Innovation How rivalry between two Japanese companies in the 1950s led to the world's best pencils Ellsworth Toohey

News Communist shatterproof drinking glasses make a comeback Mark Frauenfelder

design KnobFeel: reviews focusing on the tactile properties of knobs, dials and controls Rob Beschizza

1970s Dig this old-school illustration demo by car designer Hideo Kodama Bob Knetzger

1960s This 1960s coin sorter is an electromechanical delight Mark Frauenfelder

makers Designer creates a new "gravity seal" for iconic Kikkoman soy sauce bottle Mark Frauenfelder

industrial design Cool book of old school car renderings Bob Knetzger

design Every project should be designed for disassembly Mark Frauenfelder

crappy design Why are WiFi routers so ugly? Mark Frauenfelder

art Dieter Rams's "10 Principles of Good Design" David Pescovitz

apple New iPad Pros are coming out of the box already bent Séamus Bellamy

art NASA-inspired artist Tom Sachs' new Mars Yard sneaker for Nike David Pescovitz

art Supersonic: a glorious new art book about the Concorde airplane David Pescovitz

manufacturing The ingenious design of the aluminum beverage can Mark Frauenfelder

art Madeline Gannon's Mimus examines robot-human interdependence Andrea James

design Coffee table book about the design of sex toys Mark Frauenfelder

DIY Do you want red or blue Loctite? Jason Weisberger

Blade Runner From Blade Runner to baking: Syd Mead's amazing gingerbread creations Mark Frauenfelder

Technology Software bug accidentally makes programmer a millionaire overnight, security investigates Ellsworth Toohey

politics Former comedian Russell Brand ended up selling "magical amulets" for "EMF protection" Jennifer Sandlin