Taunting nerds can be dangerous
April 3, 2009 8:54 AM Subscribe
The Tauntaun sleeping bag. Adorable April Fool's joke from ThinkGeek triggers flood of demand. "We have decided to TRY and bring this to life. We have no clue if the suits at Lucasfilms will grant little ThinkGeek a license."
No Tauntaun sleeping bag? THEN I'LL SEE YOU IN HELL!!!
posted by rusty at 8:56 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by rusty at 8:56 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
It seems like this happens at ThinkGeek every year. They announce a list of ridiculous, nonexistent products for April Fool's Day, and invariably at least one of them turns out to be so desirable that they have to actually produce and sell it. Hence the Personal Soundtrack Shirt and the 8-Bit Tie.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:58 AM on April 3, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:58 AM on April 3, 2009 [6 favorites]
I've always thought that slicing a tauntaun's belly and crawling inside to stay warm was the coolest part of Star Wars.
posted by autodidact at 8:58 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by autodidact at 8:58 AM on April 3, 2009
The lightsaber zipper pull really makes it.
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:59 AM on April 3, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by CunningLinguist at 8:59 AM on April 3, 2009 [6 favorites]
If they can really make these for $40, I'm buying 2. Festival season is right around the corner. Of course, I doubt they'll be that cheap, if they get made.
posted by baphomet at 9:03 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by baphomet at 9:03 AM on April 3, 2009
The dimensions indicate that it's only five feet long. Is that long enough for adults? Would the real product be bigger, i.e., not just child-sized?
posted by amtho at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by amtho at 9:04 AM on April 3, 2009
amtho - From the (spoof) page:
* Fits children (and small adults)
* Exterior Dimensions - 32" x 60"
I think someone could put together a nice DIY design for this, to skirt the issue of legality. Maybe someone could then sell parts which, when joined with the design, could result in is sleeping bag.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2009
* Fits children (and small adults)
* Exterior Dimensions - 32" x 60"
I think someone could put together a nice DIY design for this, to skirt the issue of legality. Maybe someone could then sell parts which, when joined with the design, could result in is sleeping bag.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:08 AM on April 3, 2009
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt. I noticed when I lived in the city that I felt much cooler whenever there was a busking saxophone player within earshot. I felt like I was Harrison Ford in Blade Runner. (I know, there's no sax in Blade Runner, but it makes sense in my head). I always though it would be great if I could pay one of them to casually walk about 20 paces behind me. That shirt could make my dream come true!
posted by diogenes at 9:09 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by diogenes at 9:09 AM on April 3, 2009
They break out some great ideas for April Fool's Day.
Of course, this would really be more awesome if it was an actual product from 1982, instead of the product of fans who miss the old magic.
posted by graventy at 9:29 AM on April 3, 2009
Of course, this would really be more awesome if it was an actual product from 1982, instead of the product of fans who miss the old magic.
posted by graventy at 9:29 AM on April 3, 2009
Little-known fact: street-based saxophone players are simultaneously intrigued and repulsed by Personal Soundtrack Shirts in amounts such that the force of the opposing emotions keeps them exactly 20 paces from anyone wearing said shirt.
posted by owtytrof at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by owtytrof at 9:30 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
"Fully Licensed Lucasfilm™ Collectable " should have been the tip-off.
posted by Artw at 9:41 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by Artw at 9:41 AM on April 3, 2009
The dimensions indicate that it's only five feet long. Is that long enough for adults? Would the real product be bigger, i.e., not just child-sized?
It needs to be hipster sized!
posted by Artw at 9:42 AM on April 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
It needs to be hipster sized!
posted by Artw at 9:42 AM on April 3, 2009 [3 favorites]
Personal soundtrack shirt - aka: a new reason to stare at someone's chest. As Faint of Butt pointed out, the dreams of diogenes and other like-minded folks could come true.
Personally, I'd wear this backwards, under a jacket, so there's a faint sound of something following me. That, and the splatter and bird design doesn't do a lot for me.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:45 AM on April 3, 2009
Personally, I'd wear this backwards, under a jacket, so there's a faint sound of something following me. That, and the splatter and bird design doesn't do a lot for me.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:45 AM on April 3, 2009
Mountain men used buffalo in the winter in Idaho.
Could you define "used?"
posted by papercake at 9:46 AM on April 3, 2009 [5 favorites]
Could you define "used?"
posted by papercake at 9:46 AM on April 3, 2009 [5 favorites]
Artw - I thought Availability: Hoth was a bit less subtle. And I think "small adult" is hipster code for "hipster sized" (unless you're angling for an ultra-lean form-fitting unisex design).
I just wish the design was more realistic, like thetoy figure set from 1982.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:49 AM on April 3, 2009
I just wish the design was more realistic, like the
posted by filthy light thief at 9:49 AM on April 3, 2009
"Slumber in the Belly of the Beast"
The sleeping bag only keeps you warm for a couple of nights. Then the vultures come.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 9:55 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
The sleeping bag only keeps you warm for a couple of nights. Then the vultures come.
posted by rageagainsttherobots at 9:55 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Seeing the Bear Sleeping Bag two months prior to the Tauntaun one killed my interest in the latter.
posted by meowzilla at 9:58 AM on April 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
posted by meowzilla at 9:58 AM on April 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
This is surely going to get made, you'd have to be the most humourless, tight-arsed fuckwit on the planet to object to this.
