Cars of Hollywood

The cars of Batman

The most anticipated comic book film in history opens today – Christian Bale and Heath Ledger go head to head as Batman and the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Vijay Pattni rounds up the cars behind Gotham city’s mysterious Dark Knight – including the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

The Dark Knight stars Christian Bale as the enigmatic Bruce Wayne – a millionaire playboy who can afford some of the hottest cars on the planet…

2008 Batmobile – “The Tumbler” (From Batman Begins/The Dark Knight)

The new-look Batman films, starting with 2005's Batman Begins showcased a new-look Batmobile.

Nicknamed “The Tumbler”, the new Batmobile is a custom-built 2.5-tonne ex-military vehicle which uses a 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8 engine with enough power to accelerate the massive Batmobile from 0-60mph in around five seconds.

And the “Tumbler”, which recently made a cameo appearance at Silverstone racing alongside a Toyota F1 racer, uses truck parts and sports six 37-inch wheels, with enough power to JUMP up to 18 metres.

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 (From Batman Begins/The Dark Knight)

The Lamborghini Murcielago is Bruce’s Wayne's ‘subtle’ car – his daily driver.

The Lambo is fitted with a 6.5-litre V12 engine developing 640bhp – more than a Ferrari Enzo – and 487lb/ft of pulling power.

This means the Lamborghini Murcielago can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 211mph.

The Murcielago used in Batman Begins was the roadster (convertible).

Bentley Arnage (From Batman Begins)

Michael Caine – who made his name in iconic 1960s films The Italian Job and Alfie – takes up the role as Bruce Wayne’s multi-talented Butler, Alfred Pennyworth.

In 2005’s Batman Begins, Alfred drives the luxurious Bentley Arnage: a two-tonne four-door saloon powered by a 6.75-litre V8 engine developing more than 400bhp.

This means the Arnage can accelerate from 0-62mph in around five seconds and hit a top speed of 170mph.

1995 Batmobile (From Batman Forever)

Val Kilmer played the lead role of the caped crusader in 1995’s camped-up Batman Forever.

The Batmobile was a custom-built vehicle using a Chevrolet 350 ZZ3 racing engine from 1995, built out of carbon fibre, and featured grappling hooks and could theoretically climb walls.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (From Batman Forever)

In 1995’s Batman Forever, Bruce Wayne’s priceless collection of classic cars is showcased, displaying the millionaire playboy’s petrolhead playthings.

And sitting in Bruce’s garage is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL – one of the world’s very first “supercars”, and the first petrol-powered car to offer fuel injection.

Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith (From Batman Returns)

Bruce Wayne’s secret alter ego Batman is assisted by his loyal family butler Alfred Pennyworth, who has looked after Bruce following the death of his parents.

And in 1992’s Batman Returns, Alfred is seen driving an effortlessly elegant Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith from 1950, which features a 4.3-litre straight six petrol engine.

The Silver Wraith was made at the Crewe factory, and has been used as the Irish and Brazilian presidential state cars.

1989 Batmobile (From Batman)

The one which started Batman’s descent into darkness… director Tim Burton showcased a completely new Batman to cinema audiences across the world with his iconic film.

Starring comedian Michael Keaton 1989’s Batman was a romp of style over substance. Legendary designer Anton Furst styled the new-look Batmobile.

And according to reports, the Batmobile was built in England on chassis found in local scrapyards – one from a Chevrolet Caprice and another from a Buick Riviera, featuring a jet turbine in its nose and a Chevrolet V8 engine under the long bonnet.

Dodge 3700 GT (From Batman)

Batman’s legendary adversary The Joker was made famous to cinema audiences across the world by Jack Nicholson in 1989’s Batman film.

And the “Clown Prince of Crime” was seen driving an old Dodge 3700 GT – in his trademark colours of purple and green.

1966 Batmobile (From the television series Batman)

Before Bale and Burton transformed Batman into a troubled, modern-day crime-fighter, Batman was known and loved across the world as a camp crusader.

Adam West played Batman in the classic television series of the mid-1960s, featuring his sidekick Robin, and unforgettable fight scenes.

