The Bulbdial Clock

Posted by gail in Gadget on April 10, 2008 at 7:44 am


bulbdial


The Bulbdial Clock . . . has no hands, just one pole in the center of the clock. Towards the outer rim we find three light sources of varying heights which revolve around the pole casting shadows on the dial. As you can see in the above image, the light sources are each attached to special rings, which rotate around the pole. There’s the innermost ring that rotates once per minute, analogous to a “second hand”. Then follows the middle ring, which completes a rotation once per hour and casts the “minute hand” shadow. Ultimately, the outer ring rotates once every 12 hours, casting the “hour hand” shadow.

You can use the Bulbdial Clock as a conventional sundial or you can mount it on walls for a more convenient way of telling time across large spaces. The Bulbdial Clock solves all the problems posed by the sundial, but comes with one little issue of its own: it doesn’t work in bright light environments.

Via Cool Gadget Concept


Previous post
this post? Please Email this               
Next post


FUN PRODUCTS FROM THE NEATORAMA SHOP:


COMMENT

21 comments to "The Bulbdial Clock"

  1. sparge
    April 10th, 2008 at 8:25 am

    Wow, that site has the worst comments I've seen outside of youtube.

    I really dig the idea though! I'd buy one.

  2. bean
    April 10th, 2008 at 8:36 am

    Well, I guess it's cheaper than buying two more suns. Although I hear Apple's skunkworks has been working on a cheap new iSun you can fit in your back pocket.

  3. NiteWhite
    April 10th, 2008 at 9:00 am

    can i make it stay at 4:20 all the time?

  4. Sid Morrison
    April 10th, 2008 at 9:14 am

    I find this rather neat indeed -- this isn't actually produced, though, is it? It seems like it's currently a "concept". At the right price, I'd buy one.

  5. fsmarch
    April 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am

    When is it coming out in wristwatch version?

  6. JoBo S
    April 10th, 2008 at 11:00 am

    I totally dig this idea! You would have to turn it off if it is anywhere near your bedroom though..

  7. artbot
    April 10th, 2008 at 11:54 am

    This is such a great concept (and that's all it is right now, apparently). It seems like it would be possible to make it with lower-profile light arms if the clock face were concave, which would streamline the clunky proportions a bit. A watch version where the light arms folded out would be beyond awesome.

  8. Aeris
    April 10th, 2008 at 12:18 pm

    How do they make sure it works everywhere? I love the idea but I have an exceedingly bright flat and I don't need a clock that just works in the nights or late evenings...

  9. Wolf
    April 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    Everyone who loves this watch and are waiting for the real version to buy one will loose money. It simply doesn't work in real life.
    The light of one bulb will constantly affect the shadow of the others bulb.

  10. X-Shark
    April 10th, 2008 at 1:24 pm

    Wolf. . .

    You will still get shadows.
    This is due to the fact that in some areas you are getting 3x light and in other areas you are only getting 2x light. So some spots will be shaded from a third light.

  11. CheeseDuck
    April 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    Sweet. Great idea!

  12. Thespian24601
    April 10th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

    Wolf, I believe it will work, they will just have to work on the shadows. You get multiple shadows on many things in real life depending on light. Plus, this is just a concept. They're going to get the kinks out and try to make it work.

  13. mattfl2
    April 10th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    This originally came from http://www.ironicsans.com/ , look under the March 17th entry.

    Permalink: http://www.ironicsans.com/2008/03/idea_the_bulbdial_clock.html

    I visit often :)

    -Matt.

  14. Carl
    April 10th, 2008 at 8:37 pm

    Yes definitely check out the originator's site: Ironic Sans - the guy's brilliant!

  15. Rick
    April 10th, 2008 at 10:39 pm

    I have GOT to get me one of these.

  16. Alannah
    April 11th, 2008 at 12:59 am

    That is so minimalist cool. I'm betting I can get my husband to make one of these for me.

  17. ted
    April 11th, 2008 at 5:32 am

    Looks great. Probably only works in a darkened room, and possibly not on a vertical surface. Still an interesting idea.

  18. sparge
    April 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am

    ted - it should work in any orientation, vertical, horizontal or tilted. Gravity doesn't affect light, in the small magnitudes that are found in regular planets and suns. I suppose it wouldn't work right near a black hole, but not much will...

  19. NiteWhite
    April 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am

    ted, sparge is correct that gravity does not affect light, but gases might since they absorb certain wavelengths so if you experience a lot of flatulence (of the rear) it might not work for you!

  20. ted
    April 12th, 2008 at 5:24 am

    Yeah, I thought about that after, and I figured it would probably work vertically. It would just mess with my perception of the horizontal sundial it's meant to mimic.

    And NiteWhite, glad to see your comments are still as asinine as ever.

  21. Zeon
    April 14th, 2008 at 12:53 am

    Thats a nice one.


PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT

Neatorama Comment Policy
You don't have to register or login to comment, but it's easier if you do so. Comments aren't censored, but those that are abusive or off-topic may be edited or deleted.


Stay updated on the comments with Comment RSS