Construction mistakes or errors or goof ups? What ever we call it, it won't change a thing and still these look hilarious.
You really wonder how the engineers and architects who were part of these constructions must have reacted seeing them.
Construction Mistakes
Star Trek Line Of Urns And Caskets
For the millions of fans on our planet and beyond, this new line of Star Trek urns and caskets will be an important discovery indeed. After ten movies and five television series, phrases like 'Live long and prosper,' 'Resistance is futile,' and 'Space: the final frontier' have become part of our global vocabulary.
Star Trek Line of Urns and Caskets.
(via Everlasting Blort)
10 Craziest Diets In History
Some of us try to eat less and exercise more and some people jump on the bandwagon of any fad diets, always hoping to find a miracle that leads to quick weight loss with little effort.
As a result, there's been quite a few crazy diet ideas in the last few centuries, here are the top ten weirdest diet methods ever heard of.
Earth Hour 2009
Started in Sydney, Australia in 2007, Earth Hour quickly grew into a global observance. More than 1,000 cities in over 80 countries observed Earth Hour 2009 on Saturday March 28th, as homes, office towers and landmarks turned off their lights for an hour starting at 8.30 pm local time to raise awareness about climate change and the threat from rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Collected here are a series of before-and-after photographs - which will fade between 'on' and 'off' when clicked.
10 Most Outrageous Tax Expenditures
A list of the 10 most outlandish tax expenditures from the past five years - all guaranteed to make you chuckle (in spite of yourself!) Not only will this list incite laughter, it also offers insight: now, while you're itemizing your deductions, you can be confident that Congress will have billions more to spend on everything from water-free urinals to teapot museums - all compliments of you.
Chuckle over these top 10 examples of pork-barrel spending in recent history.
(thanks Annie)
Send Your Name To Mars
This is your chance to go to Mars! Fill in some information and your name will be included with others on a microchip on the Mars Science Laboratory rover heading to Mars in 2011.
(thanks Carole)
Hotelicopter
Experience the adrenaline rush of taking off and flying high in the largest helicopter ever produced. The Hotelicopter features 18 luxuriously-appointed rooms for adrenaline junkies seeking a truly unique and memorable travel experience.
Each soundproofed room is equipped with a queen-sized bed, fine linens, a mini-bar, coffee machine, wireless internet access, and all the luxurious appointments you'd expect from a flying five star hotel. Room service is available one hour after liftoff and prior to landing.
Robot With A Living Brain
Kevin Warwick's new robot behaves like a child. Sometimes it does what you want it to, and sometimes it doesn't, says Warwick, a professor of Cybernetics at the University of Reading.
And while it may seem strange for a scientist to be concerning himself with such an unreliable machine, Warwick's creation has something that even today's most sophisticated robots lack: a living brain.
Building An Airbus A340 In 346 Seconds
A fast-forwarded footage of an Airbus A340-600 craft being built at the Toulouse facility.
(thanks Cora)
Loves Me? Loves Me Not!
Loves Me, Loves Me Not is a game of French origin, in which one person seeks to determine whether the object of their affection returns that affection or not. A person playing the game alternately speaks the phrases 'loves me,' and 'loves me not,' while picking one petal off a flower for each phrase.
The phrase they speak on picking off the last petal supposedly represents the truth between the object of their affection loving them or not.
(thanks Craig)
Legal Drinking Age Around The World
The is a limit assigned by governments to restrict the access of children and youth to alcoholic beverages. Legal drinking ages vary from country to country, and sometimes, within a particular country. In most countries the legal age to purchase alcohol is either 16 or 18, but there are considerable variations: some countries do not recognize a drinking age and have children as young as 5 who drink wine.
Its a very common thing in some cultures for everyone in the family to have a glass of wine at dinner; others outlaw drinking; and still others, like India, mandate a drinking age as high as 25 in some states.
Bigger map here.
30 Beautiful Pictures Of Animal Photography
Photographing animals can be a challenge and requires patience, determination and understanding of animal behavior so that you can expect how they will be likely to act or react and predict the moment for a good photograph.
Good exposure, color and blur settings in addition with proper shutter speed and focusing techniques are essential to produce stunning animal photographs.
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: The Grass is Always Greener.
click on the picture for real size
ScreamBody
ScreamBody is a Wearable Body Organ. ScreamBody is a portable space for screaming.
When a user needs to scream but is in anynumber of situations where it is just not permitted, ScreamBody silences the user's screams so they may feel free to vocalize without fear of environmental retaliation, and at the same time records the scream for later release where, when, and how the user chooses.
Cat Hammocks
The Cat Hammock is made of 100% hardwood, it is both sturdy and lightweight and can easily be moved around the house - by the sliding glass door, near the radiator, in the bedroom, to a spot of sunshine. It will even look good in your living room.
(thanks Cora)
25 Inspiring My Little Pony Mods
Some people take their love for 'My Little Pony' too new levels. Here are a selection of 25 of the best My Little Pony mods. Some of them are absolutely amazing.
35 Interesting And Fun Alcohol Facts
Alcohol facts that are either surprising, funny or just fun to know. It's amazing to know that Ohio has a law that bans giving any alcohol to fishes. And that there is a cloud of alcohol in outer space which is enough to make four trillion-trillion drinks.
Check out some more fun facts related to alcohol.
List Of Crayola Crayon Colors
Crayola crayons have come in a number of different colors over the years. When Binney & Smith first produced Crayola crayons in 1903, there were just eight colors. Now there are 120 colors.
List Of Crayola Crayon Colors.
(via DrikoLand)
Reinterpreting Little Red Riding Hood
A school assignment by Tomas Nilsson to reinterpret the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood, inspired by Röyksopps Remind me.
Bullshit Detector
The Local Government Association in the UK has compiled a list of bullshit terms that should not be used by councils. If you pay council tax, then you might be interested in how much bullshit you're getting for your money. Well now's your chance to find out.
There was only 1 bullshit term found on The Presurfer.
Enter the URL of a web page to check for bullshit.
Best Cities To Drink Coffee
Although I believe every city is good enough to drink coffee (it has more to do with the coffee than with the city), coffee culture means different things to different drinkers.
