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A stainless steel pen, 8cm long. However when you unscrew the top, the 'nib' is a solid piece of metal. There is no ink, yet this pen will write on virtually any type of paper. This is what it looked like when we tried it on a piece of normal paper...How does it work?In the Medieval period, artists and scribes often used a metal stylus in order to draw on a specially prepared paper surface. Generally known as Metalpoint, or Silverpoint when the stylus was made of silver, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Dürer and Rembrandt all used this technique. http://www.silverpointweb.com/index.html gives a lot of information about how it works.The pens we sell are a modern version (and do not use silver). The solid metal 'nib' consists of a metal alloy, that leaves a mark on most types of paper. If you use the sort of paper typically used in printers and photocopiers, the pen leaves a mark that looks as if it was made by a pencil. However the line will not smudge, and cannot easily be rubbed out.Since there is no ink, there is nothing to dry out, so the pen will work just as well in 25 years time as it does today. I would guess that in time the nib would begin to wear down, as you are leaving a small amount of metal on the page. However this has got to be a much slower process than with a pencil, which wears down pretty quickly. The designer tells us that if the point becomes slightly blunt, you can 'sharpen' it again using sand paper.The metal alloy nib is relatively soft, so it is advisable not to drop the pen onto a hard surface. Otherwise it is possible to snap the nib off.If you are planning to write the definitive 21st century novel, I would recommend a regular pen. However as a scientific curiousity, we like this pen a lot.The pen comes in a very smart, circular, silver coloured metal presentation tin, and would make a very unusual gift.People who bought this item also bought:
The Mirage is one of those classic toys that has been around for several decades now, but never loses its appeal. It produces a small, full-color hologram of natural, lifelike appearance, allowing 360-degree viewing. The little plastic pig seems solid enough, but when you try and touch it, your fingers find that it is just an illusion - there is nothing there.Mirage consists of two opposing parabolic mirrors. In overall appearance, Mirage resembles a small 9inch wok with a 2 inch circular opening in the top. The physical object to be converted to a hologram is placed in the concave centre of the bottom mirror. A hologram instantly projects up through this aperture, appearing to the viewer as a truly solid object. We supply the little plastic pig, but you can place any object in the Mirage, and instantly convert it into a wonderful optical illusion!Mirage was originally discovered over 30 years ago, when a member of staff at the University of California at Santa Barbara was cleaning around a stack of searchlight reflectors (which are parabolic reflectors of course!) when he noticed that he was trying to clean off some 'dust' that turned out not to actually be there! He showed this to one of the physics professors, and the two of them started making a commercial product, based around the phenomenon that they had accidentally discovered.Their initial product was made of glass, and was quite expensive. Later an American company called Optigone took out a licence, and started making a version in plastic, which could sell for a third of the price. There have been even cheaper copies made in the Far East, but they tend to have lower quality optics. We sell the genuine Optigone Mirage.Watch the video...People who bought this item also bought:
This little top is quite a show stopper!It looks normal enough - just a little plastic spinning top. There is no on or off button. However the minute you spin it, the top comes to life. There is an LED inside, and as soon as you spin the top, it lights up, with a variety of colours that seem to spin first one way and then the other. However that is not the main trick!You only need give the top a gentle spin to get it going, and it then keeps spinning... and spinning... and spinning. We believe the top will run for about 4 hours, until the two batteries that power it run down. It uses a little motor similar to the ones that make your mobile phone vibrate, and somehow the vibration keeps the top spinning.The minute you stop the top, the LEDs go out, and the mechanism switches off, and you would never guess its secret... until you spin it again!The top comes in a smart blister pack, with 4 batteries, and would make a great present for someone who likes cool gizmos (if you can bear to part with it, of course). The top needs 2 batteries to run, so you effectively have a complete spare set. You can take the top apart with your fingers, in order to get at the batteries - no tools are required.The top is 35mm high, and 40mm across.Watch the video...People who bought this item also bought:
This candle really is a lot of fun - and people that have never seen it before will just be totally amazed!Initially it looks like a big plastic flower, with the petals closed. Using the three plastic prongs at the bottom, you stick the candle into the cake. (You only need one candle per cake). At this point the candle gives very little away!Using a match, you light the little stick that is provided, and you use this to touch the centre of the candle.Firstly, the candle lights like a small firework. This can be done indoors, and does not harm the cake. Secondly, the whole flower opens, revealing 8 petals, each of which now has a little lighted candle on it. Everyone goes 'wow' when this happens!Third, once the oohs and aahs have subsided, you will hear that the Magic Candle is now playing Happy Birthday!Although there are eight petals and eight little candles, we think you could use it for a birthday of any age, not just an 8 year old!You can only use this candle once. THE CANDLE MUST NOT USE USED BY CHILDREN. ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES.There is a reduced price if you buy 3 candles. Watch the video...People who bought this item also bought:
The Hollow Face Illusion is probably one of the most amazing optical illusions we have come across. So... Grand Illusions has commissioned this particular version of the Hollow Face Illusion, featuring Albert Einstein.It is made from a very strong plastic, and is virtually unbreakable. The mask can be stood up in a window and the whole face seems to follow you as you move around the room. Truly, an amazing illusion... Richard Dawkins mentions this illusion in his latest book 'The God Delusion.'How does it work? Well, when we 'see' something, our view of the world has been processed by our brain. And our brain 'knows' that a face is convex, not concave, so that is the way we see it. When we move, the face does not move in the way that a convex face would move, so our brain comes up with a different explanation, and we see the face move, following us wherever we go!The mask is 43cm high and 31cm wide.The normal price is £49, but as a special offer, we are currently offering the mask at £39.Watch the video...People who bought this item also bought:
This cardboard panorama folds and slots together, to create a picture that you can hang on your wall. It looks as if it might have come from the studio of Mondrian. But this is much more than a picture - as you move, the whole picture seems to swivel, and follow you. This is a really impressive optical illusion, that can be quickly and easily constructed. The cardboard is prefolded and slots together without needing any glue.Free plastic poster hangers are included with every print. The finished image is 66cm wide and 27cm high.Watch the video...People who bought this item also bought:
