Had a hilarious conversation with a colleague recently, about writing an article for the most basic shower enclosure on the face of the Earth. The New Era Pivot Shower enclosure.
I had to write some 500 words or so about the product, which is, in effect, a glass box with a hinged door on one side. And so my writing skills were challenged to within an inch of writer's block, until he mentioned something that got my attention.
Some 25 years ago I watched a program called Tomorrow's World - a show which showcased new technology and how it might change our lives beyond 1990. On this particular show they covered an invention competition organized by the Prince of Wales.
I remember there being one invention which could be marketed to Bill Board companies which would allow you to see one image from one side and a completely different one if you stood on the other. Nifty indeed if you're in the habit of looking behind you as you drive down the road. But the invention which won the competition was something a little more pedestrian and a lot safer.
It was a type of glass which repelled water and dirt - that is to say, the make up of the glass caused water droplets to pool together and run off the glass in sheets leaving a pristine surface. Quite impressive, especially when Charlie, threw a bucket of mud at a large sheet of it. The mud simply ran off the surface like water off a duck's back and it looked perfectly clean. Having received his award, the victor said that he hoped to market the invention to commercial property developers for use in windows for tall office blocks. Seemed like a great idea. And that was the last anyone heard of it.
Like many inventions it probably went the way of the 'Sinclair C5' with the inventor occupying his time with other things. So I was surprised when my colleague mentioned the fact that a similar characteristic could be found on the glass of the New Era Pivot shower enclosure. He said that New Era had developed a patented coating called 'Easiclean', which repels water and dirt in the same way as the aforementioned invention which means that you and I don't have to clean it as often. Better yet, if you're particularly dirty - say a rugby player or mud wrestler, you can rest assured that even a mud spattered shower enclosure will look beautiful once your done. Now that did grab my attention and I finally had something to mention other than the fact that the walls are see through and the door opens and closes.
Thanks Bob.
Marc Francis is a writer specializing in interior design, renovation and property investing.
http://www.bathroomtrade.co.uk
