Free Idea # 278 - Vintage maps

Publish new vintage maps that show how an area looked in the
past yet which do so using state of the art mapping technology.
It would be possible to purchase a series of 'aerial photographs'
of a location as it might have looked one hundred years, five
hundred years, ten thousand years or even 250 million years
ago.

Free Idea # 277 - Kitchen chopping boards

Add a detachable side piece to chopping boards to collect
scraps of food. The top surface of the side piece would be
slightly concave, making it easier to carry and dispose of
waste without dropping anything.

Free Idea # 276 - kitchen trash with odor-busting fragrant scent

Invent a pedal-operated kitchen trash can that would release
an odor-busting fragrant scent every time the pedal is pushed.

Free Idea # 275 - PC mouse with USB data storage

Invent a computer mouse that doubles up as a portable USB
flash memory data storage device. The 'Memory Mouse' would
have a larger memory, be less fiddly to use, and harder to lose
than standard memory sticks/pens. Users would be able to
back up all their vital information without forgetting where
they left it, as - nine times out of ten - it would already be
plugged into their PC.

Free Idea # 274 - Drinking straw with a detector strip

Invent a drinking straw with a detector strip down the side
that would indicate whether a drink contains any illegal
substances. Straws would be given out with drinks at bars,
pubs, and clubs to promote customer safety and highlight
the problem of drink spiking. If found positive the straw could
later be used as evidence, as some substances used to spike
drinks leave the body very quickly and can be difficult to
test for.

Free Idea # 273 - Vacuum cleaner with an integral carpet freshener function

Manufacture a vacuum cleaner with an integral carpet freshener
function. An adjustable switch or trigger on the handle would
dispense the user's preferred brand of carpet deodorizer through
a series of wide-spray nozzles on the front of the device. A dial
mechanism (similar to those used on steam irons) would allow
the user to adjust the intensity of each burst of the good stuff.

Free Idea # 272 - Pillow with a cooling patch

Create a pillow with a cooling patch inside so users can always
sleep on the cold side without needing to flip it over.

Free Idea # 271 - Pajamas with an in-built alarm

Invent sleeping suits (pajamas) with an in-built alarm that
would sound and vibrate, and would not turn off until the
wearer gets out of bed.

Free Idea # 270 - Make dictionaries more fun

Make dictionaries more fun to read by commissioning
comedians, humorists, and renowned authors to write the
definitions.

Free Idea # 269 - Build in GPS software in-car navigation systems

Develop GPS software for in-car navigation systems that would
show the driver's view of the road ahead, including geographical
landmarks, buildings, and store names.