Form follows function in this flexible and transparent combination bookmark and nighttime reading light, which turns on when you fold the battery back to connect with a lower tab.

The ‘bookmark light’ by Kouichi Okamoto “uses a conductive ink that transmits electricity through the help of a lithium coin battery. The grid utilizes ink with nano size silver particles between a layer of film that forms the liquid crystal.”

The transparency provides a fun way to see how the gadget works, and the simple on/off function makes for easy use as a light while the flat configuration makes for a simple bookmark. All in all, a pretty simple but neat way to get a little illumination for your bedroom or travel reading.

The device was created in “collaboration with business venture Agic Inc. of the University of Tokyo – the interactive design can be used as page tab or as a illuminative source, allowing one to carry on reading without disturbing a sleeping partner.”

The post Close the Circuit: Bookmark Folds into Flexible Reading Lamp first appeared on Gajitz.

Fanzines were the key pre-digital mode for sharing knowledge and love about sci-fi across space and time, and now the University of Iowa Libraries is beginning to make thousands of them digital.

Their plan is to start with the James L. “Rusty” Hevelin Collection, which contains thousands of volumes, spans decades and features elaborately hand-illustrated titles and hand-drawn artwork.

The library acquired the collection after the author and artist passed. His work covers sci-fi culture dating back to 1941 and the first ever science fiction convention. These zines not only helped fans, but they also assisted aspiring authors.

From Hyperallergic: “Fanzines like the Futurian War Digest from the 1940s made in Leeds, England, and The Phantagraph published in the 1930s and 40s in New York were DIY materials imagined for a growing sci-fi community and often distributed by hand.”

“They also provided an accessible platform for writers including Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein, and Arthur C. Clark who would go from fanzines to the icons of the genre.” In many cases, the earliest work of these greats rests only in zines, not in books, and would be lost if only their novels and published short story collections remained.

The post Library Project to Digitize Over 10,000 Science Fiction Zines first appeared on Gajitz.

Free of glues, screws and other complexity, this snap-on simple coffee cup holder is the perfect way to set down your favorite caffeinated beverage safely while biking to work through the city each morning.

The Bookman cup holder is made of plastic and steel, easy to attach then remove and take with you if you are worried about damage or theft during the day.

Pressing the rings together opens the clamp portion and allows you to slide it onto your handlebars.

The rings are designed for differently-sized drinks and come in various colors as well including red, green, black and white.

The company also makes bike stickers, reflectors, whistles and lights for bikers as well, all likewise designed to be fashionable and functional alike.

More about Bookman: “Three years ago a group of 5 friends all with different skill sets, came together over a mutual passion for cycling. Living in Stockholm, a very bicycle-orientated city, cycling is our main form of transport and we believe it is absolutely the best way to get around the city (and beat traffic). In amongst our comings and goings we saw a need for urban bike accessories with a twist so we decided to combine function with style and design and create Bookman. Our inspiration comes from the humming bike life we see in urban Europe where it is evident that getting on a bike is not reason enough to disregard dressing well. Our goal is to inspire more of you style-conscious people to see that traveling in the saddle can be a way of life that combines style, convenience, design and fun.”

The post Snap-On Cup Holder for Bikes Clamps Onto Any Handlebars first appeared on Gajitz.