Category:
Games

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

Mr. President Game

Just in case you have not gotten your fill of politics this year, why not search out a copy of the Mr. President Game and play a few rounds?

Visit Board Game Geek for details.



Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 01, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Games, Politics, 1960s

Double-standard DWI-rules game

Emil Richard Rossi was granted a patent (No. 6,412,777) in 2002 for his "Double-standard DWI-rules" board game.

One purpose of the game was to teach players about drunk-driving laws and the financial consequences of drunk driving. Its second purpose was to demonstrate the "double-standard" of drunk-driving enforcement. Or, as he put it, the "Special treatment for drunk-driving offenders according to their Social Status."

Sounds like Rossi had a bone to pick with the way drunk-driving laws are enforced.

No surprise, his game was never produced by a commercial board game manufacturer, but according to boardgamegeek.com he did self-publish the game. So perhaps a copy of it might be available in a second-hand store somewhere.



From his patent description:

The present invention relates to games and game playing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a game based on drunk-driving rules and other rules of the road, the financial consequences of drunk driving, and the different ways of applying drunk-driving rules and other rules of the road according Social Status.

The object of the game disclosed herein, is to provide amusement for the players while they acquaint themselves with the financial liability incurred by being arrested for driving drunk. It is also is an object of the game is to provide amusement for the players while they acquaint themselves with the behind the Scene manipulations resulting in Special treatment for drunk-driving offenders according to their Social Status.




Posted By: Alex - Wed Aug 14, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Games, Inebriation and Intoxicants, Police and Other Law Enforcement, Patents, 2000s, Cars

Money Card

No need for a subliminal hook for future customers in this one--it's all explicit! Buy American Express Traveler's Cheques.

The entry at Board Game Geek.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Jun 04, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Business, Advertising, Games, Money, 1970s, Europe

Beer Puppetry

Inventor Avi Zadok was recently granted a patent (No. 11,974,655) for what he calls a "Beer Puppet." It's a contraption that allows people to dangle a cup of beer in front of themselves and manipulate it with strings like a puppet.

Zadok argues in his patent that his invention can "increase the fun and social aspect of beer culture." He speculates it might be adopted by breweries looking for novel ways to market their product at beer festivals, sports games, etc.





I found a website, beerpuppeteergame.com, where you can buy one of these things (cost $115). And the video below shows beer puppetry in action. But it's not clear to me if the website is the work of Zadok or a rival. Perhaps there's fierce competition in the world of beer puppetry.

Posted By: Alex - Tue May 28, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Games, Inebriation and Intoxicants, Patents

Multi-dimensional rotating chess

Recently patented by Craig Wallace Coulter. Patent No. 11,896,913.

Posted By: Alex - Mon Apr 15, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Games, Patents

Person-Alysis Game

Reveal which member of the family has an Oedipus Complex! Who's a sociopath? Good fun!

The entry at Board Game Geek.



Posted By: Paul - Thu Mar 14, 2024 - Comments (0)
Category: Bad Habits, Neuroses and Psychoses, Games, Hobbies and DIY, Psychology, 1950s

The Orgy Game

Even the legendary site Board Game Geek has no additional info on this item.

Posted By: Paul - Thu Feb 22, 2024 - Comments (1)
Category: Games, Advertising, 1960s, Sex

Power Tennis

Thank god that video games were invented, to spare us from this.

Posted By: Paul - Sun Dec 24, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Family, Games, Toys, 1970s

War of the Networks Board Game

Does it include dealing with a writers and actors strike?

The entry at Board Game Geek.

Posted By: Paul - Tue Oct 03, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Games, Television, 1970s

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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.

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