Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2009

I don't know what "Brit Insurance" is, but they sponsor this award for Designs of the Year, which is hosted by the Design Museum. There are seven award categories including architecture, fashion, and graphics.

I'm fairly certain I don't understand the criteria for a winner, given some of the weird crap that's been announced thus far, but it is still interesting to see what is getting people pumped up. Below are some images of things that are cool looking and psuedo-functional, at least on a webpage.

SENZ XL Storm Umbrella

Magno Wooden Radio by Singgih S. Kartono

Ipogeo - Tasklight for Artemide

via CH

Kyouei Design: Liquid Bookmarks and Lamps

At this point I think everyone has seen stuff like this, but I am really impressed by the lamps by Kyouei Design. Kyouei is Japanese for "4 vowels plus Y in a 6 letter word."

You can get the bookmarks at designboom and Kyouei's website. The lamps are only available here. Prices are in Japanese Yen and I am not converting it for you. You need to start doing things for yourself. I'm tired of carrying this entire operation on my broad, muscular shoulders. In fact, I quit. Good luck, jerks.

via CH

Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab

Sold for only two years (1951-52), the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab is way cooler than any chemistry set I had when I was little. Way cooler. Why? Because the Atomic Energy Lab comes complete with your very own radioactive ore!

'The set came with four types of uranium ore, a beta-alpha source (Pb-210), a pure beta source (Ru-106), a gamma source (Zn-65?), a spinthariscope, a cloud chamber with its own short-lived alpha source (Po-210), an electroscope, a geiger counter, a manual, a comic book (Dagwood Splits the Atom) and a government manual "Prospecting for Uranium."'

Two things in that stocklist blow my mind. "Dagwood Splits the Atom" and "Prospecting for Uranium."

Dagwood. Splits the Atom. The guy named after a sandwich. Why not Dennis the Menace? Or how about Hagar the Horribe? I mean Beetle Bailey is more appropriate than Dagwood. At least he is in the military.

Now this is a chemistry set I can get behind.

via boingboing