Marathon MaskApril 25, 2010
Today is the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, and yet again it looks set to be a scorcher. But rather than slather your face and neck in sun-block, only for it to wash off with sweat, you could simply wear one of these. This is known a Sun-Block Towel Face, and yes it does exactly what it says on the tin. According to the inventors, ‘the eye, nose, and mouth slits… allows users to see, speak, and breathe easily’. The trouble is no-one will know it’s you pounding those pavements! US7051371 Sun Mask Towel (Tobin, McAndrews).
It’s St George’s Day! During the 15th Century, today would have been a National Day of feasting and merriment in England, on a par with Christmas. Until the campaign to make this day a Bank Holiday has been approved, fly those St George’s Cross flags with pride, and crack open a cold one. This invention is just the ticket to make those Friday post-work beers taste that little bit sweeter. A remote control beer delivery truck – no need to walk to the fridge again! 
We can only feel sorry for those poor people stranded in Barbados for the past week, being forced to spend a bit more quality time at the poolside bar. And all thanks to a pesky volcano that decided to puff out clouds of ash. Well this invention, devised by Rockwell Collins Inc, might have saved them from such a terrible fate a little earlier. The invention ‘relates to systems and methods for detecting volcanic ash clouds, volcanic plumes and/or volcanic eruptions from airborne platforms’. The device can therefore detect an eruption, and alert aircraft to alter their flight paths accordingly. US7383131 Volcanic Ash Cloud and Eruption Detection System (Woodell, Wey).
