Has an invention ever had you asking yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?" or "Why didn't anyone think of this before?" The following products are the result of simple ideas, provide simple conveniences or solve small problems. But they're making a huge impression.
1. Printing phone cases
Prynt phone cases turn your mobile device into a polaroid camera! They're Bluetooth and Wifi-free, they're compatible with a handful of different smartphones and they use ZINK Paper which eliminates the need for ink. Follow this link for their interactive product description.
2. Giant Remote Control Balloons
You can buy these remote-controlled balloons here or even try making one yourself! This is such a fun and simple idea, not to mention it would make an interesting DIY project.
3. Rotating power strips
Now you don't have to deal with the minor but overly-frustrating problem of plugs not fitting next to each other ever again. These power strips come in all shapes and sizes, including forms for wall outlets and forms that have detachable parts.
4. Pocket Bras
Many girls' bras have become the Mary Poppins bag of clothing items. Here's a way to make that more convenient.
5. Tinder for Jobs
Jobr is the Tinder of the work world. Employers and job-seekers can review each other's information, swipe right if they're interested, swipe left if they're not, and speak through an instant message chat if they're both wanting to learn more about each other.
6. Creative Teabaggies
There are so many different kinds of these new and improved tea bags (animals, flowers and even cute little clothes hangers that hang on to the side of your teacup), and this one is just my favorite. A cup full of "royaltea". Get it?
7. Creative Tea Infusers
8. Alarm Clock Rugs
These alarm clocks make sure you get up! Really, they make sure you physically get up using a combination of personalized alarms and pressure sensors.
9. Guitar Pick Punch
Instantly upcycle your old cards and plastic products into guitar picks! This device from Pick Punch has gotten some great reviews, but there are other companies that offer the product as well.
10. Peekaboo Umbrellas
These umbrellas are silly, fun and actually really useful. They come in different colors from different companies but all result in fewer awkward collisions on rainy days.
11. Patterned Rolling Pins
Valek's embossed rolling pins make baking easier! These rolling pins are designed to add patterns and shapes of all kinds to your homemade goodies.
12. No foam beer mugs
It looks like these are still in progress, so for now lazy beer lovers are going to have to keep tilting their own mugs.
13. Item tracking stickers
These quarter-sized stickers by TrackR are actually tiny tracking devices for your belongings. They use maps from your phone as well as internal alarms and trackers to help you keep track of your valuables.
14. Couch Arm Tables
I don't know about you but I spill my drink all over my couch (and self) just about every time I pour myself one. I never learn. Or maybe I'm just too lazy to care so I take my chances at a balancing act. Either way, this one is for people like me.
15. Algae Ink
Our common expensive, primarily petroleum-based ink is known for being environmentally hazardous. So why not make ink from something else? Living Ink uses Algae to solve this problem. Algae produces half the world's oxygen, is biodegradable and grows faster than most resources and comes in different colors. The company has found success with algae ink and is now producing two different kinds. One appears immediately like the ink most of us are used to and one that uses algae cells and sunlight to gradually grow your illustration.
Living Ink founder Scott Fulbright ended his TED Talk (embed above) with a quote, "Let us take more time to wonder, to get curious and to let our minds wander," and I imagine that's exactly how these interesting inventions came about.
