Kicking Up An Ink! Designer Taylor Tabb Creates Trainer That Doubles As A Printer

Designer and engineer Taylor Tabb's Footprints is a remarkable creation - a pair of trainers that also acts as a printer. These intriguing kicks blend the timeless silhouette of a Converse Mid-Top with the functionalities of a handheld inkjet printer. At first glance, the shoes sport the classic look of an iconic Converse design - reimagined as a collaboration with HP. However, a closer inspection reveals a delightful twist - concealed within the sole of each shoe lies a genuine HP ink cartridge and inkjet hardware. Explaining how they work, the creative technologist says. “The primary hardware is a modified hand-held inkjet printer - the enclosure is removed to allow more space for a foot, and it’s been fixtured into the heel of the shoe”. With many no longer having a bulky printer at home, Tabb’s creation offers a new option - wearing an item you can print documents on anywhere. This daring project represents the designer’s ongoing exploration of merging computing with creative expression through fabrication. Tabb's portfolio showcases a range of unconventional endeavors, from a robot concealed within a watermelon's shell to a wearable chemical energy storage system.

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.

Showers early then scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 82F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

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