Hands Free, Bag Carrying Umbrella

I was walking from the parking lot today in the rain carrying many packages as well as holding an umbrella.

I either need an umbrella that frees up my hands for carrying OR one step further frees up my hands and allows me to attach/hang bags with handles to it.

I know there are a few hands-free umbrellas out there, but none that I found that also carries bags.

What do you think? I'll expect some ideas at the next lab :)

Innovators Rise to the Haiti Occasion

Here are two cases of innovators donating their wonderful inventions to the people of Haiti!

If you know of more cases, please comment on this blog entry or e-mail me at tmccaffrey@juno.com.

Solar Suitcase

This suitcase-sized solar device stores enough energy to operate lights and surgical equipment. Given unreliable power sources, patients in surgery are in danger of dying because the electricity goes out unpredictably--if there is any electricity to begin with.

This is just one of the uses for the Solar Suitcase.

http://www.wecaresolar.com/news

Shelter-in-a-Box

A ten-person tent, blankets, and cooking utensils--all in a box!

That's thinking "inside the box!" :)

http://www.shelterbox.org/

Here is a CNN video about their impact on Haiti.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2010/01/29/cnnheroes.henderson.salute.cnn?hpt=T1

how to move the Stonehenge rocks by hand!

Check out this problem solver's solution to how to move extremely heavy stones by hand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK1Rzch89Dw