A reader enquiry highlighted the choice: either add to the mindless clutter on the Internet or create content with at least some value beyond momentary novelty.

Enquiring about the source of PaperBots article - in particular, the origin of the ’smart wallpaper’ image - Auriele, a French designer, brought home with a bump the trivial folly of commercial blogging using transient content as a mere hook for a sale, and  articles with a use-by date of lunchtime.

These so-called articles, or ‘posts,’ should at the very least cite subject source plus all related links uncovered digging around the subject. That’s because no matter how much I trivialize it, the keywords and phrases of AI and robotics on this blog are going to attract professionals in these fields seeking information.

So to the reader’s request. Our exchange went like this:

I would really happy to be in touch with the people who posted the article called Child’s dream comes true, June 22,2007. Is there any chance you could help me to contact him/her ?
Thanks by advance
Regards Auriele

[Thinks: Dang, one of those pesky readers wants to talk]

Hello Auriele 
I wrote that article based on a press release. Which part are you curious about? Perhaps I can help.
Phil (Editor)

Hello, Nice to hear from you.

First, thanks for your article because it was of great help for me. I am a textile designer currently working on a 3D animated wallpaper and looking for specific "moving’ or changing shape materials. I was wondering if you had the references for the smart wall paper picture included in the article, as it might me quite similar to what I want to get.

Moreover, I was wondering if you knew more about this hygroscopic cellophane with what is made the fortune telling fish. Indeed, I would like to get samples of this material, so if you had any idea about a supplier or someone to ask for, I would be really glad.

Thanks a lot by advance.
Best regards. Aurelie

[Thinks: Oops. Kept no notes and only know what’s in the published article. Sigh]

Hello Aurelie

I will find what I can. Give me a few days. The ‘cellophane fish’ is maybe between 50 and 100 years old. That will be a challenge, but I will work on it. Update me if you think of something.

Regards, Phil.

Hello Phil,

Great to hear such a positive answer. I’ve maybe found a supplier of this fish : Rage unlimited, 1715 Pearl St Boulder Co, 80302 , Usa. I am waiting news from them. I will let you know. I am looking on my side too.

Regards. Aurelie

So off I went to spend quite some hours digging, the exercise delivering some peripheral yet important lessons:

• The Internet is a wasteland in many ways, depending on what one seeks.
• Search engines are overwhelmed by greedy morons flooding it with pages of garbage trying to gouge cents from Google Adsense
• Real information is locked away by equally-greedy morons who believe holding humanity’s scientific knowledge for ransom is legitimate business

Finally I sent Aurelie the somewhat sad collection of links and comments below. But, hey, at least I tried.

Hello Aurelie

I was able to only discover a little to help you. You might already have found the same links, as the Internet is surprisingly small when searching for real information. If one is seeking rubbish, there is an abundance!

I have located the original article the ‘magic wallpaper’ image was associated with, but not the original image. Unfortunately I never kept the original data & links on which I based the articles in Bot7.com because they were at the time trivial. Your quest makes me realize I should be a little more systematic when the subject is non-trivial (even if I am trivializing it).

Also, the cellophane fish is alive and well all over the Internet if one searches for "fortune-telling fish." Hope you can locate the material manufacturer.

Some links

http://www.fortunetellerfish.com/

————————

Website of Jaehwan Kim, researcher quoted in article:

Mech Eng at Inha Uni

——————-

Though I can’t recall the source of my bot7.com article, I clearly remember this being the primary document referred to. The article contains at least one image related to the ‘magic wallpaper’ image (of the same style) but I cannot find the original image. In other words, the original image was almost certainly from the same source as this paper. So, too, as the original article source, I would guess.

http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/sample.cgi/mamobx/2006/39/i12/html/ma060261e.html

———————

This patent from 1938 goes on in detail about ‘decorative cellophane’ - includes term ‘hygroscopic cellophane’

http://www.google.com/patents?id=akBXAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=%22hygroscopic+cellulose%22#PPP1,M1

– PS ———————–

Not relevant, but amusing, this patent from 1937 for a novelty toy propelled by Mexican jumping beans :0)) (keywords ‘animated’ ‘cellophane’

http://www.google.com/patents?id=nFMBAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=cellophane+animated+#PPA8,M1

– PPS ———————

Also, I discovered this while searching, and decided to buy it!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6403173

Here’s another older Japanese one being bid for on EBay - if you’re quick. It is in amongst lots of eBay stores selling the new ones in bulk

http://search.ebay.com/fortune-telling-fish_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40