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January 23, 2006
Curiously Multi-Purpose
I can't throw Altoid tins away.
It's not like I eat them that often, but my life is still full of empty Altoid tins. They're so... sturdy. So... vintage. They practically have "use me for cooler things!" emblazoned inside their lids. I am dismally unoriginal in my use of an Altoid tin as a jewelry box. Another tin holds words and phrases I've clipped from magazines to use in assorted craft projects. One is a ubiquitous bobby pin holder. I keep one of the long, thin tins from the "sugar free smalls" as a little treasure box of fortune cookie fortunes. I clung to a round "sours" tin for far too long, even though the melted, citrusy goo inside made it unusable.
So it's good to know, really, that the uses for Altoid tins are apparently limitless. If you have time enough and skill, you can transform your tin into a light-based theremin, "an electronic musical instrument whose pitch is determined by the amount of light it detects." Whoa. The geekier among us have transformed their tins into protective cases for mp3 players, switches from pc speakers to headphones, and a Morse code transmitter. Even better? You can learn how to make some of these projects yourself on makezine.com's blog. I'm particularly entranced by the pinhole camera, though, again, the nerds in our lives may be more excited about recharging all their USB devices with an attractive minty-scented 9V charger.
As nifty as all of these transformed tins are, I have to admit that I'm particularly impressed by someone who simply used their tin to store stuff. Granted, this guy is storing enough stuff to help you survive for 72 hours, providing "for shelter preparation, fire making, water storage and treatment, signaling capability, basic medical needs and food procurement."
I feel like Altoid consumption has a whole new legitimacy now. Plus, since Altoids are making a new home in Chattanooga, it may easily be argued that large-scale consumption of these curiously strong little tablets is in my community's own economic interest. I may never make my own Altoid fish tank, but it's nice to know that the possibiltiy exists.
Small, Shiny Things | By elissa | 05:17 PM
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