Then: Furby (1998)

When they hit the market, the nation went on a Furby frenzy. Not only were these creatures hideously cute, but it was their apparent “intelligence” and ability to learn the English language that made them a hit. Robotics was now cool, thanks to Furby.

Now: Fisher-Price Imaginext BIGFOOT the Monster

If Furby was “intelligent,” then Fisher-Price’s Bigfoot must be a genius. Not only can he walk, but he can talk, show seven different facial emotions and even back flip! At the rate robotic toys are maturing, I hope next year’s “must-have” toy can do laundry and the dishes.

Then: Polaroid i-Zone Pocket Camera (2001)

Available in an assortment of different colors, this fun camera captured your fond memories and instantly developed them into tiny stamp-sized stickers. Easy-to-use, portable, fun… Get the picture?

Now: Flip UltraHD Video Camera

These days, portability doesn’t have to mean a compromise in functionality and quality. With 8GB of memory, you can store up to two hours of video. But, the best part is the USB attachment. Plug it in and upload your life in minutes. Perfect for those self-proclaimed YouTube stars.

Then: Palm TX (2005)

PDAs (a.k.a. Personal Digital Assistants or Palm Pilots) seemed to be a staple on every businessperson’s belt. The included software timidly boasted a Microsoft Exchange client, mp3 player, built-in wi-fi and easy-to-use calendar features. The Palm TX was a touchscreen, but required a stylus, which meant if you lost your stylus, you were out of luck. With a whopping 128MB of memory (note the sarcasm), the Palm TX was the love child of a clunky planner + phone.

Now: Apple iPad

A lot has changed in five years. Apple, especially, has been at the forefront of this change. The newest addition to its line of ridiculously cool products is the iPad, the ultimate touchscreen computer tablet. The impeccable hardware, coupled with its impressive software, make the iPad a true winner. Users can also download software applications that are available in the App Store. Capable of storing 16, 32, or 64 GB of memory, the Apple iPad is the “it” product of the season.

Then: Microsoft Xbox (2002)

Not only were the graphics greatly improved (well, compared to its previous console competitors), it was the first gaming console with a built-in hard disk drive for storing game saves and online downloads. Furthermore, the Xbox pushed the online gaming trend to the extreme. Now, two gamers on opposite sides of the world could come together on Xbox Live and simultaneously survey the same [digital] war zone.

Now: Microsoft Xbox Kinect

Just recently released, the Xbox Kinect is the future of gaming. No controllers needed here – you are the controller. It is the first of its kind, integrating motion sensors and voice detection into its sophisticated software system. Say “Xbox, play disc,” or  “Xbox, eject,” and it’ll understand exactly what you say. It’s kind of like your annoying little brother who obeys your every command.

I’ve always been curious about the process for making vinyl records. I found the answer in a video filmed at Rainbo Records in Southern California that shows the record manufacturing process from end to end.

The basic process is that the sound pattern of music is fed into a computerized lathe, which cuts grooves into a master disc according to the tone–wider grooves for bass tones, narrower grooves for higher treble tones. That master disc is used to make multiple “mother” discs, which in turn are used to create negative “stamper” discs. These are then used to press the final records you buy in a shop where guys in ironic tee shirts flip through albums one by one.

Vinyl records are experiencing a resurgence in popularity. According to Rainbo Records, in 1977, 3 days after Elvis died, they were pressing 60,000 records per day. By the late ’80s, with the rise of the CD, that number was down to 8,000 to 10,000 per day. Now, thanks to the vinyl comeback, Rainbo is pressing up to 25,000 records per day.

Is this renewed popularity enough to change a manufacturing process that hasn’t changed much since the ’50s? Only time will tell.

Microplane® cheese graters rock. Growing up in an Italian family I grated hundreds of pounds of Pecorino Romano on a box grater as a child. I scraped my knuckles constantly when my hand slipped as I pushed the cheese hard against the grating surface. The box grater was made through a punch process. The cheese was torn apart by the rough edges of the pierced metal. Microplane® graters, on the other hand, are made through a photo-etching process that creates tiny knife-like blades throughout the surface of the grater. The cheese is literally planed as it passes over the cutting surface. Using very little force, you get fine, light flakes instead of small chunks of cheese.

I like the Microplane® cheese grater not only because the product works so well, but also because it has a great design story. The Microplane® was originally created by Grace Manufacturing in 1990 to be a woodworking tool. That tool was the first product designed and built by Grace, which before then had been a contract manufacturer and not an OEM.

In 1994 a woman in Canada, frustrated with her zester, grabbed a new tool her husband had brought home from their hardware store. After using the tool on an orange, she promptly changed the product description in their catalogue and Microplane® had found a new market — kitchen gadgets.

Change is hard. I admire a company that can build on its strengths to take big steps in new directions.  Congratulations, Grace Manufacturing. I love my Microplane® graters and thanks to Craig, I now own five.