Patents
Plastic Gravestones
Back in the 1980s, Edgar Dakin hoped to revolutionize the funeral industry by introducing cheap, plastic gravestones. Though he acknowledged that he was opposed by powerful interest groups:I'm not familiar enough with the funeral industry to know if plastic gravestones are available today. Googling 'plastic gravestones' only brings up the kind that you put in your front yard for Halloween.
London Independent - Jan 9, 1988
Dakin was granted a patent (GB2210080) in 1989 by the British patent office for his plastic gravestone.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Nov 18, 2024 -
Comments (9)
Category: Death, Patents, 1980s
Decorative Metal Lozenges in Place of Necktie
Many men complain about having to wear a necktie, deeming neckties useless and constraining. But who would not gladly wear a dog collar with a bunch of groovy metal lozenges hanging therefrom?Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Nov 04, 2024 -
Comments (2)
Category: Fashion, Patents, Twenty-first Century
Combination Fallout Shelter and Swimming Pool
Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Oct 30, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Recreation, War, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s
Louvered Sunglasses
Wouldn't you look chic wearing these? And no more viewing the world through "rose-colored glasses."Original patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 25, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1950s, Eyes and Vision
Pop-Up Postcards
We know that Pop-Up books are a well-liked category. So why not apply the notion to postcards?Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Fri Oct 11, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, Patents, 1900s, Postal Services
Clement Uhlich’s Dung Collector
An apparatus that could be attached to vehicles for the purpose of scooping up horse dung.The driver would turn a lever that would lower tongs to scoop up the dung. Once collected, the dung could be deposited into a receptacle.
More info: Patent No. 1,059,506
Posted By: Alex - Mon Oct 07, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Patents, 1910s
Circular Runways
Navy pilot James R. Conley is credited with first promoting (and patenting) the idea of a circular runway.A circular runway would offer advantages such as being able to approach it from any direction, so a plane could always land into the wind. Also, you'd never run out of runway.
But a circular runway has never been built, largely because pilots aren't trained to land on them. Nor are flight systems designed for them.
But a small group of enthusiasts still holds out hope that, someday, circular runways might see their day.
More info: wikipedia, Wired (May 5, 2017)
Long Beach Independent - Dec 5, 1965
Posted By: Alex - Sun Oct 06, 2024 -
Comments (1)
Category: Patents, Air Travel and Airlines
Seated Sleeping Aid
Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Oct 03, 2024 -
Comments (3)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Medicine, Sleep and Dreams, 1910s
John F. Dreyer, Three-Dee Glasses Tycoon
Posted By: Paul - Fri Sep 27, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Movies, 1950s
Neck-Exercising Device
Patent No. 4,832,333
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 23, 2024 -
Comments (0)
Category: Exercise and Fitness, Patents, 1980s
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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 |