I was a little reluctant to write about this for obvious reasons, but several bathroom experience innovations are worth noting. We do, after all, spend a rather significant amount of time in the bathroom, over the course of our lives, and the experience should be more interesting than it is today.
First, why does toilet paper always have to be plain, boring white? Why not black toilet paper? Or, why not toilet paper that looks like a roll of 100 dollar bills? A European company, Renova, is introducing solid, black toilet paper in the United States, and my guess is that it’s only a matter of time before you can buy Charmin in a plethora of colors and patterns! [Thanks, Deidre Woollard]
Secondly, there’s a new movement to move beyond simply placing advertisements above public urinals, which makes eminent sense because an ad has 45 seconds in front of a captive audience! Innovation Solutions Oceana has developed an innovative advertisement solution that offers an interactive experience to urinal users: high definition, color graphics, which are printed in “disappearing ink,” are activated when the urinal is used. [Thanks, Ilya Vedrashko]
Finally, brilliant businessman Mark Cuban recently invested in Brondell, a startup company that makes technologically advanced toilet seats. The seat, which retails for $550, features a heated seat, a retractable, warm water spray nozzle to clean, and a warm air blower to dry. The San Francisco based company, founded by Dave Samuel and Scott Pinizzotto, recently forged distribution deals with Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond. [Thanks, Forbes]
January 21st, 2006 at 12:53 am
An insouciant artile on a topic that is an essential part of our daily lives. How is Brondell planning on competing with Toto, a Japanese company who has a headstart in producing toilets with warm seats, water spray, and warm airdry. Also, will an average American bridge the socialogical disequilibrium and take heart to toilets that does a thorough job to your most intimate parts?
Great article. Thanks Matt.