[Lucasfilm] oh... [/Lucasfilm]
posted by fullerine at 10:01 AM on April 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
[Lucasfilm] oh... [/Lucasfilm]
posted by fullerine at 10:01 AM on April 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
Would it be warm enough, or would you (I mean, my kid) freeze before you reach the first marker?
posted by never used baby shoes at 10:10 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by never used baby shoes at 10:10 AM on April 3, 2009
meowzilla - that is awesome.
Seriously, they should make a whole line of Alpha-Predator sleeping bags.
Sharks, Snakes, Mortgage Brokers...
posted by Smarson at 10:14 AM on April 3, 2009
Seriously, they should make a whole line of Alpha-Predator sleeping bags.
Sharks, Snakes, Mortgage Brokers...
posted by Smarson at 10:14 AM on April 3, 2009
Metafilter: The front paws can be positioned for more adventure.
posted by Squid Voltaire at 10:14 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Squid Voltaire at 10:14 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt.
Me too. I've been joking for months that my morale would increase if I could stomp the halls at work blaring the Imperial March from Star Wars to announce my presence. That joke is about to become reality!
posted by librarianamy at 10:25 AM on April 3, 2009
Me too. I've been joking for months that my morale would increase if I could stomp the halls at work blaring the Imperial March from Star Wars to announce my presence. That joke is about to become reality!
posted by librarianamy at 10:25 AM on April 3, 2009
I detest Star Wars, and I think this is wicked cool. The world needs more sleeping accessories that are film in-jokes.
posted by QIbHom at 10:36 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by QIbHom at 10:36 AM on April 3, 2009
I detest Star Wars, and I think this is wicked cool. The world needs more sleeping accessories that are film in-jokes.
posted by QIbHom at 6:36 PM on April 3 [+] [!]
Indeed
posted by atrazine at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by QIbHom at 6:36 PM on April 3 [+] [!]
Indeed
posted by atrazine at 10:39 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
filthy light thief: "I think someone could put together a nice DIY design for this"
1) Acquire a sleeping bag.
2) Fill the sleeping bag with intestines, preferably warm.
posted by Plutor at 10:41 AM on April 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
1) Acquire a sleeping bag.
2) Fill the sleeping bag with intestines, preferably warm.
posted by Plutor at 10:41 AM on April 3, 2009 [4 favorites]
The Taunton sleeping bag is pretty sweet, but I'm more excited about the Personal Soundtrack Shirt.
Now that I've thought about it, I'm going to hold out for the coffin - a full-featured burial casket constructed of military-grade carbonite, topped by a life-cast of the incumbent in the classic freezing-process pose.
'The Han Solo Ltd Edition Casket: Not dead, just in perfect hibernation.'
I can't wait to die.
posted by permafrost at 10:41 AM on April 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
Now that I've thought about it, I'm going to hold out for the coffin - a full-featured burial casket constructed of military-grade carbonite, topped by a life-cast of the incumbent in the classic freezing-process pose.
'The Han Solo Ltd Edition Casket: Not dead, just in perfect hibernation.'
I can't wait to die.
posted by permafrost at 10:41 AM on April 3, 2009 [2 favorites]
I would have preferred Unicorn Chaser to come to life, myself. (Which is to say, at least then you don't have to beg George Lucas for assistance.)
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2009
Needs to be less boxy, like those cocoon-shaped bags, and definitely requires way more stuffed dangly bits hanging out from the inside.
But even then, how can that be as cool as The functional Portal shirt?
posted by rokusan at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2009
But even then, how can that be as cool as The functional Portal shirt?
posted by rokusan at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2009
Oh wow atrazine. I think I need one of those.
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:51 AM on April 3, 2009
The concept of a "Taunton" sleeping bag amuses me. It smells of cider and cowshit on the inside and outside however.
posted by longbaugh at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by longbaugh at 11:55 AM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
I thought they smelled bad on the outside!
... until I unzipped it to wake my two year old up in the morning...
posted by Pollomacho at 12:23 PM on April 3, 2009
... until I unzipped it to wake my two year old up in the morning...
posted by Pollomacho at 12:23 PM on April 3, 2009
longbaugh, I had the same reaction when I read the title.
posted by maxwelton at 12:42 PM on April 3, 2009
posted by maxwelton at 12:42 PM on April 3, 2009
Via Twitter:
thinkgeek Crazy plan confirmed: if we make a Tauntaun sleeping bag, there will be 2 sizes: kids & grown-up kids. You may stop flipping out now.
LucasFilm would be crazy not to grant the license.
posted by cmgonzalez at 12:56 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
thinkgeek Crazy plan confirmed: if we make a Tauntaun sleeping bag, there will be 2 sizes: kids & grown-up kids. You may stop flipping out now.
LucasFilm would be crazy not to grant the license.
posted by cmgonzalez at 12:56 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
LucasFilm would be crazy not to grant the license.
Would that be the same folks who brought us Jar Jar?
posted by never used baby shoes at 2:08 PM on April 3, 2009
Would that be the same folks who brought us Jar Jar?
posted by never used baby shoes at 2:08 PM on April 3, 2009
This May Be The Star Wars Movie You're Looking For
posted by homunculus at 3:18 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 3:18 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
But even then, how can that be as cool as The functional Portal shirt?
The shirt is a lie.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 4:57 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
The shirt is a lie.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 4:57 PM on April 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
The sad thing is, I really kinda need that Betamax -> HD-DVD converter.
posted by chuq at 5:23 PM on April 3, 2009
posted by chuq at 5:23 PM on April 3, 2009
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posted by permafrost at 8:56 AM on April 3, 2009 [12 favorites]