For some, it's a quiet café, For others, coffee culture implies something more communal with espresso or cappuccino the engine grease for conversation.
Either way, the java itself - be it of the Ethiopian, Colombian or Javanese variety - must be high quality and rendered with pride. Those precious places on the map where all good coffee things meet, any aficionado will tell you, are where magic is made. Here's a shortlist of some of the world's best cities for sitting and sipping.
(thanks Cora)
15 Crazy Concept Bicycles
Since bicycles work pretty flawlessly as it is, you might wonder just why we need crazy modifications like spokeless wheels and the ability to ride sideways. Innovation never ceases, and as a result we've been treated to a wild assortment of ideas from giant amphibious contraptions to bikes that fold up into backpacks.
Some of these 15 concept bikes address issues like cost, portability and adaptability and others are just plain strange.
Simple Tricks That Make You Look Smart
Look like a genius using these secrets for navigating everyday life.
(thanks Annie)
25 Businessmen Who Broke The Rules (And Some Laws)
Fortunes are rarely won by playing it safe. On the contrary, the biggest fortunes have been won by those willing to step outside the box and change the way the game is played.
Here are 25 business innovators whose stories are different in many respects, but all point to the same truth: ingenuity, improvisation, and daring are more important than following the rules.
(via Dump Trumpet)
Carmen Electra Had A Crush On Me
Did you know Carmen Electra once had a crush on me? Really, she did!
But unfortunately those days are over. During an interview for the home video release of Meet The Spartans, Carmen dumped me.
Carmen Had A Crush On You.
(thanks Claus)
A Look Back: 15 Vintage Household Ads
Household chores may never feel effortless, but appliances that make our day-to-day lives easier have definitely come a long way over the decades.
Take a fun look back at vintage ads that tout then-innovative inventions, such as the gas range, electric broom, portable television and more!
(thanks Annie)
YouTube Interactive Video
German advertising agency 'Kolle Rebbe' put together an interactive version of a TV spot for OTTO, a mail order company.
Using YouTube, the user can view the TV spot from several different angles and each angle features a different OTTO product.
(thanks Aaron)
8 Of The Manliest Sports
Human beings have played tight athletic games for as long as there is recorded history. There are a few sports played today that have preserved a sense of the savage manliness that characterized earlier sports.
These 8 sports were chosen for their man-factor. Physical contact, body hair, and common injury level were all taken into account. Click each sport's title or picture for a video demonstrating their relative manliness.
The Most Memorable Mascots Of Professional Wrestling
Pro Wrestling is more about entertainment than it is about sport, although the guys that perform on a night in and night out basis are tremendous atheletes. But it's more entertaining and showmanship than anything else.
And what better a way to entertain the crowd than bring in props? Sometimes those props can be either living things or inanimate objects that take on lives of their own.
Here are the most memorable mascots of professional wrestling.
Fast Food Of The World - Asia And Australia
This is the second post of a series called 'Fast Food Of The World' by HealthAssist Blog. I posted part 1 here.
This time we will take a look at what do people in Asia and Australia eat when they need to eat fast.
(thanks Olga)
Razor Phone
There are a lot of things cellphones can do these days. Phone calls, text messaging, email, access the internet, listen to podcasts, navigate, watch TV, share photos, update your blog, and probably a whole lot more.
But there's one thing you can't do with your cellphone. Shave yourself.
Wrong!
An obscure Chinese manufacturer, Solomobi, has come up with a cellphone with a razor. The Cool758. The bottom of the Cool758 can be removed to unveil a real razor.
(thanks Cora)
50 Beautiful Long Exposure Photos
An impressive collection of long exposure photos. 50 Photos taken with very slow shutterspeed.
India's Tata Motors Unveils The World's Cheapest Car
With the flash of cameras and oohs and aahs from the crowd, Indian company Tata Motors last Monday launched what is billed as the world's least expensive car, six years after it was conceived and six months behind schedule.
The Nano will start at $2,200 after taxes and dealer costs, while the more expensive CX and LX models with heat, air conditioning and power brakes will go for as much as $3,800.
Here's a video of the presentation.
(thanks Cora)
Ergopod 500
The Ergopod 500, a height adjustable workstation. Ideal for standing, seated or supine work positions.
Programmers, CAD workers, graphic designers or special needs individuals now have the ideal workstation for long hours at the computer.
(via Optical Poptitude)
7 Seriously Enviable Office Desk Setups
Considering how many people spend the lion's share of their daily life inside an office, it's surprising how few of us have taken steps to make our office setups more inspiring.
Website Ahoys explores seven workspaces so well kitted-out and stylised that they could feature in an episode of 'Pimp My Office.'
(thanks Andy)
The 10 Biggest Intellectual Fights Of All Time
In our modern, scientific world it is sometimes easy to forget that human progress often comes attached to some spectacular intellectual clashes between different ways of looking at things and differing interpretations of what is seen.
There have been some notable intellectual mind-fights over the millennia. The following are ten such fights, the outcome of which changed the world into what we know of it today.
10 Cases Of Extreme Weather
Most people have experienced their fair share of 'strange weather.' It may have been a snow flurry in May or 70-degree afternoon in December, but either way unnatural weather often catches us off guard.
This is a list of 10 cases of extreme weather, all of which resulted a new record, and it covers a broad spectrum of weather such as temperature, rain, snow, wind, and ice.
The Rubens' Tube
The Rubens' tube, also known as the standing wave flame tube, is a physics experiment demonstrating a standing wave. It shows the relationship between sound waves and air pressure.
German physicist Heinrich Rubens took a 4-metre-long tube and drilled 200 small holes into it at 2 centimeter intervals, and filled it with a flammable gas. After lighting the gas he noted that a sound produced at one end of the tube would create a standing wave, equivalent to the wavelength of the sound being made.
Some friends were chatting about various ways to visualise music.
They decided to create a Rubens' Tube.
(thanks Sam)
Super Chameleon
The super chameleon shows his super camouflaging powers. Of course this is fake, probably made on a computer.
