For he's a jolly good bar code
Invented by George J. Laurer at IBM, the UPC is 35 years old. The first swipe checked out a pack of Juicy Fruit gum. Today the beep goes on over 10 billion times a day. The latest codes are so smart they can give you savings on several products at once and tell you if your item has expired. (source: NY Times & GS1.org, 6/25/09)
Soundabout
That was the original US name of the Walkman, 30 years old this week. It was the Stowaway in England. Consumers rejected both western names in favor of the Japanese moniker, and a music star was born. (source: Christian Science Monitor, 6/29/09)
Hit the couch with an ice-cold pouch
Spending waaaay too much time at the brew pub? Enjoy your favorite draft at home with Beer to Go. Available in 6-pack, 16oz, and 1.8L (source: Iconoculture) http://www.beveragepouchgroup.com/
The world will be a quieter place
By now you all know that Billy Mays has passed, but he left a surprising legacy. Out of gratitude to the Atlantic City pitchmen who taught him the tricks of the trade, when he created his production company, he also established a health care and retirement fund for his Boardwalk mentors. (source: Ad Age, 6/28/09)
Isn't it ironic?
My grandma went to Lynchburg and all I got was this stupid T-shirt. You can't buy Jack Daniel's at the iconic distillery's gift shop. It's a dry town in a dry county. (source: msnbc.com)
Backstage pass
Curious what's up at the White House? From the beekeeper to the morning briefing, follow the day-to-day in photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/ (source: Very Short List, 7/2/09)
Very sneaky
Run run, Atlanta! You're #2 in the country for buying athletic shoes, after Jackson, MS. (source: MRI)
What does opera smell like?
The Guggenheim is presenting Green Aria: A Scent Opera. It's man vs. nature as told through over two dozen different aromas and music, all in the dark. Each seat has a smell microphone built in to bring the right scent at the right time directly to each theater-goer. (source: Iconoculture)
And in honor of the museum's 50th anniversary, check out Frank Lloyd Wright's sketchbook of what might have been http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/06/24/realestate/0628-scapes-slideshow_index.html?scp=3&sq=guggenheim%20slide%20show&st=cse
Ready for retirement?
No way. Although he's turning 65, Smokey the Bear has a new campaign debuting July 4. 97% of adults recognize the old firefighter and 75% can recite his signature line. (source: Ad Age, 7/1/09)
Never run out of TP again
www.Alice.com lets you order all manner of household products at a less-than-retail price. Alice ships free via UPS, sends you reminders that you may be out of something, and finds and applies coupons for you. Pretty stinkin' convenient. (source: Springwise, 7/1/09))
Guys at grocery
Nearly 1/3 of men are now the primary shopper for their household. See what they're buying, where, and how their purchase habits compare with the ladies. http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/direct/e3i1a1890f91e4cda9aa0ef4df7de712ee2?pn=1 (source: Brandweek, 7/1/09)
I'll see your restrictions and raise you a signif.
I wonder how many regulatory complaints it takes to net a "signif. restrict. apply" disclaimer. Never seen one of those before. (source: banner ad on 10nbc.com)
Epic ride
No more awkward elevator moments for visitors to the Standard Hotel in NYC. They've installed a video mural by Marco Brambilla titled "Civilization" which combines hundreds of movie clips into heaven and hell montages. Hopefully the trip doesn't take as long as the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQJVr8Lvce0 (source: Very Short List, 6/29/09)
Well hello Auckland
A different approach to airline passenger safety courtesy of the Kiwis. (source: Cori, Kelly, and...Hang on, I think we're going viral) http://www.youtube.com/user/AirNZnothing2hide
Thule rocks renewable
The solar power station at Thule's CT office and manufacturing facility are up and running. Over 1,800 panels now provide about 26% of their electricity. What does that mean? According to Tripp Wyckoff, VP of marketing, sales, and service, "It is the same as saying that every carrier in the bicycle product group is now made with solar power." (source: Thuleracks.com)
Wireless awareness
A clever solution for creating a consumer need http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SogB3HfzgBM
Guppy sex
Scientists tossed two groups of 200 standard aquarium guppies into two different rivers to see if the tiny-brained creatures could adapt. One river had predators, the other didn't. Over the course of 8 years (that's between 13 and 26 generations) the guppies in the safer river had small batches of offspring. Those fish were likely to live to mate again, so they could ration their eggs. The guppies in the dangerous river eventually produced huge litters, a now or never strategy. To confirm that the adopted strategies really did give the fish a survival advantage, the scientists swapped some of the safe-river guppies into the dangerous river and vice versa. Bye bye fishies: guppies that had changed to fit their environment had a nearly 60% better shot at survival than the non-native ones. If they can do it, so can we. Improve your survival outlook. Use the long weekend to change a bad habit. (source: The American Naturalist)
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