h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/3556669.stm

Goggles with a periscope arrangement for one eye so that the swimmer can see ahead?

Sounds Heath Robinson but I'm sure it would work.

I think someone in Essex invented something that emits a disruptive signal that knocks mobiles out.

A periscope? When you put the goggles on while standing up one eye would look forward while the other eye looked straight up. That could take some getting used to.

Why don't the pool owners install a mirror above the pool so while you're doing the backstroke you could monitor your progress in the mirror?

F

That is a (back)stroke of GENIUS! I HATED backstroke because I always used to whack my head on the edge of the pool! Notify the High Command immediately.

have I missed something, but why aren't there In-Car MP3 players yet?

CHawke

Errr, because car manufacturers are thick, slow, stpid and hidebound?

Just an idea.

RF

or get back handers from the recordable media industry - As there will be no need to buy cassettes or CD-Rs for car MP3 players (i, like many make copies of my legal CDs to use in the car to avoid loosing what are often very valuable CDs)

CHawke

Well, there's always the tape adapter/iPod combo for now, as for backstroke it has been banned by one council (at busy times at least)


But neither of those are really advancements from what we already have.


They have tried in car mp3 players, just haven't taken off in Europe - can probably still be found if you dig hard enough...I heard there were even some Linux based ones

With in-car music players, there are definately linux based ones, and some even go as far as being in-car cinema systems so your kids can be watching the dvd's in the multichanger while you are driving.

As to cats, they would be ideal for rfid chipping. these are basically the sort of chips now found in a warehouse to track stock as it travels from supplier to customer.

Current costs are fairly cheap, and the readers are comming down in price fast as well.

Has anyone invented a seatbelt for pregnant women?

Someone should invent skiis that have a maximum speed. They could have built in brakes. I was thinking you could have hovercraft skiis that work on any surface, and you reverse the suction to act as brakes.

There is a sort of personal hovercraft that you stand on. Adam Hart-Davis was using one in an advert.

F

A flat dry-skiing area. In the middle is a device (a bit like a revolving washing line) that spins round. You hold onto one of its arms and thus you get used to the skiing without the dangers involved in skiing on a slope. Would work on ice rinks too.

Queen Bronners, I had one of those on my bicycle when I were a kid, in the 60s. (Yes, *hangs head* I am old...)

Not simple maybe, but anyone know why photochromatic contact lens shouldn't be a pretty neat idea?

CHawke

glad wrap that coulors where you cut it so you can find the bloody end

here you go armies of the world, a gift of a concept by the one and only ME(terms and conditions apply).

i suppose a grand gesture is worth an attempt.

ELECRONIC KNOCK OUT GRENADES
before you shout "heard it before" dont, because you probably havn't.

JUST recently scientists have discovered a means of temporarily "swithing off" part of the brain in order to emulate the behaviour of autism.
the reason it is part of the brain is because the tightly control the signal.

i propose a "throwable" transmiter that transmits on the right frequencies, to knock people out(render immobile/ussless), in say a 20 meter range.
wouldnt it be nice to just knock out the enemy (+Hostages if applic) and then just walk in and arrest everyone...

worth a little funding dont ya think???

You should be on telly mate.

the problem with the category of "non-lethal" weapons is that it doesn't really exist.

what you have actually got are "less-lethal" weapons, only when they are used correctly on fit people.

when you use them against a lot of people, you end up with a situation a bit like the moscow theatre seige, where almost everyone survived until the "non-lethal" weapons were used, and then they started dropping like flies.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=753&e=1&u=/ap/20040801/ap_on_sc/directed_energy_weapons

The U.S. military is hoping to develop a paralyzing beam. Even better than a grenade, I would think. As Xyroth says, though, it's probably not 100% non-lethal.