Toys!

Clever devices of no obvious utility, that will nonetheless add some charm to my life if or when I get around to acquiring them.

1 The company is called Grand Illusions, and has The Best Toys. If you ever wanted a Stirling engine desk-toy, this is the place.

(a) The original Pseudoscope was 750 pounds sterling, which was a bit much, even for me. The Pseudoscope Kit is a much cheaper version, and should be adequately functional:

https://www.grand-illusions.com/pseudoscope-kit-c2x24321039

(b) I rather fancy the camera obscura kit too. I already have a camera lucida.

https://www.grand-illusions.com/camera-obscura-kit-c2x21140021

(c) The True Mirror, or non-reversing mirror, I have had for more than twenty years. I got one at a craft fair in New York. It used to hypnotise my guests once they realised what it is, though I haven't tried it on the selfie generation yet.

https://www.grand-illusions.com/true-mirror-c2x21140007


(d) The 3-D compass that points to magnetic north is rather cool too:

https://www.grand-illusions.com/3d-compass-c2x26718745


2 From a company called MOVA, solar-powered rotating globes:


They have world map globes:

https://www.movaglobes.com/relief-map-blue/

And OTHER world map globes:

https://www.movaglobes.com/jupiter/

3 This chap makes Klein bottles, including one in the form of a (fairly) usable beer-mug. He does warn that it is charming but not terribly practical. I am contemplating the Klein earrings...

https://www.kleinbottle.com/