Some stress tests fall way outside the realm of predictable scenarios, and those are our favourites. At Gadgetoff 2009, Lenovo let some guys launch two ThinkPads from a trebuchet, just because. They get destroyed, but fare better than expected.

The team recovered the hard drives from their battered casings, and unfortunately they didn’t boot when inserted into another, less smashed ThnkPad. The data was able to be recovered, and once it was it booted up the laptop fine. Not too bad considering they fell hundreds of feet to the ground. [Thanks, Jeffery!]

This unique Anglepoise lamp from the designers at Fresh West may have been inspired by old Far Eastern bamboo scaffolding—but it looks more like something that could hurl a projectile over a castle wall.

The Brave New World Lamp, as it has been dubbed, stands at nearly 180cm tall using a combination of oak and cast iron balancing weights. However, the lamp does not share the same sturdiness as its Far East and medieval counterparts. According to the description, two hands are needed to operate the hinges to ensure stability. You won’t have to worry about busting one up anytime soon though—the lamp appears to be a design piece for now. [Moooi via Dezeen via DVICE]

Apparently this design would allow the user to adjust the angle and force in order to precisely hit the plate from a distance. Sure, you would probably waste an entire loaf of bread before you got it right (unless you subscribe to the seven second rule), but mixing medieval weaponry and slices of golden brown wheat is always a winner in my book. Besides, we already know that toast can be hurled through the air at a tremendous velocity.[Ivo Vos via Gizmodo UK]

He’s modded it to shoot rubber-tipped railway sleepers at criminals. And in spite of the police’s stance, the 70-year-old is standing firm. “I’m not out to kill anyone or even hurt them,” he says. “I just want to keep yobs off my land.”
Signs up at the entrance to Watson-Webb’s flooring business warn of the fate that will befall anyone who attempts to get onto the Nottinghamshire property. SmartPoo, it seems, is no laughing matter. “This is a serious issue. People all over Britain are sick and tired of feeling like prisoners in their own homes and seeing yobs get away with it.”
After trying just about every security product on the market—fencing, motion-sensor lights and CCTV cameras—the 70-year-old is unrepentant, and has pooh-poohed the attitude of the law. “Maybe the police think I’m joking, but the only people laughing are the criminals. That’s why I fully intend to take the law into my own hands.” [Daily Mail]

At 1/20th scale, this historic replica trebuchet is built (by you) from about 140 pieces and stands 18 inches tall with and arm that reaches 32 inches at peak. Launching packaged projectiles 40 to 60 feet, we realise that maybe a real trebuchet would have been overkill for our purposes. And this Warwolf may provide just enough kill. We’ll keep you apprised on the ensuing war. [product via gizmowatch]