This Batmobile was designed by George Barris – a Hollywood custom car builder – using a Ford concept car called the Lincoln Futura.

And in the very first televised Batman series – shown in the 1940s – the caped crusader rolled around in a standard black Cadillac and a Mercury convertible.

Shoe with History.

Ten Sneakers with History

1.Ten Sneakers with History

Whereas the sight of Joschka Fischer wearing sports shoes during his swearing in as minister in 1985 caused a mini scandal, the sneaker- as the sports shoe is more commonly referred to these days- has distanced itself from the more rebellious corners of its past and has advanced to becoming one of the hottest fashion accessories around. Designers like Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen have already lent their names to sneaker design. From lacquer and nylon to leather, we present you with the the coolest models out there.

2."Cesario“ von creative recreation

In Autumn 2002 shoe designers Ricardo Confinco and Robert Nand founded the firm in Orange County, California. Aim: uniting all the best components from other brands in one shoe.
After four very successful years on the US market, the shoes by "creative recreation" have, for the last two years, also been under distribution in Germany. The aim of the company's founders is to fill the gap in the market for high-end models that bridge the gap between athletically inspired sneakers and classic shoe design. Each new collection consists of a wide array of styles of which there are currently ten models for women and 50 for men- all in limited production. The company motto is "Comfortable as a trainer, sophisticated as a quality shoe". On top of this the label offers a wide color palette, including gold and silver and fabric wise from material mesh and canvas to crocodile-skin-effect, for those who so wish. Perforated, high, low, with or without laces. Favorite model is the "Cesario"(price: 100-250 euro) available in a number of variations and finishes. "We don't make shoes for a lifestyle, rather for a life with style", is the motto here.

3. Chuck“ by Converse All Star

Since 1917 almost one billion sold- until today almost completely unchanged in appearance. In 1923 the logo was sealed with the signature of the successful basketball player Chuck Taylor and from there they garnered the title "Chucks".
As an American trademark the "Chuck" is tantamount to "Coca Cola". Originally conceived as a basketball shoe, during the second world war "The Converse All Star" became part of the US army's military kit when it was used during basic training. Ever since James Dean wore the shoe in "Rebel without a Cause" other stars, as well as rock and punk musicians have chosen to wear the shoe in their films or as part of their stage outfits and the "Chuck" has become a fashionable representation of counterculture. At first only available in black canvas, at the end of the 40s Converse began producing shoes in different colors and by the end of the 90s also in new fabrics such as leather, sequins and cotton. In the meantime the brand has been bought by the Nike corporation and, at time of publication, is pursuing a successful centennial ad campaign to mark the 1908 founding of the "Converse Rubber Show Company". Prices between 70 and 90 euro.

4. Number five" by PF Flyers

In 1933 the former American tyre manufacturer B.F Goodrich patented his particularly wearable sports shoe in-soles under "Posture Foundation". A few years later "PF Flyers" became one of the most successful US sports brands.
The US label embraced the retro trend and began its popular relaunch in 2003 after an eleven year absence from the market. In the meantime landing under the wing of "New Balance", "PF Flyers" have been combining classic design expertise and high quality materials. Typical for their shoes are the thick rubber soles and classic lacing. The brand consistently refers back to the older models of its almost 70 year history and lends them a new look. The chequered model "Glide" was originally a basketball shoe from the 70s. In 1956 the green "Bob Cosy" was worn by the NBA superstar of the same name. The bestseller "Number 5" has been steadily reissued since the 1960s. This season it's available in brown and olive colored leather with an art nouveau patterned yellow lining (120).

