Uncle Url Replies:
Alex -- You spilled my beans!
Well, all I've got to say is that I'm glad you concluded the story by
allowing that our MagicShelf is, in fact, a "real" product and that it does
exactly what it says it does.
However... don't think so fast that the parts can be had at any local
hardware store for 3 or 4 dollars. The steel is a special steel we buy in bulk from a local metalworks. It's
strength and shape is not available at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace or any of
the others. Go ahead -- try to find it.
AND no, the bottom book isn't damaged in any way. Any book'll do.
What is MagicShelf worth? Well... is the price of an item worth only it's
accumulated parts? Magic Shelf is a work of art, to be appreciated for it's
beauty and cleverness. Is a can of Pepsi Cola worth only it's constituent
water, fizz and syrup? If so, why isn't there a page at Museum of Hoaxes
complaining that Pepsi should cost only 1 cent?
In any event, if I ran your site I'd be happy to expose MagicShelf, too.
We've only been selling it for 7 days, the speed at which you investigated
it is phenomenal!
But here's what I got back from Greg Cason who bought one and slipped you
the instructions...
"The product is indeed clever
and I am glad I purchased one.
It's a great conversation
piece. Also, it seems a very
appropriate way to shelve
part of my considerable
collection of Science Fiction
books. :-)
As a decided non-expert on all
things engineering and
metalurgy, I was merely
expressing my opinion in a
public forum. What you say
about the materials in your
product may no doubt be true.
You should feel free to
respond directly in the forum.
All are welcome.
For getting your side of the
story directly to the source,
I would write directly to Alex
at The Museum of Hoaxes.
You should be pleased that
your product captured the
imagination and interest of so
many people."
"Uncle Url"