Dr. Fritz Kahn (1888-1968) was a gynecologist in Berlin and a world-famous popular science writer who illustrated the form and function of the human body with spectacular, modern man-machine analogies. In the 1920s, his magnum opus, “Das Leben des Menschen” (The Life of Man) – a five-volume series – was renowned as a German accomplishment of global repute. In the 1930s, his books were banned and burned by the Nazis, then edited by Kahn’s publisher and reissued as plagiarisms with a superimposed anti-Semitic chapter.

Last year Henning M. Lederer a Master of Arts graduate has created an animation based on Dr. Khan’s poster of “Man as Industrial Palace”. Dr. Khan’s work has become very popular now a days amongst designers and historians.

This animation has awaken a fascination within me with Dr. Khan’s work. There is a book of him currently for sale, Fritz Kahn: Man Machine Maschine Mensch, which I wouldn’t mind having.

I have always had an interest in the World War 2 era in Europe, I excelled at history in high-school thanks to my fascination with that time. And reading about Dr. Khan made me realize I never really thought about the people and their works that where banned by the Nazis.

Henning M. Lederer’s idea of animating Dr. Khan’s work is fascinating and I wonder if there are more works like these that can be animated bringing them to attention again in these modern times. Khan’s and Lederer’s work wouldn’t miss stand in a school class to teach children.

I looked online if the poster is for sale but I can’t find one source that sells the original. The only way to get a poster is by buying the book.

Check out the video. It’s in German but with subtitles. See if you can understand what the piano is “saying”, based on the recording of a young child, without looking at the words.

Really interesting concept. Totally impractical, but hey that’s not the point.

Via

You can get this lamp for only €40 or alternatively you can also get the ‘shade’ for only €35.

Vintage Pool Ball Bottle Stoppers

Keep a bottle of wine fresh (if it lasts more than one sitting) with these pool ball adorned bottle stoppers. Link

Evil Skulls Pool Ball Set

Pool balls with skulls on. Mwahaha. Link

Texas Longhorns Pool Ball Set

If the Texas Longhorns are your thing, check out these themed pool balls. Link

Telephone Box Cue Stand

Very British (not that you can find many real ones in the UK any more) only this red telephone box is for storing your pool cues and pool balls. Link

Swirl Marble Pool and Billiards Set

Why play with boring plain pool balls when these marble ones feature great swirling colours. Link

Rocco Clear Pool Balls

Made from resin, fortunately, but don’t they just look like glass marbles? Cool numbering on them, too. Like a lot. Link

Pool Ties

OK, I’m not convinced novelty ties are allowed, but if you must… Link

Pool Table Cake

You know someone’s been a pool fan far too long when they start baking stuff on the theme. Link

Pool Ball Lighter

Apparently works as a real lighter, flame upon pressing the number. Link

Pool Ball Light Switch

Just for the kids’ room? I don’t think so. Link

Pool Ball Rings and Earrings

Wow… Eleanor Salazar makes them out of pool balls. I’m not really into rings but even I might consider that ring (one of the other colours, maybe). Link

Pool Ball Clock

If this one doesn’t grab you, there’s a few more at the link. Link

Pool Ball Candles

Want more than just the 8 ball, or actually burn the pool balls? Try this set of six pool ball candles. Link

Poker Pocket Billiards

A different twist on the game: 10 different cared games played on any pool table. Link

Mythical Beasts Pool Balls

Mythical creatures printed on your pool balls. Far more interesting – let’s hope they don’t fly away when you’re trying to sink them. Link

Marbled 8 Ball Door Knob

Actually made from blown glass and then stuck to your door. Link

Lunar Rocks Pool Balls

Designed for the Hollywood motion picture “The Adventures of Pluto Nash”. Link

Light up Pool Balls

Each ball is good for 50,000 flashes, and they flash upon impact with the cushions, cue and other balls. Link

Hidden pool ball and cue bench

If, worst luck, your pool table has to share the room with other things that don’t appreciate it, this pool bench at least lets you hide away the kit until it’s time to play. Link

56th Birthday Cake Pool Balls

Lucky birthday boy Mike may get to find out what the Magic 8 Ball says later on after he’s munched through this cake. Link

Glow in the Dark Pool Balls

Aramith glow-in-the-dark pool balls and pool table conversion kits. Comes with glow-in-the-dark phenolic ball set, reflective cushion tube with metallic springs, glowing cue rings, glowing break spots, and glow-in-the-dark rail sights. Link

Fred the Camera Robot

All manner of games represented here, as well as being a camera, but pride of place to the pool balls being used as Fred’s head. Nice. Link

8 Ball Candle Holder

Authentic American 8-ball, chopped and drilled so it can hold a candle. Link

Disco Pool Balls

Does exactly what it says. Just don’t get those 70′s clothes out again. Link

Cue Ball Wizard Pinball

Pool and pinball combined. Does it get any better? Loads more photos via the link. Link

Crazy Cue Ball

Everyone loves a practical joker when they’re lining up for that crucial make-or-break shot, right? Give ‘em what they want with the crazy cue ball – it’ll never shoot straight. Unlike their fist. Link

Billiard Ball Peppermints

Available in peppermint and cinnamon, WPBA Billiard Mints are shaped like miniature 9-balls. They are packed in rectangular tins illustrated to resemble billiards tables. Link