzzle!

„An apple a day keeps the doctor away“ – but honestly, do you really follow this advice? Here is an innovative approach how to cut one. We bet not only your kids will love the idea.

It doesn´t take a lot. Four cuts are enough and every apple turns into an exciting puzzle! Just watch and enjoy!


Enjoy your ice cream – all alone!

Do you have a sweet tooth and just can´t get enough of chocolate, cookies and ice cream? Now what´s the worst thing that could happen to you – right, someone eats your favorite piece. At least with Ben & Jerry´s ice cream this shouldn´t happen anymore.

According to a press release the ice cream pint combination lock was a customers idea and inspired by the suggestion the company now came up with the Euphori-Lock.

And here´s what it is – a tenacious two-part plastic security ring that slips around your pint’s upper lid and comes complete with an easy-to-remember secret code when you’re ready to unlock your favorite treat!

While you can enjoy on your own, everyone else only reads: I´m terribly sorry but there is no „u“ in „my pint“.

Half a spoon – no more no less

Did it ever happen to you? You had someone over for coffee and you asked the person if he likes the coffee with milk and sugar. The answer was: „Milk please and half a spoon of sugar.“ And there you were trying to figure out how to make the coffee not to sweet.

Another example: According to a recipe you had to add half a spoon of something and you asked yourself how can I measure it right. Well, here is the answer, and it is simpler than you might think.

Just take half a spoon. No more, no less.