Inflatable book-mark

Designers Jung-Hyun Lee, Won-Sik Chae and Rhea Jeong have prototyped this "Abracadabra" bookmark that uses a little air-filled bladder to lift the page at the right spot. I think it'd fall out if placed at the page side, as shown here, but it would work pretty well if placed at the spine, in the crease of the binding. Link

[#1 posted by jennee , March 18, 2008 5:20 AM]

Useless (I can open my books, thankyouverymuch), but ohh so cool!

[#2 posted by runasand , March 18, 2008 5:25 AM]

It looks really nice :)

[#3 posted by Peter , March 18, 2008 5:45 AM]

Seems overengineered for its purpose. It's like an intricately designed tab that, when you hold it to the tab on the side of your toilet and press down, it flushes the toilet.

Really, how hard is it to open a book that has a bookmark in it to the proper page? If this is a problem that vexes you, reading probably isn't high on your list of regular activities anyway.
Almost verges on Chindogu...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chind%C5%8Dgu

[#4 posted by bman08 , March 18, 2008 6:11 AM]

While I agree that putting this thing along the outside edge of the book would allow it to slip loose, I would be more concerned that putting this pneumatic jack close to the spine of a book, particularly a heavier hardback, would torque the binding apart. Give me the long ribbon type of book mark any day.

[#5 posted by JJR1971 , March 18, 2008 6:32 AM]

Another solution in search of a problem....

[#6 posted by Takuan , March 18, 2008 7:06 AM]

you'd never get that past the TSA

[#7 posted by marvymarv , March 18, 2008 7:35 AM]

Awesome!!! BUT it would be better if the little sack was filled with ketchup and would explode when you squeeze it.

[#8 posted by Takuan , March 18, 2008 7:50 AM]

you're on to something there, an edible candy bookmark. Fruit leather? A snack at hand when you can't put the book down?

[#9 posted by Takuan , March 18, 2008 7:53 AM]

but with less wool

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7569397

[#10 posted by Takuan , March 18, 2008 7:53 AM]

but with less wool

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=7569397

[#11 posted by Jeffrey McManus , March 18, 2008 10:11 AM]

looks like a whoopee cushion

[#12 posted by mactin , March 18, 2008 6:20 PM]

And to think I've been marking my pages with paper or cardboard. All they did was dependably keep my place in books. How silly of me.

[#13 posted by StrangeInterlude , March 19, 2008 2:23 AM]

Personally, I use $1 bills for bookmarks. Not only are these cheaper than the ones sold in stores, but when I finish a book (a challenge for someone as highly distractable/novelty-seeky as myself), I get to have the dollar back.