YouTuber BLACKHAND is a master at constructing DIY projects that allow us to experience tantalizing chain reactions. His burning matchstick pieces are wildly popular enjoying views in the millions! But just when we may have been tempted to dubb him Mr. Combustable and were itching to burn something else, he’s done gone and changed up the game on us! Yep, BLACKHAND recently released a DIY project that’s totally safe for all ages, both man and beast! This time around he’s exploring the world of pneumatics. Just check out this fun air-powered pet toy constructed from a totally safe, readily available, and super cheap material……cardboard. Air Powered (Pneumatic) Levitation System There’s…

Despite being one of the most iconic plastic toys of all time, the first LEGO toys were, in fact, crafted from wood. The company, founded by master carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen in 1932, initially crafted the toys out of wood but switched over to plastic when wood supplies became scarce in the aftermath of WWII. With the launch of the LEGO® Originals Wooden Minifigure 853967, the LEGO Group, in collaboration with designers from Room Copenhagen, is introducing a new range of products that pay homage to the company’s wood material history. The 5:1 upscaled version of the classic LEGO Minifigure is handcrafted from oak, with adjustable yellow plastic hands just…

Huddle around the computer a little bit, your digital detox is a farce! How can you stay away from great stuff that you can read and chew on … mentally that is! We got you covered, while you were away, busy with your digital detox diet. Don’t be shy, take a look at the week that was, right here on SolidSmack. Cause we are ROCKIN! This All-in-One Kit Teaches You How to Build Your Own Mechanical Watch Currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, Rotate takes things one step further by having users assemble their own mechanical watch from scratch. Completely devoid of batteries (because that’s what a modular watch is), the kit teaches…

If you thought mobile cases with bunny ears and googly eyes were weird, wait ‘til you get a load of what HCI (human-computer interaction) researcher and interaction designer Marc Teyssier has been working on. By laying a number of electronics underneath a mixture of various silicones, he and his team created Skin-On: a phone case material that mimics human skin; complete with touch capabilities: Let’s address the elephant in the room first: this is NOT real human skin used to make a case. Rather, it is a mixture of DragonSkin silicone poured into a mold to create the outer epidermis topped Datastretch conductive threads to form the electrodes on the…

It’s time for another round of apps that cover the spectrum of your beloved smart device(s)! The Weekly App Smack is the best of new or updated design and productivity apps (and maybe a couple of fun ones, too) for the busy design or engineering professional. This week we have a list sure to make you more efficient. Do you have an app suggestion that has made your life easier or changed up your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or send it to tips@solidsmack.com. Hit it! Airmail (iOS — Free) Airmail is a powerful mail client for Mac, now available for iPhone and iPad. Halide Camera  (iOS -…

For the serious LEGO junkies out there, the LEGO IDEAS community is a one-stop shop for all things plastic brick. From message boards to activity ideas, the platform—which is officially hosted by LEGO—encourages members to share their creations and compete for prizes with build competitions. It’s also where master builders can upload proposals for new LEGO sets that the community votes for to move into mass production. Among others, the LEGO Typewriter from Master Builder Steve Guinness recently hit over 10,000 supporters—meaning, the LEGO corporate team will move the design into the Review phase for 2020 and if they decide to move forward with it, create the SKU, packaging, and…