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

With cold weather all around us, we are having to stack on layers of clothes to stay warm. And when you make your way back indoors and shed them, what do you do with all of those damp layers? 

Created to circulate air throughout all of your damp garments, DryGuy has designed Gear Tree, a coat rack of sorts. Hang any of your coats, gloves, boots or scarves and they’ll be dry and toasty the next time you need them.

It can’t be any clearer than this: “no more great ideas down the drain.” Aquanotes cedar pencil and water resistant pad set is an ideal way to keep your new ideas and great thoughts from washing away.

With cold weather all around us, many people who use touch interface devices are going to find that they will have to shed a layer to check email, answer a phone call or navigate their MP3 players. Instead of taking off your gloves, try creating a conductive pad on your finger tips.

These gloves can be purchased, but what is the fun in that? Try making your own gloves with a few simple items. Using your ordinary gloves, you can create an extraordinary interface to communicate between your fingertips and your electronic touch surface device. 

You can order a sample bobbin of conductive thread for a small amount of money compared to the cost of a large spindle. Instructables even has an article about creating conductive glue if you choose to go that route. The idea is to create your own active conductive surface with a little creativity and know-how. The possibilities are limitless.

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.

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.

Here is a not-so-short, short history of why there are so many variations of the outlet plug around the world. A little history, a little geography and whole a lot of humor. Enjoy.

The Coil Lamp, created for an exhibition of conceptual furniture in Chicago, has now found its way to your living room. The one of a kind lamp is made from wrapping an orange, 100 foot cord around an acrylic skeleton to create the form of a lamp. Bright idea? Sure.

This design is an award winner from Japan’s Ryoji Takahashi that offers a new look and feel to shredding. The tube-like paper shredder can be held over a waste basket and is less obtrusive than the traditional rectangular electric paper shredder. Seems to be a desk-friendly redesign; now we have to wait until it comes to the States.

I can’t think of a better way to remind yourself to take off your shoes at the door than to have your slippers waiting for you when you get there. This slipper mat is a smart design, for sure.

Travel friendly design has been extended to man’s best friend, thanks to the Travel-tainer. Conveniently compact and smart for travel, this container has pop-off water and food dishes with an air-tight container for dry pet food. I guess it could work with cereal and milk too, if you prefer.