Italian inventions take it to the next level with an automatic holy water dispenser for churches. The traditional holy water font into which Catholics dip their fingers to bless themselves will be replaced in some churches in Italy, particularly in light of swine flu concerns.

The automatic holy water font, much like those equipped with a sensor that can be found in public bathrooms, has been designed by Luciano Marabrese for hygiene reasons. Milan’s Duomo had already banned the use of water fonts, and Italy is experiencing a significant outbreak of swine flu (though there isn’t necessarily a link between swine flu and the use of water fonts in churches).

The automatic holy water font has been trialled at Fornaci di Briosco church in the Brianza district near Milan, and once accepted by Italian Catholics, has been successful. Marabrese says he has been swamped by orders, though I can’t wait to see how they’re going to establish this in Italy’s many churches. Next stop the Vatican?

Source | ItalyMag
Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Automatic holy water font designed: Italy's churches battle swine flu

The New York Times reports that a pizza vending machine has been invented in Italy, that actually makes and cooks a pizza in about three minutes. The machine has been developed by Claudio Torghele, who has called it “Let’s Pizza”.

The idea of a machine came to Torghele after he worked in California in the 1990’s and saw that both vending machines and pizzas were very popular among fast food customers. The machine actually makes the dough, then tomato and cheese is added to the flat base, before being lifted into an oven.

It looks as though the pizza could cost as little as 3.50 euros, and you can watch through a little window while you wait. The New York Times says that vending machines are big business in Italy, and as the coffee market is saturated, new products are becoming available. However, I see a hard road ahead if the pizza vending machine seeks to replace the old fashioned ‘pizzaiolo’ and his wood-fired oven.

Source | New York Times

Continue reading: Life in Italy: big changes with a pizza vending machine