The dashboard that obsoletes all others?
Speedometers, rearview mirrors, many will have LCDS (I can’t wait to mod one!)….“To say the new Mercedes S-Class dashboard is impressive is probably the understatement of the year. Basically, it’s a [LCD screen] embedded in the dash that displays all your data virtually. What’s cool is it mimics analog gauges like the original Carrera GT concept was sporting when we all first saw it for the first time. But the real mind blower, is when the night vision activates and everyting in front of you disappears and you see a video screen displaying what’s in front of you.” [via] Link.
Best use of lasers and toast so far…Jmengel writes “In the spirit of laser etched laptops, new uses for laser etching systems are found daily. After a bit of experimenting, I found that a laser etcher will in fact etch foodstuffs. Christmas is the time for giving, so what gift could be finer than your own toast blessed by the image of your preferred diety.” 
Hans writes “Laser Chess was created by Mike Duppong back in the late 80s, and you can find lots of software versions of the it on the web. However, a Brazilian student named Alexandre Van de Sande actually made a actual working laser version of the game!” 
Pat sent in this holiday treat, how cars are made! “…a video of the making of a very important (and common) mode of transportation: cars. Thanks to the good people at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown, Kentucky for supplying the 5-minute narrated video of the manufacturing process. It goes from stamping through painting and powertrain through the end of the assembly process. At the end, you see the car being driven off the line.” 
Great how to on detecting a laser pointer “break” using a serial port – Chard writes “Ever wanted to make your own laser beam security system. You know the kind they have in the movies, with dozens of lasers and the thief has to limbo through them. Well, I just made a simple laser beam break detector. My computer can now tell when the beam is broken. The parts I used are: 5.6k resistor, photo diode, Digikey part #PDB-V107-ND, serial port from my PC…” 
How to make fake glass, fun for making movies and more “…short and simple introduction to sugar glass making. Don’t be disheartened if the first time you try it it doesn’t look exactly as planned. Just persevere and eventually you will master the craft and then discover a thousand uses in your low budget feature for your easy-bake glass. Just don’t be eating it…” Thanks Plazmo! 
Paul writes “You must have a million comments about the Exploratorium, but this place is the ULTIMATE Makers utopia. These are profesional makers who create exhibits from old, new, rare, common, bizarre, etc. objects and products. There is an entire set of exhibits made from Mac SE computers, old PCs, spectrum analyzers, etc…It’s Science at its “Makiest”.”