It’s the only practical use for the oddly shaped duo. Christened “rec & play” by the Yuri Suzuki-Oscar Diaz design duo who built them, the pens are just screaming for us to write down secret messages.
Using cassette technology of yore, both pens function according to their color. The red one you use to scribble a message, which is encoded with sound data. Then you use its black sibling to trace the message which is then transmitted via a built-in speaker. Neat, huh?
How Do They Work?
The pens utilize magnetic ink technology, a fascinating throwback to the days when cassette tapes were the pinnacle of audio recording. The red pen acts as a recorder, embedding audio data into the ink as you write. This is achieved through a tiny magnetic head inside the pen that encodes the sound. When you write with the red pen, it’s not just ink that’s being laid down, but also a magnetic signature that can be read later.
The black pen, on the other hand, is equipped with a magnetic reader and a small speaker. When you trace over the message written by the red pen, the magnetic head in the black pen reads the encoded data and plays it back through the speaker. This ingenious use of old technology in a new form factor is what makes these pens so unique and captivating.
Applications and Limitations
Unfortunately, these aren’t for sale. The pens are part of an exhibition of Yuri Suzuki’s work dubbed “Sound Interjection” to be held on September 3. While the concept behind them is impressive, we doubt if these would actually make good spy tools. For starters, both pens are too unconventional in appearance. Worse, they’ve got wires.
However, the potential applications for these pens extend beyond mere novelty. Imagine using them in educational settings where teachers could leave audio notes for students directly on their worksheets. Or consider their use in art installations where artists could add an auditory dimension to their visual work. The possibilities are endless, limited only by the imagination.
But just for the hell of it, if we did own a pair it’d be heaps of fun writing odd messages in places and then broadcasting them via the speaker pen. Until the joke gets tired of course and we cry “Next!”
Future Prospects
While these pens are currently part of an art exhibition, the technology they employ could inspire future innovations. As we move further into the digital age, there’s a growing nostalgia for analog technologies. Products like the “rec & play” pens tap into this sentiment, offering a tactile and interactive experience that digital devices often lack.
Moreover, with advancements in miniaturization and wireless technology, future iterations of these pens could become more practical and user-friendly. Imagine a version without wires, or one that could sync with your smartphone to save and share audio messages. The integration of such features could make these pens not just a novelty, but a useful tool in various fields.
Via Gizmodo
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
