Inventions
December 14, 2006 5:59 AM   Subscribe

For a writing project....what nifty gadget would you like to see invented that hasn't been invented yet? Be as silly as you like.
posted by Mrs.Doyle to Technology (13 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: chatfilter

 
A way for teachers to detect cheating by analyzing the number or type of similar answers between multiple students. I wish I had this today, actually.
posted by mdonley at 6:06 AM on December 14, 2006


A Tivo for my mouth, so I could rewind what I've said and take things back. Or the ability to edit metafilter posts.

mdonley: there's a chapter in Freakonomics on doing this.
posted by mecran01 at 6:13 AM on December 14, 2006


Something that lets two people find out with no risk of pain or rejection if they can love each other.

If you're doing Science Fiction, it's best to swing for the fences.
posted by cardboard at 6:13 AM on December 14, 2006


A time borrower - borrow time from some point in the future and have it now.

A plug in for a computer that makes it always work perfectly (ha!).

A device that lets you know what women are thinking and how their brains actually work.

A mobile phone with built in spork.
posted by spark at 6:19 AM on December 14, 2006


A sort of GPS that works for time instead of space—an indispensable aid for easily confused time travelers.
posted by Iridic at 6:27 AM on December 14, 2006


Detachable Limbs. This way you can sleep on your side, can fit into small places, "lend a hand to someone"...
posted by JohnnyGunn at 6:31 AM on December 14, 2006


Gloves with holes for fingernails, so you can dip your fingertips in polish and wait for it to dry without having to use a brush.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 6:31 AM on December 14, 2006


The miniaturization of technical gadgets is starting to cause friction between the minimum requirements of "human interface" and the current trend towards tiny portability. I'd like to see a technology that could create a full-size non-fragile, functional keyboard and full-size (say 15") display from a PDA-size device. Maybe through some type of force field, or self-assembling nanites. Such a device would be projected from the Blackberry or whatever ad the flick of a switch and would enable one to set up a full office anywhere, out of one's pocket.
posted by BigLankyBastard at 6:31 AM on December 14, 2006


AT the flick of a switch, sorry.
posted by BigLankyBastard at 6:33 AM on December 14, 2006


This reminded me of my old HalfBakery account. I'm actually surprised the site's still around, not to mention my account details. Feel free to peruse my ideas for details, but I've included a basic list below.

2-way drag and drop
Bluetooth Watch Drive
Collection display system
Counting the straws
Couples' desk chair
Dog waste color chart
Jotter
Matchpicks
Modular Printer
Mudcicle Defroster
Mugwipes
Produce Scale Bags
RFID Printer/Copier
Risktego
Self-stirring pot
Shrinking credit card
STD Conversation Mints
The Checkered Sphere
Turncoats

The site itself is a lot of fun, even though it hasn't been on MeFi in a while.
posted by JeremiahBritt at 6:46 AM on December 14, 2006 [1 favorite]


"Make me young again!"
-Kilgore Trout
posted by Meatbomb at 6:56 AM on December 14, 2006


I'd like something that will compact my recycling into tiny cubes or spheres so it didn't take up as much space. I know I could just step on everything, but that's not satisfactory.
posted by nekton at 6:58 AM on December 14, 2006


mecran01: Awesome! I'll go look it up - I thought I'd seen something like this before.

Mrs.Doyle: what about a machine that makes perfect crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside croissants, instantly? Or maybe just a machine that teleports you to the bakery of your choice anywhere in the world.
posted by mdonley at 7:04 AM on December 14, 2006


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