Expando-Vision

Introduced in 1983 by Stimutech. It was a device that could flash subliminal messages on your TV screen as you watched TV. The maker emphasized the ways this could be put to use for self-help (weight-loss, stop smoking, stop drinking, etc.). But they did sell a "Sexual Invitation" program that surreptitiously flashed messages of seduction: "Sex is OK, Let us make love, I am OK, We share sexually, Let us kiss, Let us caress, Let us be naked, We explore bodies, Let us be together.”

John Dvorak, InfoWorld - Dec 26, 1983

Lansing State Journal - Dec 4, 1983

Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 19, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: Innuendo, Double Entendres, Symbolism, Nudge-Nudge-Wink-Wink and Subliminal Messages, Technology, Psychology, 1980s

Smalt

It was intended to be a hi-tech salt shaker that could play music, had mood lights, and could sync with Amazon’s Alexa, while also dispensing salt in measured amounts. Plus it would track your salt intake. Its creators were looking for $25,000 in crowdfunding to start production, but only raised $9426.

More info: indiegogo

Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 16, 2018 - Comments (5)
Category: Inventions, Technology

Compliment Mirror

A new, weird invention from Japan. A mirror that compliments you. More info from JapanTrends.com:


This reminds me of the Digital Wife I posted about recently. Seems like another device aimed at the large number of Japanese people who seem to live alone.

The company website

Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 12, 2018 - Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Technology, AI, Robots and Other Automatons, Love & Romance

Miss Printer’s Devil 1953

Miss Printer's Devil. Joanne Sullivan, Harbor Jr. College's 'Miss Printer's Devil' will reign over College's First Annual Printer's banquet and ball tonight (Friday). She is shown puzzling out words in galley in school's print shop. Joanne Sullivan (see above) is being shown how to press keys of Linotype by Ronnie Wilson, 18, printer major, who is studying to be a print shop teacher. Linotype requires exact touch to prevent pie (?) of type fonts."

Source.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 04, 2018 - Comments (5)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Contests, Races and Other Competitions, Newspapers, Technology, 1950s

Mystery Gadget 66

What's it for?

The answer is here.

Or after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 28, 2018 - Comments (4)
Category: Technology

Mystery Gadget 65

What's this machine do?

The answer is here.

And after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Thu Sep 20, 2018 - Comments (5)
Category: Technology, 1910s

The Advertising Chair

When the chair rocked, visible adverts scrolled in the arms of the chair. So much for our age having a monopoly on intrusive ads.



Complete patent here.

Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 12, 2018 - Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Technology, Advertising, Interior Decorating, 1900s

Mystery Gadget 64

NASA uses this. What is it?

The answer is here.

And after the jump.

More in extended >>

Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 07, 2018 - Comments (3)
Category: Spaceflight, Astronautics, and Astronomy, Technology, 1960s

The Seamaster Airplane

A jet that takes off and lands from water? Filled with nuclear bombs? What could go wrong?

Wikipedia page.





Source of foto.

Posted By: Paul - Sat Aug 25, 2018 - Comments (1)
Category: Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Technology, War, Weapons, Air Travel and Airlines, 1950s

Digital Wife

Gatebox recently announced that its Boku no Yome ("My Wife") device is now ready for sale. Though it'll cost you $1352, plus $13.52 a month if you want the subscription fee for future updates.

I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to just get a cat.

More info: Social News Daily

Posted By: Alex - Tue Aug 14, 2018 - Comments (8)
Category: Technology, AI, Robots and Other Automatons, Love & Romance