TOY INVENTOR’S NOTEBOOK
Steamy Honeymoon Goggles
INVENTED AND DRAWN BY
Bob Knetzger
Acrylic rings
Mylar
Labels
Bulb and reflector “Balloon” dispenser
Want to see photos of the final goggles and more? Go to
makezine.com/ toyinventor.
6-volt
battery cap
Goggles
Plastic toy gears
Number dial
Plumbing fittings
Buckles
When I received a last-minute invita- tion to a friend’s bachelor party, I needed to come up with a gift idea,
and fast. He was planning a steampunk-themed wedding, and I wanted to give him
something to fit the occasion. You know the
old design adage: speed, price, and quality —
pick any two. Well, for once, this project came
out fast, cheap, and great!
The gag gifts at the adult store were pretty
lame, but the novelty glow-in-the-dark latex
“balloons” had the right “wacky science” vibe.
Aha! In a flash, I had my concept: Balloon-Dispensing Steampunk Honeymoon Night-Vision Goggles!
A pair of plastic safety goggles provided
a sturdy and ready-made base on which to
hot-glue various parts. A pair of eight-sided,
threaded, plastic plumbing connectors along
with some green-tinted cellophane became
“night-vision” scope tubes. I glued on a
handful of plastic gears, along with a number
dial from a disposable camera, to add some
interesting mechanical details. The rest
I found in my broken-toy-parts bin.
Bob Knetzger is an inventor/designer with 30 years’ experience making all kinds of toys and other fun stuff.
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