TechEBlog lists what it claims to be the Top 10 Strangest Gadgets of the Future.
It reads like a Popular Mechanics magazine of the 1950s. You know the ones, where none of the predictions of bubble houses, flying cars, and entire-day's-meals-in-a-pill ever came true. Not because they weren't possible, but because they were impractical.
Back in the 1950s, the editors of Popular Mechanics and Popular Science thought that bubble houses made sense. The idea was that was these houses could easily be transported to suburbs or waterfront, inflated, and instantly be inplace and easily relocatable -- to solve the problem of building homes fast enough for the post-war boom. The editors ignored the problems of moving furniture to the lot, installing electricity, plumbing, heating, and the problem of having rounded walls. Worse, the pictures (drawn by artists, because bubble houses were never more than a concept) were shown to be transparent and about 10-feet in diameter. Fifty years later, transportable house (trailers) continue to be viewed with suspicion.
Flying cars? We can barely cope with driving vehicles in two dimensions (on roads); it would only be worse in three (air). We barely have sufficient gasoline to move cars on road surfaces; we would suck the planet dry lifting cars into the air all day long.
And as for eating one pill for an entire day's meals... It would have to simulate the greasy salty taste of hamburgers and pizza. The "Popular" magazine editors ignored the two of the primary reasons for eating: sensuality and community.
So here comes Tech E Blog and its impractical list of ten, making the same errors as were laid out in print 50 years ago.
Memory Liquid crystal
This LCD retains its image when the power is off. Good idea for devices that change only when the power is on, like the contents of portable hard drives. What does Tech E Blog think it would be good for? "Practical applications would include watches...."
How is a frozen watch display practical? Glance at this watch, and the time is still the same as it was last time I checked. This thinking reminds me of the early LED watches, where owners had to press a button to see what time it was. Impractical.
EyeMove PC
This is a small projector that is meant to replace your computer's monitor. The idea is a small portable box would provide a big image. These are already available, but even so, here is Tech E Blog's inspiration: "Simply hang it on your wall or place it flat on a desk and project games, movies, or applications."
Projectors don't work in normal office environments, because they are not bright enough to overcome ambient light. Impractical.
Transparent Toaster
The accompanying picture shows a slice of toasted bread between two pieces of glass. Under it, the blog writes: "... does not reach a high enough temperature ... to actually toast the bread."
A proposed toaster that doesn't toast. Reminds me of flying cars that don't fly.
Any what's with all the items listed that are deaded by "No word yet on if this concept will go into production"?
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