Cozy fireplace in your pocket!

I’ve figured out that I have a very strange relationship with the winter. I like it, but I don’t like the cold. I like the idea of warming up in the winter, and now that I think about it, I ask myself… do I really like the “winter”?

Weird moment of philosophy aside, I really do hate being cold and miserable. My nose turns redder than Rudolph, and my fingers grow so icy cold, they hurt. No matter how thick gloves can get, they’ll never be as effective as keeping fingers toasty warm as the Zippo Hand Warmer. Coming from a company brought to fame for their lighters, the Zippo Hand Warmer is a catalytic heater that fits in your pocket. Available in small and large sizes, the Hand Warmer can power continuously for 6 or 12 hours depending on the size you buy. When powered, it literally gives off heat comparable to holding your hands next to a fireplace… which is much more effective than a glove that just retains body heat.

The Zippo Hand Warmer basically gives out heat without a visible flame. It does this by burning lighter fluid through a proprietary carbon felt filter (much like steel wool). What you get as a result is heat without a fire. Simply pop the cap and the burner unit off and pour a desired amount of lighter fluid into the hand warmer (a full tank should give you 12 hours). Then pop the burner unit on and hold it close to a naked flame. Within seconds, the burner will begin emanating heat, after which you can just place the perforated cap back on and stash the Hand Warmer in your pocket (and dig your hands into it every few minutes for warmth), merrily going about your day while everybody else is vigorously rubbing their palms together like cavemen. (The Hand Warmer goes out on its own once the fuel runs out.)

Designer: Zippo

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Alien Zippo Lighter Collection: Kill It with Fire

There are lots of things that can kill you, but two of them that are almost sure to do you in are cigarettes and xenomorphs. Naturally, cigarettes result in a slow, painful sort of demise, whereas the xenomorph will either rip you apart in seconds or melt you with its acid blood. I think I’d prefer the xenomorph death.

Fans of smoking and xenomorphs will definitely want to run out and buy this cool Alien-themed Zippo lighter collection.

This awesome looking 11-1/2″ tall desktop statue has an illuminated xenomorph standing proudly on top, looking over a collection of Zippos with Alien artwork on them. While the lighters aren’t as powerful as flamethrowers, you might be able to tape a bunch of them together to scare off monsters that invade your spaceship.

In order to get this awesome display, you’ll need to subscribe to The Bradford Exchange’s limited edition run of 8,000 units. For each payment of $39.99(USD), you’ll get another Alien lighter, and the third issue in the series will include the display – valued at $100. A total of eight different lighters will round out the collection over time, so you’re looking at a total $240 investment for the whole thing. If you’re an Alien fanatic, you’re going to need this.

The post Alien Zippo Lighter Collection: Kill It with Fire appeared first on Technabob.

Zippo Remote Control: Need a Light Switch?

Here’s a slick hack for makers. Instructables user TSJWang made a small radio transmitter that fits inside a Zippo case. He went to great lengths to ensure that his device still looks exactly like a lighter. But when you press on the flint wheel, instead of a flame a red LED lights up to indicate that the remote is transmitting.

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TSJWang got the idea from Captain America: the First Avenger. In the movie, one of Hydra’s assassins uses a similar device to trigger explosives. You can see the movie version of the gizmo at 0:20 and 1:51 of this video.

Obviously TSJWang would rather you kill a switch than a living being.

Hail hackers! Head to Instructables to find out how you can build your own Zippo remote control.

[via Hack A Day]