(thanks Cora)
Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab
The Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab is a toy lab set produced by Alfred Carlton Gilbert and sold between 1950 and 1951. They used radioactive materials in the set, but none that might conceivably prove dangerous. There was a Geiger-Mueller counter, a carefully designed and manufactured instrument that could actually be used in
prospecting for radioactive materials.
The Atomic Energy Lab also contained a cloud chamber in which the paths of alpha particles traveling at 12,000 miles a second could be seen, a spinthariscope showing the results of radioactive disintegration on a fluorescent screen, and an electroscope that measured the radioactivity of different substances.
(via Boing Boing)
Matt Hoyle's Barnumville
Photographer Matt Hoyle is known best for his portraits of rich characters and intriguing faces. Matt's style is described as hyper-real because of the unique 'grade' he applies to each image.
Barnumville is a series of photographs of sideshow performers and amazing physical characters.
(via Neatorama)
Taglines And Slogans
Ever heard of the slogan 'Look sharp, feel sharp?' Or 'Talk. They'll listen?' 'American by birth. Rebel by choice?' 'Inspiration comes standard?' Do you know the companies that used these slogans?
Here's a list of taglines and slogans used by companies.
Bathtub IV
A tilt-shift video of a day in the life of a rescue helicopter. Filmed by Keith Loutit with the support of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. Music is by Megan Washington.
The World's Weirdest Keyboards
Keyboards without keys? Yes, they do exist. As does a vertical keyboard with mirrors on the side so you can see your fingers, and keyboards on which you type on the back.
Get ready for some wacky input devices.
USA Government Surplus Auctions
GovDeals provides services to various government agencies that allow them to sell surplus and confiscated items via the Internet. Each participating agency has its own auction rules and regulations and may be subject to state and local ordinances.
You can bid on almost everything, from heavy duty trucks to scrap metal, and from clothing to parking meters.
12 Of The Most Expensive Foods And Drinks
With all the talk about rising food costs, many of us find ourselves in the grocery aisles complaining about paying $4.50 for a gallon of milk. Well, you haven't seen anything yet!
WomansDay compiled a list of ridiculously expensive foods and drinks - including a $250 chocolate truffle and a $700 bottle of wine - that will only have you saying 'Bon appétit' if you can afford it.
(thanks Annie)
Mighty Titan, The Most Scary Lovely Dog
Mighty Titan is a three-and-a-half year old Bordeaux Mastiff. He's such a docile dog according to his owner. These pictures show how he expresses himself.
The Flying Car
It is the ultimate off-roader and it is coming to an airstrip near you. The flying car has been talked about for almost as long as cars have existed, and now a prototype - the Terrafugia Transition - built by a small American company is finally ready to make the idea a reality.
(thanks Cora)
The Terrafugia Transition's first flight.
Winter 1972 Project
Adrian Merz from Switzerland, a student in visual communication, created the 'Winter 1972' project by using thousands of white post-it notes in a living room.
(via Everlasting Blort)
50 Stunning Examples Of Architecture Photography
Architectural photography can be broadly considered to encompass views of the exteriors and interiors of domestic, commercial, religious, institutional, and engineering structures, as well as records of the evolution of towns and cities.
Here are 50 stunning examples of architecture photography.
USA Sitcom Map
Dan Meth produced a map of the United States featuring the places some of your favorite TV shows were set.
(via Neatorama)
Animated Websites That Kids Will Love But Grownups Will Adore
Here is a selection of websites featuring animation aimed mostly at kids. This being said, the chances are that you will love them too! Give the rug rats a DVD and enjoy these for yourself.
(via Robert-John)
My Dog Smels Nice
The concept behind 'My Dog Smels Nice' is that people submit funny pictures showing their dogs... just after being washed. The project is just starting so there are not many pictures yet.
(thanks Jason)
Greenmarket Produce Scans
Ranjit Bhatnagar scans the products he buys at Grand Army Plaza.Every Saturday, if I can, I go to my local greenmarket, buy some goodies, take them home, and scan them. I've been doing it since 2000 or so, though this set only contains more recent ones.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
The Uncomb
Are you one of those that just adore that sultry, 'just out out of bed' look? Use the Uncomb for that untidy, unkempt, undone look that women love.
The typical well-groomed segment of society has no idea how long it can take to achieve the perfect bed-head look. It's not as easy as it looks... until now! One swipe of the Uncomb and you're good to go.
World Builder
A strange man uses holographic tools to build a world for the woman he loves. This award winning short was created by filmmaker Bruce Branit. World Builder was shot in a single day followed by about 2 years of post production.
(via Dark Roasted Blend)
Ingrid Newkirk's Unique Will
Ingrid Newkirk is an animal rights activist, an author, and the president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). She is best known for the animal rights awareness campaigns she organizes on behalf of PETA, which she cofounded in 1980. These campaigns are highly visible, and often controversial.
What's also controversial is Ingrid Newkirk's last will. She calls it a Unique Will. And unique it is. And totally crazy. See Newkirk's Unique Will. You won't believe what you're reading.
Can Cats Talk?
Can cats talk? Many cat owners would like to think so and some even claim that their cats speak a number of recognisable words. A Brazilian cat takes claims one step further by apparently being able to sing a number of well known songs while the Fortean Times carried a report of a cat which speaks several words in Turkish.
But before cat-owners rush out for phrase books, are these cats really speaking or are their owners just talking turkey?
Human Red Arrows
Just like the Red Arrows, they soar through the sky in perfect formation leaving a trail of smoke in their wake. Unlike the Red Arrows, this daredevil crew do it without aeroplanes.
They are skydivers wearing just a helmet and a body suit with flaps of material between the legs and under the arms to act as wings. The team leap from a plane at 13,000ft and fly inches apart as they glide to earth at 120mph with smoke canisters strapped to their ankles.
(thanks Darren)
The Largest Model Railway In The World
At 11,840 square feet, this is the world's largest model railway. There are 800 trains, and over 10,000 train cars in total. Over 170 computer controlled cars, more than 200,000 people, controlled by 40 computers.
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: Let's CUT to the chase. The POINT of all this is...
click on the picture for real size
Painting With Burger Grease
What can you do with burger grease?
