Patents
Levitating Necktie
Any gimmick with a string leading into one's pants is a winner!Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 27, 2025 -
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Category: Fashion, Inventions, Patents, 1940s, Jokes, Pranks
The Minges Method of Growing Tall
In the first decade of the 20th century, K. Leo Minges heavily advertised his claim that he had discovered a technique to make anyone grow tall. He declared himself to be "to short men and women what the great wizard, Edison, is to electricity."His patent, below, reveals a contraption that allowed a person to stretch themselves by pulling their head up towards the ceiling while keeping their feet anchored to the floor.
More info: Kook Science Wiki; Patent No. 762,832
Boston Globe - Jan 10, 1904
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jan 19, 2025 -
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Category: Patents, Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil, 1900s
Turtle Racing Track
With many kooky patents, the drawing provides a lot of visual humor. In this case, not so much. That task falls to the text.
Posted By: Paul - Sat Jan 18, 2025 -
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Category: Animals, Inventions, Chindogu, Patents, 1950s
Orange-Pimiento Drink
Yum! I don't think that adulterating your OJ with mashed pimiento is too large a price to pay for shelf stability. It's a lot of work to keep taking your container of OJ in and out of the fridge every time you want a drink!Original patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 16, 2025 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Crossovers and Mashups, Soda, Pop, Soft Drinks and other Non-Alcoholic Beverages, 1950s
Burglar Trap
If the intruder is considerate enough to step in exactly the right place, his or her foot will be ensnared.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Jan 09, 2025 -
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Category: Inventions, Patents, Stupid Criminals, 1920s
Slipper Hand Puppet
Full patent here.Either keep your feet warm, or stick your hand in a damp smelly slipper and have "fun." Your choice.
Truer words than those below were never spoken.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 06, 2025 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Puppets and Automatons, Clothing, 1960s, Feet
Tree Ornament Target Practice
Gather the family round for a holiday game of shoot the Christmas tree.From Patent No. 11,918,133 (granted Mar 5, 2024):
Posted By: Alex - Tue Dec 31, 2024 -
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Category: Patents, Weapons, Christmas
Anti-Thumb-Sucking Glove
This doesn't look safe.Patent No. 2,035,210 granted to Elizar Zinner of Germany.
Popular Science - May 1938
Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 21, 2024 -
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Category: Babies, Patents, Clothing, 1930s
Full Sensory Theater
Only the 1960s would conceive of this. Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Dec 18, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Movies, Television, 1960s, Eyes and Vision, Head, Smells and Odors
Photo Display Coat
Exchanging snapshots with friends was once a thing with teens? Or just in this guy's imagination?Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Dec 13, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Fads, Fashion, Inventions, Patents
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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 |