5. Connor “ von SCHMID

The German designer Peter Schmid has designed the successful shoe models: "Mostro", "Speedcat", and "Avanti" for Puma, which were also exhibited in 2002 at the "San Francisco Museum of Modern Art".
For five years now the Hong Kong based designer has represented his own line with a continuing, thoroughly personal design concept. Schmid doesn't shy away from material costs or personal expense to realise his ideas. His creations are proof of this, distinguishable through exceptional attention to detail and a little amount of cost-optimised reasoning. A good eye is needed in order to recognise the maturity and innovation of his designs. The 39 year old created a ribbed structure from the leather finish and engraved his shoes from the sole to the brink with "I love you" lettering, Incorporated snakeskin and fish scale effects and included artistic perforations. For the chrome finish the colors were applied and worked by hand. His newest model from the "Connor" range has been rendered with scales made from metal plates. Prices to 200 euro.

6. Dunk“ by Nike

The basketball shoe made it's first appearance in 1985 and was a wiz with the then existing skateboard scene thanks to its flat sole and stability.
In 1998 the "Dunk" started its comeback as a street-wear model and through its classic design and its availability in a variety of colours and materials became a collectors item, sometimes commanding over one thousand dollars for a pair. in the meantime the legendary shoe with the "swoosh" logo has seen much high-tec additions: active ventilation mesh, closed seems, air-permeable tongue, waterproof soles, finely layered uppers, flexible phylon soles and broad, tough lacing. The "Dunk" is available in three categories ranging in quality(84 to 150 euro): The standard model, "Dunk Core". The "Dunk Premium" with waterproofing and a lower heal and the "Dunk Supreme" made of soft leather. The "Dunk Vintage" model(110 euro) was manufactured from the original 1980s material and trimmed "used". Just out is the "Nike Hyperdunk" aimed at the sport market.

7. freestyle" by Reebok

In 1970 the label, named after an American gazelle, released the then most expensive sports shoes in the world commanding, in today's terms, 60 dollars a pair.
At the beginning of the 80s Reebok jumped on the aerobics bandwagon and set up a women's-only fitness line. The "Freestyle" is the sport shoe with which Reebok made retail history, as the introduction of the "Freestyle" in the 80s coincided with the beginning of female interest in fitness (up until that point seen predominantly as a "man-thing") which in turn was brought about by a new consciousness of self and body. This spring Reebok, since 2006 an associate of Adidas Salomon AG, starts its ad campaign consisting of amazing women and their "Freestyles"(85 euro) from six cities: The first, Japanese NFL cheerleader Ai Yasuda represents Tokyo; the celebrated French singer Yelle, Paris; Bollywood star Sagarika Ghatghe, New Delhi; the Spanish top-model Bimba Bose, Madrid. DJ Nikki Beatnik is the Freestyle face of London and the Muslim US-actress Sheetal Sheth represents New York.

8. "Mexico 66" by Onitsuka Tiger

At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico one of the most successful athletic shoes was the "Mexico 66", named after its year of market release and was the first of its kind with stripes.
In 1949 the Japanese entrepreneur Kihachiro Onitsuka founded a sports shoe company with vision: He wanted to use sport as a means of bringing vital energy to the traumatised youth of immediate post-war Japan, who had witnessed the atomic destruction of two cities. With the use of the epithet "Tiger", Asia's most revered animal, the company's founder made clear his plans to develop the world's best sports shoe. With success: At the Olympic games in 1964, 46 medal winners wore shoes made in the factories of the firm otherwise referred to as, "the Adidas of the east". In 1977, after a merger with two other firms, the sports manufacturer was renamed "Asics"("Anima sana in corpore sano"). The steadily reissued ,"Mexico 66", the brands most successful shoe, was released in limited addition(24 pairs in Germany) known as the Tokidoki version in collaboration with Italian artist Simone Legno.

9. "Classic Slip-On" by Vans

In 1966 the first of the famous canvas shoes by company founder Van Doren left the production line at their home in Anaheim, California and quickly became a trademark of the expanding L.A. surfer scene.
A decade later the firm developed the ideal shoe for the ever spreading skateboard clique and came to epitomise the laid-back southern California look. Unchanged in its original design, the "Authentic", Vans' very first model counts as a true classic. In countless variations, materials and modified designs, in suede or calfskin, embroidered or in tartan they sold in their thousands. The 1979 "Classic Slip On"(55-100 Euro), the first trainer which used an elastic chord instead of laces to keep the foot in place, was a fashion revolution and stands today as a fashion classic and can even be worn in Summer with a suit. These days the "Classic Slip On" is also available in scores of variants. Recently Johnny Ramon, legendary Ramones guitarist, and Iron Maiden designed their own models.

