Authors: Peter Lynn
Date Submitted: February 28, 2003
Article Type: Journal

At least from when Archimedes yelled “Eureka, I have found it!” while running down the street naked, baths have played a key role in invention. I for one have always been a fervent believer in bathing, evidence to the contrary that my best friends have never told me about notwithstanding. It has always seemed to me that for the inventors, showers are neither contemplative enough nor conducive to doodling—–until now, that is.

Nop and Michelle Velthuizen, my usual home away from home when in Holland, have just rebuilt their bathroom and have a shower wonderfully adapted for inventing things in. No cold drafts and the water temperature doesn’t vary or suddenly go cold, which makes for a relaxing atmosphere, and, best of all, a heavy glass door that fogs up in a most satisfactory manner, quite perfect for finger doodling. They have also thoughtfully provided a rubber squeegee-type blackboard eraser for when all available door area has been filled with sketches.

The pace of innovation is relentless, however, for no sooner had I noticed the possibilities of this new inventing tool and resolved to be an early adopter than I was faced with a kite sailing competition from Nop who had the advantage of perhaps three weeks use of it before I even arrived. He had built a new four-hulled kite sailing boat using parts from a l994 “kite surfer” three-hulled, planing boat that was still lying around in parts. For speed, especially in rough water, even his first generation new model is very hard to beat (and no doubt there is a second generation, esthetically zebra-striped exotic wood version already gestating).

PDF Link: Journal Issue