Category:
Patents

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 - Comments (0)
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

Bedding with viewing lenses

Patent No. 12,156,603 recently issued to Lillian A. Foucha of New Jersey. An explanation from the patent:

Bedding, such as blankets, sheets, comforters, quilts, and the like are typically utilized to keep covered, warm, and comfortable. In addition to their natural warming properties, blankets can be utilized to provide a safe, private enclosure to increase user comfort. Individuals may desire to cover up to provide a personal space, or alternatively to keep their head warm under the bedding. However, by covering a user's head with bedding, the individual is unable to view their surroundings while so covered. In order to view a television, for example, the individual must lower the bedding to expose their head, thereby exposing their head to cold air or otherwise violating their enclosed safe space, which may lead to discomfort. In view of the above concerns, it is desirable to provide bedding having viewing lenses therein that can provide a window to the exterior surroundings while allowing the user to remain completely covered up under the bedding.



via Jeff Steck (bluesky)

Posted By: Alex - Mon Dec 09, 2024 - Comments (3)
Category: Patents, Eyes and Vision

Comedian’s Suit

Be sure to operate properly.

Full patent here.





Posted By: Paul - Mon Dec 02, 2024 - Comments (2)
Category: Costumes and Masks, Humor, Inventions, Patents, 1920s

Game involving manipulation of a suspended object by bodily movements of cooperating players

Fun with plungers!

"provides amusement galore, not only for the participants, but also for onlookers"

More info: Patent No. 3104877



According to this invention, one or more pendant members are attached to a support intermediate the ends thereof and arranged for pendulation and revolution relative to the support. The support is adapted to be held in near horizontal position between the bodies of two people by pressure exerted in opposite directions against opposite ends of the support so that the pendant member or members is or are suspended for movement in an orbit between the bodies of the two people. By manipulating their bodies in proper coordination, it is possible to start the pendant member or members swinging back and forth about the support as an axis; and then by properly increasing the amplitude, the tempo and/or the quirk of body movement together, cause the pendant member or members to revolve about the support. Preferably, the pendant member is flexible, but weighted at the end remote from the support and attached securely (i.e., non rotatably) to the support so that it will wind-up on the support during rotation.

When the pendant members are finally wound up on the support, the game may be termed completed. On the other hand, if the pendant member be loosely attached to the support (i.e., so as to permit relative rotation at the connection) rather than winding-up on, it will go into circular or near circular orbit about, the support; and in such case, it is easier to accomplish the result if the pendant member be stiff rather than flexible. To complete the game is a difficult feat and one not easily accomplished, especially if certain rules are adopted which prevent the participants from using their hands or moving their feet. It can also be provided that if one of the parties or participants allows the support to slip and fall, he or she is immediately disqualified; but as it is ofttimes difficult to pin the blame on one participant, it is preferred, at least where there are numerous participants, either to disqualify the team, or to give each team three strikes before disqualifying them. Under such rules, it will be readily appreciated that participation in the game involves considerable exercise, skill and coordination, and provides amusement galore, not only for the participants, but also for onlookers.

Posted By: Alex - Sat Nov 30, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Games, Patents, 1960s

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:

"Stonemasons are very powerful people," he says darkly. "Stone masons, Freemasons. You know what I mean? The people with funny hand-shakes."

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

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

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Who We Are
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.

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