The Hindu : Inventions galore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 02, 2004

International

International

Inventions galore

GENEVA, APRIL 1. Ingenious or insane, the world's most innovative minds have gathered at the largest inventions fair, parading their solutions to the most pressing problems. Having turned their visions into reality, a record 675 inventors set up stalls at the International Exhibition of Inventions, displaying everything from heavy-duty engineering equipment to shoes which remove the calluses from your feet.

The fair features over 1,000 totally new inventions of all kinds.

Terrorism is a recurring theme, with several inventions addressing both prevention and intervention, including bomb jammers, a portable explosive vapour detector, the PI-1MU bullet-catching device and a rescue balloon which can be docked against high-rise buildings for use by fire fighters. Other inventions are surgical implants for the treatment of fractures and a hardware and software system that enables diagnosis of early-stage gastrointestinal cancer.

Practical everyday items include an anti-radiation mobile-phone case, a hands-off hook to hang your mobile phone on your ear to leave your hands free and a tiny Hungarian safe that can be slipped into your pocket to protect your credit cards. The card data is erased if anyone attempts to force open the safe's combination lock.

This year, visitors will possibly get a kick out of cheeky items including:

A hygienic tip-up seat for opening and closing toilet seats and covers. It uses the same principle as a garbage can pedal.

The ``Easy Shooter,'' which blows confetti into the air.

A head sling for travellers, which can be used as a headrest.

Ergonomic playing cards, shaped like a lopsided pear. They can be held with two fingers and fan out more easily.

Machine washable foam shoes that are filled with water to soften your feet and get rid of calluses.

The ``Rock-a-pram,'' a battery or power-operated device which automatically rocks a baby carriage.

A multipurpose fan-umbrella, which keeps you cool, keeps off both sunlight and rain, lights up, charges your mobile phone and can be used as a walking stick.

Exhibitors have come from 42 countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia for the first time. About 70 per cent are from Europe, 20 per cent from Asia and 10 per cent from the other continents.

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