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Technological News
The World Cup Goes High-Tech [World Cup]
Feb 28th
From the ball to special uniforms that make you jump higher, this year’s World Cup could very well be the most techie soccer tournament the world’s ever seen.
The ball, for example (called the Jabulani, fyi), isn’t stitched together—it’s thermally bonded. It’s also the roundest ball ever Read more ...
The Science of a Dude Taking a 1,100-Pound ‘World Record’ Kick to the Balls [Ouch]
Feb 16th
What happens when a dude gets kicked in the hangin’ brains by an MMA fighter and American Gladiator? Well, when he’s a crazy “combat expert” who’s taken hundreds of nutshots, not what you think.
Apparently, this Roy Kirby guy has been hit in the balls so many times that they’ve toughened up and also given up on telling his brain that it hurts. Good for him? It was all worth it for them to be able to show that kick about 200 times in a five minute video. [ GammaSquad Read more ...
Machine Kicks Soccer Ball 125MPH, Needs US Passport Stat [Robots]
Jan 26th
American soccer star Clint Dempsey is injured, possibly through the World Cup. In our time of greatest need emerges: a crazy soccer ball-kicking machine from BP Castrol Japan.
The big guy will, it turns out, make an appearance in South Africa this summer, but only to show off its wares. But don’t worry, American soccer fans! We’ve got plenty of time before then to get it naturalized. In the meantime, just watch it work, and be thankful no part of your body is defending against it on a free kick. [ MSNBC via Read more ...
Smart Bowling Ball Searches for the Perfect Technique [Bowling]
Jan 10th
The few times I go bowling each year are more about pitchers of cheap beer than they are satiating some desire for the perfect game, but nevertheless I’m intrigued by this “smart ball” from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
Developed by sports scientist Franz Fuss, the smart bowling ball contains aluminum tubes in the finger holes that track the force a bowler applies to each roll. Fuss had ten bowlers of different skill levels Read more ...
Super Spit Balls [Weapons]
Nov 3rd
You’re still using paper? Pfft, how 20th century of you. We recommend only
Spit Balls branded spit balls, tiny polymer beads that grow up to 200X (and grossly sticky) in your mouth. $6. [
Scientifics via
Read more ...
