The burning let's you know it's a shirt!
September 18, 2010 9:21 AM   Subscribe

 
Try that on someone with body hair.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 9:26 AM on September 18, 2010 [7 favorites]


I just imagine peeling off hair along with the shirt. Perhaps we shall all be sleek and lacking body hair in the future, as well.

Why does the future hate hair so often?
posted by GenjiandProust at 9:27 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]




I'm sure, after taking off the first shirt, body hair won't be a problem for future shirts.

The spray-on bandage idea is kind of interesting, however. How many SF books have I read where they talk about exactly that kind of thing? Lots.
posted by hippybear at 9:30 AM on September 18, 2010


I like how the scientist is wearing safety goggles, but the model isn't.
posted by empath at 9:35 AM on September 18, 2010 [27 favorites]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byssinosis
posted by tapesonthefloor at 9:35 AM on September 18, 2010


Now with antiperspirant!
posted by applemeat at 9:36 AM on September 18, 2010


Apparently it removes nipples as well.
posted by rikschell at 9:38 AM on September 18, 2010 [13 favorites]


I do like the spray-on bandage potential application.

As clothing however, I say no.
posted by sandraregina at 9:45 AM on September 18, 2010


I imagine the application for this will be a mecahincal booth to re-clothe airline passengers in approved garb after they are stripped naked for the butt-sniffing bomb detector and before boarding. We will wind up thanking the TSA for allowing us the tiniest shred of dignity.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 9:49 AM on September 18, 2010 [9 favorites]


er, mechanical.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 9:50 AM on September 18, 2010


Why does the future hate hair so often?

And why is the future always so damned impractical?
posted by eric1halfb at 9:56 AM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


I think the most practical everyday application for this will be as a way for superheroes to quickly don their super suits.
posted by mach at 10:02 AM on September 18, 2010 [4 favorites]


Oh, hi there, New Scientist. So, what's on the not-fully-thought-out menu for today?
posted by Gator at 10:06 AM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Whatever goes on your body, goes into your body.

What are the health repercussions for spraying plastic all over your body every day?

And I for one am not looking forward to everyone having to look at all of my body dimples.
posted by CoffeeDregs at 10:08 AM on September 18, 2010


I trust that this marvelous solvent is completely harmless to the skin and lungs of that young model. And I'm sure they haven't required her to sign a waiver.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:11 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


I thought this would need a NSFW tag, but I was totally surprised.
It looks pretty cool. I would like to know what solvent is actually used.
posted by SLC Mom at 10:18 AM on September 18, 2010


Nothing new to see here. Tuli Kupferberg suggested this 40 years ago in 1001 Ways to Live Without Working. First for socks and then for pants.

By the way, how's that work for pants?
posted by warbaby at 10:20 AM on September 18, 2010


It's good to see Ron is continuing to branch out and find new applications for his wonderful product.
posted by crunchland at 10:22 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


We used to do that as kids. With silly string!
posted by ericb at 10:23 AM on September 18, 2010


Imagine the convenience. Instead of grabbing a shirt from your closet, you simply walk into your ventilated spray booth and grab your spray gun, vats of chemicals, hoses, masking tape, safety gear, personal assistant, etc., turn on the compressor and PRESTO!--you're ready for that big date.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:29 AM on September 18, 2010 [10 favorites]


Yes, it is absolutely essential that this be tested on lovely top-less girls. IT'S SCIENCE!
posted by Harry at 10:31 AM on September 18, 2010 [10 favorites]


Use Bactine (antiseptic/anaesthetic) as the solvent, and I'd use it every two weeks, which seems to be the rate at which I bite the pavement and skin one or both of my knees. This could be a godsend for clumsies like me.
posted by heyho at 10:47 AM on September 18, 2010


I saw this on reddit earlier. The best application I could think of would be socks. I hate how the seam in socks feels all lumpy, whereas things stuff wouldn't have that problem. Wear it a few times then ditch it.

