"In order to feasibly produce, say, transparent adhesive tape, integrated circuits or sugar-free soft drinks, you need such-and-such materials and such-and-such equipment, which in turn depend on other things, all the way down to ores and fuel and such. So if you want to build your very own set of night vision goggles from scratch, here's everything you need access to in order to get started" Has anyone compiled, for the public to see, anything resembling a real-life 'tech-tree', akin to what's found in computer games such as Civilization? [more inside]
posted by Anything on Oct 19, 2008 - 6 answers

Can anyone offer me some suggestions for how to make a relatively inexpensive sound trap (i.e. like those echo reducers that large auditoriums have). Info about materials, shapes, etc. would be helpful. [more inside]
posted by n8stew on Aug 9, 2008 - 3 answers

What's the proper name for that kind of image-switching material that switches between two pictures as you tilt it? I mostly associate it with novelty baseball cards, toys, children's books, and so forth. That plastic-y corrugated stuff? If I wanted to order a bunch of postcards printed with it, what am I looking for?
posted by paul_smatatoes on Jun 1, 2008 - 5 answers

Anyone with personal experience printing coffee mugs? Ordered out for a few cases from a printer I would prefer not to libel, got a mushy print job in return. Can you recommend specific printers? (Especially if they can do even, opaque flat area coverage on dark mugs) [more inside]
posted by clango on Apr 14, 2008 - 2 answers

what's the secret handshake that gets me access to the interesting/unusual materials that designers and contractors can get ahold of? [more inside]
posted by phoeniciansailor on Feb 24, 2008 - 17 answers

You can make an interesting "fabric" (tutorial here) by ironing plastic bags together but I am pretty sure that doing this releases molecules of Something Bad into the air that I am then breathing. Am I right? Do I need a respirator?
posted by tingting on Dec 7, 2007 - 9 answers

Help me identify this building material... [more inside]
posted by Bjkokenos on Sep 17, 2007 - 5 answers

Building a ping pong table to ITTF rules? Wood/paint selection help needed. [more inside]
posted by mphuie on Sep 10, 2007 - 8 answers

What is the ideal material for a home-made, doggy-safe plush toy? [more inside]
posted by EL-O-ESS on Jul 1, 2007 - 6 answers

Is there such thing as scratch card paper/transfer? And if so where might I be able to get it? [more inside]
posted by Sevenupcan on May 13, 2007 - 7 answers

Does anyone know any good resources for graduate school preparation, particularly in the physical sciences? I'm a sophomore and I want to get ready to start applying, but I need some help... [more inside]
posted by Aanidaani on Apr 4, 2007 - 14 answers

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of materials like glass, concrete, wood, and plastics, compared to steel ? [more inside]
posted by vincentm on Sep 26, 2006 - 21 answers

Know a good source for weather-proof political campaign yard signs? I'm in California, the size is aprox. 24"x 18", with two colors, and the quantity is 2000-5000.
posted by letitrain on Aug 29, 2006 - 13 answers

I want to stock my 4th/5th grade classroom with materials that students can study, manipulate and experiment with on their own. [more inside]
posted by argybarg on Aug 11, 2006 - 9 answers

Chemical profiles of typical newsprint and novel uses for recycled newspaper. [more inside]
posted by pallen123 on Aug 5, 2006 - 9 answers

I'm going to make the deck on my next longboard my self. What durable yet flexible material should I be using? [more inside]
posted by cheerleaders_to_your_funeral on Jun 17, 2006 - 3 answers

Hints on how to discard enormous pieces of styrofoam? [more inside]
posted by young_simba on Dec 19, 2005 - 20 answers

Gardening question:

I bought what I thought was a pretty good garden hose and it's already kinking up like there's no tomorrow. What's the best material/best brand?
posted by Kafkaesque on Nov 18, 2004 - 6 answers