Despite giant leaps in smartwatch technologies, the mechanical watch still manages to be a staple accessory that people continue to use every day. 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 you the ins and outs of watchmaking with simple guides, tools, and on-hand online support staff in case you lose your way: Since all parts are included with step-by-step instructions, assembling the watch is essentially a LEGO assembly or IKEA table on steroids—including spare parts in case you break a few along…

While exploded views can be traced all the way back to the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, it wasn’t until the manufacturing boom of the mid-twentieth century where the term “Exploded View Drawing” became an industry standard for engineering and manufacturing professionals. Today, fascination with exploded views has crossed over into the mainstream as these informative drawings—intended to convey the relationship or order of assembly of various parts—have made their way to instruction manuals, marketing materials, and other distribution channels outside of the factory. More recently, Photographer Richard Parry created a mesmerizing collection devoted to the exploded view—using the actual hardware parts strategically laid across sheets of clear plastic to…

We love seeing how everyday objects are manufactured, but it can be equally as interesting to see those same objects disassembled; bringing to light just how parts and subassemblies are required to make an object function. Netherlands-based prototype designer Daniel de Bruin also has a profound sense of appreciation for the manufactured object. Professionally, he spends most of his time creating outlines and frameworks for new products. While he loves working on pet projects such as his homemade neurotransmitter which links to his biometric data and a human scanning machine which puts riders in the shoes of airport luggage, Daniel also spends a lot of time disassembling objects—this vintage Bencini…

As purveyors of prime Grade A web content, the SolidSmack crew has done some of the heavy-lifting to make sure you get your Mondays started on the right track. Welcome to The Monday List. Every Monday, we link you up with some of the most insightful, informative, and socially-relevant stories to keep tabbed, bookmarked, reading listed, pocketed, or what have you to get your week started on the right foot. Be sure to check in each week for a new crop of freshly sprouted words curated straight from the source of your favorite homegrown ‘Smack. What We’re Reading This Week: Calling Danger at the Grandview Speedway The life and times of…

The high-speed space battles, lightsaber fights, and unique stories that make up the Star Wars galaxy far, far, away has transcended space and time to give us one of the most unique fictional worlds ever made. That said, the Jim Henson-like puppeteering techniques used to bring the original trilogy space opera to life are pretty dated by today’s standards. Audience expectations for special effects have grown considerably over the years, and some characters have been replaced by digital counterparts to satisfy audiences and high-definition screen resolutions. But there is at least still one person who believes in the art of puppeteering: Special effects and make-up artist Nick Maley—one of the…

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! The New Stratasys J850 Color 3D Printer is ‘Designed for Designers’ Built to meet the needs of the full design process in a wide range of industries including consumer goods, consumer electronics, automotive, and even educational settings, the new Stratasys J850 3D printer from Stratasys…