Tag Archives: france

Video: Decommissioning a blast furnace

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Joel Johnson

Haiko Hebig has video of the Ougrée blast furnace being decommissioned, shot by furnaceman Pierre Machiroux: Shutting down a blast furnace in such a fashion that it can be restarted at a later point involves removing the liquid and solidified … Continue reading →

DotDrops: Lite-Brite luggage (without the light)

Posted on January 15, 2009 by Joel Johnson

One of the best things I ever did to ease my travel pains was to buy a shiny silver carry on bag. It’s not fancy — or at least not expensive — but on the rare occasion I have to … Continue reading →

Man sucked into toilet after reaching for dropped phone

Posted on October 28, 2008 by Rob Beschizza

A mercifully unnamed Frenchman got his arm sucked down a fancy train toilet after trying to fish out a cellphone he dropped in it. The BBC: The high-speed TGV train had to stop for two hours while firemen cut through … Continue reading →

Report: French women bathe with their cell phones at hand

Posted on July 17, 2008 by Rob Beschizza

A survey published by mBlox claims that 14 percent of Parisian women take their cell phones to the tub, compared with only 4 percent of men. It’s a junk survey, with only 221 respondents, but that’s still a huge gap. … Continue reading →

BIC Phone is branding coup de grâce

Posted on July 14, 2008 by Joel Johnson

While I find the implicit message of “toss this when you’re done” here, I have to admit: a pre-paid phone co-branded with BIC, makers of world famous cheap pens and razors, is sort of brilliant. The BIC Phone will be … Continue reading →

LunaBlocks: giant LEGO-like furniture bricks

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Joel Johnson

LunaBlocks are giant, LEGOesque pieces that are designed to be used as furniture. They’re available in plastic, glass, metal, and soft polypropylene. There’s even the “LunaPillow” which slips over the pegs of the bricks to make them somewhat comfortable to … Continue reading →

LEXON Jet Clocks by Theo Williams

Posted on March 24, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Nothing special about these clocks except clean lines, a easily parsed chunky electroluminescent LCD display, and a slightly baffling “Year” read-out that seems to indicate we’re in the Age of Sleep. Which is fine with me. I’m not lazy—I’m observant! … Continue reading →

Life Clock by Bertrand Planes

Posted on March 13, 2008 by Joel Johnson

The “Life Clock,” by Bertrand Planes, slows down the typical clock mechanism so that what is normally a minute hash now represent years. I’d put a battery in it, because I’d be terrified when if the power went out. I’m … Continue reading →

Renault Megane Concept Coupe’s Insectoid Doors

Posted on March 5, 2008 by Joel Johnson

Renault’s “Megane” coupe concept, currently being feted at the Geneva Auto Show, eschews gullwing doors for the far-more-futuristic dragonfly doors. Don’t expect them to make it into the production cars, but they’re certainly beautiful. Geneva: Renault Megane Coupe Concept – … Continue reading →

1927 “Baby Bugatti” Recreation as Pedal Car

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Joel Johnson

A French firm is selling unlicensed recreations of the 1927 Baby Bugatti. Their version is billed as a pedal car, unlike the battery-powered original, yet they say “battery-powered electric engine and wiring still have to be obtained by the prospective … Continue reading →