The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions.THE BIG BENTO A data structure used to store embedded documents in an OpenDoc compound document. Bento, which stands for lunch box in Japanese, provides a "container" to hold the data and a format for defining its contents. BOX OF UNUSELESS JAPANESE INVENTIONS KENJI KAWAKAMI Kenji Kawakami (川上賢司) is the inventor of the Japanese craze Chindōgu. Kenji Kawakami has founded the international Chindōgu society. The current president is Dan Papia. High heels high heels high npl → talons hauts, hauts talons high heels high npl → hochhackige Schuhe pl with training wheels training wheels pl.n. A pair of small wheels attached to the rear axle of a bicycle so that beginning riders can ride without falling over. , an automatic chew counter, and a kissing coffee cup are probably not the most bizarre and zany inventions described in this humorous book, written by the inventor of Chindogu, the Japanese art of the useless. This guide reveals the inspiration for the concept as well as 200 inventions that might address a legitimate need if they weren't so goofy. The 10 tenets of Chindogu dictate that for an invention to qualify it can't be for real use, can't be patented, and yet must exist. What results is a hilarious collection of photos and descriptions of odd gadgets, such as dust mop slippers for cats and a solar-powered flashlight. Each pictured invention gets an enthusiastic endorsement for utility and ease of use in everyday tasks, but its main function is to provide a good laugh. Norton, 2005, 304 p., color photos, paperback, $12.95. |
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