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Japan Firm Builds 'Noah's Ark' For Next Tsunami

Giant tennis ball also functions as toy house

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 30, 2011 9:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – It’s Noah’s Ark for the 21st century: A Japanese firm has built a tiny, floating shelter that can hold four adults, the AP reports. Called the “Noah,” the enhanced-fiberglass contraption looks like a huge tennis ball and doubles as a toy house for kids. Cosmo Power Co. has already received 600 orders for the Noah, and two have been delivered so far.

Cosmo Power Co. President Shoji Tanaka crawls out from the contraption.
Cosmo Power Co. President Shoji Tanaka crawls out from the contraption.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
A Cosmo Power Co. employee crawls out from Noah at the company's factory in Hiratsuka, west of Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.
A Cosmo Power Co. employee crawls out from "Noah" at the company's factory in Hiratsuka, west of Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Cosmo Power Co. President Shoji Tanaka holds a bar in the shelter, Sept. 30, 2011.
Cosmo Power Co. President Shoji Tanaka holds a bar in the shelter, Sept. 30, 2011.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
Orion
Oct 1, 2011 8:05 AM CDT
I don't think this was very well thought through....
HMunster
Sep 30, 2011 11:16 AM CDT
[Inside of Capsule after tsunami: The family of four look at each other with relief] Father: We made it!... We survived!...   All: YEAAAAHHHH!!!! [Cut to exterior of capsule. It's wedged between a building and a car. Unable to open the hatch, the family is trapped inside the airtight capsule with their limited air supply rapidly dwindling]. Father: D'OOHHHHHH!!!! Mother: {Stonefaced, Golf Clap} Bravo, dear...  
LK789
Sep 30, 2011 10:52 AM CDT
Why didnt those Niagara Falls jumpers think of that!

 
tsunami • Japan • Noah's Ark • shelter • survival gear • strange stuff

 
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