This is the notepad (the pencil and paper kind) that in the late 80s / early 90s inspired an IBM researcher to name the company’s new mobile computer the ThinkPad. To me, the IBM ThinkPad was the classic laptop computer to have. At least that was the case until I went full time Apple and the Chinese got a hold of the brand. At any rate, it is interesting to see the little promotional give-away that inspired a massive brand.
Urban Camping is a reoccurring look into the products, services and experiences that enhance the city living adventure.
If you live anywhere outside of New York City your car provides you with everything from secure storage space to a mobile charging station, something city dwellers could only dream of. Recently the problem of on-the-go recharging of mobile devices has posed a significant annoyance. There is nothing worse than being embroiled in a heated SMS exchange and going dark or having a raucous night out on the town and not being able to fully document your debauchery.
It is no surprise that the Japanese are one step ahead of the game when it comes to mobile refueling. One of the best options (and a current obsession of mine) are the public cellphone charging stations that can be found all over Japan. These genius little machines are the size of an ATM and are placed in train stations, shopping centers etc., allowing you to lock up and recharge your phone while you shop. Why these aren’t in every bar, bodega and coffee shop in New York City is beyond me. Put this on my list of companies to start.
I put together two Google Maps for the ACL faithful. One is a men’s shopping guide, and the other is a reference to where to drink and dine in the city. The restaurant/bar map is an adaptation of a friend’s very well made map of the same subject. I owe many of the well researched listings to him. The maps will live in the aptly named “Maps” section of the sidebar on the right. Your suggestions for additions are much encouraged and appreciated.
There is an interesting article in The Wall Street Journal today about the state of American shoe manufacturing. The article profiles a small Pompano Beach custom shoe company Otabo and its owner Howard Shaffer, as it closes its lone U.S. factory. The closure is due in part to the lack of domestic resources for American shoe manufactures as nearly all of the U.S. shoe production has moved offshore. The article interestingly pointed out that, “almost 99% of the 2.4 billion shoes purchased in the U.S. every year are imported, 86% of them from China.”
The story also makes reference to an ACL favorite Red Wing. “David Murphy, chief executive of closely held Red Wing Shoe Co. in Red Wing, Minn., an iconic American boot maker that has kept a large manufacturing operation in the U.S., says even a larger-scale company like his, with annual sales of more than $400 million, has to worry about the shoe industry’s withering infrastructure.”
A major problem that led to Ocabo’s demise was the difficulty the small shoemaker faced sourcing components and materials. “One thing that made the constant battles with suppliers irksome for Mr. Shaffer was knowing how much easier it was for shoemakers in Asia. “There are places in China where you have city blocks made up of nothing but makers of shoe materials,” he says ruefully. “You can buy 10,000 laces or 10 laces.”
“The problem of obtaining components is especially acute when it comes to materials uniquely designed for shoes, as opposed to generic items such as cardboard boxes that are used by a wide array of manufacturers. This is one reason why Red Wing prepares its own shoe leather, says Mr. Murphy.”
All the more reason to appreciate the few shoe manufactures that are still operating in the U.S.
Artist Theo Jansen has captured my imagination recently with the kinetic sculptures that he calls “Strand Beests.” The wind-powered animated works are released by Jansen on the beach in the Netherlands where they roam around freely. More info from Wikipedia:
Genetic algorithms can be modified to solve a variety of problems including circuit design, and in the case of Theo Jansen’s creations, complex systems. Some measure of “fitness” is introduced into the algorithm; in Theo’s case it is to survive on the beach while moving around within two enclosing lines on the wet sand near the ocean, and the dry sand at the edge of the beach. Those designs best at the assigned task within the modeled beach environment are bred together and graded again. Over time complex designs emerge which sprout wings and flap in the breeze pressurizing what look like plastic 2 liter soda bottles. Articulated legs sprout and scuttle across the sand like those of a crab. Theo uses plastic electrical conduit to make some of the computer’s most promising designs. He then lets them roam free on the beach, measures their success, and updates his model.
Further reading:
There is a very interesting and informative TED video featuring Jansen and his creations.
BMW has featured Jansen in one of their commercials.
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Innovation is usually late to the fashion world. Case in point, the Fashion Calendar finally went online. This season, Amex made a “quantum leap in the game” to quote Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday. The credit-card giant set up cameras all over the tents to broadcast the buyers, editors and the people in all-black with headsets from every angle. It’s just like football coverage. The design of the website is pretty bad and the live feeds (read: security camera footage) should be embeddable, but still I love the way bankers think. Next year will it be in 1080p?
Further reading er watching:
MySpace Fashion / Refinery29 Video
Nordstrom: Town Car Chronicals
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