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.
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.
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?
Navy pilot James R. Conley is credited with first promoting (and patenting) the idea of a circular runway.
A circular runway would offer advantages such as being able to approach it from any direction, so a plane could always land into the wind. Also, you'd never run out of runway.
But a circular runway has never been built, largely because pilots aren't trained to land on them. Nor are flight systems designed for them.
But a small group of enthusiasts still holds out hope that, someday, circular runways might see their day.
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.