10. "Suede" by Puma

After a family feud brothers Adolph and Rudolph Dassler went their separate ways. Whereas the former achieved success with "Adidas", Rudolph founded the in no way less successful brand "Puma".
1986 was a monumental year for "Puma". For its 20 year jubilee the company added the cat logo, a puma in flight, and the Afro-American athlete Tommie Smith, who had won the 200m in Puma shoes, used the salute of the "Black Panther" movement while on the podium to call attention to the issue of racism. In the same year "Suede", made of the eponymous fabric, was brought on market. Originally a basketball shoe, it achieved reverence within the rising hip-hop community. The NBA player Walt Frazier, nicknamed "Clyde" after the well known bank robber was chosen for the autographed version. Since then the shoe has also been known as the "Clyde". Today the new models(110 euro) are limited to a few per country. In Germany there are a few high-end designer pairs available in selected trainer shops(such as www.wertarbeit-berlin.de).

Hi-Tech watch.

10 Hi-Tech Wristwatches That Any True Geek Would Love

When it comes to gadgets, a wristwatch is a staple for any geek. You?ve got to have the dorkiest watch around in order to be a true geek.
Here's a look at some of the newest and most innovative watches on the market today, and they are definitely all ?nerd-approved? ? to say the least.

1. Cell Phone/PDA Watch ($199)
This watch encompasses a cell phone, PDA, and it even plays MP3s and videos. The touch-screen display (yeah that?s right, I said touch-screen) is 1.3 inches in size and features 176 by 220 pixel resolution. This little gadget will act as a cell phone by simply placing your cell phone?s sim card into it, and you can talk to people with the built-in speaker. It features only 60 MB of built-in storage so don?t expect to get a ton of music and video into this watch, but at least you have the ability to do so. (ThinkGeek.com )

2. Mr. Gadget 1GB USB Executive Watch ($229)
The Mr. Gadget Executive Watch is actually a pretty normal looking watch, with the exception that it doubles as a USB storage drive. You can store up to 1GB of your favorite files, pictures, video, or music in this device and access it later on any computer. All you need is a regular USB cable to make the process work. This is actually a really good idea.

3. Garmin Forerunner 405 Watch ($299)
Garmin introduced the Forerunner 405 at this year?s CES. Being that Garmin makes this watch, it of course has a built-in GPS chip that helps to keep location information. Aside from that main feature, this watch is great for athletes, because it will track your speed, distance, and heart rate. It?s also water resistant, for those who enjoy jogging in the cool rain. (Amazon )

4. Binary Time Watch ($70)
Talk about the ultimate geek watch. This watch doesn?t even display the time in normal fashion. Instead it displays time in binary code (1,2,4,8,32). I know nothing about binary code, so I guess I?m not the ultimate geek. The photo shows 10:15 as the time (I didn?t figure that out by myself so don?t ask how I read it!). (ThinkGeek.com )

5. Qiao Xing Mobile?s W100 Mobile Phone Wrist Watch ($?)
This new watch is only currently available in China, to the best of my knowledge. Lets hope it more widely available soon, though, because this watch has just about every feature that you can imagine. This watch features a touch-screen display, 1GB of memory, music player, Bluetooth, FM radio, camera, and more (whew!). This is one of the ?smartest? watches that I?ve ever seen. (Businesswire )

6. WiFi Detector Watch ($29)
Here?s an inexpensive solution to those people who use WiFi-equipped devices while on the road, and they don?t know where the nearest Internet hotspots are. This useful gadget will seek-out WiFi signals, and display the signal strength of these signals on the watch?s display on a scale of 0 to 8 (8 being the highest signal strength). For under $30, this may be a great gift idea for somebody who uses WiFi Internet on the road frequently. (Funponsel ).

