Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Lo-Tek Book Reading (In Bed) Stand
Sometimes, you can get what you want with less zippy forms of technology. Consider the 'book reading stand' which allows hands-free reading even when lying flat on your back.
(Book reading stand in use)
Here's the original formulation of the problem. I am (was) ten years old and I'm lying there reading a large heavy volume. I can't hold it over my head for long (and what if I want a snack?) and if I doze off I'll injure myself with it.
Enter the 'book reading stand' available only in Japan.
(Book reading stand details)
Here's the Google (Beta) translation:
The ultimate weapon in order to read the book with the bed and the futon is this “book-reading stand”...As for the problematical point of book-reading in this case there is two. It is problem of attitude and problem of the illumination. As for the young person the [u] crush in attitude, under the face expanding the book, the case which is read probably is majority group, but when is age is repeated, this attitude gradually becomes difficult... Because with age the distance to which the focus meets gradually becomes long to that, unless the body can be bent more, it stops being able to go... Whether saying, when it tries probably to read with transverse and the looking up, first, the illumination to become difficult to hit, not to support the book with the both hands, because the [te] stops becoming, you become tired very.
Those where these problems are solved entirely are this book-reading stand. This device firmly supports the book and, it applies also the illumination securely from the front.
I particularly like the reference to this device as "the ultimate weapon." Midnight readers rejoice!
Heinlein enthusiasts may recall that he also wrestled with this problem and thought up the reading machine in Stranger in a Strange Land.
Find out more (if you read Japanese) here.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 8/29/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Engineering ")
Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...' - RH Roman, 1929.
Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
'Aerostat meant anything that hung in the air. This was an easy trick to pull off nowadays.' - Neal Stephenson, 1995.
Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
'The Ringworld had no horizon. There was no line where the land curved away from the sky.'
Darpa 'Defiant' Unmanned Autonomous Ship
There was no wheel, and no steersman!' - Miles J. Breuer, 1930.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Nuclear Plant Restarted To Power AI To Feed Us Dreams
'...Anything was possible in my imaginary environment.'
SpaceX's Starman Tesla Roadster In Space
'Somewhere in space, a chrome and blue automobile raced the green light of Earth.'
Pivotal Blackfly Electric Aircraft Lifts And Hovers
'That explains how it was so easy for me to remain motionless in midair...'
CORLEO Robotic Horse Concept Looks Ready To Ride
Imagine digging your heels in to a steam horse!
Who First Thought Of A Tin Foil Hat?
'We had discovered that metal was relatively impervious to the telepathic effect.'
Warp Drive Tech Back On The Menu
'Detailed plans for the construction of the Gundstetter-Halone warp drive were flowing.'
Huawei Pura X Folding Phattie Phone
Why can't we get more innovative phone configurations?
Sleep Pods At Daxing International Airport
'Do not waste your priceless company on the unappreciative folds of a sleep pod...'
Robot Baristas Learn Their Trade Without Paying Royalties
'...so we've promised him a generous pension from the royalties.'
JAXA Int Ball 2 Coming Right Along As Star Wars Remote
'Hocus-pocus religions and archaic weapons are no substitute for a good blaster at your side.'
Robot Bricklayer Or Passer-By Bricklayer?
'Oscar picked up a trowel. 'I'm the tool for the mortar,' the little trowel squeaked cheerfully.'
Robot Gas Station Attendant Pumps Gas For You
'... he waited for the robotrix attendant to finish fueling up his ship.'
Engineer Creates Crazy Motorized Track Hospital Bed
The Roujin Z system provides care to fully bedridden patients - and then some!
Tiny Flying Robot Weighs Just One Gram
'Aerostat meant anything that hung in the air. This was an easy trick to pull off nowadays.'
Some Ringworld Configurations Are Stable
'The Ringworld had no horizon. There was no line where the land curved away from the sky.'
TRANSFORM Dynamic Furniture Concept Becomes What You Need
'An adjustment panel outside the door would cause it to extrude various appurtenances in memory plastic...'
