Modern Marvels Invent Now Challenge

Magnetically balanced bow-and-arrow? All-terrain wheelchair? These and more will compete to be the 2006 Modern Marvel of the Year. As Americans we like out inventors to be iconoclastic eccentrics working out of their garages. There's more appeal to this iconic individual than an large-scale operation. In a move to reenforce this most American of traditions, the History Channel together with the National Inventors Hall of …

Reload Bags

The greatest dilemma of the iBook generation has nothing to do with relationships or religion. Our most dire predicament is finding a backpack or cargo bag we can take everywhere and doesn’t fall apart after six months. And if it's maybe stylish as well, is that too much to ask? Straight out of Philadelphia, Reload Baggage Inc., with their ultra-sturdy handmade bags, is here to …

Braille Playboy

Although its funding was cut off for a time in 1985, issues of Playboy printed in braille have been published by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped since 1970. No, it doesn't include the pictures (reinforcing the old joke about reading the magazine for the articles), but it still might be the world's only government-sponsored conceptual art project. via MIT Advertising …