7. Alcohol Tester Watch (under $100)
This is a watch that many people wish they had at one point or another, because it may have saved them a lot of money on court costs and attorney fees. This Breathalyzer watch will display your blood alcohol level after a night of drinking by simply blowing into the side of it for 5 seconds. Will this gadget lower the amount of DUI arrests each year? Probably not, but it could still come in handy at times ? assuming that you?re not so drunk that you forget to use it! (A&A Product Co. )

8. Turtle TW-800 GSM Cell Phone Watch ($199)
This wristwatch is more of a cell phone than an actual watch, but it?s worn on your wrist. It features a full-color touch-screen, MP3/MP4 capabilities, PDA functions, and it even comes with a stereo Bluetooth headset ? and oh yeah, it will also tell time. Expect to see this hi-tech gadget in stores later this year. (CES-show )

9. Jules Jurgensen ?Uncrushable? Diving Watch ($300)
This watch is for you deep-sea divers out there. At first glance, this wristwatch just looks like a regular old decent looking watch, but its build quality is what sets it apart from the competition. This watch will withstand depths of up to 3,000 feet. The faceplate is made of the hardest mineral crystal available, and it uses a variety of washers and o-rings inside the watch to provide the tightest seal possible. So next time you plan on deep-sea diving over a half mile down beneath the surface of the sea, make sure you bring this watch and let me know if it crushes under the pressure! (WristDreams )

10. TAG Heuer Diamond Fiction Watch ($Too much!)
For the geeks out there who have made it, here?s the watch for you. This watch is made out of an obscene amount of diamonds (879 to be exact) with the time showing through them via 54 LEDs. This watch is so expensive that TAG Heuer lists the price as ?inestimable?. If you?re reading this, and you can afford this watch, shoot me an email so we can be friends! (TAG Heuer )

Expensive&beautiful Bras

8. Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra $ 5 million

Modeled by Brazil’s Adriana Lima, the bra features 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certified one-carat white round diamonds and thirty-four rubies. The bra was designed to maximize the wearer’s cleavage, an effect furthered by the two 50-carat black diamonds dangling from the center. The bra was created by celebrity jeweler Martin Katz and cost just over $5 million to make.

7. Fantasy Bra $ 6.5 million


It took an breastaking (excuse the pun) 20,000 hours of labour to cut and polish this little beauty and a further 300 hours to design and create it.
It was created to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bras,’ which have a combined value that surpasses £50,000,000 GBP in diamonds, jewels and precious metals.
The bra includes more than 2,000 diamonds and weighs 800 carats. The centerpiece is a 10-carat Hearts On Fire diamond brooch with a Victorian floral motif, meant to embody ‘the romance, glamour and sophistication that is Victoria’s Secret.’


6. Heavenly 70s Fantasy Bra $ 10 million




5. Star of Victoria Fantasy Bra $ 10 million




This bra, made with 1,150 ruby roses and 1,600 emerald leaves, was created by Mouawad in 2002. It took over 370 hours of work to make and featured the 60-carat Mouawad Mondera diamond.

4. Very Sexy Fantasy Bra $ 11 million


Another 370-hour Mouawad creation, the Very Sexy Fantasy bra was designed in 2003. It trumped the Star of Victoria with its 70-carat Mouawad Excelsior diamond. A replica of this bra, along with one of the Star of Victoria, was created by Mouawad for the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad.

3. Heavenly Star Bra $ 12.5 million

Studded with 1,200 Sri Lankan pink sapphires, this bra features a 90-carat emerald cut diamond as its centerpiece. That diamond alone, in fact, is worth $10.6 million. For an additional $750,000, one could even purchase a pair of matching briefs.


2. Red Hot Fantasy Bra and Panties $ 15 million


The world’s most expensive underwear was made with 1,300 precious stones, including 300 carats of Thai rubies, on red satin. The appearance of the set was kept secret until the grand opening of Manhattan’s new Victoria’s Secret store on Broadway and 67th Street. It was then modeled by Victoria’s Secret’s own Gisele Bundchen.

