Inventions
Hair Coloring Calculator
Pity the poor inventor of the 1980s, who had a notion for something not supported by the clunky digital tech of that era. This elaborate device is today just a free app.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 25, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1980s, Hair and Hairstyling
Mystery Gadget 103
What's this device do?The answer is at the link.
Or beyond the jump.
More in extended >>
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 14, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Nineteenth Century
The Orukter Amphibolos
We've seen many amphibious vehicles at WU, but mostly from the 20th century. Here's one of the earliest, from 1804.Wikipedia page of the inventor, Oliver Evans.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Nov 04, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Motor Vehicles, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Nineteenth Century
Goat-mobile
Not only bucks, but bleats! The inventor's predilection for a goat figure definitely NOT Satanic!Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 22, 2022 -
Comments (3)
Category: Animals, Bicycles and Other Human-powered Vehicles, Inventions, Patents, Toys, Nineteenth Century
The Pug Anti-Bandit Bag
Inventor John Rinfret debuted his "Pug Anti-Bandit Bag" in 1963. His idea was that, if attacked, you could activate a spring that would forcefully eject all the contents from the bag. The attacker would be so shocked that he would run away. At least, that was the theory.From what I can gather, Rinfret hoped to rent his anti-bandit bags to companies that used couriers to carry important documents or money. He definitely put a lot of work into promoting his invention. He even came out with a new and improved version of the bag the following year. But evidently few companies were interested in using his bag.
Possible reasons why: 1) a bandit might pick up the money instead of running away; or 2) what if the spring was activated by accident, spraying money everywhere?
London Daily Telegraph - Aug 28, 1963
Rinfret demonstrates his anti-bandit bag (August 27, 1963). Source: Getty Images
London Evening Standard - Aug 27, 1963
London Daily Telegraph - Sep 25, 1963
Personnel Management and Methods - April 1964
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 09, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Crime, Inventions, 1960s
Dr. L. A. Sayre’s Apparatus
Not sure how long the patient was to remain suspended in order to achieve results.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Oct 09, 2022 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Medicine, Nineteenth Century
The Water Unicycle
Full patent here.
POPULAR MECHANICS source.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 01, 2022 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Chindogu, Patents, Oceans and Maritime Pursuits, Ridiculousness, Foolishness, Public Ridicule, Silliness, Goofiness and Dumb-looking, 1930s, 1940s
Counterpoised Cranial Support for Eyewear
Full patent here (with other devices included!).
Posted By: Paul - Sun Sep 25, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Ridiculousness, Foolishness, Public Ridicule, Silliness, Goofiness and Dumb-looking, 2000s, Eyes and Vision
Lipstick-, Purse- and Shoe-Guns
Posted By: Paul - Wed Sep 07, 2022 -
Comments (2)
Category: Death, Fashion, Underwear, Inventions, Movies, Self-protection, Defenses, and Safeguards, Threats, Assaults and Intimidation
The Pneumatic Dispatch
A detailed plan for building underground air-propelled railways.Read the whole thing here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Sep 05, 2022 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Trains and Other Vehicles on Rails, Nineteenth Century
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |