In 4.74 seconds, I can barely bend over to tie my shoes, and somehow this guy managed to crush the human world record for solving the Rubik's Cube in that time exactly. Update: Rubik's Cube World Record Gets Beaten... Again. New Record Is 4.737 Seconds! Video: . Mats Valk, a ...more
Got an upset stomach or a little heartburn? America's favorite pink pill will cure it right up. But did you know that there's actually metal hiding in those chewable Pepto-Bismol tablets? Yes, metal. Technically, it's a poor metal, but metal's metal, right? Well, we do tend to ...more
White or light-colored dinnerware is a classic: it looks crisp, clean, and elegant. The only problem is that after you've used it for a few years, the surfaces bear a lot of grey scuff marks from forks, spoons, and knives being dragged across the surface. It's tempting to don ...more
In this life hack video, I am going to show you how you can refill your air duster can with a bicycle pump. Video: . Step 1: Items Needed All you need is an empty air can, some liquid metal epoxy, and a tank valve similar to what is used on a bicycle tire. You will also need ...more
If you're careless and tend to leave your knives lying around or in the sink, chances are you've struggled with rusty blades. Water, as it turns out, is enemy number one when it comes to keeping your knives in mint condition. To be more specific, leaving water on them for a p ...more
Whether you're riding the subway on your way home from work, or stuck in the backseat of the car on a long road trip, there are times when you need to entertain yourself without a mobile data connection. A good mobile game would pass the time perfectly, but not every game work ...more
There is a whole world of smartphone accessories out there, some of which are more quirky than others and don't get the recognition they deserve. But these sometimes strange, sometimes embarrassing products can really make life easier on your iPhone or Android phone. We've fo ...more
Most of you probably spread ketchup all over hamburgers and fries. Some of you may even drink it straight. But did you know that tame (and slightly addictive) condiment in your fridge is also a powerful cleaning agent? Melissa Ibbitson, 19, consumes 3 bottles of ketchup every ...more
Lurking inside your old junk microwave is an abundance of useful parts that can let you melt metal, spot weld, and make electrifying Jacob's ladders. You can even make a powerful AC arc welder, perfect for making hard-to-solve puzzles and even makeshift weapons for the zombie ...more
One of the most disappointing experiences ever is when you save all your money for a really expensive gadget—and then break it. Whether it happens the day you buy it, or years later, it's always frustrating. Luckily, there are some really clever DIY ways to fix your busted ge ...more
Need a way to prove your strength? Only superheroes have the power to tear metal, right? Wrong! Even the weakest nerds can shred metal with science on their side. Ripping through metal is easier than it sounds. We have yet to discover a HowTo on getting your muscles into su ...more
Let's say you forgot the code to your Master Lock combination padlock. What can you do besides buy another one? Well, there's a surprising abundance of ways to open a combination lock other than with just the combination, some of which will even let you reset the code. Of cour ...more
Augmented reality could come in very handy for those of us prone to losing things—namely, our wallets. Pixie Technology, a company from Los Altos, California, has developed a way to locate your lost wallet and keys using AR technology and tracking chips, a platform they call t ...more
In the perpetual search for a renewable and convenient energy source, our bacterial friends have once again stolen the limelight. Since bacteria multiply so fast, they are the ultimate renewable resource. And since they are living organisms, their metabolism produces by-produ ...more
There’s a good chance that you’ll be alone in life one day, and no... I’m not talking about a couch-bound, dateless loser with a pocket pussy and a bag of potato chips. I’m talking about alone. In the wilderness. Hungry. Cold. Lost. You can’t stay in one place too long, so it ...more
SCRABBLE. To some it's just a game, but to me it's life or death. Well, not really, but it feels that way anyway. On a normal weekend, a game becomes much like Jon Thomas' "friendly game of death Scrabble." Video: . When I'm playing a game of SCRABBLE, my friends are not frien ...more
Super Scribblenauts is truly a game only limited by your imagination, but every now and again you may run into a puzzle that you can't quite solve. In this video you'll get all of the solutions to the puzzles in Constellation 9, covering levels 9-1 through 9-10