You could paint the Mona Lisa like Phil Hansen did.
Iceman Photo Scan
Ötzi the Iceman is the modern name of a well-preserved natural mummy of a man from about 3300 BC. The mummy was found in 1991 in the Schnalstal glacier in the Ötztal Alps on the border between Austria and Italy. He is Europe's oldest natural human mummy, and has offered an unprecedented view of Chalcolithic Europeans.
The Iceman Photo Scan is an innovative project which records the complete photographic documentation of the body of the Iceman mummy. The intuitive zoom function enables a high-resolution navigation, from a total body image down to millimetric detail.
The Corduroy Appreciation Club
The Corduroy Appreciation Club is a social club for people who like Corduroy fabric. Emulating old, secret societies and social clubs, the Corduroy Appreciation Club seeks to create a community and, in turn, a sense of fellowship rooted in the historic and culturally significant fabric known as Corduroy.It is only mandatory that you were Corduroy to meetings (a minimum of two items). But, as a member it is important that you best represent your organization, so we encourage wearing Corduroy as much as possible. Besides, we may be watching you at any time.
Studio Robotico
Studio Robotico makes robots. All robots are lovingly handcrafted by unskilled laborers, trained in the art of love and sent out into your caring arms. Like this Meatbot.
Name: Meatbot, 8.75" tall, wood, hinges, hooks and screws. Lean, not suggested for children. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Cities On The Sea
It may sound like something from a Jules Verne novel, but the idea of cities on the sea - or seasteading - is fast gaining ground and may soon become a reality.
(via Robert-John)
Monstrous Aviation: Huge Helicopters
Airplanes you can understand: they're basically just big birds, with recognizable wings, tail and body. But helicopters... are somewhat strange beasts. It's a wonder why anyone took Mr. Sikorsky seriously.
My Blogs.com Top 10 List Of My Favorite Blogs
I was asked by Blogs.com from Six Apart to provide a Top 10 list of my favorite blogs. That wasn't as easy as it sounds, because I have a whole lot of blogs that I favor.
All the blogs mentioned in my Blogosphere column on the right are my favorites, otherwise they wouldn't be there.
So what I did was take those blogs that provided me with the most visitors over the past years. If you're not on the list, don't worry. I still like you!
Here's my Top 10 list of my favorite blogs.
Blogs.com
Blogs.com Top 10 Lists
Dow Jones Hanky
It's OK to cry. The Dow Jones Hanky, embroidered with the graph of the Dow Jones from the past 5 years, 2004 to 2009.
(thanks Cora)
The Movies That Influenced Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica will influence television shows to come and is influencing real-world debate too. But what of the fine movies that influenced it? In honor of the bucket's final flight Movie Moron has picked out the movies to dig out of your DVD collection and watch on repeat until you can get your hands on The Plan.
So dry your eyes, swig some ambrosia and take a gander at this list of movies that influenced Battlestar Galactica.
(thanks Sheridan)
I Got A Postcard
Igotapostcard is a continuous project where people practice the art of leaving self-addressed stamped postcards in public places to be picked up and personalized by others, who then send them back.
(thanks Jason)
Scenes From 30,000 Meters Above
On February 28th, a team of four Spanish teenage students and their instructor from IES La Bisbal school in Catalonia launched a weather probe they designed and built themselves. Their helium-filled balloon carried a payload of electronics and a camera to take atmospheric measurements and photographs throughout the trip.
They released the probe on a trip that took it over 30,000 meters (19 miles) above sea level, through winds gusting up to 100 kph, and temperatures reaching -54C (-65.2F), and traveling 38 kilometers overland in a time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Baa, Neigh, Cock-A-Doodle Do
A fun little barnyard ditty by Buck Howdy with lots of silly animal pictures.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Pillows For Working Late
Pillows for working late; a tie-pillow, a collar-pillow and a sleeve-pillow that provide you with comfort and softness when you fall asleep working until late.
(via The Awesomer)
Undersea Eruptions Near Tonga
Scientists sailed out to have a closer look at the eruptions of an undersea volcano off the coast of Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean.
Officials said it may be related to a quake with a magnitude of 4.4 which struck last March 13 around 35 kilometers from the capital at a depth of nearly 150 kilometres.
Here's the video.
Would You Take A Vacation To Afghanistan?
Although it is not considered safe for tourists at the moment, many look forward to being able to visit Afghanistan in the near future. Why?
Take a look at some of the remarkable places you would be able to visit and decide for yourself. Would you take a vacation to Afghanistan?
(via Robert-John)
Extreme Sheep LED Art
The Viral Factory from London produced another viral video for Samsung. They took to the hills of Wales armed to the teeth with sheep, LEDs and a camera, to create a huge amazing LED display.
(thanks Vincenzo)
Google Gravity
Everything that goes up must come down. But there comes a time when not everything that's down can come up.
George Burns couldn't probably imagine that his quote would eventually also be applied to Google's main page.
7 Strangest Wars
The Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War (1651–1986) was a war between the Netherlands and the Isles of Scilly (located off the southwest coast of the United Kingdom).
It is said to have been extended by the lack of a peace treaty for 335 years without a single shot being fired, which would make it one of the world's longest wars and the war with the fewest casualties. Despite the uncertain validity of the declaration of war, peace was finally declared in 1986.
7 Strangest Wars.
(via Interesting Pile)
Vision One Computer Workstation
The Vision One Computer Workstation is dynamically designed to be the best computer desk system on Earth. It looks like a drum set but the pads you see there are armrests, the mouse pad, and speaker stands.
(thanks Cora)
Bucky Balls
Bucky Balls are 216, spherical, Neodymium magnets. Form chains, loops, and complex sculptures. Pull them apart. Wear them as jewelry. Use them to hold even the heaviest items securely to the fridge. Kneed them in your hand for stress relief. Throw them at any metal surface for a game of high tech bulls-eye.
(thanks Tracy)
Food Dollar Feuds
Are your taste buds really able to discern the $20 price difference between real and imitation maple syrup? Does your love of fresh blueberries warrant shelling out nearly double the amount over the frozen variety?
WomansDay.com's interactive Food Dollar Feuds takes a look at some similar items, and their not so similar prices.
