Meet the Hamster Shredder

We've already got a 100,000-large network of hamsters in wheels powering backup generators at Engadget HQ, but in the interest of energy conservation (especially going into the warmer months), we think Tom Ballhatchet's Hamster Shredder might be an order. Just be mindful to keep your little guy clear of the paper-grinding gears, we wouldn't want this thing taking its name literally.

[Via Core 77]

[f00b4r @ Apr 11th 2007 4:04AM]

Hamtaro FTW!

[LordFarkward @ Apr 11th 2007 4:16AM]

is shredding a hamster as cruel as blending it? and... would it actually blend?

ok yes i'm sorry. i'll go see a doctor.

[Frank @ Apr 11th 2007 5:09AM]

funny

[MacroEQ @ Apr 11th 2007 6:00AM]

The piece of paper being shredded says "London Borough of Hackney" - how apt! lol

[Andy Briggs @ Apr 11th 2007 6:10AM]

I demand a refund of my time, Engadget! My sadistic wants were not fulfilled! I do not expect my hopes to raised so high one second, and dashed fully the next! ;)
But seriously - a genius invention. If I couldn't just take my shredded paper out of my current (excellent) shredder and place it in there. Have we become so lazy?...okay, stupid question. :D

[codester @ Apr 11th 2007 7:57AM]

That's so cool. A new way to get your hamster his bedding!

[Patrick @ Apr 11th 2007 9:21AM]

Incriminating documents have a secondary use after all, and you save on wood chips

[tgw @ Apr 11th 2007 10:28AM]

haha! hackney council tax bill!! nice one.

[Robert Johnston @ Apr 11th 2007 10:36AM]

We already do this with our rats (We have a rodentry here, and breed rats). Though we don't have apparatus like this, we do take our shredded "Identity-Theft Fodder" and use it to line the rat's cages.

Yet more personal security. TBH, if someone's willing to go through faeces-and-urine-soaked paper shreddings to steal my identity, they're welcome to it!

[h8rain @ Apr 11th 2007 11:04AM]

Absolutely AWESOME!!!! The hippies will be happy because no power is used, but watch out for PETA :)

Seriously though, can you buy one?

[Chad @ Apr 11th 2007 11:09AM]

Who needs to blame employees or CEOs for shredding documents anymore. Blame Fluffy the hamster, from accounting.

[Drei @ Apr 11th 2007 12:39PM]

dunno about *your* accounting dept, but in mine Fluffy would be over-qualified...

[tiuk @ Apr 11th 2007 2:02PM]

I'll admit that when I was scrolling down the RSS feed and I saw the headline before the picture I was horrified.

[JoshLowry @ Apr 11th 2007 2:09PM]

Haha chad!

If only you could teach him how to delete files off the computers too. They'd be paid more than the outsourced staff.

- Josh

http://www.StateOfBrain.com

[Cassi @ Apr 11th 2007 2:35PM]

I do this with my gerbils too. They're the best paper shredders.

[Ghost @ Apr 11th 2007 8:23PM]

how long does it take to shred something by hamster power?

[kyle allen @ Apr 11th 2007 11:19PM]

now if they could make paper out of hamster food ud have a self sustaining shreader, tho need to replace the hamster every couple years

[Alex Moyler @ Apr 12th 2007 2:47AM]

Hah, that's been in my University's student centre for a while. It's brilliant.

[Luka @ Apr 12th 2007 4:30AM]

This is truly beautiful. The hundred strong hamster army of Inhumannews supports the development of hamster-emancipating machinery!

[nlibera @ Apr 12th 2007 11:30AM]

Best product name ever. "Hampster Shredder."

[Naomi @ Apr 13th 2007 12:17PM]

Cute, but ultimately unnecessary. The average small rodent can make quick work out of a household's sensitive documents without any kind of extra equipment or pre-shredding. Office settings would, of course, require a larger band of rodents. Agree with Cassi above that gerbils are most efficient.

[Justin Kalm @ Apr 15th 2007 10:57AM]

It seems like a great synergistic idea, but the inks used on the paper could be hazardous to the hamster's health. You could really only safely use it on blank paper, and why would you need to shred that?

[proliant @ Apr 29th 2007 9:35PM]

Geez, great idea!