Collector's corner (two)
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Bringing the art of collecting into the modern era is the "Carcoon", a kind of bubble wrap that enables collectors of classic cars to preserve them for posterity and prevent them from rotting, as they are wont to do if simply left under a dustsheet in the garage.
This wonderful invention, which has won awards for its British designer George Page, is an inflatable plastic bubble zipped to a groundsheet. Its preservation secret is that a pair of fans draw 50,000 litres of filtered air an hour through the bubble, over and around the vehicle, before being drawn out the other end. This ensures the vehicle is kept dry and prevents rust, whereas ordinary air soaks up moisture. The novel invention allows cars to be "laid down" like a fine wine, to pass on too son or daughter in driveable condition. I don't know about you, but I for one will be inquiring at my dealer about laying down a factory fresh Robin Reliant for the youngest grandson. He may be in nappies now but I know he'll be thrilled when it's unveiled in all its three-wheeled glory before his astonished friends on his 21st birthday bash.