The best thing about writing articles about gadgets is that you get to attend all of the best gadget shows. I just attended the May 2008 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, which also ran concurrently with the Gourmet Housewares Show, the Lawn and Garden Show and a few smaller product shows. While you might think that a hardware show is boring, this year’s show featured several very cool and unique gadget gifts that caught my attention. Cumulatively, these shows rival the enormous Consumer Electronics Show with floor space, but the number of attendees is much smaller, which makes this show easier to navigate through.

The products that I thought were some of the most innovative for entertainment value include a radio controlled drink cooler, which is just what you need to get the guys’ attention during a football game or a party. I found a talking robotic clock that I enjoyed not just because of the novelty of the idea, but also because it is designed to become the center of attention for any gathering of friends.

There were also a few real nifty hardware and tool items that make great gadget gifts for any home handyman or construction professional in your life. I found a unique hammer that makes it incredibly easy to remove bent nails and straighten studs for nailing, and there was a magnetic arm band for when you need to take a number of tools into a cramped space. For those who need extra light to work on dark spaces, there was a baseball cap LED array that clips to brim on the cap, so you always have light shining wherever you look.

Pet gadgets were also part of the show. We found an award-winning LED dog collar to help you and your pooch light the way on dark nights.

We will continue to add articles and information about unique and useful products we find at trade shows. No matter where we go, we find a number of people thinking outside of the box in order to bring new and interesting products to the market.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 7:42 pm and is filed under Miscellaneous. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.