The idea this is based on, knucklescope, has four independent lenses to align and focus. It’s simple, but would need practice to be practical. Biknucklers (with a silent k -- thanks to [marklar] for the title) have complicated mechanisms to easily set all lenses at once.

Across the back of each hand, two lenses are connected by a bar, and each lens is hinged and spring-loaded to flip up when not in use. These bars are strapped on, so each hand holds half a Biknuckler. Gear and lever actions complete this system. Form your “binocular hands” shape, push your knuckles together, and the mechanism pushes both pairs of lenses down into position, over the curled index fingers and pinkies. For ease of alignment, small magnets clasp the two halves as your hands meet, and it all merges together. The result is a secure framework above the knuckles, and four ideally positioned lenses encircled by your fingers.

So it looks something like a Borg appliance, and may not be legal to wear in public (check your local laws). Picture the teenage Galileo as a punk strutting around with his glass knuckles. Well, now you can view him from a safe distance.
-- Amos Kito, Mar 04 2008

knucklescope knucklescope
Here's how it started. [Amos Kito, Mar 04 2008]

As half-baked as you get.

This reminds me of the thumb-and-pinky phone.
-- globaltourniquet, Mar 05 2008



random, halfbakery