"Did you see that?" I asked no one in particular.
Attending a Chemical Engineers convention in downtown Kyoto, I decided to venture out past the touristy area, hopeful I would find something interesting. It was nice to stretch my legs. I had never been one for the pomp and circumstance of large groups. I left my nametag in my room, and walked off premises to find better food and take in the sights.
OBSERVATION
I stopped for a soda at a little newsstand, and stood in line behind a group of elementary students. They were small, dressed in uniforms, talked very quickly, and purchased things like drinks and candy.
What caught my eye was the candy. There was so much of it, so I decided to stick with just a bottle of water. Anyway, I watched as some of the students purchased their treats. One boy quickly ripped open the package of something shiny resembling square candies, then popped one in his mouth. Nothing extraordinary here, except the candies were individually wrapped, and he left it just like that as he consumed it.
"What is this madness?" I again asked only myself.
I grabbed a new package of the candy at the register, and paid. The candy itself wasn't anything special, but damn if that thin film didn't dissolve in my mouth.
BOOM!!
ASK A QUESTION
It was like an explosion in my head. What if I could make a swimsuit from this material? Surely, I can overcome the chemical deficiencies to hide the fact it will disappear when wet. Oh, the possibilities.
First, I need a good amount of this material. Second, I need to work on it quietly so as to not freak out my wife. Finally, when can I get started?
The first question was actually the simplest. It just took the longest amount of time. Using my newly acquired engineering connections in Kyoto, I was able to secure two bulk rolls of the material. They have to be carefully shipped in humidity free containers. No problem, but definitely not cheap.
Secondly, I was able to work both in my office and at home. I probably ordered too much, but good gosh it was going to be fun. I started just a few weeks after I returned from Japan.
HYPOTHESIS
I narrowed my ideas down to developing swimsuits for women which would carry varying amounts of the material, allowing the wearer to determine how much skin they want to reveal.
As women begin to share more and more of their skin, these suits will allow them to determine how much.
Conversely, men will find these suits to be the perfect surprise in many situations, planned or not.
PREDICTION
The results are fairly predictable. Men can surprise and shock their women; women can likewise surprise and shock their men.
TEST THE PREDICTION
Having been married just a few years, even I know now this test shouldn't embarass her in any way. However, we can certainly have some fun at home in our pool. The first part of my plan is simple.
"Hey hon, I'm jumping into the pool. Wanna join?" I ask Bonnie.
"Sure, let me get dinner in the oven, and I'll be right out." She replies.
Smiling inside, I head outside and jump in. Bonnie joins me outside quickly.
"Hey Zoo. Did you wash my suit in regular detergent? It feels funny." She asks while walking up adjusting her bikini top.
"I'm afraid I did. I tried to rinse it out and let it air dry. I hope I didn't ruin it." I respond.
"It seems okay. Just the strings got a little stiff it seems. I'll wash it right away after we swim." Bonnie tells me.
As she jumps in toward me, I keep my eyes on the strings holding the two parts of her suit onto her body. I made my first attempt at modifying a suit by switching out the strings. Here in the privacy of our yard, Bonnie just became my first swimsuit tester.
ITERATION #1
Bonnie emerges from the water, facing me, and does a light breaststroke to get to me. Suddenly, she stops with a puzzled look on her face. Able to stand in our small pool, she reaches around and behind her neck. Then, her hands go underwater, presumably to her bikini bottom.
"Well, whatever you did in the wash, you'll want to try again." Bonnie says as she pulls four triangles out of the water.