Lately, it seems like there has been a rash of products elevating ordinary keyboard keys to pop culture status. They’ve become an ironic take on our digital life. They take an ordinary thing we use everyday out of their normal context. They’re jumping the shark.
Take a look at these recent products, all found via Gizmodo.
The first up is the weirdest. These are actual rings that you can wear and push. They have bonafide keyboard action. Would you want to impress your friends with your Ctrl ring?
Marché Noir’s Computer Key Rings are spring mounted to accurately reproduce the action on your favorite key - so you can hit it whenever you need to reboot your cool.
Or, you can buy one of these lovely keyboard wall clocks. Enough said.
But personally, this is my favorite, seriously. The Delete eraser, created by Art.Lebedev Studio, who also makes the Optimus keyboard. This is ironic in a good way. The eraser erases. It really deletes. Ok, it’s funny, but I like it.
To me, they all have their root in the Fry’s Electronics doorway in Silicon Valley lo these many years ago.
http://www.ericlindsay.com/sf.pix/fry1.jpg
[I’m not sure that’s a photo of the classic early one, but you get the idea]
Not exactly on target subject wise, but this item reminded me of the “Any” key gag from the 80s/90s; MsDos had many actions ending the with the statement “press any key to continue.” A novelty paste-on key you could add to the top rank of the keyboard add-on of that time period.
Not exactly on target subject wise, but this item reminded me of the “Any” key gag from the 80s/90s; MsDos had many actions ending the with the statement “press any key to continue.” A novelty paste-on key you could add to the top rank of the keyboard was a popular amusement of that time period. Especially for a MacIntosh devotee like I was.
These are all awesome, I want them all. Thanks for posting them. I look forward to seeing more like this!
Best of all is the Delete eraser … love the poetry of the object itself. Thanks for posting these!
[…] especially enjoyed this post of his … a collection of computer objects (like keys) that have been transplanted or […]
answer please.
So I was off work and surfing and found this place and thought I would join up. I don’t have much more to say right now except I need to start reading some of the older posts to get up to speed before I can start posting.
Em