Roger Arquer’s Mousetraps Are Open Source Hardware



“Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door.” Who am I to disagree with famous nineteenth-century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, you ask? Well, all I can say is that Spanish industrial designer Roger Arquer has come up with not one, but four better mousetraps that you can see at his Web site. Better in that they are humane and non-lethal – you need not decide right away to impose the death penalty for merely trespassing or committing petty theft. Although if you have small children in the household they may urge a sentence of life without parole in a hamster cage (they are cute little mammals, after all), they are wild animals that might be carrying diseases. Google “hantavirus” and you’ll see what I mean. They do not do well in captivity. Most likely you will choose exile; banishment to an undisclosed location at least several miles away. All four of his mousetraps are transparent, so even if you do not happen to be around to hear them when they are being disturbed, you will be able to tell at a glance whether you caught one. They are fine examples of modern open source hardware. Once you have seen the design, you can make one exactly the same way or any way you like it. My personal favorite is the Mouse in a Pint version. It seems like the easiest one to assemble the parts for and then set in a likely spot. You can make all four without too much difficulty and have your very own gallery before you even need them. The works were designed by a real industrial designer, after all, and they look like it. And of course, your home will stay rodent-free … 

Affordability: 10+ (free, in fact)   Luxury: 10

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