Although humans have been throwing disc-shaped objects for centuries, it wasn’t until the 1930s when a couple was offered 25 cents for a cake pan they were throwing back and forth did the idea for the modern frisbee start to take shape. Today, the flexible polypropylene plastic disc is one of the most accessible and favorited outdoor activities—with many businesses even handing branded versions out as promotional material alongside ballpoint pens and mousepads. But like many other classic designs to receive modern updates in recent years, the simple plastic throwable disc is undergoing a design revolution of its own. Wham-O, the California toy company who bought the rights to produce…
Founded in 1959 as a professional tool manufacturer to support Japan’s burgeoning manufacturing industry, Trusco—a combination of the words “Trust” and “Company”—is still manufacturing some of the best toolboxes, today. While their stripped-down design makes them a must-have for many design aficionados, the pressed steel boxes are ridiculously useful for just about anything—tools or not. Still manufactured in Fukui, Japan, Trusco toolboxes now come in more sizes than ever—capable of whatever storage challenges you throw at them. Trusco Toolboxes [Various Sizes] — Starting at $11.98 Features: Steel body, formed for extra strength Versatile sizing for specific storage solutions Double-hinged construction for smooth opening Dividers included Equally useful in the home,…
Get that stretch out of your system with this week’s Spotify-powered SolidSmack Radio Playlist. It’s fashioned up, ready to make you pull your shoulder blades back and knock out another week of meaningful work while you bob your head to the beat. Whether you’re in the shop milling aluminum, sketching the latest product prototypes or modeling up a 3D storm, consider these tracks as a tool for your process. This week we’ll get the groove going with “100 Million” from Charlie Hilton before diving into sweet melodies from Mac DeMarco, Happiness, DYAN, Future Islands, and others before wrapping up with “A Great Snake” from The Lemon Twigs. Rock! Have suggestions?…
I know you’ve all see Predator. What? You’ve not seen the 1987 sci-fi horror flick starring Arnold Schwarzenegger? Push your computer off the desk and go and watch it NOW. You’re welcome for learning how to survive an alien with a tri-laser, arm nuke and jowls that will make curl up in a ball and call your dentist. Anywho. Why a kid-size Predator mask you ask? Because THAT’S not super creepy. Baby Predators. Can you imagine? They’re probably like baby snakes – WAY more lethal, shoulder blastin’ everyone at the slightest offense. Sheesh. And we have Oskar Mohar to thank. He made the Predator mask for his 8-year-old. YES. To go along…
As reported on SolidSmack back in February, music streaming service Spotify is getting into the hardware game—as evidenced by three job postings for hardware engineers or supply chain managers. “Spotify is on its way to creating its first physical products and setting up an operational organization for manufacturing, supply chain, sales & marketing,” explained the job posting for Operations Manager – Hardware Product. “We are looking for a passionate and seasoned Operations Manager that will contribute to the creation of innovative Spotify experiences via connected hardware.” While some SolidSmack readers suggested that the company remain focused on making a better digital product rather than focusing on hardware to add to…
If you’re looking for a video game to play with friends or your kids, Rocket League is a great way to remove stress, bond with them, and crush them in race to the finish intensity. It’s basically soccer only, instead of football players, you’re controlling a virtual RC car which can double jump and rocket boost around a custom-made arena (hence the name Rocket League). It’s a fairly simple game with a lot of depth to it; so much so that it has its own Esports division and a HUGE fan following. One of these fans, Kim Szkudlarek, has gone above and beyond to create a number of custom Rocket…