Next time you have a flu jab, think of Colin Murdoch. “Who’s that?” you say. Murdoch is the New Zealander who invented the disposable syringe—a simple but yet hugely important feat of medical engineering—the tranquilliser gun, child-proof bottle cap, and dozens of other inventions. The Timaru chemist and vet died in May after a medical science career spanning 50 years. Read inventor Ray Avery’s appreciation in the latest issue of Idealog.
One-litre bug
Volkswagen isn’t giving up on dino-juice engines, it seems. Its one-litre concept car is named after its ability to drink less than a single litre of diesel for each 100 kilometres travelled. The frugality is achieved by using a twin-cylinder turbodiesel and keeping the weight down to a svelte 300 kilos, not to mention very aerodynamic design that dictates the seating arrangement to be 1+1 rather than driver and passenger being next to another. Hopefully the driver won’t spend the trip chatting over her shoulder.
The greatest tennis pitch ever
‘The greatest tennis match ever’ certainly has sponsors drooling at the skyrocketing commercial clout of their charges. Pitching his own fragrance, Rafael Nadal burns up the court in this smelly water commercial.
Stephen Hay of Cinnamon Interactive reckons he’s got a process “to create more consistently creative work which distinguishes itself from the work of your peers”. He calls it the Design Funnel; check it out on the ChangeThis website.
Demystifying Angel Investment
The ICEHOUSE invites budding entrepreneurs to the inaugural Demystifying Angel Investment event on 23 July at the Decima Glenn Room at the University of Auckland Business School.
This event has been created as an opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet potential investors and gain some insight about angel investing from some seasoned investors who are members of the ICE Angels network.
It’s not just about streamlining though. I’m fascinated by the cable actuated bike, which is a good idea in theory, but just like the Segway, you’d look a complete berk riding one.
Multitasking madness
The 48HOURS film competition is over, but what was it like shooting a flick in literally two days? Dylan Reeve, whose Fractured Radius team won the Auckland regional competition (congrats!), writes about the furious filming on Creative Cow.
It doesn’t matter what reviewers say about the iPhone, or that it costs far more than the US$199 promised by The iJobs. The iPhone branding is bullet-proof, and it’ll sell well no matter what. Quite simply, the iPhone is the marketing maneouvre that everyone tries to emulate, but only Apple manages to pull off.
For those who kvetch about Vodafone’s pricing in New Zealand, well … quite a few other countries pay more. You’d still get one even if it cost twice as much.
Presenting: Kevin Roberts
“I have never believed that extraordinary results come from ordinary actions so I am attracted by extremes.”
Come hear the Saatchi & Saatchi CEO share his experience about business, sustainability, rugby, love and everything else on ‘The Edge’.
Monday, July 21 » 6–8pm » Bar 3, SkyCity, Auckland » $49 RSVP here or phone 09 373-3877.
There are many more films to see though, as the festival rolls throughout the country. Check out the trailers at flicks.co.nz.
Feed your head
Have you booked for Semi-Permanent yet? If not, you should get your tickets pronto to the largest design event in the country, running August 15–16 at The Edge in Auckland. As the promo says: feed your head.
Quote of the week
“When I visit remote hospitals in the Himalayas or in sub-Saharan African and see these life-saving syringes at work, I smile and think of Colin. As a scientist and inventor I’m inspired by the notion that one man can change the world for the better. From our early vaccinations to palliative care at the end of our lives, Colin has touched us all with his magic.”
Read more on our website: web exclusives, opinion, creative directory, Idealog TV, the Idealog blogs and the Idealog podcast. See you at www.idealog.co.nz.
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Idealog is a magazine and media brand about ideas, innovative business and the ‘new’ New Zealand economy. Idealog is the voice of an emerging generation of business leaders—creative, driven by ideas, open-minded, tech- and media-savvy and not constrained by the old rules of business. Find out more.