(thanks Annie)
Factropolis - A Fun Fact Every Day!
Factropolis is an association of teachers, historians, scientists and researchers dedicated to eliminating the gaps in public knowledge.
Factropolis digs up forgotten trivia, right historical wrongs, answers reader questions and has tons of fun!
8 Inane And Pointless Pieces Of Exercise Equipment
An absurd assortment of exercise machines and devices more likely to provide comic relief than fitness results.
History Of The Internet
History of the Internet is an animated documentary by Melih Bilgil, explaining the inventions from time-sharing to file-sharing, from Arpanet to Internet.
The clip shows a brief overview of this history and shall animate to go on discovering the history of the internet.
(thanks Cora)
Stacked Book Font
A not very practical but original way of stacking books. Letters are constructed with the aid of the color of the books.
(via Humanyms)
The 10 Most Unusual Places To Set Up Your Office
For many people, the office is synonymous with the mundane. Although offices can be interesting and exciting places, they are rarely unusual, especially if we spend most of our waking lives inside one.
With telecommuting becoming more common and desirable we lift the lid on the most extraordinary places in which one might choose to set up a home office. You've heard of the mobile office, but some of these are ridiculous!
(thanks Andy)
Build Your Own Comics Page
Select the comics you wish to view and click on the 'Build It' button. The page with the comics will open in a new window.
Then select Add to Favorites from the Favorites menu and it will be there whenever you need it. Choices are limited to the comics from the Houston Chronicle.
(via J-Walk Blog)
Packed Van Fleeing From Officers Crashes In Phoenix
Watch as over 20 people flee out of a van after it flips over in Phoenix.
(via Arbroath)
All The Presidents' Girls
British artist Annie Kevans painted every presidential girlfriend on record.
(via Nag on the Lake)
The 6 Best Browser-Based Personal Finance Management Tools
Personal finance management no longer requires mountains of paper work, receipts and a calculator. Working out a budget, income, and expenditures needn't be such a chore. It can in fact be useful to helping you cut back, see where your money is going, and how much is coming in.
And now, you don't even need to buy an expensive software package, one so often outdated by the time it has come sufficiently down in price to justify the investment. Now you can manage your personal finances and accounts from the comfort of your favourite web browser.
(thanks Andy)
Top 10 Unexplained Disappearances
Every year thousands of people are reported missing. While most are found within hours, some disappear without a trace, never to be seen again.
Here are some of the more famous and bizarre cases in history.
Clerkdogs
Clerkdogs is a movie recommendation site. They invented an entirely new engine powered by humans - not algorithms. It's a lot like interacting with a great clerk in a top quality-video store.
The database is made up of literally hundreds of thousands of individual recommendations from dozens of former video store clerks who understand why customers like movies, have analyzed all the characteristics of movies to create a database that is much richer and deeper than the collaborative filtering engines.
Cactus Design Scenario
Probably the most famous cactus is the saguaro, with its hard and solid spines which grow from the stem.
Generally speaking, a cactus is a symbol of patience, endurance, persistence and nostalgia. Its cultural imaginary is portrayed in the emphasis of the many design applications.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Traveling In Time: Evolution Of The Suitcase
Suitcases have grown in size, style and security as trains, boats and plains made the world a smaller place. From buckskin packs to steamer trunks to carbon fiber carry-ons, the story of the suitcase parallels the explosion of travel and tourism.
St. Patrick’s Day Around The World
If there's one holiday that can unite a nation, it's St. Paddy’s Day. Though the most culturally inspired celebration, whether French, Australian, Canadian or American, on one day in March, we all can proclaim ourselves 'Irish for a day.'
Here are the the biggest and most anticipated Saint Patrick's Day festivals and events around the world.
Discover how the Italians honor the patron saint, how Denmark uses themed competition to support charity and how 150,000 New York City residents march in style up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue.
(thanks Annie)
Daddy-Man
I am the real Daddy-Man, and I do wear my suit, not only for my children, but as a symbol for other fathers to recognize how important it is to become the hero in the lives of their own children.
I haven't had to save any cats stuck in trees lately, but when it comes to being a Superhero, my kids look to me as theirs. I created this website to share the adventures of being Daddy-Man and introduce you to some of my team.
Daddy-Man Headquarters (with annoying music).
The Domestication Of Animals
When it comes to domestication there are literally hundreds of candidates. There's around 150 big herbivores and almost as many small meat eaters - but today the closest we get to them is in our zoos. Why didn't we domesticate the hippopotamus, or ride the zebra, milk the deer, corral the kangaroo.
A discussion about the domestication of animals.
Lyons Township High School Choir Sings Danny Boy
A lyrical and moving rendition of the classic song Danny Boy. Sung by a top-notch high school choir in a perfectly acoustical church. Pictures of Ireland's countryside accompany the vocals.
(thanks Sterling)
World's Most Unique And Weirdest Aqualand Animals
Looking for an unusual and one-of-a-kind pet? Here are a handful of the most unusual and odd-looking amphibians - perfect for amphibian keepers and lovers.
Roswell, The Alien Sculpture
Imaginative British artist Liam Manchester couldn't wait to 'go where few have gone before' when he sculpted this extra-terrestrial!
At nearly two feet tall, this hand-painted creature is cast in quality designer resin, sure to be appreciated by imaginative gardeners and UFO collectors alike.
The 17 Most Outrageous Drum Kits On The Internet
The 17 strangest, biggest, most creative, most 'what were they thinking?' drum kits on the Internet.
The Rolling Exhibition
Kevin Connolly was born in Helena, Montana in August 1985. Born without legs. Kevin was otherwise a healthy baby and grew up like any other kid.
He began skateboarding and taking photographs for the first time in 2005. Photographs of people staring at him.
It resulted in what was to become 'The Rolling Exhibition.'
Saint Patrick's River
Every year, the Chicago River is dyed green for Saint Patrick's Day. Now you can throw your own visual or text message into the mix.
Saint Patrick's River Generator.
(thanks Paul)
The Statues Of Dublin And Their Numerous Nicknames
Dublin is filled with statues. It seems close to a national obsession in Ireland to erect them. Perhaps not far behind is the predilection of the inhabitants of this fair city to give them nicknames.
