the adventures of teapot the cat

Speak & Spell Madness

If you are serious about being not so serious with your choice of electronic instruments, you may want to install a MIDISpeak Module into your Speak & Spell. Perhaps just circuit bending your Speak n Spell isn’t quite hardcore enough, and you want MIDI control of your beast for live gigs. This is your ticket to heaven (or hell). What’s next? MIDI Furby control?

Add comment January 12th, 2006

Coffee Questions

• Why is it that when using those containers that pour sugar, they always stop pouring after a few seconds?
• Does stirring while holding a full cup reduce the chance of spillage compared to stirring on a countertop?
• How much do those coffee pump dispenser shoot out per squeeze?
• How many pumps does it take to fill standard coffee cup sizes?
• How long does it take for that first sip of coffee to get caffiene into your system?

Add comment January 12th, 2006

Coffee Couture

Jay Sorenson invented the coffee cup ‘jacket’. Of course, everyone wanted to copy it - The coffee-cup sleeve is an insulating sleeve made from waffle-textured cardboard that wraps around a standard paper cup. Starbucks later launched a similar product, provoking a legal wrangle, but Sorensen’s family-run company has prospered by focusing on independent coffeehouses and chains, which have snapped up more than 600 million Java Jackets. (From a History of Innovation) More in-depth story here.

Add comment January 12th, 2006

Nano Squash

This is weird. Unfortunately I lost the person’s Flickr address to give them due credit for their genius.

Add comment January 12th, 2006

Let the IP Deathmatch Begin!

I received a notice today from Cafepress, which stated that my “Helvetica” design (the word Helvetica typeset in ITC Garamond) was violating the Intellectual Property rights of 24pt Helvetica, a design firm. This is kind of distressing. If anyone should be upset at my design, it should be Jack Summerford, the original creator of that design since I’m ‘referencing’ his idea. I understand that 24pt Helvetica’s logo uses the same word and a similar typeface, so I see their point, but at the same time it’s borderline generic.

– update, seems like the company wasn’t aware of the Summerford poster and their logo’s similarity to that design. They’ve since retracted their objection with cafepress. Thanks 24pt!

Add comment January 12th, 2006

i do all my own stunts

really. i do.

Check out my cafepress shop for an expanded selection of mythbusters inspired stuff to feed your mythbusting addiction! Selection includes the ever popular ‘i reject your reality and substitute my own’, ‘i do all my own stunts’, and more! Show your Mythbusters pride!

Add comment January 12th, 2006