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Transparent Appliances from Invention Station

12-1-fridge.jpg

Everyone likes to hide stuff behind closed doors, but these appliances are extra cool. Gizmodo posted these images from Tokyo's National Electronics' Invention Station...

 
 
12-1-washer.jpg

We didn't bother posting the picture of the Air Conditioner...it doesn't really lend itself to transparency like a refridgerator and washing machine. aaron

(ReEdited from 2006-12-01 - MGR)

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appliances - large, Japan, transparent

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Comments (30)

Now *that* would make me keep the fridge clean! Yoips! Cool, but... I don't think I could live with it day in and day out.

posted by smallcitybeth in canada on 2006-12-01 15:43:59

That is taking the lucite craze a WAY too far.

posted by kiminottawa on 2006-12-01 15:50:16

I agree... neat idea but I would not want to have one in my home. But it could a good teaching tool to show kids what and how things work etc.

posted by Tyson Williams on 2006-12-01 16:13:05

but in Japan, w/ their fab packaging, makes sense...

posted by t j on 2006-12-01 16:17:15

how does that refridgerator stay cold without any insulation? It looks cool, but I wouldn't want to pay the electric bill for that one!

posted by elissa on 2006-12-01 16:41:17

I wouldn't what my vegan friends coming over and judging me for the Trader Joe's Greek-Style yogurt in the fridge. However, I'm sure the washer would be endless entertainment for my cats.

posted by Cheryl on 2006-12-01 16:42:40

I wonder too if it gets all foggy when you open it.

I feel like it'd be a really neat idea in a kitchen where the fridge wasn't a central point and super visible. Maybe a kitchen with lots of white (i.e. subway tile) so that you can show off all of the (hopefully) bright colors of your food.

posted by Mat on 2006-12-01 17:06:30

OMG it's so cool. heh heh. I would buy this in a minute, if the price were anything like a normal fridge. Think of all the energy you'd save -- you can see everything with the door closed!

posted by bridget on 2006-12-01 18:59:26

Love it all, although I don't know how appealing a fridge filled with chinese take out boxes and soy milk would look... hmmm...

I love the concept though. Now let's design some kitchen cabinets in clear acrylic. I'd love to show off my dinnerware!

posted by decor8 Holly on 2006-12-01 23:51:02

Love it all, although I don't know how appealing a fridge filled with chinese take out boxes and soy milk would be... hmmm...

I love the concept though. Now let's design some kitchen cabinets in clear acrylic. I'd love to show off my mug collection in style!

posted by decor8 Holly on 2006-12-01 23:52:01

I need a fridge like that! I always forget about what's in the drawers in the fridge (especially salads and tofu) until after they've gone bad. If I were to see them everytime I walked in the kitchen I would be more likely to not forget them.

posted by RP on 2006-12-02 11:34:09

could urge us to keep it well stocked, unless we wouldn't mind people seeing the often random, paltry selection (in my home!)

this would enable fridge doors full of assorted Glaceau vitamin waters + such, champagne, etc (a bit healthier AB fab scenario).

recently an orange cauliflower hung out in our fridge for months, i enjoyed looking at it to much to eat before the mold finally arrived.

in one AT post last year? i wondered what a translucent air conditioner would be like, since people sometimes wish for pretty ones.

posted by tj on 2006-12-02 15:19:24

Interesting concept, now if only they would make transparent packaging for all products too....imagine, x-ray vision :)

posted by Stephan on 2006-12-02 22:16:45

I bet it would look very cool when the freezer is all tv dinners stuck in a block of fuzzy ice.

posted by bjorn on 2006-12-04 01:35:52

This is pretty cool, but http://www.chatdump.com is wicked crazy.

posted by Trag on 2006-12-18 23:34:11

Um..........
Um..........

what is this !!!

posted by neme on 2007-02-08 08:28:50

Love it. I am SO tired of stainless steel.

posted by Lisa Hunter on December 21st 2007 at 11:14am
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Urgh. Even organized, it would make my kitchen look really cluttered. The novelty would wear off in about 30 seconds.

posted by Aldyth on December 21st 2007 at 11:19am
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ugly

posted by Carder on December 21st 2007 at 11:55am
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Too bad Adrienne Monk is fictional. He would love it.

posted by Cate on December 21st 2007 at 2:17pm
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just about anything transparent can be used in a prison; no hiding contriband in there.

posted by VickyA on December 21st 2007 at 2:30pm
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how about one where you can make the doors opaque and transparent. NOw if they invent that I'd buy it.

posted by cecicela on December 21st 2007 at 5:34pm
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They are Panasonic. I see "National" behind. (Their Japanese name) And I guess they are just transparent displays showing it's technology and capacity etc... and don't mean to market transparent fridges. But maybe not a bad idea?

posted by len on December 21st 2007 at 7:21pm
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argh! Where do I place my magnets?

posted by ehy2k on December 22nd 2007 at 4:56am
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I like the washing machine.

posted by hrhprincessfiona on December 22nd 2007 at 6:07am
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i once had an idea for double doors on a fridge. you open the main one and a clear glass door is underneath, so you can stand in front of the fridge and stare and not waste energy.

posted by tomahto on December 22nd 2007 at 9:58am
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I've always wanted a transparent dishwasher. Man, I want that so bad.

posted by kostia on December 22nd 2007 at 6:18pm
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If I got this, which I would in a heartbeat if it were cheaper, I know I'd spend hours a week assembling nature mortes out of the contents. I would start buying food according to montage assembly, and I wouldn't let anyone eat something that ruined a particularly felicitous still life. I'm therefore glad it's too expensive.

posted by Aulaire on December 23rd 2007 at 7:53am
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Hideous. Looks like clutter to me, therefore would make the kitchen look trashy. Wouldn't use it if someone gave it to me.

posted by rose on December 24th 2007 at 4:31am
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Its visually impractical but once you get over the transparency...the design is pretty great. I love all the compartments and i like how the beverage tray in the dorr sort of tilts out.

posted by labchick on December 24th 2007 at 9:06am
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