44 votes

Halfbakery - a collection of half baked ideas

45 comments

  1. [2]
    Flambe
    Link
    This has a delightful early internet feel. Really charming!

    This has a delightful early internet feel. Really charming!

    11 votes
    1. AugustusFerdinand
      Link Parent
      That's definitely because it hasn't changed in the decades it's been around! Saw the name and knew I'd seen this page before and sure enough, here's the email exchange to request an account from...

      That's definitely because it hasn't changed in the decades it's been around! Saw the name and knew I'd seen this page before and sure enough, here's the email exchange to request an account from back in 2005 after I'd visited the site for a couple of years already: https://ibb.co/m6d8gv7

      8 votes
  2. cmccabe
    Link
    I'm a long time halfbaker and have posted (pseudonymously) over 60 ideas since 2009, and the site has been around for a lot longer than that (I think pre-2000). It's a really special place on the...

    I'm a long time halfbaker and have posted (pseudonymously) over 60 ideas since 2009, and the site has been around for a lot longer than that (I think pre-2000). It's a really special place on the internet that feels like it retains the non-commercial, personal project flavor of the early web. The site was built and continues to be run by jutta as a hobby project. If you dive in deep, you'll start to see a lot about the history of the site, including genius comedy from several "local celebrities". It's easy to spend a long time going deeper and deeper, and it still astounds me how many incredibly clever and highly articulate ideas have been posted over the years. There used to be a Wikipedia page on the site, but apparently the site isn't notable enough and the remnants are now only visible in past snapshots. I haven't posted much in the past few years, but once in a while I'll get a case of mental cabin fever and log back in. It's definitely one of my favorite places on the internet.

    11 votes
  3. [4]
    first-must-burn
    Link
    My half baked idea: The most delicious bite of an ice cream cone (the sugar cones like you get at mcd's) is the last 3/4 inch honeycomb structure at the bottom when it's full of ice cream. Such a...

    My half baked idea:

    The most delicious bite of an ice cream cone (the sugar cones like you get at mcd's) is the last 3/4 inch honeycomb structure at the bottom when it's full of ice cream. Such a delicious crunchy/cold bite. So I want a cone that is just that part filled with ice cream, and they come in packs of 4 or 6. They have to be freshly filled on demand and eaten quickly so they stay crunchy.

    8 votes
    1. [2]
      dna
      Link Parent
      Trader Joe's has mini ice cream cones that are like a mini Drumsticks. Not exactly what you're talking about, but you might like them.

      Trader Joe's has mini ice cream cones that are like a mini Drumsticks. Not exactly what you're talking about, but you might like them.

      10 votes
      1. PeeingRedAgain
        Link Parent
        I second that recommendation. We bought them for the kids, but they are delicious in an age-independent fashion!

        I second that recommendation. We bought them for the kids, but they are delicious in an age-independent fashion!

        2 votes
    2. Carrie
      Link Parent
      If you live near a Russian or Eastern European market, you may be able to find Plombir Ice Cream , which looks similar to what you’re talking about. But I have not tasted them specifically. I...

      If you live near a Russian or Eastern European market, you may be able to find Plombir Ice Cream , which looks similar to what you’re talking about. But I have not tasted them specifically.

      I agree whole heartedly with your sentiment tho, that little piece at the end is the perfect ratio of crispy and crunchy to wet and creamy.

      2 votes
  4. [4]
    kfwyre
    Link
    My half-baked idea: fake solar panels you can install on the front of your roof so that people stop coming to your door trying to sell you solar panels.

    My half-baked idea: fake solar panels you can install on the front of your roof so that people stop coming to your door trying to sell you solar panels.

    5 votes
    1. [2]
      PuddleOfKittens
      Link Parent
      Fake solar panels wouldn't cost much less to install than actual solar panels. So you might as well consider installing normal solar panels for the same effect.

      Fake solar panels wouldn't cost much less to install than actual solar panels. So you might as well consider installing normal solar panels for the same effect.

      4 votes
      1. DefinitelyNotAFae
        Link Parent
        That's the clever bit, the fake ones work! This idea is getting more and more baked

        That's the clever bit, the fake ones work! This idea is getting more and more baked

        2 votes
    2. Weldawadyathink
      Link Parent
      My parents could get some good use out of those. They have a cement tile roof. There are zero roofers in the area that will agree to do any work on it. Every single solar panel installer runs away...

