Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 28, 1993                   TAG: 9311240257
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Joe Kennedy
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A MALL ON THE MOON?

This is one of thousands of facts contained ``Inventions and Discoveries 1993,'' a new book edited by Valerie-Anne Giscard d'Estaing (the daughter of the former president of France) and Mark Young and published by Facts on File in New York ($24.95).

The book gives brief histories to inventions in 12 categories, looks at upcoming discoveries and tells about some off-beat ideas, as well. Like:

a plastic house designed by David George; it weighs 23 tons and cost $3 million to build.

a ``convertible suitcase,'' designed by Mazda engineer Yoshini Kanemoto, which weighs 70 pounds and turns into a tiny three-wheeled vehicle with a top speed of 12 miles per hour. (Please stay out of the passing lane).

underwater hang gliding, pioneered by Frenchman Alain Jacques. The engineer in fluid mechanics strapped on an oxygen tank, went below the waves and discovered that by twisting and turning on his pilot's bar, he could make his glider simulate the effects found above the clouds. So far as is known, he's the only one to do this.

a rock 'n' roll instrument called the viotar, which is a cross between a violin and an electric guitar. Patented by musician Bob Schlink, it sounds ``like a violin on steroids,'' according to one music critic. You rest it on your shoulder and play it with a bow.

a Tantrum brick. Made of soft foam, the brick is for heaving at the TV when it annoys you. When it strikes the set, the set turns off, thanks to a micro- transmitter than sends it such a signal. This one is from William Johnson.