Ten Inventions: What were they thinking?

Ten Inventions: What were they thinking?

Not all inventions have been successful. Here are some bizarre inventions that will make you wonder what their inventors were thinking!

1. A fold-up piano, designed for bedridden patients, Britain, 1935:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

2. The Hamblin glasses, for easy reading in bed, England, 1936:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

3. A stroller resistant to possible gas attacks, England, Hextable, 1938:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

4. A portable radio hat, made by an American inventor, 1931:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

5. Swimsuits of wood to make swimming easier! Washington, US, 1929:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

6. A baby stroller with a built-in radio, antenna and loudspeaker, to keep baby entertained, United States, 1921:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

7. An amphibious bicycle, the Cyclomer, made for travel on land and water to carry up to 120 pounds. Paris, 1932:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

8. The motorized unicycle, invented by an Italian in 1931, that could reach a speed of 150 kilometers per hour:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

9. Swimming floats made from knotted bicycle tires, Germany, 1925:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

10. Plastic face shields to protect from snow and cold, Montreal, Canada, 1939:

Image credit: imgur.com

Image credit: imgur.com

Which of these incredible inventions would you have liked to see implemented? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments

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  • Denis

    March 25, 2014

    Item number 1 would be a good extention for bed ridden person.
    Could be altered to accomodate other type key board musical instrements

  • l.k.stephens

    March 25, 2014

    #8 would be a blast. Love to have one today.

  • Simon Ssetenda

    March 26, 2014

    6. A baby stroller with a built-in radio is a wonderful innovation to save us from the noisy babies! so wonderful!

  • David Aspinall

    March 26, 2014

    Applying today’s technology to #8 we could see a future for that invention. However safety features would make it almost impossible to enjoy. For example; if it fly’s along at 150 kms/hr it might require wings, tail fins, rudder, air brakes and of course a parachute (to slow the thing down) that’s before we even start to wonder about the safety gear for the ‘rider/pilot! Never happen in this politically correct gone mad world!

  • Ty

    March 26, 2014

    I like #8 and wouldn’t mind owning one today. Some of the inventions are before their time and we see some form of them today. #1 is now an electronic keyboard; #4 is now a portable radio/cell phone with headphones; #9 is now floaties that you put around your arms.

  • jo ann dove

    March 26, 2014

    wow all I can say

  • Jan

    March 27, 2014

    I like #1 and #2! But then probably no-one is reading books any more – just their Kindles – ha, ha. But the concept of #1 for the enjoyment of those confined to a bed (or wheelchair for that matter) would be a great idea – perhaps using electronic keyboards instead.

  • Pat

    March 27, 2014

    This is a concept the same as that of #8 The power plant is a Briggs and Stratton. I have seen a version powered by a V8 automobile engine, Crazeee!

  • Jean Mulder

    March 27, 2014

    Interesting..considering the time period, they were forward thinking. I think that #1 has the best application and I can see a bedridden person using it…Just think..today, we have portable keyboards that can be perched on a slanting tray table that can do the same thing!

  • Stephen

    March 27, 2014

    The concepts might look crazy to us today, but I guess it’s these nutty inventors who come up with the ideas which often eventually lead to practical and marketable products. Love them all.

  • Charlotte VanHagen

    March 27, 2014

    #1 for the musical side of the family! I could’ve seen Grandma playing this!

  • Nancy

    March 29, 2014

    #9 may have been the inspiration for the colorful foam ‘noodle’ float device. Wish I’d been the inventor of that money-maker! Who was that, BTW?

  • MaureenfromAus

    September 19, 2015

    A version of number 8 was used in the Men in Black movies..

  • Khaz

    September 26, 2015

    I,d be interested to know which ones actually worked. Assuming that
    they all did I would vote for no.8.
    p.s. How many swimmers drowned testing the wooden swimsuits?