I grew up having to split wood when we lived with a wood-burning stove so, I can assure you, these two videos would have done wonders for me, had YouTube been around. The first shows ‘Nordic splitting.’ This is a smart way to splinter off pieces of wood from a log.
The second video shows how to keep your wood bundled as you chop away, being sure to make it safer and quicker to split your logs.
This is a clever design. A tea cup with a mixing ball that you swirl to stir. And with a protruding, curved base, the ball does not fall out as you tilt back to drink. Clever, to say the least.
This set of coffee cups makes fetching coffee a breeze. No need for everyone to make a second trip back to the coffee machine when you can just link your cups together. The ceramic mugs have male and female ports and plugs to join together as you scoot around the office passing out a fresh pick-me-up.
Take a look at this revolutionary structural design method of ‘board on frame’, made famous by IKEA. This smart design process has been documented so you can see it all happen in their European manufacturing facility. Enjoy!
This video is from National Geographic’s Ultimate Factories Program.
Winter seems to be so near, and these fireplace designs are looking so inviting. There is something about a well-designed fireplace that is welcoming and cozy, even to just look at.
Small spaces can engender the best of designs. So many designs have been centered around tight quarters, but not like this. A company called Spiral Cellars has found a niche market servicing the wealthy wine aficionado.
Using a cut-out hole in the floor beneath common areas in the home, these guys create spiral staircases that lead to small depths; so small in fact, that you can do no more than grab a bottle of wine. A cool factor, indeed, to have such a cool hidden cellar, but at what cost? Plenty, I am sure.
Having seen many induction stovetops, I was excited to see the Caso portable induction plate. This version, priced right and portable, makes induction cooking possible for anyone. Though this hot plate can reach temperatures of up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t be intimidated. Its built-in safety features include the ability to sense pans on its glass top surface. It also has a 180-minute timer and 10 precise power levels. Well designed and beautifully functional.
This cube radio is a button-less radio that takes instruction by motion. The gravity switch enables an interface that increases and decreases volume and changes stations with a simple tilt, spin or roll.
Geometric package designs for snacks are coming from all directions. Doritos has had a conceptual design overhaul, making a play on its famous triangular snack shape.
Impact extrusion is used to create this new Coke can redesign. Looks cool, I just hope it feels cool and can match the structural integrity of the current can.
Combination gadgets never get old, and here are some new ones to make kitchen tasks a little easier.
Designed to cut through pizza and then flip sideways to dish it up with a flick of the wrist, this pizza cutter and spatula looks like it could even work its way through a dessert or two.
Grilled cheese and soup never look so good as when they are sharing the same plate. This combo bowl and plate set is the perfect size for any soup & sandwich.
Combining a strainer and measuring cup, this fat separator helps to keep the flavor of gravy, soups and stock without the fat. Non-slip grip and see-through design are always useful when working in the kitchen.
Grater, herb scoop, peeler, zester and knife all in one — this combo knife set does it all. Saving drawer space is smart design, and by using this tool, you can ditch those four other tools and save some valuable space.
This 5-in-1 utensil set combines a scraper, strainer, spreader, spoon and server made from reclaimed nylon. It even locks together for storing flat and has a 450-degree melting point.
