Inventions
The Electric Violin Bow
Why spend years practicing your bowing technique, when the the automated conveyor belt-style bow can do all the work for you?Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Apr 14, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Music, AI, Robots and Other Automatons, 1950s
Cyclo-Knitter
This is the only way I'd ever be able to knit a scarf by myself.More info: bicyclescreatechange.com
Posted By: Alex - Sun Mar 23, 2025 -
Comments (1)
Category: Crafts, Inventions
Personalized Butthole Stimulator
This one really requires you to visit the patent and read it all.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Mar 03, 2025 -
Comments (2)
Category: Hygiene, Excrement, Inventions, Patents, 1940s
The Do Nothing Machine
Lawrence Wahlstrom began work on his Do Nothing Machine in 1948. He kept working on it for over 15 years.As the name suggests, the machine did nothing. But it did nothing in an interesting way. He also called it a flying-saucer detector.
It's currently on exhibit at the Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum in Carlsbad, CA.
Life - Apr 20, 1953
Brantford Expositor - Sep 16, 1954
Posted By: Alex - Sat Mar 01, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Technology
Wearable Hip Bumpers
Would you wear this device, presumably 24/7/365, to prevent hip fractures? A big band around your waist and a giant pad on either hip? Imagine the new silhouette of the wearer with the hip pads under his or her clothes.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Tue Feb 25, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Body, Injuries, Inventions, Patents, 1950s
Special Receptacle for Used Chewing Gum
Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 16, 2025 -
Comments (4)
Category: Hygiene, Inventions, Patents, Junk Food, 1940s
Motel Automat
Posted By: Paul - Fri Feb 07, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Shopping, Hotels, 1960s, United Kingdom
Automatic Bunny Ears
Don't forget to perform a suitable pantomime as well.Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Feb 03, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Inventions, Patents, Headgear, 1920s, Pranks
Two-Way Records
What could this image possible convey? Using two styli at the same time on the same record? No, that was only fanciful and metaphorical.Let's let this website explain:
When stereo was introduced, Design tried to claim that their records were compatible mono/stereo, and could be played on either mono or stereo players. The public soon found out that mono players would damage these records just as easily as other stereo records, so after reissuing or simultaneously issuing about 50 of their albums on a new series (the DCF-1000 Series), they abandoned the compatible stereo series in favor of the normal mono and stereo issues. The good part was, that for folks with stereo players, these records worked fine and were in true stereo, as far as we have heard. The bad side is that by the time the series was winding down, about 1960, the quality of the vinyl had deteriorated to the extent that right out of the wrapper the records were noisy.
So: another technology too good to be true, for which early adopters paid the price.
Posted By: Paul - Wed Jan 29, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Frauds, Cons and Scams, Inventions, Music, Technology, Vinyl Albums and Other Media Recordings, 1950s, 1960s
Levitating Necktie
Any gimmick with a string leading into one's pants is a winner!Full patent here.
Posted By: Paul - Mon Jan 27, 2025 -
Comments (0)
Category: Fashion, Inventions, Patents, 1940s, Jokes, Pranks
| 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 |