      My parents could get some good use out of those. They have a cement tile roof. There are zero roofers in the area that will agree to do any work on it. Every single solar panel installer runs away as soon as they realize it. But none of these companies properly train their sales people. They act flabbergasted when we tell them that their company refuses to install solar panels on our roof. Some of them even argue with us.

      1 vote
  5. [15]
    PuddleOfKittens
    Link
    My half-baked idea: a dryer that uses reusable dessicants that you dry outside (hang on the clothesline maybe) and then stockpile inside, so that 1) the dryer doesn't use much energy, and 2)...

    My half-baked idea: a dryer that uses reusable dessicants that you dry outside (hang on the clothesline maybe) and then stockpile inside, so that 1) the dryer doesn't use much energy, and 2) whenever you need to dry stuff, you still don't need to care about the weather or time of day (unlike a clothesline).

    3 votes
    1. [5]
      sparksbet
      Link Parent
      I wonder whether this would actually be less energy-intensive than existing heat pump dryers, though... I suppose that depends more on the efficiency of the desiccant mechanism than anything.

      I wonder whether this would actually be less energy-intensive than existing heat pump dryers, though... I suppose that depends more on the efficiency of the desiccant mechanism than anything.

      3 votes
      1. [4]
        PuddleOfKittens
        Link Parent
        The point is that you leave it in sunlight, which is free energy. Dessicants don't take much (or often any) energy to manufacture, which sharply contrasts solar panels.

        The point is that you leave it in sunlight, which is free energy. Dessicants don't take much (or often any) energy to manufacture, which sharply contrasts solar panels.

        1 vote
        1. [3]
          sparksbet
          Link Parent
          It doesn't really matter whether it takes less energy to manufacture if it's not sufficiently efficient at actually drying clothes, though. Drying out the desiccant would have to be a separate...

          It doesn't really matter whether it takes less energy to manufacture if it's not sufficiently efficient at actually drying clothes, though. Drying out the desiccant would have to be a separate process to drying the clothes themselves in this scenario -- presumably it would be equivalent to when I empty my machine's water tank.

          I assume that if we had a desiccant that could harmlessly dry clothes just through proximity or contact without anything that requires adding energy, we'd already be using it instead of or in addition to drying clothes in the sun. Presumably there would still need to be some energy expenditure in this method, and how efficient it is compared to other methods of drying clothes would matter there. Especially if you want to match the major time advantage dryers have over air- or sun-drying one's clothes.

          5 votes
          1. [2]
            h6nry
            Link Parent
            In laboratory analysis on dry matter, desiccants are used on a regular basis, because they do such a great job at drying in the late secondary phase without needing contact or a constant external...

            In laboratory analysis on dry matter, desiccants are used on a regular basis, because they do such a great job at drying in the late secondary phase without needing contact or a constant external heat source.

            1. sparksbet
              Link Parent
              Okay -- how similar is such dry matter in both nature and quantity to the average load of laundry? How quickly would they work in a laundry situation? I'm not saying the idea is non-viable, I'm...

              Okay -- how similar is such dry matter in both nature and quantity to the average load of laundry? How quickly would they work in a laundry situation?

              I'm not saying the idea is non-viable, I'm just saying that the way the desiccants work when it comes to drying clothes matters to whether they're an acceptable replacement for existing technology, including when it comes to energy efficiency.

              1 vote
    2. [9]
      hobblyhoy
      Link Parent
      I wonder if you could accomplish that with just a set of towels. Like you drop the wet clothes into the dryer with a few dry beach towels and set the dryer to air dry. When the load is done the...

      I wonder if you could accomplish that with just a set of towels. Like you drop the wet clothes into the dryer with a few dry beach towels and set the dryer to air dry. When the load is done the clothes should be dry enough to wear and you you put the towels out on the clothesline to get the rest of the moisture out.

      2 votes
      1. [8]
        first-must-burn
        Link Parent
        I realize we are discussing a half baked idea, but the silica desiccants I use to keep my printer filament dry have to be renewed for 4 hours at 225F. So if the gold is to passively dry with the...

        I realize we are discussing a half baked idea, but the silica desiccants I use to keep my printer filament dry have to be renewed for 4 hours at 225F. So if the gold is to passively dry with the sun, your towel idea might work better, or some other chemical desiccant might be needed.

