[PSUBS-MAILIST] Inventiveness lives!

[Michael B Holt <tlohm@juno.com>]

But does this not sound like the device Tim Smalley built out of plans
in Popular [something]?




Aquabike steals show at invention fair

By Jeremy Lovell

LONDON (Reuters) - A lie-down bike that cruises through the water was one
of the rare highlights at the British Invention Show in central London.

The Underwaterbike consists of a long pole with a pedal-driven propeller
at one end, a flat plate to support the rider`s torso and a hinged rudder
at the front.

The whole structure has neutral buoyancy and ballasts so the rider can
lie
along it and pedal away to his heart`s content, skimming along the
surface
without fear of falling off.

"You can maintain a speed of four miles per hour all day," Tim Jackson of
manufacturer Inflexion Engineering told Reuters on Thursday. "It is very
relaxing."

Elsewhere at the fair it was largely a matter of low-tech solutions to
everyday
problems.

There was the Toe Stopper device to stop horse riders getting their feet
trapped in stirrups and being dragged when they fell off, and the
Easigrip
bracelet with hook attached to ease the pain of carrying loaded plastic
shopping bags.

There was also what was claimed to be the world`s first bendable parking
post that returns to shape even after a car has driven into it, and a
plastic
tent to prevent clothes left to dry outdoors from getting wet if it
rains.

An emergency roof rack, a towelling poncho for children to use after a
swim,
a snowboard with handlebars for beginners and a ventilated peaked cap
were
in the line-up of inventions on show at London`s Barbican Centre.

The Trevor Baylis Foundation -- run by the man who invented the wind-up
radio -- came up with a clip-on electric motor for standard wheelchairs.

"It is not an electric wheelchair, but it is a great assistance -- and it
is a lot cheaper," Baylis told Reuters.

Apart from the beginners snowboard, students at the Royal College of Art
came up with a range of gadgets from assisted pill poppers to ear
protectors
for scrummaging rugby players that makes the wearer resemble Star Trek`s
Mister Spock.

But perhaps the oddest of the inventions was the Wag Wash which
advertised
itself as the ultimate dog bather -- guaranteeing a warm wash without the
mess and inconvenience of lifting the poor mutt in and out of the bath.
 


________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.