Fun-o-Meter's Got Big Ideas, Small Price Tag

Last week people started spotting an idea vending machine in the East Village. Turns out it's Road Ruler-turned-prankster Jake Bronstein's latest venture: the Fun-o-meter. The 50 cent price tag may seem like a rip-off when you can get a stale gumball or a dolphin ride for the same amount or less, but check out what you get (and get back!):

One fun idea (example: take a ride in the Roosevelt Island tram)
A map, in case fun idea requires travel
One toy
One lucky penny

As if that weren't enough, you even get one quarter back! Bronstein notes that he "only wanted to charge 25 cents anyway, but the machine is configured for 50 cents, so I put a quarter in each egg." For the idea-challenged, this is a quite a steal -- and while it may not be a money-making venture for its creator (around $5 was dropped into the machine in about an hour, but it gave over half that back), the pay-off is still fun.

Got two quarters burning a hole in your pocket? Act now! Bronstein will be bringing it around to different locations all week (check out some tourist spots for your best shot).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on July 16, 2008 3:21 PM

Comments [rss]

robingee

Who in the hell is Jake Bronstein?

hard times

I don't really dislike this dude's ideas and ventures as much as I dislike their pathetic promotion here.

This is almost as bad as when you guys were advertising that fraud of a "subway love story."

dr zippy

Bronstein's ambition to be creative is to be commended. That his ambition far exceeds his talent, except to draw attention to himself as a very ambitious person, is a problem.

joeb

Eh, I don't know. That's cooler than anything I did this month. Props to creativity!

Guest

I understand this guy is trying to add a little fun to a fairly uptight and boring world, but I can only surmise that someone at the Gothamist must be dating him to keep giving him this much publicity.