I wonder how strong the shirt actually is, and how long it takes to seal. If the solvent evaporates quickly, I imagine it would be really cold.
posted by delmoi at 10:57 AM on September 18, 2010


You can see the video with a male model at Guardian. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCIENCE!
posted by artificialard at 10:59 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Perfect example of a solution looking for a problem.
posted by tybeet at 11:00 AM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


So this solvent, I don't suppose it would be highly flammable as it vaporizes...
posted by Galvatron at 11:18 AM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Don't worry--it's inflammable.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 11:23 AM on September 18, 2010 [15 favorites]


It takes 5 to 15 minutes to spray just a short sleeve shirt. Although, I do like the idea of having a completely custom skin tight, without being spandex tight, clothes.

He should work on a shotgun blast application method.
posted by zephyr_words at 11:24 AM on September 18, 2010


You can see the video with a male model at Guardian. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCIENCE!

Um, this video had a male model as well as a female model.
posted by cjorgensen at 11:26 AM on September 18, 2010



Um, this video had a male model as well as a female model.


If you keep rewinding to the parts where she is getting sprayed, you'll never know that there is a topless dude later in the video.
posted by Forktine at 11:36 AM on September 18, 2010 [5 favorites]


Um. Dude is not a "scientist." The very first sentence spoken in the video introduces him as a fashion designer.
posted by Sys Rq at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2010


with Haloween coming, i could'nt think of a better application and save money on those expensive damn costumes and the best part is one has a full year to get cleaned up unless that spray-on costume was so cool, one would like to wear it again the next year. Just put one your daily clothes on over the spray-on.
posted by tustinrick at 11:59 AM on September 18, 2010


The fabric looks pretty stretchy. If it is and the fabric is even middlin abrasion resistant I'd love to be able to make coveralls out of it. It would be vastly superior to disposable coveralls for applications like applying acoustical sealant or working in confined spaces. The real catch is how expensive the fabric and the solvent is.
posted by Mitheral at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2010


Also it would be awesome for jobs like shingling which wears the seat and knees out of pants; instead of having to sew in patches you could just spray on another layer when ever an area got thin.
posted by Mitheral at 12:29 PM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


Um. Dude is not a "scientist."

He is wearing a white coat, goggles and acting scientific with a topless subject, if that isn't science, I don't know what is.

The only thing lacking is he doesn't say "Good news, everyone!"
posted by warbaby at 12:32 PM on September 18, 2010 [4 favorites]


The dirty old man in me wants to see the link for the underwear demo. So, um, where is it?
posted by helmutdog at 12:43 PM on September 18, 2010


looks like a lot of work to get a really ugly shirt
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:54 PM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


I can sort of imagine a nice, modern-looking sweater design arising from that. Not sure about health concerns from the chemicals, though.
posted by polymodus at 1:21 PM on September 18, 2010


From the youtube comments:
Solvent + water pistol = nudity gun! AWESOME!!
posted by hypersloth at 1:48 PM on September 18, 2010 [4 favorites]


Wasn't there an SCTV skit back in the early 80s that was a commercial for spray-on socks?
posted by cropshy at 1:57 PM on September 18, 2010


"Also it would be awesome for jobs like shingling which wears the seat and knees out of pants; instead of having to sew in patches you could just spray on another layer when ever an area got thin."

Now that's a great idea! Use it to fix up the clothes you already own. Perfect for cheapskates like me. The socks sound good too.

But it probably wouldn't last long. With fibers that are splayed every which way instead of being woven together for strength it couldn't have much durability.
posted by Kevin Street at 2:09 PM on September 18, 2010


Inflammable means flammable? What a country!
posted by kirkaracha at 3:06 PM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


If spray-clothes become a reality, there'll probably be a lot of supersoakers loaded with that clothes-dissolving solvent.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:12 PM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


I, for one, would love an instant shirt tailored to specifications no human could measure. The solvent is a big question, though.
posted by cmoj at 3:31 PM on September 18, 2010


The spray-on bandage idea is kind of interesting, however. How many SF books have I read where they talk about exactly that kind of thing? Lots.
posted by hippybear at 2:30 AM on September 19 [+] [!]


