Showing posts with label MAKE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MAKE. Show all posts

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Cyclecide - Bike Rodeo

A few days ago the television show of one of my favorite blogs premiered on US television. I'm talking about Make. There is no excuse for anyone to miss this fantastic show because all the individual fragments are available through the major video sites (YouTube, Vimeo). But, and this is even better, the entire show can also be downloaded for free, legal.

Anyway, I'm not here to talk about my fascination for Makezine. So on the premiere episode was this a-ma-zing feature about Cyclecide, a San Fransisco based group of people that do the impossible with bikes. They have a couple of hard-core, highly creative bicycle engineers that create awesome stuff. What? I'll show you.

At first sight this seems just a regular carousel. It is, in fact, but the Cyclofuge Swing (as it's official name goes) is not powered by electricity or steam. No, it's powered by none other then us humans. If you look carefully there are four people at the center pedaling like a bunch of crazymen just to keep the four other people in the swing seats going.

The best of all is that the Cyclofuge Swing has been create out of old bicycle parts that have been recovered from dump yard. Isn't that like the furthest end of awesomity you know?

The Cyclecides do way more with bikes. They make tall bikes, mini bikes, flame-throwing bikes, inverted steering bikes, swinging bikes and even instrumental bikes.
So, if you think you're ready for a dose of pure awesomeness, a fair share of humor and a perfect piece of engineering you should absolutely check out the Cyclecide feature from Make Television; here it is. (Or check out the official Cyclecide website of course).


Sunday, December 21, 2008

DIY World Pinhole Camera Day Camera!



Corbis.com has teamed up with Brooklyn design firm Fwis to create an amazing collection of downloadable DIY pinhole cameras.

They are incredible! All made of paper.



It's all a part of a yearly event called World Pinhole Camera Day, which will next happen on April 26th, 2009.

On World Pinhole Camera Day, (or preferably the day before,) download the instructions for one of these sweet cameras, fold it together, chuck some of that old film that's been in your refrigerator in it, and head outside into the ol' sunny sun sun to celebrate your freedom by making pinhole photographs.



Get your filmed developed and scanned, and upload your pinhole pickies to the official World Pinhole Camera Day gallery.

Fun!

If you like this post, you'll probably like this one too.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Ask SuperForest: Carolyn's Question!


Good Morning SuperForest!

We have received a question from SuperForester Carolyn:

"Hi Jackson and Co.

I'm Carolyn and I read your blog multiple times a day... admittance is the first step to recovery, right? However, I don't wish to recover from reading Superforest anytime soon.

Let's get down to business. I'm in dire need of a costume idea. In the past I've had some pretty stellar homemade Halloween costumes, but for some reason I'm having a brain-block this season...

So, details... Ummm, I'm in college so naturally I have little money to spend on extravagant's. I don't play the half naked costume game. And I'd really like to be the most eco-friendly trick or treater on my block.

Any ideas ya'll have would be much much much appreciated. Thankssssss!

Kindly,
Carolyn"

Dear Carolyn,

Thank you for your excellent question.
Thanks to our friend, the internet, the "sweet recycled Halloween costume" meme is in full effect.

A quick search reveals some very tasty morsels!
Morsels like this cardboard crocodile:



Or Umbrella Bat!



Oooooo! Or the CloroxBot!



Cardboardy Lego Overlords! Kachoowwww!




Between MAKE, instructables, and a google search, there is a world of recycled costume opportunities at your fingertips.

Here's a gallery of recycled costumes from dailygreen.

Papier-mache is also very cheap and easy to do, and most grocery stores and bakeries have old flour that they would otherwise be throwing away.

Here's a amazingly brief video showing how to make a very sophisto-looking wolf mask:



I really love papier-mache! You can do anything with it. It is remarkably strong and forgiving, and you can finish the surface any way you like.

Give it a spin.

Here's a very cool Joker mask made using air-dry clay and papier-mache together:



We hope that this inspires everyone at home to give making their own costumes a try.
Fun, easy, and good for the environment.

Thank you for your question, Carolyn.

Have a safe and happy Halloween everybody!

Love,

Team SuperForest



Got questions? Ask SuperForest!