        2 votes
        1. [5]
          AugustusFerdinand
          Link Parent
          Are you using the oven or a dehydrator to renew the desiccants? I used the latter for them and to dry out filament and found it much faster and more energy efficient than the oven (which is what...

          Are you using the oven or a dehydrator to renew the desiccants? I used the latter for them and to dry out filament and found it much faster and more energy efficient than the oven (which is what the desiccant manufacturers recommend).

          2 votes
          1. [4]
            first-must-burn
            Link Parent
            I use an oven, just following the instructions on the bottom of the desiccant canisters. I do have a food dehydrator that I use to dry out old filament, so I suppose I could put them in there....

            I use an oven, just following the instructions on the bottom of the desiccant canisters. I do have a food dehydrator that I use to dry out old filament, so I suppose I could put them in there. They do have a small post color indicating desiccant beads in the lid, so I could run them in the dehydrator and check that to see if they are done. I have a gas oven, so I'm not sure how I would compare energy costs.

            1 vote
            1. [3]
              AugustusFerdinand
              Link Parent
              Dehydrator is already being used for filament and if it's anything like mine, there's space for the packets as well. Might as well use it at the same time, that's what I did.

              Dehydrator is already being used for filament and if it's anything like mine, there's space for the packets as well. Might as well use it at the same time, that's what I did.

              1. [2]
                first-must-burn
                Link Parent
                Although it's no longer for sale, I have this 750g dehydrator, one each sealable 47qt bin. So it would be it's own dehydrating project, and it seems like it might take 10-20 hours to renew the...

                Although it's no longer for sale, I have this 750g dehydrator, one each sealable 47qt bin. So it would be it's own dehydrating project, and it seems like it might take 10-20 hours to renew the dessicant.

                The system is pretty overkill, so I only have to renew them once or twice a year. I try not to let my filament age too much, but it really depends on project needs.

                1. AugustusFerdinand
                  Link Parent
                  Ah, I was under the impression you were using the smaller dessicant packets. I use 50g packs shoved into the center of the spool then vacuum sealed for storage.

                  Ah, I was under the impression you were using the smaller dessicant packets. I use 50g packs shoved into the center of the spool then vacuum sealed for storage.

                  1 vote
        2. [2]
          Interesting
          Link Parent
          A solar oven might be good enough for 225 degrees. That could make this feasible.

          A solar oven might be good enough for 225 degrees. That could make this feasible.

          1 vote
          1. first-must-burn
            Link Parent
            Good point! Taking them from half baked to fully baked!

            Good point! Taking them from half baked to fully baked!

  6. [7]
    mild_takes
    Link
    Oh man, some of the comments. On Beard Leveler user "2 fries shy of a happy meal" doesn't understand the concept of a cushion. While I may disagree with his opinions about cars... maybe he has a...

    Oh man, some of the comments.

    On Beard Leveler user "2 fries shy of a happy meal" doesn't understand the concept of a cushion. While I may disagree with his opinions about cars... maybe he has a point about beards. Does a beard provide a significant amount of cushioning?

    A beard may add protection from skin tears and such but as a shock absorber, I'm pretty sure you will find facial hair ineffective.

    I don't like crumple zones in automobiles. It implies that engineers have determined the minimum amount of strength needed to placate the masses. Programmed obsolecence and all that shit I hate.

    Give me a 68 Chevy over anything modern any day.

    I'll be able to drive away from our collision and you will be trying to determine whom to sue for your damages.

    3 votes
    1. sparksbet
      Link Parent
      His opinions on automobiles are so detached from any understanding of safety or even basic physics that I distrust his intuitions on pretty much anything else remotely related. That said, I think...

      His opinions on automobiles are so detached from any understanding of safety or even basic physics that I distrust his intuitions on pretty much anything else remotely related.

      That said, I think you'd need a pretty big beard with a particular texture for it to have a measurable effect. Would be fun to test that somehow.

      7 votes
    2. [2]
      Fal
      Link Parent
      Oh man I saw the same guy doing some light climate denialism in one of the other threads

      Oh man I saw the same guy doing some light climate denialism in one of the other threads

      2 votes
      1. mild_takes
        Link Parent
        Climate change denial just isn't surprising these days, but OF COURSE the guy that thinks his '68 Chev is safer also doesn't believe in climate change. Its the same kind of person that would...