1. Susan Rosen with Steinmetz Diamonds $ 30 million


Would you like to spend U.S. $30 million for a piece of bikini? Sound crazy but that’s true. The glittering $30 million bikini has been created by Susan Rosen with Steinmetz Diamonds. This is the world’s most expensive bikini and uses all diamonds and no fabric. Model Molly Sims wore this diamond-studded bikini for the centerfold of the 2006 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

The bikini features over 150 carats of D Flawless diamonds, including a 51 carat D Flawless Pear Shape, a 30 carat D Flawless Emerald Cut, a pair of 15 carat D Flawless Rounds and a pair of 8 carat D Flawless Pear Shapes all set in platinum.

Phone in the future.

1.Future of Internet Search: Mobile version

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(Followed by a previous post “Future of Internet Search“)This is what I wish the internet search will be able to do with a mobile device in the NEAR future. Touch screen, built in camera, scanner, WiFi, google map (hopefully google earth), google search, image search… all in one device. Like this way, when you can see a building through it, it gives you the image search result right on the spot.

Choose a building and touch a floor and it tells you more details of the building.Well, it doesn’t have to be a building, but it can be any object you see. You can use it when you want to know a car model, an insect name, what kind of food is served at a restaurant and how much, who built a bridge, etc. etc. But as a designer myself, I hope it’s able to tell me a name of a font of the type I see, the size, color (in RGB), and so on.

It’s got a scanner built in, so you can use it this way when you want to check the meaning of a word in the newspaper, book, magazine, etc. It would be much easier to read a real book. You can use the dictionary, wikipedia, thesaurus and anything else available on the web. What do you think?

2.Nokia Morph concept mobile phone
Morph, a joint nanotechnology concept, developed by Nokia Research Center (NRC) and the University of Cambridge (UK) - was launched alongside the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition, on view from February 24 to May 12, 2008, at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Morph features in both the exhibition catalog and on MoMA's official website. Elements of Morph might be available to integrate into handheld devices within 7 years, though initially only at the high-end. However, nanotechnology may one day lead to low cost manufacturing solutions, and offers the possibility of integrating complex functionality at a low price.

Future Nokia mobile phones
Morph is a concept that demonstrates how future mobile devices might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform their mobile device into radically different shapes. It demonstrates the ultimate functionality that nanotechnology might be capable of delivering: flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. Dr. Bob Iannucci, Chief Technology Officer, Nokia, commented: "Nokia Research Center is looking at ways to reinvent the form and function of mobile devices; the Morph concept shows what might be possible".

Cambridge UK laboratory
Dr. Tapani Ryhanen, Head of the NRC Cambridge UK laboratory, Nokia, commented: "We hope that this combination of art and science will showcase the potential of nanoscience to a wider audience. The research we are carrying out is fundamental to this as we seek a safe and controlled way to develop and use new materials."


Nanotechnology
Professor Mark Welland, Head of the Department of Engineering's Nanoscience Group at the University of Cambridge and University Director of Nokia-Cambridge collaboration added: "Developing the Morph concept with Nokia has provided us with a focus that is both artistically inspirational but, more importantly, sets the technology agenda for our joint nanoscience research that will stimulate our future work together."

Nokia Morph flexible phone concept
The partnership between Nokia and the University of Cambridge was announced in March, 2007 - an agreement to work together on an extensive and long term programme of joint research projects. NRC has established a research facility at the University's West Cambridge site and collaborates with several departments - initially the Nanoscience Center and Electrical Division of the Engineering Department - on projects that, to begin with, are centered on nanotechnology.

3.Wear This Future Mobile Music Concept On Your Wrist

Mobile phone today is more than just simple phone as its usage is far beyond just receiving and making phone calls. Mac Funamizu introduced us to this new gadget which is a mobile phone concept which can be said to have been picked straight out of the Bond movies! One can wear this gadget around their wrist as a watch, though it is transparent. However the look can be customized with the change of color pattern or placing any picture on the background. A foldable gadget, thereby one can mould the same as per the pocket. Accompanied by a pair of earphones that ensures a surround sound effect, it’s a gadget to look out for!