Guest #1 March 9, 2007 This should have been on collegehumor.com, but I spotted it on CNN instead. Story RALEIGH, North Carolina (AP) -- An engineering graduate has built a contraption to help remind him of campus life: a refrigerator that can toss a can of beer to his couch with the click of a remote control. When John Cornwell graduated from Duke University last year, he landed a job as software engineer in Atlanta, Georgia, but soon found himself longing for his college lifestyle. "I conceived it right after I got out," said Cornwell, who graduated from Duke University in May 2006. "I missed the college scene. It embodies the college spirit that I didn't want to let go of." (Watch the beer-launching fridge in action ) It took the 22-year-old Cornwell about 150 hours and $400 in parts to modify a minifridge common to many college dorm rooms into the beer-tossing machine, which can launch 10 cans of beer from its magazine before needing a reload. With a click of the remote, fashioned from a car's keyless entry device, a small elevator inside the refrigerator lifts a beer can through a hole and loads it into the fridge's catapult arm. A second click fires the device, tossing the beer up to 20 feet (6 meters) -- "far enough to get to the couch," he said. Is there a foam explosion when the can is opened? Not if the recipient uses "soft hands" to cradle the can when caught, Cornwell said. In developing his beer catapult, Cornwell said he dented a few walls and came close to accidentally throwing a can through his television. He has since fine-tuned the machine to land a beer where he usually sits at home, on what he called "a right-angle couch system." For now, the machine throws only cans, although Cornwell has thought about making a version that can throw a bottle. The most beer he has run through the machine was at a party, when he launched a couple of 24-can cases. "I did launch a lot watching the Super Bowl," he said. "My friends are the reason I built it. I told them about the idea and hyped it so much and I had to go through with it." A video featuring the device is a hit on the Internet, where more than 600,000 people have watched it at metacafe.com, earning Cornwell more than $3,000 from the Web site. Cornwell said he has talked to a brewing company about the machine, but right now only one exists. Asked if he might start building some for sale, he said: "I'm keeping that option open, depending on interest." When Cornwell was a student at Duke he participated in the engineering school's robotic basketball contests, said mechanical engineering Professor Bob Kielb. He said students tried to build a robot that could retrieve a ping-pong ball and toss it into a small hoop. "He always did well in it," Kielb said. "He came up with completely unique ideas." ------------------------------- Just the thing for Beer Light. Apologies if this is a repost. mh ."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #2 March 9, 2007 Anyone have time to track this guy down.I want that thing at Dublin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yardhippie 0 #3 March 9, 2007 QuoteAnyone have time to track this guy down.I want that thing at Dublin. Im sure we can get it. How much do you want to spend? Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD "What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me "Anything you want." ~ female skydiver Mohoso Rodriguez #865 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #4 March 9, 2007 The video has been posted twice on here. I'm too lazy to find it for you though. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 43 #5 March 9, 2007 QuoteThe video has been posted twice on here. I'm too lazy to find it for you though. there is a link in the article, wait through the ad http://edition.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/offbeat/2007/03/08/von.beer.launching.fridge.ap&wm=11"Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sane 0 #6 March 9, 2007 QuoteThe video has been posted twice on here. I'm too lazy to find it for you though. http://www.metacafe.com/...nching_refrigerator/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Hambone 0 #7 March 9, 2007 QuoteAnyone have time to track this guy down.I want that thing at Dublin. Chris, He said on his website that he would build you one for about 2500 of more. the parts are like 1500. and it took him like 100 man hours to build it. But I never underestimate your powers of persuasion.Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DJL 235 #8 March 9, 2007 This contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites CSpenceFLY 1 #9 March 9, 2007 I don't want to buy one,I just want him to bring it to Dublin.Free advertising and all,you know,I want to help him out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites IanHarrop 43 #10 March 9, 2007 QuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DJL 235 #11 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone My thinking is that he would have someone to toss him a beer if he had any friends. This is one of those things like having to button your own shirt sleeve buttons because you're single."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites IanHarrop 43 #12 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone My thinking is that he would have someone to toss him a beer if he had any friends. This is one of those things like having to button your own shirt sleeve buttons because you're single. Don't remind me.... I'm single... "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DJL 235 #13 March 9, 2007 I was having the same conversation this morning, telling a female friend from work, "It's not the glaring vacancy next to me when I wake up in the morning, it's that I don't have anyone to do my shirt sleeve buttons.""I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites virgin-burner 1 #14 March 9, 2007 i hate to admit it, i hate being single, i only have a fuckbuddy for the weekends.. and usually monday morning, i am happy when she leaves..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
Hambone 0 #7 March 9, 2007 QuoteAnyone have time to track this guy down.I want that thing at Dublin. Chris, He said on his website that he would build you one for about 2500 of more. the parts are like 1500. and it took him like 100 man hours to build it. But I never underestimate your powers of persuasion.Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #8 March 9, 2007 This contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #9 March 9, 2007 I don't want to buy one,I just want him to bring it to Dublin.Free advertising and all,you know,I want to help him out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 43 #10 March 9, 2007 QuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #11 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone My thinking is that he would have someone to toss him a beer if he had any friends. This is one of those things like having to button your own shirt sleeve buttons because you're single."I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanHarrop 43 #12 March 9, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteThis contraption is the most depressing thing I've ever heard of. I really hope that this guy will get some friends out of the publicity he's getting on this. I have to agree, if the guy had any friends he would have built it using a much larger fridge. The size he has, he is obviously drinking alone My thinking is that he would have someone to toss him a beer if he had any friends. This is one of those things like having to button your own shirt sleeve buttons because you're single. Don't remind me.... I'm single... "Where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me" Dorothy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DJL 235 #13 March 9, 2007 I was having the same conversation this morning, telling a female friend from work, "It's not the glaring vacancy next to me when I wake up in the morning, it's that I don't have anyone to do my shirt sleeve buttons.""I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #14 March 9, 2007 i hate to admit it, i hate being single, i only have a fuckbuddy for the weekends.. and usually monday morning, i am happy when she leaves..“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