        Climate change denial just isn't surprising these days, but OF COURSE the guy that thinks his '68 Chev is safer also doesn't believe in climate change. Its the same kind of person that would believe in flat earth.

        5 votes
    3. [2]
      PigeonDubois
      Link Parent
      It does! It's speculated that a full beard may be an evolutionary development for protection in male fighting. https://www.livescience.com/beards-protect-face-punches.html

      Does a beard provide a significant amount of cushioning?

      It does! It's speculated that a full beard may be an evolutionary development for protection in male fighting.

      https://www.livescience.com/beards-protect-face-punches.html

      2 votes
      1. sparksbet
        Link Parent
        This seems pretty speculative on the part of the authors in the study and doesn't seem to actually make any attempt to verify that beards have the intended effect experimentally or even...

        This seems pretty speculative on the part of the authors in the study and doesn't seem to actually make any attempt to verify that beards have the intended effect experimentally or even mathematically. I'd want something more concrete than just speculation like this.

        3 votes
    4. first-must-burn
      Link Parent
      I don't read the comments (except on Tildes), but as a proud second generation full beard wearer, that concept was my favorite one. I keep my beard pretty short, so I think the padding aspect...

      I don't read the comments (except on Tildes), but as a proud second generation full beard wearer, that concept was my favorite one.

      I keep my beard pretty short, so I think the padding aspect would be minimal. Longer/fuller beards probably do provide some cushion, but that might be offset by providing a handle the opponent could grab.

      The real benefit is probably additional perception. You could feel a blow coming and fade away from it to lessen the shock. If the clean shaven fighter doesn't train with the prosthetic, they probably won't have the same instincts / reactions.

      1 vote
  7. [3]
    DefinitelyNotAFae
    Link
    I liked the Murder of Crows to replace your Retail staff. Seems practical

    I liked the Murder of Crows to replace your Retail staff. Seems practical

    2 votes
  8. Halfloaf
    Link
    I feel like I should have been aware of this earlier.

    I feel like I should have been aware of this earlier.

    2 votes
  9. [8]
    Markpelly
    Link
    The bidet spritzer: do people really get poo all over the toilet bowl when they poop? I have some large ones and they never stick.

    The bidet spritzer: do people really get poo all over the toilet bowl when they poop? I have some large ones and they never stick.

    1. [5]
      sparksbet
      Link Parent
      I recommend getting a job where you have to clean a public restroom if you want to really see what humankind is capable of. It can be shocking.

      I recommend getting a job where you have to clean a public restroom if you want to really see what humankind is capable of. It can be shocking.

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        frowns
        Link Parent
        I spent a summer working for my local city’s parks department and I often had to clean the public restrooms in parks. There’s a reason that they’re cement boxes with all stainless appliances —...

        I spent a summer working for my local city’s parks department and I often had to clean the public restrooms in parks. There’s a reason that they’re cement boxes with all stainless appliances — people’s messes not-infrequently extended out of the toilet and up onto the walls, and the only way to truly clean them was to break out the hose.

        1. sparksbet
          Link Parent
          oof, thanks for doing that valuable work. I luckily have only had to see things secondhand back when I worked as a cashier at a grocery store.

          oof, thanks for doing that valuable work. I luckily have only had to see things secondhand back when I worked as a cashier at a grocery store.

          1 vote
      2. [2]
        Markpelly
        Link Parent
        Public is certainly a different story, had a few jobs cleaning toilets at restaurants. I wasn't even thinking about the public space with this idea.

        Public is certainly a different story, had a few jobs cleaning toilets at restaurants. I wasn't even thinking about the public space with this idea.

        1. sparksbet
          Link Parent
          Yeah I was just thinking of "open to the public" toilets like those in restaurants, public public can only be worse!

          Yeah I was just thinking of "open to the public" toilets like those in restaurants, public public can only be worse!

    2. [2]
      Mendanbar
      Link Parent
      Sorry to say it does happen. Especially if one is unfortunate enough to have Crohn's, Colitis, or some other GI afflictions.

      Sorry to say it does happen. Especially if one is unfortunate enough to have Crohn's, Colitis, or some other GI afflictions.

      1. Markpelly
        Link Parent
        I have IBS so I know some messy ones, but I've always had luck with the water in the flush process cleaning it. But not all toilets are the same!

        I have IBS so I know some messy ones, but I've always had luck with the water in the flush process cleaning it. But not all toilets are the same!

        1 vote