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It could be interesting to mod old payphones to make Skype / VOIP calls.. deposit $0.25 and call anywhere in the world for 20 minutes. Or just pound in your user name and password t9 style and use your Skype minutes…maybe you put in $0.25 and it gives you a wifi SSID for 30 minutes to use. The payphone is iconic, I love the way they look. It’s sad they’re going away in a lot of places, but maybe there are more uses for them. Here’s the start of the Skype payphone project! As I hack it up, I’ll post the details.

Kevin O says “Directions on how to make fire with just an old soda can and a chocolate bar.. Truly the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. The short of it, chocolate is an abrasive, polishes convex bottom of can. The can acts a reflector, put tinder at focal point presto you have fire to roast hot dogs to. This trick is sure to amaze anyone when you’re out in the bush this summer”. More here. Quite handy!

The Vinyl Killer is a toy car that plays records by driving around in circles with a built in speaker, the Scratchophone adds bigger speakers, more power and just looks darn cool. Here’s a shot of how it was constructed if you want to make your own. Via BoingBoing.

WMMNA posted up about a Pohang University of Science and Technology invention- DIY home cancer and diabetes detector. “All you need is a few drops of blood and some simple knowledge of cancer and diabetes,” said Professor Yoo Jae-chun. “Just like operating a CD player, you push the button and wait for a result. But this is just for checking, not for treatment.

Some great examples of money origami. Folding paper money (or “money origami”) is my one true creative output. My best original designs include spiders, eyeglasses, sailboats, and framed portraits. I got started in high school when I learned how to make a ring out of a dollar bill. I generally make these items to leave as tips. I like the money spider the best.

Here are some of the first photos of the 2006 Lexus RX 400h Hybrid. It’s pretty weird to “start it up” it’s just on, and then later after you’re moving the engine will kick in. I’ll have more later, but here are some geek features: 3 power ports for things like a Stompbox, Tablet PC display for live Google maps, etc.. Bluetooth which I’m not sure what exactly it can do with yet, but will know soon. And of course, it’s hybrid so you can get over 600 miles before needing to fill up.

Wow, this sounds like our Maker fair! I’m going to check this out and report back. Explore the world of engineering and science at the UW College of Engineering Open House held on April 22 (9am – 3pm) and April 23 (10am – 2pm). From water rockets to robot games to making liquid nitrogen ice cream, the college offers more than 100 hands-on exhibits, making this educational event truly interactive and fun. More at the UW College of Engineering Open House site.