This charming flower is not costume jewelry but actually a hearing aid device made in—1802!

If you think that integrating useful technology into clothing and accessories is something new, think again. Without fail, we can always look to the past for seeds innovation to stimulate our own creation. Below I've put together a number of fun inventions from the bygone days and compared them to some of their modern day counterparts.

1972: Panasonic Toot-A-Loop Radio R-72

If you are in San Francisco, be sure to stop by the Exploratorium and see the Second Skin: Imaginative Designs in Digital & Analog Clothing Exhibition. The show runs from April 29th to September 7th, 2009. For those who are unable to attend, watch this video and experience it vicariously:

Agnieszka Gasparska, who did the design of the Aromatherapy Sachet for Switch Craft, has relaunched her site called kissmeimpolish.com. Agnieszka is an award winning designer with a flair for making. Check out the work and get inspired!

Video and Image copyright of International Fashion Machines
If you cannot see the video above, click here.

Pillow Talk, a headset-pillow in our book Switch Craft, isn't the only interactive pillow you can snuggle up too at night. Toxel.com has put together a really great list of silly, electronic, eclectic, and sometimes just plain weird pillows for the comfy connoisseur. 

Things have been wonderfully hectic and I have been Twittering away with my few friends from the SXSW Interactive and Film Festival. While I like to Tweet, this was Twittering at its best to keep up with the latest news, best panels, and parties. If you were not on Twitter, you were missing out. Here is a super quick post SXSW update. 

The following information is for the readers of our book Switch Craft. However, if you are interested in making your own privacy passport cover, key card holder, or wallet that may prevent unwanted RFID (radio-frequency identification) sniffing, you are welcome to read on.

Our friend Syuzi over at fashioningtechnology.com is holding a soft circuit workshop in LA on Febrary 22nd. This is a great way to meet other smart crafters and get your hands dirty with electronic threads and materials.

We were inspired by Jake the pug's love for socks. What do you dream of? Let everyone know with this beautiful color changing wall decoration. Simple in design, it is the perfect way to warm up your home with a personal touch.