And what nicknames. In time for St Patrick's Day, take a quick tour of some of the notable nicknamed statues of Dublin.
(via Robert-John)
Maltese Falcon 'Flying' Submarine
A deep flight personal submarine built for Tom Perkins' Maltese Falcon yacht.
(thanks Cora)
BLH's Tour Of Chernobyl
Remember Chernobyl? A city of north-central Ukraine near the border of Belarus. It was evacuated and remains uninhabited as a result of a major nuclear power plant accident nearby on April 26, 1986.
A trip to Chernobyl in pictures.
(via In4mador!)
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: Squirm.
click on the picture for real size
Dallas Clayton - An Awesome Book!
There are places in the world where people do not dream of rocket-powered unicorns and candy cane machines, of magic watermelon boats and musical baboons, or teeny tiny trumpet players training pet raccoons.
Yes, there are places in the world where people dream up dreams so simply un-fantastical and practical they seem to lose all possibility of thinking super things.
Dallas Clayton - An Awesome Book!
Hidden Tap Faucet
A design by Jelmer Moorman of Kunst Zonder Kapsones (Art Without Swagger), an art and design gallery in the Netherlands.
Sensors inside this faucet detect your hands' presence and position. As you move your hands from left to right under the faucet, water goes from hot to cold.
(via Neatorama)
The Golden Hour Of Photography
You may have heard photographers referring to the golden hour and wondered why they were making reference to a medical term you heard used on an episode of ER.
So, what exactly is the golden hour and why is it so important?
(via Robert-John)
Photo Manipulations By Erik Johansson
Erik Johansson, an artist from Sweden, creates remarkable images by digitally modifying photographs that he took himself.
Erik Johansson's website.
A Pi Day Puzzle
Yesterday was Pi Day. The day in which the month and day of the calendar is 3/14, the first three digits to the mathematical formula for pi.
Stamps of Distinction posted a puzzle that relates to pi.Suppose you could put a steel band tightly around the equator of Earth. Assume, for the sake of this puzzle, that the earth is perfectly round, without hills or valleys, and that the steel band would make an exact circle around the Earth where it is touching the surface evenly. Then, you take a cutting torch, open up a gap in this band, and weld in exactly 1 extra meter (for non-metric readers, approximately 1 yard) of metal.
Question: how high would this extra meter of material allow the band to be raised, evenly, throughout the entire circumference of the earth. If you haven't heard this question before, the answer will likely amaze you.
(thanks Tony)
Beware Of The Monkeys
Funny viral from the Institution of Engineering and Techynology, UK.
(thanks Scarlett)
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Machine
Priced at only $35,000, the NitroCream N2G4 will take your favorite ice cream recipe, freeze it with liquid nitrogen, and finally mix it to create what is apparently the most perfect, silky smooth ice cream you've ever tasted.
(thanks Cora)
Soundory
Soundory is a new game created by Philipp Lenssen for Games for the Brain.
The goal is two uncover two cards containing the same sound. Once all cards are turned around, you win the game.
Holi - The Festival Of Colors
Last Wednesday, people in India and other countries with large Hindu populations celebrated Holi, the Festival of Colors. Holi is celebrated as a welcoming of Spring, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
What that translates to in action is an enthusiastic dropping of inhibitions, as people chase each other and playfully splash colorful paint, powder and water on each other.
Italian Soccer Team Where Every Player Has The Same Name
Everyone in the squad - which plays in one of Italy's amateur leagues - shares the name De Feo. And the coach, secretary, doctor and all 12 sponsors of the Team De Feo club, in Serino, southern Italy, also have the same name. Just to add to the confusion, the team's ground is located on Raffaele De Feo street in the town.
The team was set up by former Serie A player Maurizio De Feo, 44, who he says he is going to talk to Guinness World Records officials to see if the team can claim a world record.
(thanks Alison)
Loewe Sound
Nice commercial initially created by Loewe Sound for German television.
(thanks Sebastian)
24 Ridiculously Expensive Everyday Items
Would you buy a doorstop for $3500, a Louis Vuitton Skateboard for $8,250, a carbon fiber toilet seat for $249, or a leather gold and silver monopoly set for $7570?
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a million dollars you probably only thought about the cars, the yachts and the bling, and overlooked the details like what kind of toilet seat or fancy tennis ball cans you'd use. Here are 24 of the most ridiculously expensive everyday items you could blow your wad on.
The Untold Story Of The World's Biggest Diamond Heist
The fascinating story about the biggest gem robbery in history.In February 2003, Leonardo Notarbartolo was arrested for heading a ring of Italian thieves. They were accused of breaking into a vault two floors beneath the Antwerp Diamond Center and making off with at least $100 million worth of loose diamonds, gold, and jewelry.
The vault was thought to be impenetrable. It was protected by 10 layers of security, including infrared heat detectors, Doppler radar, a magnetic field, a seismic sensor, and a lock with 100 million possible combinations. The robbery was called the heist of the century, and even now the police can't explain exactly how it was done.
Walls Of Death In Amusement Parks: A Brief History
In the 1930s, where would you go to see an ultimate spectacle? You'd go to the amusement park to see motorcycles roaring up, down, and around a huge wooden barrel, filling the air with atrocious noise, fumes and a tremendous sense of danger - with spectators standing just yards away from the action!
USB Body Implant
YOU-SB is the ultimate memory storage device. A sarcastic yet possible visualization of the way computers and human beings will end up interacting in every possible media in the near future.
Designed by Alberto Villareal.
Lewis Hamilton And The RC Office Grand Prix
Simon and Steve and the remote control McLaren-Mercedes F1 car.
(thanks Vincenzo)
'Link' Urban Scooter System
The 'Link' Scooter System is designed as a modular transport solution that can be retrofitted to existing Streetscape Smart Poles.
It allows users to hire a small lightweight electronic scooter from a hub and ride to the desired destination and then return the scooter to another hub, where it is recharged.
