Taunting nerds can be dangerous April 3, 2009 8:54 AM Subscribe
The Tauntaun sleeping bag.Adorable April Fool's joke from ThinkGeek triggers flood of demand. "We have decided to TRY and bring this to life. We have no clue if the suits at Lucasfilms will grant little ThinkGeek a license."
posted by CunningLinguist (48 comments total)
18 users marked this as a favorite
My bed already smells like a Tauntan, so I might as well complete the illusion. posted by permafrost at 8:56 AM on April 3 [12 favorites]
No Tauntaun sleeping bag? THEN I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL!!! posted by rusty at 8:56 AM on April 3 [1 favorite]
I want one! I want one! posted by batou_ at 8:56 AM on April 3
It seems like this happens at ThinkGeek every year. They announce a list of ridiculous, nonexistent products for April Fool's Day, and invariably at least one of them turns out to be so desirable that they have to actually produce and sell it. Hence the Personal Soundtrack Shirt and the 8-Bit Tie. posted by Faint of Butt at 8:58 AM on April 3 [6 favorites]
I've always thought that slicing a tauntaun's belly and crawling inside to stay warm was the coolest part of Star Wars. posted by autodidact at 8:58 AM on April 3
I thought they smelled bad on the outside! posted by pts at 9:00 AM on April 3
If they can really make these for $40, I'm buying 2. Festival season is right around the corner. Of course, I doubt they'll be that cheap, if they get made. posted by baphomet at 9:03 AM on April 3
The dimensions indicate that it's only five feet long. Is that long enough for adults? Would the real product be bigger, i.e., not just child-sized? posted by amtho at 9:04 AM on April 3
amtho - From the (spoof) page:
* Fits children (and small adults)
* Exterior Dimensions - 32" x 60"
I think someone could put together a nice DIY design for this, to skirt the issue of legality. Maybe someone could then sell parts which, when joined with the design, could result in is sleeping bag. posted by filthy light thief at 9:08 AM on April 3
Mountain men used buffalo in the winter in Idaho. posted by RussHy at 9:09 AM on April 3
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt. I noticed when I lived in the city that I felt much cooler whenever there was a busking saxophone player within earshot. I felt like I was Harrison Ford in Blade Runner. (I know, there's no sax in Blade Runner, but it makes sense in my head). I always though it would be great if I could pay one of them to casually walk about 20 paces behind me. That shirt could make my dream come true! posted by diogenes at 9:09 AM on April 3
The lightsaber zipper pull is brilliant. posted by zippy at 9:21 AM on April 3
They break out some great ideas for April Fool's Day.
Of course, this would really be more awesome if it was an actual product from 1982, instead of the product of fans who miss the old magic. posted by graventy at 9:29 AM on April 3
Little-known fact: street-based saxophone players are simultaneously intrigued and repulsed by Personal Soundtrack Shirts in amounts such that the force of the opposing emotions keeps them exactly 20 paces from anyone wearing said shirt. posted by owtytrof at 9:30 AM on April 3 [1 favorite]
Personally, I'd wear this backwards, under a jacket, so there's a faint sound of something following me. That, and the splatter and bird design doesn't do a lot for me. posted by filthy light thief at 9:45 AM on April 3
Artw - I thought Availability: Hoth was a bit less subtle. And I think "small adult" is hipster code for "hipster sized" (unless you're angling for an ultra-lean form-fitting unisex design).
Would it be warm enough, or would you (I mean, my kid) freeze before you reach the first marker? posted by never used baby shoes at 10:10 AM on April 3
meowzilla - that is awesome.
Seriously, they should make a whole line of Alpha-Predator sleeping bags.
Sharks, Snakes, Mortgage Brokers... posted by Smarson at 10:14 AM on April 3
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt.
Me too. I've been joking for months that my morale would increase if I could stomp the halls at work blaring the Imperial March from Star Wars to announce my presence. That joke is about to become reality! posted by librarianamy at 10:25 AM on April 3
I detest Star Wars, and I think this is wicked cool. The world needs more sleeping accessories that are film in-jokes. posted by QIbHom at 10:36 AM on April 3
I detest Star Wars, and I think this is wicked cool. The world needs more sleeping accessories that are film in-jokes.
posted by QIbHom at 6:36 PM on April 3 [+] [!]
filthy light thief: "I think someone could put together a nice DIY design for this"
1) Acquire a sleeping bag.
2) Fill the sleeping bag with intestines, preferably warm. posted by Plutor at 10:41 AM on April 3 [4 favorites]
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt.
Now that I've thought about it, I'm going to hold out for the coffin - a full-featured burial casket constructed of military-grade carbonite, topped by a life-cast of the incumbent in the classic freezing-process pose.
'The Han Solo Ltd Edition Casket: Not dead, just in perfect hibernation.'
I would have preferred Unicorn Chaser to come to life, myself. (Which is to say, at least then you don't have to beg George Lucas for assistance.) posted by jenfullmoon at 10:43 AM on April 3
Needs to be less boxy, like those cocoon-shaped bags, and definitely requires way more stuffed dangly bits hanging out from the inside.
Oh wow atrazine. I think I need one of those. posted by CunningLinguist at 10:51 AM on April 3
The concept of a "Taunton" sleeping bag amuses me. It smells of cider and cowshit on the inside and outside however. posted by longbaugh at 11:55 AM on April 3 [1 favorite]
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posted by permafrost at 8:56 AM on April 3 [12 favorites]