Device to Cure Ingrown Toenail

This torture apparatus surely looks to provide worse pain than the malady it purports to cure. A metal hook goes under the toenail itself and yanks it up, whereupon it is strapped into position for permanent wear.

Full patent here.

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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 forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Paul - Wed Nov 08, 2023
Category: Inventions | Patents | 1940s | Diseases | Feet

Comments

Having had an ingrown toenail I'm afraid that my screams would wake the neighbors on both sides were I to wear that device.

Posted by Brewvet on 11/08/23 at 02:45 PM

i've definitely seen this exact item on Wish, so i suspect this patent is not being rigorously enforced.

Posted by Kit on 11/09/23 at 02:07 PM

@Kit: patents are only valid for 20 years, so this one has definitely lapsed.

Posted by Richard Bos on 11/11/23 at 05:56 AM

I thought things like this were banned by the Geneva convention.

Posted by Phideaux on 11/11/23 at 11:55 AM