Although this story is nearly a month old, I still have enjoyed reading it several times since it’s original publication date exactly one month ago. Anna Jane Grossman guest wrote the “Memory [Forever]” feature. Grossman writes on the invention, near extinction of the Rolodex, and how it’s purpose has been replaced virtually.

From the article:

When I got my first job at a newspaper in 2001, I had a small Rolodex. I got it because everyone around me had one. What’s more, people talked about their Rolodexes. “I think I have her in my Rolodex,” they’d say. Or, “If he leaves, he’s going to take his Rolodex with him.” This, of course, meant that someone’s “contacts” were veeeeery important. Sometimes, people would take a card out of their Rolodex if I needed it, and I’d go copy the information and bring it back to them. There were people who stapled cards onto Rolodex pages and people who hand wrote all the information. Cards could be added or tossed or shared with ease. It was a genius, efficient and highly personal way of staying in touch.

It’s features like this that keep me on Gizmodo… Enjoy!

Gizmodo had a post about a new personal transport concept designed by Yuji Fujimura called the Wheel Rider. It was made for Yamaha (according to Tuvie, anyway). It’s really pretty, actually. The rider rides inside of a giant wheel that is protected by an outer shiny body layer. The Wheel Rider was designed to meet the demands of the urban commuter in the future.

Can you imagine a large city like Dallas, New York, or London having 40 or 50% of their vehicles as the Wheel Rider? An 8 lane road could easily become a 16 or 20 lane road! No more traffic jams!

More photos after the jump.

Read on. »

If you have an overbearing need to over-supervise your children, know children who are over-supervised, or where raised by the over-supervised method, then you should purchase “Fifty Dangerous Things (You Should Let Your Children Do)” by Gever Tulley. The idea behind the 130 page book is to allow children to learn about danger through experience.

50 experiments that can potentially cause minor harm to someone—like putting a 9V battery to one’s tongue—that help to teach people lessons about danger in a controlled environment. Perfect for that over-supervised kid that still needs to learn a few of life’s lessons. This book going somewhat along the same lines as the “Dangerous Book for Boys” and the “Daring Book for Girls“.

Seems like a really nifty book idea and worth the $24. Available at Amazon.

The folks at the Appliancist pointed that Italian maker of fireplaces, heaters, and stoves Caminetti Montegrappa has come up with a very modern version of the woodburning heater called “Linea.”

It has a very simple, compact look and a rough, yet elegant, heavy-gauge steel finish. The stoves come only in black and are wall mounted. The Linea comes in two models–6 and 8–featuring a front access door with a long ceramic glass to view the flames. The firebox is lined with refractory material that allow the heat to dissipate slowly so it still heats the area long after the flames go out.

The Linea series stoves have a very simple, modern design, clean lines, and a Scandinavian look. When mounted on the wall, it gives the stove the appearance of being weightless which would probably make it the centerpiece for most conversations.

More information and photos after the jump. Read on. »

Valentine’s Day is only eleven days away and you’re still not sure what to do for your significant other… Why not bake them cookies with a special message?

Willams-Sonoma is the exclusive retailer of the cute Message-in-a-Cookie Cutter set. The set includes 3 shaped cutters (scalloped-rectangle, heart, and star) which are customizable using pre-made words or letters. When you use the cutter to cut your dough, it leaves an imprint of the letters. The possibilities for this cutter extends beyond Valentine’s Day and are practically endless… Have a fight with your best friend? Bake them “I’m sorry” cookies. Is your husband, family member, or friend returning from their tour of duty? Bake them “Welcome home” cookies. Read on. »