Cool Hunting
Popular Science's annual "Best of What's New," currently on display in New York's Grand Central Station through this Thursday, 9 November 2006, and will be bringing you the highlights over the next several days.
To kick things off, the winner of the magazine's first-ever top honor, "Innovation of the Year," the Hurriquake, is a tricked-out nail designed to protect homes against damage caused by hurricanes and earthquakes. Engineered to target the common problems of other fasteners that tear apart in high winds and pull through plywood during seismic stresses, the device reportedly provides up to twice the resistance to these natural disasters. Featuring a larger head (with easily identifiable markings for inspectors, homeowners and contractors), angled barbed rings at the bottom, a screw shank that fills voids created the rings, and "shear shank technology" that increases strength at primary stress point and an improved coating that allows nails to be more flush with wood, the increased cost in building an average-size house is a mere $15.
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This week CH highlights our favorite innovations from Popular Science's Best of What's New 2006. Today's pick is the X-Beam Combination Ratcheting Wrench from Gear Wrench. With little more than a twist in the handle, this wrench significantly reduces hand fatigue and increases productivity—the X-Beam's clever design even earned it an Ease-of-Use Commendation from the Arthritis Foundation. Starting at about $12 the X-Beam Gear...
Of the many insights to be gleaned from the upcoming exhibition at the International Center of Photography featuring the work of Richard Avedon's work from 1944-2000, I found it particularly fascinating that the photographer would forge such intense connections with his subjects that he would often leave sittings feeling embarrassed over what they shared. The show explores these intimate relationships and his many contributions...
We think this gold Longines watch is probably one of the more interesting objects you could own from Albert Einstein. He once said, "the separation between past, present, and future is only an illusion, although a convincing one." Too bad we can't ask him what a real timepiece should look like. If you'd like to own Einstein's personal Swiss wristwatch from 1930, here is...
Brian Greene is a brilliant physicist who is notorious for the Superstring theory and also because he makes the most mind-bending and fascinating physics concepts accessible and engaging for the average reader (check out his Ted Talk). Combine that talent with the most cutting-edge scientific thinkers and performers of our day and you get the first ever World Science Festival, which will be held...
Fraction is a new online photography publication. Started this month, it will be published bi-monthly featuring both new and established artists. The site's unobtrusive white design serves as a basic template that lets the photographs do the talking. The inaugural issue features five photographers that cross the spectrum of style. Lawrence Getubig's series titled "Action Figure Cutouts" (sample above left) features dark silhouette renditions...
New York-based Esopus hits newsstands only twice a year, but take a peek inside and you'll understand why. With a CD of new music in each issue, specialty papers and a hand-crafted feel, this ad-free magazine of writing and artwork strives to create a place for "unfiltered" and "un-mediated creativity." Yes, please! There's a part of us that wants to give each new issue...
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