Chuck Jurgen Teschke, an engineer and aviation technician from Canada, modifies helicopter bodies into works of art. Auto Evolution tells us that the Frankencopter 4, which is pictured above, is a synthesis of a Volkswagen Type 2 microbus and a H125 Airbus helicopter. Although it does not fly, it does inspire the imagination to reach new heights as one contemplates a groovy and retro form of air transportation.

Again, this is the Frankencopter 4--the fourth of a series of helicopter transformations that Teschke has constructed. Others include what appear to be combinations of an old Ford truck cab and a tractor cab smoothly welded into helicopter frames. You can see photos of them at Auto Evolution.

-via Toxel

Car & Driver reports on a curious legal battle in Ohio. Tiah McCreary purchased on loan a car from a Kia dealership in the town of Lima. A month later, the dealership concluded that there was not enough information to continue the loan and so repossessed the car while McCreary was at work.

McCreary discovered that the dealership company did not own the name "Taylor Kia of Lima", which is the name under which it operated. So she registered a claim on that name and her attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the dealership, ordering it to stop using a name that was McCreary's property. The outcome of the case is still in progress.

-via Instapundit | Unrelated photo by Lee Stockton used under Creative Commons license

In 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired. Like The Next Generation, it took a couple of years to find its narrative rhythm. But once DS9 adopted a serial format, it became the greatest series in the franchise.

To promote it, Paramount released many promotional items, including this rare TV/VCR combination kit. The curves reflect the Cardassian aesthetic that is foundational to the design of the Deep Space 9 station--what the Cardassians referred to as Terok Nor. The package included photos, headshots of actors in costume, and a VHS tape to complete the press it. Perhaps a handful were made.

-via reddit

Nik Bentel is a product designer in New York City. His whimsical designs attract attention, especially if worn with mesh shirts, as his Dinner Bag is photographed here. It comes with a plate, knife, and fork strapped to the outside to make dining an immediate option.

Gabi Rizea is a Romanian artist who wields a chainsaw as his sculptor's blade. The above work from a few years ago is what has most captured the Internet's attention and drawn appreciation from around the world. As an optical illusion, the pouring bucket of water supported by the liquid creates a surrealistic impression.

There are parts of rural Vermont without consistent cell service. So, ABC News reports, an electrical engineer named Patrick Schlott refurbished old pay phones and installed them in public locations so that people can, when needed, call the outside world.

Schlott finds the pay phones for sale on auction sites for a few hundred dollars. With modification, they will transmit sound over the internet. There are now three in place, one at a general store and two at public libraries. One of those library locations has experienced at least 370 calls, thus demonstrating a real need for this old fashioned technology.

-via My Modern Met | Photo: RandTel

Scientists in the Atherlton tablelands of northeastern Queensland, Australia have named this insect Acrophylla alta. At 15 inches long, it may be the heaviest in Australia. Its huge size may serve as an evolutionary advantage by making it more durable in cold weather.

 The Guardian reports that researchers captured a female from the forested canopy and harvested its eggs. The scientists hope to also capture a male, although these have been so far difficult to locate. The implication is that these scientists have a great interest in breeding giant insects for research purposes. There's no way this project could have negative, unintended consquences.

-via Aelfred the Great

Smokey Bear, an icon of the US Forest Service and other state forestry agencies, has promoted wildfire prevention since 1944 and the firefighting manpower shortages of World War II. News 6 Orlando reports that state agricultural law enforcement officers arrested a man accused of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests to resell them on Facebook Marketplace for about $1,900 each.

Wilton Simpson, the Florida Commissioner for Agriculture, shared on X this photo of Smokey taking part in bringing down this criminal. At 81, Smokey is a bit old to engage in hunting down criminals, but he clearly takes protection of his forests personally.

-via Dave Barry

It’s been a couple years since I got a vintage Dickel Whiskey bottle… I keep meaning to paint the leather red to match how it appeared in original Star Trek. pic.twitter.com/WdAe9ZgKwI

— Subcommander Tal (@SubcommanderT) July 31, 2025

Actually, it's a brandy, not a whiskey. It's Saurian brandy, but Captain Kirk is currently concerned with the quantity of alcohol, not the favor of it.

The prop masters for the Original Series adapted a 1964 model of George Dickel brand sippin' (there's no 'g' at the end) whiskey for this futuristic bottle. It also appeared on Deep Space Nine. The bottles, where are, of course, no longer in production, are highly-prized collectibles among Trekkies. Other iconic Star Trek alcohol containers are, too.

9-volt batteries have positive and negative terminals on one end, so it's possible to feel electrical current by placing that side on a body part. If this body part is the tongue, one can taste the experience.

(Or so I have read.)

The Verge reports that Rewind, a European company, is releasing several corn chip flavors, among them conventional flavors such as paprika and sriracha. The brand wants to inspire nostalgia and has therefore decided to also issue a flavor that tastes like battery.

Dominic Preston agreed, presumably under duress, to test the new flavor. He found that the chips do indeed taste like a battery--a flavor created with baking soda and citric acid.

-via Dave Barry

Captain Kirk and Commander Spock had their most famous duel in the episode "Amok Time" by Theordore Sturgeon This dramatic battle, driven by Spock's fiercely libidinal urges, is one of the best in classic Star Trek.

It's a great story on par with those seen in professional wrestling. It is thus appropriate that Mega Championship Wrestling conducted a match at, I think, ColossalCon 2024. Both competitors work the crowds, building tension to a passionate climax. It ends in a close embrace as Spock uses a special Vulcan technique to finish off his best friend.

You can see the full match below.

-via Holodeck Four

"Error and shame," Richard Adams comments in Shardik, are "...the inescapable lot of mankind." Ben Ward of the webcomic One Giant Hand illustrates humanity not only exiling itself from the Garden but also bringing animals with him. Only the fool ignores Chesterton's Stop Sign.

Jalopnik tells us that Max Hazan, a custom motorcycle builder in Los Angeles, has produced what must be the ultimate street bike. This beauty is wrapped around a 400 horsepower, 3.5 liter V8 engine removed from a Ferrari F355.

The whole rig is a custom job--no standard frame could manage the engine. It's not that heavy, actually, topping the scales at 590 pounds with 237 pounds from the engine itself. But it does take up a lot of space. Hazan has already taken the bike out on the streets.

It's an Onion story that's become reality--unlike Seborga and Westarctica. These countries do not exist.

The Guardian reports that police in northern India arrested a man who is accused of running a fake embassy from imaginary countries. He even had cars with fake diplomatic plates.

Why would he do this? Police say that he scammed money out of people seeking overseas employment in these imaginary countries. It's unclear how much money he bilked from his victims, but police recovered approximately 4.5 million rupees ($52,000 USD) from the plush, rented building that served as the face of his operation.

There have yet to be responses from the governments of Seborga and Westarctica.

-via Dave Barry

I'm sure that we all had the same thought: "Finally!"

Before you get too excited, I should inform you that the cops got him on credit card fraud. But, hey, tax evasion charges put Al Capone away, so let's be satisfied that the rat is finally off the streets, preying on people.

The Tallahassee Democrat reports that police arrested a Chuck E. Cheese employee in costume. Although he had many duties at the restaurant, he was wearing the mouse outfit at the time that the cops arrived. Because of his behavior at the time of the encounter, police decided to immediately cuff him and lead him outside in full view of the children.

I think that's good. Kids need to know that no one is above the law.

-via Old Hollow Tree | Photo: Chuck Hobbs