On to constellation 4 and it's not getting any easier! Even with all your imagination, there are probably some puzzles that have you stumped, but don't worry, this video will solve your blues! In this video you will get a full walkthrough of constellation 4 and the solutions f ...more
This is a sudoku tutorial for a medium difficulty puzzle. It has less "given" easy solutions, so we have to use harder logic questions to figure out some of them. I'm sure I overlooked some easier ways to prove certain numbers, but it's good that you learn how the logic works ...more
First off, don't be frustrated. YOU CAN DO IT! Contrary to the message in the image above, it's NOT over. It's just beginning. And when it comes to solving the New York Times crossword puzzle, the old cliche does apply: practice makes perfect. I've read quite a few books and ...more
This video shows how sublimation works. The instructor shows how to mix bubbled water, ice water and dry ice to create dry ice smoke. He is essentially making a hand made fog machine. This task must be done carefully because if the solution is isolated and concealed it will bu ...more
Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make iodine from an alkali metal iodide, hydrochloric acid (HCI), and hydroxide peroxide (H2O2). Warning: This reaction makes small amounts of chlorine gas and should be performed outside or in a fumehood. This metho ...more
Since its invention in 1974, the Rubik's Cube has become a favorite pastime among geeks, puzzle lovers, and other similarly unique individuals. It is currently available in four basic flavors; Rubik's Mini, Rubik's Cube, Rubiks Revenge, and Professor's Cube. This video tutoria ...more
Ever hear of a Rubik's Cube, well, did you know that some people can actually solve the mighty puzzle? Yes, that right, they sure can, and so can you... maybe. Check out this video tutorial on how to solve the Rubik's Cube with ease. Solving the cross is an intuitive step, so ...more
The hidden blade that Altair uses to murder his victims in Assassin's Creed is a great costume piece, and if you don't mind working with metal then you should be able to use the instructions in this video to make a really cool one. From the Creator: 1. A ball bearing slide ( ...more
In order to make manganese dioxide electrodes, you're going to need cobalt nitrate and manganese nitrate to do it. Making cobalt nitrate is fairly easy, but making the manganese nitrate is a little more complicated. But not impossible. Watch this science video tutorial from N ...more
You already know how to make sulfuric acid with the metabisulfite and oxidizer method and you saw how to make copper sulfate from copper and sulfuric acid, so now try making sulfuric acid with these two in mind… with sulfuric acid by electrolysis of copper using an inert anode ...more
Watch this science video tutorial from Nurd Rage on how to make iodine from sulfuric acid and alkali metal iodide. This is the best way to make elemental iodine from sulfuric acid and sodium or potassium iodide. Warning: Reaction must be done outside or in a fumehood due to p ...more
For anyone who lives in a space that may frown upon making holes in the walls, or for anyone who may not want to take on such a task, there's a simple alternative to hanging curtains or drapes. And the answer is brilliantly simple. Look no further than 3M Command hooks. Yes, ...more
OK, so you don't necessarily have to make ammonium nitrate to have ammonium nitrate — ammonium nitrate can simply be obtained from fertilizers and instant cold packs. Making homemade NH4NO3 can be much more expensive then buying it, but this method is not meant to be a viable ...more
Make some new bar friends (or enemies) and win yourself some free drinks with Scam School's two new tricks! All you'll need is a box of matches, a flat surface and a couple of willing bar folk to pull off this trick. Mmm, nothing tastes better than free beer! Puzzle 1: You've ...more
Sudoku is a one-rule puzzle game that can be either satisfyingly simple or deceptively difficult. Step 1 Cells where an individual number goes are called squares; squares are then sectioned off in groups of nine to create boxes.They create a three-box-by-three-box grid. Step ...more
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to clean a toaster. The secret to good toast is keeping your toaster clean, and it only takes a few minutes of your time. You Will Need * A soft, clean brush * A sponge * Mild soap or dishwashing solution * A soft, clean cloth * Vinegar ...more
When you travel into the robot city, your little robot will eventually end up playing a very go-like board game with an opponent in a robot bar. This video shows you one of the quick and easy solutions to this game.
Machinarium is an innovative robot adventure game, where you point and click your way through all the puzzles. This tutorial starts off by showing you how to solve the six pointed puzzle, and then moves through several of the other solutions in this part of the game.
