A tape measure for the fourth dimension
Ticking tape measure timer counts down the minutes for you while you cook.
I grew up loving to take my toys apart to discover how they worked. I ended up later majoring in a field of study that put me in a machine shop several times a week, giving me a formal setting for undertaking this kind of hands-on work. Somewhere along the way, I developed a love for cooking and an appreciation for food, something that diverged from the hobbies in which several of my friends were involved (restoring cars, carpentry, computer rebuilding, you get the picture).
It's not very often that I come across a kitchen gadget that appeals to my love for cooking and my penchant for do-it-yourself home projects at the same time, but this ticking tape timer does such a good job of it that I'm considering stopping by the MoMA store later this week.
Designed by Jozeph Forakis, the Kitchen Tape Timer is a version of the standard egg timer that you've probably owned at some point, and can be set up to 60 minutes by pulling the ring on the end of the tape. As time ticks away, the tape gets progressively shorter. When time runs out, a loud ring reminds you to check your food.
The MoMA design store online specializes in design-inspired furniture, accessories, and housewares. The Kitchen Tape Timer is available on the Web site for $20. If you want to browse the rest of the MoMA Store's goodies, you can do so here.