Archive for January, 2010
This high-tech pen is apparently capable of replicating any color found in nature, as long as you can scan it. The pen has an sensor at one end that signals the red, green, and blue inks inside to mix in the desired proportions to create the color, and then you’re free to draw with it to your heart’s content. This is a pretty amazing idea – as far as I can see it’s still in the concept stages, because to replicate all ink colors it would need the same cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks as a printer – but I’d love to get my hands on one of these if they ever see production! No more misplacing my favorite color markers…
[via Toxel]
Anyone who’s ever tried to record a burst of inspiration in the absence of paper is familiar with the problems inherent in writing on your hand. We wash our hands frequently (at least, I hope you do!), or we sweat, or we come into contact with other materials that smudge the fruits of our genius. What if you could write something on your hand and have it stay put until you got a chance to transfer it to your notebook or computer?
The “Pen Sprayer” concept was thus born at the Yanko Design blog, and what a concept it is! This pen sprays a material that creates a matte writing surface – whether it’s on your hand or on any other non-porous material, like plastic, that would otherwise be difficult to use a pen on. Then, you’re free to write your message, and it peels off with no mess like any other plastic film. I’m frequently caught without a notebook, and one of these pens would be great to have around – especially since they conveniently clip onto a pocket or a belt loop for easy access at all times!
Few would argue against the fact that the healthcare industry suffers from promotional pen overload. Every drug manufacturer on the planet has flooded hospitals and doctors’ offices with branded writing instruments in the hope that someone will happen to be writing a prescription and see their name, and even hospitals themselves are often drowning in their own pens as nurses and doctors leave them places and lose them, considering them disposable. What if these pens were a little more permanent?
Exhibit A: These hilarious syringe pens, which might look threatening at first but are really just an eye-catching way to stand out from the ballpoint-stick crowd. Doctors and nurses are a lot less likely to leave these lying around in case a patient (or hospital worker!) mistakes them for the real thing, and they’re sure to draw comments whenever you pull one out of a purse or a pocket – especially at an industry event like a conference or a trade show.
The quill pens used centuries ago were beautiful writing instruments, and their impressive plumes lent an air of dignity to any document written with them. Unfortunately, they were also extremely messy, and those same documents were perpetually splattered with stray blobs of ink that flew off the quill as it traveled from the inkwell to the paper.
Rejoice, modern quill pen enthusiasts – no longer must you tape ostrich feathers to your Bics in the office! Swedish designer Gustav Innovation have updated the feather pen for the modern age, bringing us the Fjader – a writing instrument that combines the lightness and elegance of a quill with the ergonomic feel and convenience (hello, ballpoint?) of modern pen technology. The pen comes with a display stand, too, so everyone in your office can marvel at your good taste