Silently (or near as possible) floating footrest, adjustable via remote control, or perhaps just a nudge of the heel. Advantages not found in standard non-floating footrest:

1) Doesn't collect dust balls underneath

2) Cool

3) Costs more
-- snarfyguy, Jun 12 2001

Floating Furniture http://totallyabsur...oatingfurniture.htm
[egnor, Jun 12 2001, last modified Oct 21 2004]

"Dreams of Levitation" http://www.keelynet...ravity/meissner.txt
Magnetic rather than pneumatic; speculative. [egnor, Jun 12 2001, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Upside down hovercraft technology http://www.madsci.o...956414733.Ph.r.html
I don't know if this suggestion was ever implemented... [Vernon, Nov 24 2004]

4) easier to transport when moving

disadvantages: 1) keeping the kids from playing giant air hockey in the living room with it
2) instability -- _really_ can't trust a beer on it
3) freaks out the cat (or advantage, if you like)
4) collects dust in the corner when the initial charge wears off and you realize how costly it will be to keep it running
-- globaltourniquet, Jun 12 2001


With powerful enough fans it could also be used to squash spiders crawling across the ceiling. Way radical cool. Nice summary of advantages, snarfyguy.
-- Dog Ed, Jun 12 2001


Ha! This gets my YES, YES, YES! vote simply for the image in conjured up in my little brain when I read the title. And, delightfully, the idea was exactly what I thought it would be.

Plus, it would be a most excellent name for a band.

Simply for looks, I think it should have an anchor that can be tossed over the side and drag on the floor behind it.
-- PotatoStew, Jun 13 2001


I'll take two (2).
-- thumbwax, Jun 13 2001


Every entry on the recent list, and probably just about every entry in the place, would make a terrific band name.

Now appearing:
Worm Train

with special guests
Clitz
Hunt the HB Thief
Single Vowel English

and featuring...
Prehensile Hair
(featuring former members of FMQ, Mass Community Bicycles and Fast Forward Ringtones)
-- globaltourniquet, Jun 13 2001


(Personally, I'd be interested in the primitive, Ono-esque gutteral stylings of Single Vowel English)
-- globaltourniquet, Jun 13 2001


I think Ottoman Hovercraft would be a better name for a band.
-- beauxeault, Jun 13 2001


Jefferson Airplane
Led Zepelin
Ottoman Hovercraft

Kids, collect the entire set of transportation methods with bands named after them.
-- mark_t, Jun 13 2001


This idea's title is a perfect, lovely dactyllic dimeter:

/vv /vv

Would fit beautifully into a poetic dactyllic tetrameter, a very common song pattern:

Hovercraft Ottoman moving around
Floating a couple feet over the ground
Giving my body a new way to rest
Hovercraft Ottoman -- you are the best

-- globaltourniquet, Jun 13 2001


Applause, [gt].
Line 2 might be better as:
'Floating a couple of feet off the ground'
-- angel, Jun 13 2001


I concede the improvement
-- globaltourniquet, Jun 13 2001


Possibly hugely noisy but can't fault the list of advantages. Big croissant.
-- calum, Nov 24 2004


Anything involving hovercraft automatically gets my vote. I wish the future had turned out the way it was supposed to. In fact, i shall search for all other hovercraft-related ideas on the halfbakery and vote for them too.
-- nineteenthly, Nov 24 2004


I don't know why "hovercraft" has to be the technology for a floating ottoman. How about embedding a lot of strong permanent magnets in the base of the ottoman, and an electromagnet (set for repulsion) embedded in the floor?
-- Vernon, Nov 24 2004


I am pretty sure that balloons have been baked for several decades. Am I mad or would you just not use a balloon (with a little water balast maybe)?
-- madness, Nov 25 2004


//Am I mad //

see name.
-- etherman, Nov 25 2004


I rather like this.
-- DesertFox, Aug 23 2005


Throw a H.E.P.A. filter and some mild ionization, and you're filtering and lounging at the same time.

Anyting that can potentially use neodymium magnets will always, always get my vote.
-- Giblet, Aug 23 2005


Its all fun and games until someone gets hurt...then its hilarious

i want one. i want one now.

infact im actaully working on making a concept

then im going to patent it

then i wont sale it to anyone and anyone who builds it i will sue them
-- seventhinline, Aug 23 2005


if the fans are powerfull, can it be used somewhat like the skateboard of guy in back to the future?
-- kamathln, Aug 31 2005


I like it, just for reason number 3.
-- shapu, Aug 31 2005



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