Erm, I have a bottle in my medicine cabinet. Granted, it doesn't do the whole white mummy bandage thing but it's awesome stuff, particularly on large grazes. Stings like a bastard though.
posted by ninazer0 at 4:27 PM on September 18, 2010


I couldn't get past the brutal voice-over of the reporter.
posted by bwg at 5:39 PM on September 18, 2010


Big deal. Old news.
posted by Mike D at 6:23 PM on September 18, 2010


Uhhh, so, I don't really want to see them spray the pants on that guy.
(a little too 'form fitting' perhaps?)
posted by Drasher at 7:08 PM on September 18, 2010


Amy: Psst, Professor, I need another bikini.
Farnsworth: Eh ... wha? Oh, oh, OK, I think there's one can left. [He reaches into a bag next to him and takes out a spray can and hands it to her. She sprays it over her making a brand new pink bikini.] Oh, my.
Amy: There. How do I look?
Farnsworth: Like a cheap French harlot.
Amy: French?
posted by ilana at 7:43 PM on September 18, 2010 [2 favorites]


Google: cameltoe
posted by HyperBlue at 10:27 PM on September 18, 2010 [1 favorite]


I would wear my underwear and spray on pants every day, what solvent tho?

How is it that the bandage app in the midst of two wars (one war?) is an afterthought, I guess thats what you get during Fashion Week.
posted by sfts2 at 10:55 PM on September 18, 2010


This guy's accent, lab coat, and wacky invention reminded me of my all time favorite Simpsons scene, featuring the always awesome Dr. Nick Riviera

Troy: I'm actor Troy McClure. You might remember me from such TV series as "Buck Henderson, Union Buster'' and "Troy and Company's Summertime Smile Factory''

Troy: I'm here to tell you about 'Spiffy!', the twenty-first-century stain remover. Let's meet the inventor, Dr. Nick Riviera.

Nick: Troy, I brought with me the gravestone of author and troubled soul Edgar Allen Poe! (exhibits a grimy tombstone)

Troy: One of our best writers.

Nick: Yes, but unfortunately, a century of neglect has turn this tombstone into a depressing eyesore.

Troy: So what? I guess we're going to have to throw it away.

Nick: Not so fast, Troy! With one application of Spiffy, you'll think the body's still warm! (applies some Spiffy, removes all the grime)

Troy: Quoth the raven, "What a shine!''
posted by billyfleetwood at 11:52 PM on September 18, 2010


MetaFilter: I saw this on reddit earlier.
posted by The Tensor at 2:10 AM on September 19, 2010 [1 favorite]


Perfect example of a solution looking for a problem.

I first heard that line said about a technology in the 1960s. The technology? The laser.

Just wait, smart guy. In 2055, spray-on clothing will work your holovision player and shoot down Taliban Hegemony missiles. And there'll be a one-design solar sail space racer named after it.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 6:40 AM on September 19, 2010


Tuli Kupferberg suggested this 40 years ago

Heinlein did 20 years before that. Spray-on underwear is in his Puppet Masters (but not the '94 movie).
posted by Rash at 2:41 PM on September 19, 2010


Wonder what the solvent is. If you're planning on reusing the clothing material like that, you're going to be going through a fair amount of solvent.

Here's hoping it's ozone-friendly.
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:59 PM on September 19, 2010


The spray on clothes will get the headlines, but the idea of repairing upholstery strikes me as the more useful application. It costs a small fortune to recover furniture, and most office chairs etc. are just discarded when a hole appears in the fabric. If this could somehow repair worn holes, I could see a market for it.
posted by bap98189 at 2:13 AM on September 20, 2010


Spray-On Clothing

I'm using this technology right now! It's called Reddi-Wip and it's both economical and remarkably well insulating. Also, delicious!

Watching me lick my way to short sleeves, does seem to be making my co-workers a bit uncomfortable, however.
posted by quin at 9:48 AM on September 20, 2010


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