Nubrella Reinvents the Umbrella: Hit or Miss?

Those of us who cycle all winter are familiar with the phrase "There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing." But how to take that important call on your cellphone in the middle of a rainstorm? Nubrella to the rescue. It reinvents the umbrella into an aerodynamic sphere, protecting you from the rain and guaranteed never to get blown out, or as they call it, "invert."

It is also completely hands free, "No more struggling to maintain your umbrella in the proper position. Simply strap on the shoulder support and walk completely hands free even in significant winds."

The Nubrella people show how much easier it is to cycle on a bike in your little ball of a Nubrella rather than cycle with a conventional one.

With a conventional umbrella one can hold it high enough to walk down a crowded street. I do wonder what would happen on a rainy day if everyone had these, it would be more like a pool table than a sidewalk.

Surprisingly, this was invented by an American, Alan Kaufman, who "never planned on inventing a product, I just noticed a problem and came up with a solution." He says:

    "Millions of people are required to work outdoors no matter what the conditions are and simply can not hold an umbrella and perform their tasks. The umbrella was long overdue for some innovation, now people can ride their bikes and work outdoors completely hands free while staying protected." 

More information at Nubrella.

My first reaction upon seeing this was that it was extraordinarily silly. But the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. What do you think?