(via UniqueDaily)
The Anonymous Hugging Wall
From the ongoing series Methods & Apparati for Social Facilitation and Mood Elevation, by Keetra Dean Dixon, the Anonymous Hugging Wall.
(via CrookedBrains)
Be Amazing!
Mental_floss' step-by-step guide to destroying civilization with nanotechnology. 3D animation created with motion capture technology.
Mental_floss Magazine.
10 Common Phenomena Explained
A list with ten explanations of common everyday things.
(via Dump Trumpet)
Get Out Alive
Last Tuesday I posted a video that described how to survive a sinking car scenario. Yesterday I got an email from Mary Kay telling me the video has some serious inaccuracies.
She pointed me to her site 'Get Out Alive.' She started the site after her grandson became a victim of a sinking car. She has studied this problem and is trying to get accurate information out to the public.
(thanks Mary Kay)
UNwrong'D Pigs
In this latest Boost Mobile commercial pigs can talk. The most talkative pig puts their behavior in perspective by telling users the real problem in life is mobile carriers charging hidden fees.
(via Chunnel.tv)
Factropolis
Factropolis, the obscure trivia authority, is an association of teachers, historians, scientists and researchers dedicated to eliminating the gaps in public knowledge.
They dig up forgotten trivia, right historical wrongs, answer reader questions and have tons of fun.
Sturgeon Face
I know that a sturgeon is some kind of fish but I didn't know it's also slang for the unfortunate turning down of the corners of the lips to signify disdain, chagrin, or pensiveness.
Here's a page full of pictures of people with sturgeon faces.
(via Grow-A-Brain)
Cat Cafe
There's a cat cafe in Osaka, Japan. It's hidden inside a nondescript office building. An elevator discreetly whisks you up to the third floor. The elevator opens into a small hallway where you must remove your shoes and put on a pair of slippers.
You then open a sliding door to enter the cafe but before you can go any further, you are instructed to hold out your hands, palms up, while an employee sprays them with disinfectant. You are then directed to the counter to pay in advance. About $5 gets you all the cats you can stroke for an hour. A few hundred yen extra gets you a drink to quench your thirst after all of the heavy petting is over.
Model Morphosis
Photographer Greg Kessler captures the transformations of Paris Fashion Week. See models before and after makeup. Drag the orange bar to reveal the full transformation.
(via Everlasting Blort)
10 Worst Plastic Surgery Disasters
Plastic surgery is often used to enhance what nature gave you. But sometimes it backfires.
Bad plastic surgery happens when someone feels pressure to look good and they have more money than brains.
(thanks Jorge)
How To Delete Accounts From Any Website
Deleting accounts you've created on Facebook, MySpace, AOL, and elsewhere on the Web isn't always easy. Here are the details on leaving 23 services behind.
The 8 Most Unusual And Cutting Edge Inks
The most unusual, random and downright fascinating printing-related articles out there. Starting with a playful look at the more frivolous side of ink innovation and swiftly moving on to some industry advances that could make a real difference to the environment.
Also, how printing is being applied to microelectronics and a look at a printing application that could change the lives of millions of people in the most dramatic of ways.
(thanks Andy)
Thomas The Tank Engine Rap Remixes
Thomas the Tank Engine would be a pretty good name for a rapper. It makes him sound like the kind of guy who would run you over with his rhymes.
Unfortunately, Thomas' rap career is ever going to move beyond these 'Thomas The Tank Engine' theme song rap remixes.
(thanks Jordan)
The World's Most Flushingest Toilet
This St Thomas Creations toilet with Quattro Flushing Technology flushes basically, anything. Huge, vasty supplies of euphemistic carrot-batons, entire chess-sets, and so on.
(via Boing Boing)
Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Cockpit Panorama Picture
Beautiful panoramic pictures from the German 'Luftfahrt Museum' in Hannover.
The Ten Most Revealing Psych Experiments
Psychology is the study of the human mind and mental processes in relation to human behaviors - human nature. Due to its subject matter, psychology is not considered a 'hard' science, even though psychologists do experiment and publish their findings in respected journals.
Some of the experiments psychologists have conducted over the years reveal things about the way we humans think and behave that we might not want to embrace, but which can at least help keep us humble.
The Ten Most Revealing Psych Experiments.
Robots
Robotic systems continue to evolve, slowly penetrating many areas of our lives, from manufacturing, medicine and remote exploration to entertainment, security and personal assistance.
Developers in Japan are currently building robots to assist the elderly, while NASA develops the next generation of space explorers, and artists are exploring new avenues of entertainment. Here are a handful of images of our recent robotic past, and perhaps a glimpse into the near future.
A Maths Dictionairy For Kids
A Maths Dictionary for Kids by Jenny Eather. Animated, interactive math glossary with over 600 math word definitions.
How To Escape A Car Sinking In Deep Water
A very well done video that describes how to survive a sinking car scenario. Can you easily open the door? Can you break the window? Definitely worth a watch.
(thanks Cora)
7 Intriguing Genetically Modified Fruits And Veggies
Ever heard of graisins, grapples, pluots, or lematos?
They are genetically modified food, one of the great controversies of our time. Supporters point to wonderful possibilities of nutrient-packed food and solving world hunger, while critics fear unknown effects on human health.
But whatever one's opinion the matter, one thing is clear: some genetically modified fruits and vegetables are awfully intriguing! Here are 7 of the most interesting examples.
Totally Looks Like...
Funny look-alikes: celebs, famous people, objects and animals matched with their long lost twins.
Cosmic Motors Concept Art By Daniel Simon
Daniel Simon is a German concept designer and automotive futurist best known for his visionary book Cosmic Motors. He began his design career at Volkswagen and also designed cars for Seat and Lamborghini.
Simon designs futuristic virtual vehicles for his brand Cosmic Motors. In 2007 his futurist vehicle designs were exclusively released by California-based publisher Design Studio Press.
The World's First Robot Teacher
Pupils in Japan have been given lessons by the world's first robot teacher. The humanoid named Saya is multilingual, can do roll calls and set tasks from text books. 'She' has a latex face, modelled on a university student, controlled by 18 motors to create expressions including happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, sadness and even anger.
