Dedicated to inspiring designers, inventors & the creative spirit in all of us.

Click on these images to see inventive second uses for each one of these everyday objects. Who would have ever thought?

This video shows the shape memory and super elasticity properties of nitinol, a combination nickel and titanium alloy. Commonly used in watch springs, bra underwire and eyeglass frames, it can be instantly and repeatedly transformed into its originally formed shaped with exposure to heat. Take a look for yourself.

All of the above items can be found on Solutions, an online megastore for innovative products around the house. This post, though, is all about nifty kitchen gadgets.

Mark your page with something other than a bookmark. This bedside book light not only keeps your page marked when you’re not reading, it also keeps your room glowing with just enough light while you read. A little bit nightlight, and a little bit birdhouse, this bedside reading light is a perfect way read into the night.

Simple ideas are the best, and this is an example of one – a reusable lid for plastic bags. Buy in bulk, or cut open a bagged package of food and then use this to snap it closed without a twist tie or chip clip. Copoc Bag Clips can be used on big bags of M & M’s, bulk grains, sugar; the possibilities are endless.

Because newspapers are rapidly being overtaken by digital media, someone has devised a way to merge new technology with old tradition. This newspaper stand newsfeed displays the latest headlines on a monitor. Just think of the possibilities when it comes to reusing obsolete products as time takes its toll on the technologies of yesterday.

This cup holder is ingenious – the textured grip, vivid color and universal size opening. Intended for work stations with tight space, it actually uses a cantilever for extending space for your beverage. I can see many applications for this idea of squeeze-clipping an extension to table tops. Once again, as my readers already know, this is an example of simple design that uses stylizing to accentuate the pure function of its use.

The New York Times has just submitted its Year In Ideas 2008 collection for your approval. This alphabetical hit-list of great ideas was compiled for viewers to look back into a year of substantial ideas that have left their mark in many genres. Included are a few winners of the design world. TED viewers may recognize Josh Klein’s vending machine for crows design. Or maybe you saw Timesculpture earlier this year, an interesting display of video editing that was used for a Toshiba advertising campaign. Take the time to peruse this Year in Ideas and look at the innovative ways these creative people have gambled on a once seemingly odd idea. It can be an inspiration to all of us.