From the website:

Curiously Strong transforms 250 individually passive objects into a single living machine. The piece plays on the sequential movement of a typical domino chain and is implemented with actuated Altoids™ boxes. Each box is equipped with an actuator mechanism that opens and closes the box’s lid when it receives a mechanically controlled digital signal. Sequential activation of the connected boxes results in a wave of motion akin to that of a typical domino chain. Because the piece is long and flexible, it can be configured to take advantage of (or playfully interfere with) the natural organization of a room and can be experienced by many people at the same time. The clicking of the lids, as they spring open and fall shut, creates a rhythmic, moving soundscape. Thus, depending on the installation, the piece envelopes the space, both audibly and visually.

Link (Don’t miss the video!)

Meet Julian Pavone, the world’s youngest drummer:

While standing only 31” tall and weighing in at 27 pounds, 16 month old Julian is certainly a star in the making. Playing the drums while sitting atop his father’s lap since the age of three months, this rhythmic child could keep a steady beat while rolling around in his mother’s womb! Since then, he has progressed to being able to perform drum rolls and actually plays syncopated beats. Too small for his feet to reach the bass drum or high hat pedals, he sits in his high chair playing dad’s prized DW’s. His favorite bands to rock to include, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Chicago, ToTo and Rush.

And here I am, thinking that it’s only a joke when someone said they will buy your kid a drumset … Link – via Ursi’s Blog

As always, Texas is safe from terrorists, thanks to the redneck anti-terrorist training camp there!

Found at Dave’s World Famous Redneck Photos | Previously on Neatorama: Redneck Hot Tubs | Redneck Yacht | Redneck Space Shuttle

Check out IO2Technology’s Heliodisplay, which can display images in the air like R2D2 in Star Wars. At $20K, it sure is an expensive toy right now …

Hit play or go to Link [YouTube] – via blog.PCNews Technology

Bruce Shapiro is my new robotics hero: he built this awesome sand machine called a stratograph, where he used sand to amazingly detailed paint images

And another machine called Sisyphus III to "plot" intricate patterns in sand using a steel ball and a software-controlled tilt table:

Check out Bruce’s website: The Art of Motion Control

Yep, that scary old closet really do have monsters…

Check out more whimsically fantastic artworks from illustrators Leong Wan Kok and pH Khor at their website: Link

Scientists used X-Ray fluorescence to discover hidden text written by Archimedes:

"When the X-rays hit an iron atom it emits a characteristic radiation, it glows," says Dr Bergmann. "When you record the glow you can reconstruct an image of all of the iron in the book."

The glowing words are displayed on a computer screen, giving the researchers the first glimpse of the text in nearly 800 years.

"It’s like receiving a fax from the 3rd Century BC," said Mr Noel. "It’s the most sensational feeling."

Link

I’ve always wondered how the space shuttle gets strapped on those rocket boosters – turns out NASA’s got one gigantic shuttle harness!

Link

Married to the Sea’s David Drew and Natalie must win image caption contests all the time! Check out their website for more irreverent (and sometimes risqué) comics: Link

Fisherman Jeff Brown caught a crab, later named Claudette, with three fully functional claws!

The aquarium believes Claudette’s ability to re-generate lost limbs became confused and, rather than replacing a missing set of claws, she grew an extra pair instead.

Link – via Boing Boing

Something’s weird going on in England:

A third of male fish in English rivers are changing sex due to ‘gender-bending’ pollution, alarming research shows.

Experts say female hormones from the contraceptive pill and HRT are being washed into our rivers and causing male fish to produce eggs.

Link

A fantastic image by photographer Tibor Foldes, found here: Link

Katja designed and made these chocolate-shaped rings that look good enough to eat! Too bad they’re not made from real chocolate…

Link