Real-Life Harolds Herald Purple Crayon Technology
Remember that book, Harold and the Purple Crayon? Awesome, right? That children's book by the brilliant Crockett Johnson, about a little boy with a magic crayon that could draw a whole world in the air. You loved that book! You always wished you had a real "purple crayon," with which to draw things that would then become physical, material objects.
Well guess what! That purple crayon is real, thanks to some Swedish designers who have put together the technology of 3-D motion capture and 3-D printing. Sort of an obvious idea, when you think about it—but so is every truly great invention, and you didn't come up with any of those either. Unless you're Shuji Nakamura. In which case, dude, you are totally my hero.
Okay wait what was I talking about. Oh right! Magic furniture. At the website for FRONT Design, you can see it for yourself: Sketch Furniture—the furniture you can draw in the air. Are you excited? I'm excited. Video after the jump.
Kinda lumpy, okay, but hey, it's freehand. They need to add in some VR goggles so you can see what you're doodling in 3-D, too—then everybody could design his or her own bed right there in the showroom, then take home a plastic "printout" to sleep in. It would kick Ikea's butt.
(Thanks to loyal popsucker Greg for both today's tips!)
