Inventions
EZ Nabber Cat Grabber
"perfect for catching the unruly feline." Available for purchase from Campbell Pet Company.
via What They Think
Posted By: Alex - Thu Sep 21, 2023 -
Comments (4)
Category: Inventions, Cats
The Repeat-O-Mask
This looks like an early version of a voice-suppression microphone. We posted about a more recent example of one of these a couple of months ago.
Lancaster Sunday News - Mar 21, 1954
Posted By: Alex - Wed Sep 20, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Inventions, 1950s
9 is heavier than 6
All you perpetual-motion skeptics, just try to argue against the logic of this!
Los Angeles Daily News - Sep 19, 1931
Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 26, 2023 -
Comments (2)
Category: Inventions, 1930s
Anti-Bulbsnatcher Device
This post is partially a tribute to the end of the incandescent bulb, after its long and glorious reign.For many years, GE conducted an ad campaign to discourage people from moving lightbulbs around from one fixture to another in a lazy manner, instead of always having a closetful of replacement bulbs. If only GE had invested in the patent which follows these ads, for a device that would not allow a bulb to be unscrewed with breaking it.
Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Aug 22, 2023 -
Comments ()
Category: Domestic, Inventions, Patents, Technology, 1930s
Bank Robber Immobilizing Vestibule
So near as I can interpret this patent, in front of every bank teller's window is erected a revolving-door chamber. The customer--or robber--must enter the chamber, which revolves shut behind him. A good customer is allowed by the clerk's pressing of a switch to exit. The robber is held in place. What could go wrong?
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 17, 2023 -
Comments (1)
Category: Crime, Inventions, Patents, Money, Innocent Bystanders, Passersby, Witnesses and Accidental Victims, 1940s
Scale in Soda-Fountain Seat
Watch your weight increase as you eat.
Popular Science - Dec 1938
Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 12, 2023 -
Comments ()
Category: Inventions, 1930s, Dieting and Weight Loss
Breathing Balloon
"will develop your form, if that's what you want".
Mechanix Illustrated - Sep 1949
Posted By: Alex - Sat Aug 05, 2023 -
Comments ()
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Inventions, Patent Medicines, Nostrums and Snake Oil, 1940s
Phone-Carrying Bra
The patent is here.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Aug 03, 2023 -
Comments (7)
Category: Inventions, Telephones, Underwear, Twenty-first Century
Auto Breathalyzer Disguise
Might a felon be embarrassed to be seen blowing into his automobile ignition interlock Breathalyzer? Yes! Then what you need is this camouflage unit!The patent is here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Jul 11, 2023 -
Comments ()
Category: Disguises, Impersonations, Mimics and Forgeries, Inventions, Police and Other Law Enforcement, Alcohol, Cars
The Aerowagon
The Wikipedia page.The Aerowagon or Aeromotowagon (Russian: Аэроваго́н, аэродрези́на, romanized: aerovagon, aerodrezyna) was an experimental high-speed railcar fitted with an aircraft engine and propeller traction invented by Valerian Abakovsky, a Soviet engineer from Latvia. It produced speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour (87 miles per hour).[1] The Aerowagon was originally intended for the express transportation of important documents, and to carry Soviet officials on government business.[2]
Good article and more pics here.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jun 28, 2023 -
Comments (2)
Category: Death, Inventions, Motor Vehicles, 1910s, Russia
| 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 |