Saya will start teaching full-time after passing a trial term at a Tokyo primary. Her creator, science professor Hiroshi Kobayashi, had been working on the robot for 15 years.
Privnote
Have you ever wanted to send confidential information within your work environment, to family or friends, but were afraid to do so over the internet, because some malicious hacker could be spying on you?
Privnote is a free web based service that allows you to send top secret notes over the internet. It's easy and requires no password or user registration at all. Just write your note, and you'll get a link. Then you copy and paste that link into an email that you send to the person who you want to read the note.
When that person clicks the link for the first time, they will see the note in their browser and the note will automatically self-destruct; which means no one (even that very same person) can read the note again. The link won't work anymore.
(thanks Cora)
Hugo In The Land Of The Lemonsharks
An animation by Paxson Woelber (born in Alaska, currently living in New York). Hugo in the Land of the Lemonsharks is a tale of chivalry, heartache, valor, and, of course, screaming shred guitar.
(thanks Paxson)
Home Schooled
Home Schooled is a comics series by American artist Ash Jackson.
Co-writing by Silas Jackson.
The Presurfer will feature a Home Schooled cartoon every Monday. This is an absolute exclusive cooperation between The Presurfer and Ash Jackson.
Home Schooled is more or less a reflection of the wacky and occasionally interesting adventures of the artist, Ash Jackson, himself, with the aid of his friends, family, and other cohorts.
Title: The Guitar Solo is Great at Least.
click on the picture for real size
Custer Channelwing Airplane
Last Friday I posted about the Ellipse Winged Airplane. Presurfer reader Chris in the comments pointed me to another airplane with 'strange' wings, the Custer Channelwing.
The saga of the Custer Channelwing is the story of a single minded man (Willard Custer) on a single minded mission to change the path of aviation. Despite years of research, tests by every conceivable variety of agency, and stunning flying examples, the Channelwing has never been produced.
That's because Willard Custer would not let anyone else control the patents. He was offered an astronomical sum for the patents by a large aircraft firm, but it fell through when he insisted on being part of the engineering staff. His legendary lack of diplomacy alienated many government contacts, agencies, and backers.
The See It To Believe It Sea-Based X-Band Radar
Seen it all? Take a look at the Sea-Based X-Band Radar. Like something from a science-fiction novel, this floating Goliath has been designed to defend the USA from missile strikes. Not quite star wars but just as startling.
(via Robert-John)
StatCounter Global Stats
Mozilla Firefox 3 overtook Microsoft's Internet Explorer 6 for the first time in February in the Internet browser wars according to monthly data from StatCounter Global Stats.
Internet Explorer 7 continues to lead globally with 41% market share. However, Firefox 3 is now in second place with 24%.
Wonderful Wine Cellars For Any Room In Your House
Ever want a wine cellar but don't have the space or money to build one?
The Spiral Cellars design/build firm will dig a hole right in whatever room you want your cellar in and haul the dirt right out the front door.
In the remaining void they infill a highly functionally and visually dazzling spiral-staircase wine cellar to fit all your favorite vintages and go with your favorite funky furniture designs.
Scanwiches
Scans of sandwiches 'for education and delight.'
So do you eat them after you scan them?
(thanks Cora)
How To Get Bruce Lee Like Strength Without Ever Going To A Gym
Bruce Lee was a paragon of cool and an icon of the ultimate bad-ass. Not only were his martial arts skills incredible, but he had such an impressive physique that even bodybuilders in the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger admired him.
What's more impressive is that Bruce trained his body without ever stepping into a gym and with very little use of weights or machines. While you may not get to Bruce Lee's level overnight, you can start getting in shape without the use of a lot of fancy equipment. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, in a space as large as a bathroom.
The 2012 Pelosi GTxi SS/RT Sport Edition
From Congressional Motors: All new for 2012, the Pelosi GTxi SS/Rt Sport Edition is the mandatory American car so advanced it took $100 billion and an entire Congress to design it.
(thanks Cora)
What Does One Trillion Dollars Look Like?
One trillion dollars. That's a million million. It's a thousand billion. It's a one followed by 12 zeros. What does that look like?
The 100 Oldest Registered Domain Names
Ever wonder what the oldest registered domain name is on the Internet? After all, they haven't always existed. In fact, it was just 24 years ago this month that the oldest domain was registered.
It was www.symbolics.com, owned by the Symbolics, Inc. company who, back in the day, was a leading software development firm with software projects designed back in the 1980s which appear very much like modern software designs seen today. Their domain was registered on March 15, 1985 - when the Internet was brand new.
The 100 Oldest Registered Domain Names.
(thanks Joanne)
Rat Staring Contest
Not actually a staring contest as such, as they're squaring up to each other for dominance.
(via Everlasting Blort)
Air De Paris
From 20 km away people can see the atmospheric pollution in Paris.
A giant helium balloon using innovative lighting shows the levels of pollution in the city air. Red shows highly polluted, orange for polluted, yellow for moderate and green for clean.
(via Everyone Forever)
Monkeys Ride Giant Rodents
Some squirrel monkeys in the Japanese Zoo of Saitama have started riding these Capybara.
Ellipse Winged Airplane
In Belarus they use planes with ellipse wings. They say it has a few benefits comparing to the simple one or double winged planes, like the wing can be less in size and it's more firm because the ellipse form is self sustaining.
Also there are now air vortexes by the sides of the wings which gives up to 30% increase in power compared to the traditional planes.
Easter Island Panorama Picture
Beautiful panorama picture of Ahu Tongariki, the largest Ahu on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Its Moai (monolithic human figures carved from rock) were toppled during the island's civil wars and in the twentieth century the Ahu was swept inland by a tidal wave.
It has since been restored and has 15 Moai including an 86 tonne moai that was the heaviest ever erected on the island. Scroll down the page to see more panorama pictures.
(thanks Jeffrey)
Airplane Time Lapse
James Leng worked as an architect in the Netherlands for the past year. On my night time flight back to San Francisco from Amsterdam, he noticed that the lights from cities were making the clouds glow.
Really spectacular and ethereal, it showed the impact of urban environments from a different perspective. Each glow or squiggle represents one town or city.
(thanks Cora)