Blog

The Great Story Machine (in cardboard)

Before we committed money and design to the Little Legends story builder app I just wanted to try out the technology, get it in front of kids and see if it would work. Though the inventing theme I was convinced that if we give kids a tight brief like “Hey, invent a dog powered milk-shake machine or invent a rat powered bike” kids would run with it and draw up the maddest contraptions.

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Santa Anita Village Trailer Park

Abandoned Trailer Park Heaven. As I travel the road in the Silver Streak writing new material, living the dream. I like to plant myself in places of inspiration. Yesterday delivered some of the best material. I rang and no-one picked up the Santa Anita Trailer Park. So I decided to just turn up. This is what I found. Pretty much everything I had dreamed and hoped for came true.

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Smelter Shelter

Here 'an interesting project I did in just two days. I spent time chatting to Downtown LA's homeless a few weeks back. They make a small living redeeming aluminum cans for 2.5 cents each.

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Tiki

The Tiki is alive and well in the USA. My weekend in Palm Springs unearthed a treasure trove of Tiki-ness.

Stayed at the Caliente Tropics on Wednesday night. This translates to the 'Stay Warm Tropics' which I guess describes the tropics in Palm Springs as doubly hot. Wanted to be there just because it made me feel at home with all the Tikis everywhere. This 1950's motel has just been taken over by a couple I met who are turning the former Tiki diner into a new cafe. When I saw it, it was just a blank canvas but I'm assured me it's going to live up to it's history.

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Silver Streak

Making do in style in a 1977 Silver Streak RV.

I've been in the USA for 5 months pitching TV shows. But the 'Maker -Do' part really has to be told regarding a 1977 Silver Streak RV that I was given to live in by a kind friend. It what started out as a month and has turned into five. I've been couch-surfing in Los Angles but that wore a bit thin. By luck a hotrod mate back home let me use this Silver Streak. One of only 26 ever made from 1975 to 1977. 

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STEM

Watched an interesting clip yesterday equating the robotic revolution to horses losing their jobs at the turn of the century.

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Free Gifts Inside!

I visited Staples today and was amazed at the possibilities of cheap 3D printers.

I went to Staples stationary shop today and discovered a whole new level of cheap 3D printers available. Like nothing else I'd ever seen. Insane detail and many colours. Got me thinking about making things.

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Solar Golf Cart

OK it’s not cardboard. But with all this fuss about the Tesla and how it’s the IT car in the Hollywood hills here. I thought I’d better shine some light on the NZ version of this invention. This one cost a little less than $US100,000K yet does the same thing but charged by the sun.

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Chalk Paint Street Stencil

I'm doing a weekly blog on making things with stuff you can find lying around the house. I've spent the last 10 years building amazing inventions for the TV show. But this is about making mad stuff with ice block sticks and a glue gun.

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