The Subwing

The Subwing is a concept that is a little different, but still pretty neat. It's a bit like water boarding, under the water.

What happens is the Subwing is tied to the back of a boat and the user grabs on. Then, as the boat moves forward the user can tilt the two paddles of the Subwing, just like the ailerons of an airplane, to pull themselves underwater. From there they can perform all kinds of acrobatics or just enjoy the view.

The Subwing has the potential to create a new kind of water sport. It is something that is easier to learn and do than water-skiing. And it offers an underwater experience that few people can ever enjoy.

The design of the Subwing is very sleek. With just a single joint, it is very simple and reliable, mechanically. It is made to be buoyant enough to act as a flotation device if it disconnects or the boat stops. But what is important to note is the way that the Subwing offers immediate, physical responses,  to what the user does. In this way the Subwing can become an extension of the user's body. The smallest push of your hand can send you spinning or rushing down or up. Many machines have a disconnect between what the user inputs and what the machine does. The Subwing does not have that disconnect which just adds to the experience and the connection to the machine.

The Subwing is relatively inexpensive, with the cheapest model costing $295. It is certainly worth it, to be able to "Fly under the water."

The Golf Ball

With an evolution stretching over 600 years the golf ball is one of the oldest sports spheres in existence.

Golf balls themselves are naturally attractive. They have a shiny exterior and come in any number of colors. They remind one of jewels or Easter eggs. But the balls are also very technical. The dimples on the surface serve to decrease aerodynamic drag and were first introduced in 1905 when the inventor noticed that golfers were intentionally roughening their balls to gain distance. The rubber interior of the ball is also a very sensitive bit of design. Each manufacturer has their own mixture that is meant to create the ideal amount of weight and rebound from a club strike.

No matter how one feels about the game itself, the ball used is one of the most fascinating in sports. Not only is it a jewel to behold but a golf ball also contains some engineering that is on par (pun intended) with complex machines such as aircraft and cars.