Check out this video tutorial on how to Solve a ten digit number math problem. This video will show you the key to solving the puzzle to find a 10 digit number, such that 10 digits are divisible by 10, and the first 9 are divisible by 9, and so on. The number 3816547290. Now ...more
Halloween is just a few days away, and since I've been churning out the creepy Bingo of the Days for everyone the past few weeks, it seems fitting to do a puzzle based on them. Too bad today isn't Friday the 13th! That will have to wait until 2017. The Challenge Take a look ...more
Three years ago, Double Fine productions held an in-house event called the Amnesia Fortnight. The company was split into four teams, each of which set out to spend two weeks developing an idea for a small game and present it to the other groups at the end of the duration. All ...more
Join Ty Yann and explore a coin puzzle with an unexpected answer. 1. Place a five hundred won coin on the top of another five hundred won coin. Make sure the top coin has the 500 level and showing. 2. Rotate the two coins, like a gear, and think of when the 500 will be straigh ...more
This is Brian Brushwood with Scam School. The trick is called 'In the bank'. This week we've got another puzzle with a setup that sounds absolutely impossible. THE SETUP: Fold a toothpick in half, making a "V" shape, and place it on top of the mouth of a beer bottle. Next Pla ...more
If you know how to solve the Rubik's Cube, then why don't you try yourself at the Square One puzzle? If you thought the Rubiks Cube was puzzling, then you haven't seen anything yet! This video tutorial will show you how to solve the Square One puzzle. The Square-1, also known ...more
The Rubik's company has created a veritable cornucopia of Rubik's Cubes and similar puzzles. This is tutorial video on how to do a traditional 3x3 Rubik's Cube and is a very easy solution. This video sequence has seven steps. Part 1 of 7 - How to Solve a Rubik's Cube in seven ...more
The object of Peg Solitaire is to finish the game with only one peg remaining on the board, preferably in the center hole. You can remove a peg by jumping over it with another peg. Only certain jumps are legal: you must jump horizontally or vertically, and you can jump only on ...more
I first heard the term molecular gastronomy while watching an episode of Bravo's Top Chef a few seasons back. Intrigued by the concept, I sought to find out more about this modern, deconstructed type of cookery. If you happen to be around foodies and the topic of molecular gas ...more
The "slide-together" paper construction method is a fun and satisfying way to build 3D geometric objects. It only requires paper, scissors or an exacto knife, and some patience. In Tuesday's post, we explored the slide-together method, using ordinary playing cards to build th ...more
These magical beans can keep your coffee hot for hours. Not blazing hot, burn your tongue on the first sip, and not disappointingly lukewarm, but coffee fit for every baby bear—just right. Genius. But not really magic. The beans, called "Joulies" by inventors Dave & Dave, are ...more
Can't remember when to water the plants? Wish they could just tell you when they need watering—just call you on the phone or something? Or maybe text you, "Help I'm desiccating!" Telecommunications researcher Kate Harman has come up with the device of an absent-minded plant ow ...more
The hardest part in the Ashland level of Darksiders on the Xbox 360 is probably the boss fight between you and Stygian. At the start of this battle, Stygian will be wearing a metal cage around its mouth. This prevents you from doing any damage to the beast so you'll have to re ...more
Another great Community Byte in the bag! This week was really cool, especially with programming going on twice a week. We transitioned to the new times very smoothly with no one left behind, from what I can tell. Friday's mission was to accomplish solving HackThisSite, basic ...more
This video series is full of 16 videos of 16 levels of puzzle-mania for the Kaboom Desert puzzle piece in Eets, the addicting 2D puzzle game. If you've played Eets (Hunger. It's emotional.) before, but not this piece of the jigsaw puzzle, then sit back and see the solutions in ...more
The game has undergone many transitions over the years, since its days as LEXIKO (1931) to its briefness as CRISS CROSS WORDS to its current and amalgamated, renowned brand of SCRABBLE. There has been many editions of the word board game along that historic metamorphosis, and ...more
As touched upon in the past, knowing all of the possible words you can play is key to being a better Scrabble player. If you don't have the vocabulary, then you can't compete against the best of the best, and you'll never even get the chance to spar against professionals such ...more
The big day may be over, but the weekend is still full of Thanksgiving spirit. And so is this week's puzzle. But let's keep it short this time, because we should all be taking this time to play a real game of Scrabble with friends and family. I was thinking of making a puzzle ...more
A phoney word in a game of Scrabble is basically a non-valid word, either played or considered being played. Why? To fool the other player and go from losing to winning. It's perfectly acceptable in Scrabble play, but only if you don't get caught. If the other player challenge ...more
All you need is a match, two-pint glasses, and a quarter, and you'll be drinking free all night! Just follow the steps in this how-to video. The tricks win you goodwill, but the puzzles win you good beer! The Setup: turn an empty pint glass upside down, and place a "treasure" ...more
I finally got around to trying out another one of Will's mad science experiments and found out that this one was actually more satisfying (and less frustrating) than my slightly uncooperative jar jet. There's something very pleasing about making potassium nitrate at home in th ...more
If you've ever been inside of a real laboratory, you probably noticed how expensive the equipment is. You'd never be able to afford even just one of those ultra high-tech machines required to splice genes or split atoms. Even the lesser machines can be prohibitively costly, in ...more
You're currently playing a heated game of Scrabble or Words with Friends. The game is close, too close for comfort. But you're not sweating because you're confident. You play a huge word that puts you in the lead, but then when your letter tiles are drawn... We've all been th ...more
Bluffing is one of the key components of poker. You may have a horrible hand, but if you can play it cool and raise the bet, you might just be able to convince your opponents otherwise and induce a few folds. But if you can't handle a little subterfuge, then you shouldn't be p ...more
Computer viruses are terrifying. They are undetectable, dangerous, and operate constantly right under your nose. For the average computer user, there are only a few repair options. You could buy expensive antivirus software that causes more problems than it fixes, you can wipe ...more