Look at that - that bright red cherry sitting on top of your sundae.

It's not really even intended to be a food item - it's edible (allegedly), but that's not what it's for.

It's to attract ATTENTION.

Well, let's help it out a bit, shall we?

The dish or glass in which the sundae is served can have a small clip-on device attached, which contains a simple red laser pointer. Powered by three watch batteries, it can run for hours - far longer than the lifetime of the sundae. Just turn it on and aim at the cherry. (If the skin is too reflective, you might need to peel a small spot to get more light inside the cherry.)

There - that strugglingly red cherry on top turns into a veritable beacon.

Now it's got your attention.
-- lurch, May 25 2011

Only if it's augmentation not replacement.
-- Voice, May 25 2011


Yes - sorry, I didn't realize I wasn't clear. Will update.
-- lurch, May 25 2011


Alternatively, some hafnium might do the trick.
-- RayfordSteele, May 26 2011


It's the finishing touch, [lurch]. Bun! [+]
-- Grogster, May 26 2011


// simple red laser pointer //

Nice idea [+]

Insufficient beam energy to cause the cherry to ignite [-]

Vote: Neutral.
-- 8th of 7, May 26 2011


Like it - this could be productised along with cherry recognition software and sold to bakeries and the like in order to liven up their cupcake displays. Who could resist the allure of a cherry that's been professionally brightened by light amplified by the stimulated emission of radiation?
-- zen_tom, May 27 2011


Cheaper alternative: embed red LED inside cherry, with leads wrapped around stem leading to battery. Avoids need for light to "get inside" cherry. Infinite lifetime of cherry means its reusable.
-- sqeaketh the wheel, May 27 2011



random, halfbakery