8/26/2011

Inventions Waiting to be Invented

Doesn't everyone maintain a mental list of things they'd invent, if only they possessed the necessary time/skills/resources?  The difference is that I've accepted that I'm never going to possess the necessary time/skills/resources to invent any of the things on my list.   So here it is, the things I'd invent if I could, presented in hopes that someone
will invent these things for me so that I can then buy them!
  1. Sunglasses with built-in earbuds.  What two things can't fashionable people do without?  Answer: Designer sunglasses and iPods.  (I'm omitting adopted children and little dogs for the moment.)  Can you imagine the convenience of combining the two?  The technology isn't there yet to deliver low cost, high quality wireless sound, but once it is, would love to see someone imbed earbuds in the tips of sunglasses.  Want to listen to your music? Put your sunglasses on.  Want to take them out?  Simply remove your glasses.  How easy - and how suave - would that be?  And imagine the profit to be made ... bet you could charge $100s for the combo, which would probably only cost $10-20 to manufacture.
  2. Sunglass LCD Displays.  Speaking of sunglasses-based utilities, wouldn't it be nice if those wireless phone earbuds (like Bluetooth) could be equipped with a laser projection device capable of projecting info about incoming calls onto the inside lens of your glasses/sunglasses?  That way you could use your Bluetooth without having to sacrifice the ability to screen incoming calls.
  3. Pop-up visual barriers to conceal traffic accidents.  This one would be a great boon for the public good.  You don't have to live in a major metro area for long before realizing the major cause of traffic slowdowns isn't accidents - it's people slowing down to LOOK at the accidents.  We humans are unapologetic voyeurs when it comes to death and mayhem.  So here's a simple fix: why not equip police/fire response units with big screens that can be erected to conceal the accident from passing traffic?  I'm picturing pop-up screen that fold into a small space but automatically "pop open" - a la those screens that people use on their car windsheilds to keep their cars cool - to create a barrier.  Yes, keeping the screen steady in the event of wind poses a technical challenge, but have to believe the company that invents a useable, storable solution would instantly receive contracts from every municipality in the U.S., who would quickly realize how much cheaper the screens are than building new overpasses, lanes, or roads!
  4. Car Cooling Fans.  Speaking of those screens that people use to keep their cars cool while sitting in the sun ... why are we still using screens to try to keep our cars cool while sitting in the sun?  How hard would it be for the car companies to invent some sort of battery-powered fan that could be triggered by an iPhone app & ensure that your car has cooled by the time you step into it?
  5. Better beach chair.  Every summer as I lug the equivalent of a 50lb manpack down to the beach with me just so I can enjoy a few mod cons along with sunshine and the sound of surf, I swear that one day I'm going to invent a "better beach chair" that will incorporate much of what I carry into a single, portable unit.  What I mean, of course, is that I don't understand why someone ELSE hasn't invented the chair I want, so that I can buy one.  In my imagination, a "better beach chair" incorporates the following features:
    1. retractable canopy for instant shade
    2. portable fan - to generate a bit of a breeze in the event of a really hot day
    3. small, retractable table
    4. small cooler capable of holding 3-4 sodas & snacks - preferably under the seat of the chair so that if cool air escapes, it escapes up through the seat
    5. drink holder
    6. book holder
    7. waterproof, sandproof, lockable storage for electronics: cameras, ipod, watch, money
    8. imbedded music speakers
    9. pillow/headrest
    10. portable - ideally carried via backpack-type straps



  

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