Inventor Brian Russell’s Energy Return Wheel is another non-pneumatic tire, but whereas Resilient Technologies’ NPT is passive, this one active absorbs and releases energy. As its name implies, the ERW spins shock absorption events into a modicum of forward motion. And interestingly enough Russell came up with the idea while designing sneakers whose soles would deliver energy returns.

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The following video, which I’m guessing was produced by tire and rubber manufacturer Britek after they licensed the ERW technology, uses a little more CG to give you an idea of how the thing actually works:

ERW stopped updating their website around ’08 or ’09, so I initially figured this was another tech that had fallen by the wayside; but someone from ERW has still been fielding queries on YouTube as recently as yesterday, so presumably the product is just trapped in development hell.

by Bill Weir, C. Michael Kim & David Miller (click link to watch video)

While tablets are at the cutting edge of modern technology, Samsung Mobile Display wants to make the iPad look about as modern as the Ford Model T.

This week we got our hands on a Samsung commercial released in Korea for a see-through, flexible tablet that’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen here at This Could Be Big, and we knew we had to find out more.

The big question is, could this thing be real?

Looking at the commercial it looks like it’s out of a preview for the new Mission Impossible movie. It’s a thin piece of glass that’s as flexible as jell-o and can be rolled up like a newspaper. It’s also expandable, 3-D and can be used as a real time translator.

Samsung Mobile Display is keeping their lips sealed for now, but expect more from them at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

For now, to help uncover the mystery, we spoke with technology journalist Joanna Stern from the TheVerge.com to shine some light on this futuristic technology.

A handsome (or at least presentable) mailbox may seem like a
small detail, but it’s one that should not to be overlooked. Here are
ten we like. If you favor the rural mailbox variety, view more
selections in our earlier post Outdoors: Rural Mailbox Roundup.

Above: The Priority Mailbox in red powder coated metal measures 17.5 by 12 inches; $78 at Chiasso.

Above: The Finnish USPS Grey/Stainless Bobi Mailbox
is made of thick durable stainless with a slot wide enough to
accommodate large envelopes and magazines. Measuring 19.7 by 12.5
inches, it is also available in black, white, stainless finishes);
$253.99 at More Mailboxes.

Above: The Large Premium Steel Rural Mailbox
by Solar Group features a rust-resistant smooth galvanized finish and
is a great buy at $30.15 (through Amazon). It’s available in white,
gray, and black and measures 20.2 inches long, 10.87 inches tall, and
8.5 inches wide.

Above: The sleek and simple stainless steel Horizontal Mailbox
is available in six finishes (shown in satin nickel) and measures 14 by
8 inches; $62.50 to $89, depending on finish, at Restoration Hardware.

Above: The simple Galvanized Post Box with lock is £24 at the Beach Hut (it measures 14.6 inches tall and 9.4 inches wide).

Above: The Ecco Wall Mailbox
is available in brushed or polished stainless steel and in two sizes
(the large is $110 and the small is $89) at More Mailboxes.

Above: The classic heavy-duty GDM Newport Mailbox
measures 10.5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide, and 21.5 inches long and
is available in seven finishes, including black; $89.95 at More
Mailboxes.

Above: The classic powder-coated-steel Swedish Mailbox
comes in white, red, black, or green with the traditional European
Postal Horn decal on the front. It measures 9 nches wide and 14 inches
tall; $59 at the Mailbox Shoppe.

Above: The Soho Mailbox
is made of durable powder-coated stainless steel and features a lock;
it’s available in five colors (shown in white) and measures 12 by 15.5
inches; $118.99 at the Mailbox Shoppe.

Above: The cheery and utilitarian cylindrical Cadrona Mailbox
is made in New Zealand from powder-coated zincalume and marine-grade
plywood. It’s divided into two compartments—the top half provides easy
access for newspapers, while the lower half keeps mail and small parcels
hidden and protected; $135.21 from Mailboxes in New Zealand. The Cadrona Mailbox Stand is available for $58. The company ships worldwide (prices are listed in six currencies).

Above: The Danish Steel-Plate Mailbox is made of weather-resistant galvanized steel plate and features rubber seals to keep moisture out; €388 at Manufactum.

Above: The heavy-duty Stainless Steel Letterbox with a heavy lid and a lock is generously sized at 14.2 inches by 15.7 inches; €218 at Manufactum.