|
10 Strangest Inventions
Published on 11/12/2006
Electromechanical teenager repellant
Howard Stapleton (Merthyr Tydfil, Wales) invented an electromechanical teenager repellant -- a device that makes
annoying high-pitched noise designed to be audible to teenagers but not to adults. The "Mosquito" ultrasonic
teenage deterrent aims to solve the problem of unwanted gatherings of youths and teenagers in shopping malls,
around shops and anywhere else they are causing problems, claiming to be "the most effective tool in our fight
against anti social behaviour". He later used that same technology to make telephone ringtones that are audible
to teenagers but probably not to their teachers. More
Apparatus for facilitating the birth of a child by centrifugal force
The late George and Charlotte Blonsky (New York City and San Jose, California) invented a device (US Patent
#3,216,423) to aid women in giving birth -- the woman is strapped onto a circular table, and the table is then
rotated at high speed.
In their patent application, Blonsky and Blonsky explained the need: "In the case of a woman who has a fully
developed muscular system and has had ample physical exertion all through the pregnancy, as is common with all
more primitive peoples, nature provides all the necessary equipment and power to have a normal and quick
delivery. This is not the case, however, with more civilised women, who often do not have the opportunity to
develop the muscles needed in confinement."
Therefore, wrote Blonsky and Blonsky, they would provide "an apparatus which will assist the under-equipped woman
by creating a gentle, evenly distributed, properly directed, precision-controlled force, that acts in unison with
and supplements her own efforts". The Blonskys explained: "The foetus needs the application of considerable
propelling force." They knew how to supply that propelling force.
The rest of their patent - eight very detailed pages altogether - specifies exactly how to do it. The design
includes some 125 basic components, including bolts, brakes, wing nuts, a massive concrete floor slab, a
vari-speed vertical gear motor, a speed reducer, more wing nuts, sheaves, stretchers, shafts, thigh members, a
butt plate, aluminium ballast water boxes, more wing nuts, pillow clamps, a girdle member, and some additional
wing nuts.
More
Anti-flatulence Underwear
Buck Weimer (Pueblo, Colorado) invented "Under-Ease", airtight underwear with a replaceable charcoal filter that
removes bad-smelling gases before they escape. As the slogan says: "Wear them for the ones you love". More
Dog-to-human language translation device
Keita Sato, President of Takara Co., Dr. Matsumi Suzuki, President of Japan Acoustic Lab, and Dr. Norio Kogure,
Executive Director, Kogure Veterinary Hospital, invented Bow-Lingual, a computer-based automatic dog-to-human
language translation device. The Bow-Lingual's a two-piece set—a wireless microphone that attaches to your dog's
collar, and a walkie-talkie-looking handset with an LCD screen. Barks and yelps are transmitted to the handset,
where their voiceprint is analyzed and placed into one of six emotional categories: happy, sad, on guard,
frustrated, needy, or assertive. Once the appropriate emotional state is determined, the Bow-Lingual randomly
selects a phrase belonging to that category and displays it on the screen. So if your pooch is determined to be
on guard, maybe you'll get "Are you my friend or my enemy?" If aggressive, perhaps the sentiment will be "I'm
dominant." You get the drift. More
Alarm Clock that runs away from you
Gauri Nanda (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) invented "Clocky", an alarm clock that runs away and hides if
you don't get out of bed on time. When the alarm sounds you can snooze one time. If you still don't wake up,
Clocky will jump off of the bedside table, and wheel away, mindlessly bumping into objects until he finds a spot
to rest. You'll have to get up and out of bed to silence his alarm. Clocky will find new spots everyday, kind of
like a hide-and-seek game. More
Artificial replacement testicles for dogs
Gregg A. Miller (Oak Grove, Missouri), invented "Neuticles", testicular implants for pets.
Many caring pet owners hesitate or even to refuse to neuter their pets, soNeuticles eliminates 'neuter-hesitant'
concerns - as a 'Neuticled' pet looks exactly the same after surgery. Neuticles are available for canines,
felines, equine, bulls or any pet which is neutered. Neuticles should be implanted when the pet is neutered- but
can be implanted years afterwards in most cases. More
Self-perfuming Business Suit
Hyuk-ho Kwon of Kolon Company of Seoul, Korea, invented this suit. The suit is made with fabric soaked in a
chemical that contains scented micro-capsules, which pop and release the odour when the wearer moves -- or gets
bumped on a crowded subway train.
More
Washing machine for cats and dogs
The co-inventors of the Lavakan, Eduardo Segura and Andrés Diaz, decided in 1998 that their dogs deserved the
same treatment that humans get from a shower massage. The side-loading automatic pet washing machine, is safer
and less stressful for the animals than washing them by hand. It soaps, rinses and dries dogs and cats in less
than half an hour. It has a series of conical nozzles that wash and massage beasts from every direction, while
dirty and soapy waste is filtered through a hose at the bottom. Operators use the Lavakan's touch panel to choose
the best wash cycle for the animal's size and dermatological needs. Pesticide soaps, for example, require an
extended wait period to kill fleas and ticks.
More
Software that detects cats walking across the keyboard
Chris Niswander (Tucson, Arizona) invented PawSense. When cats walk or climb on your keyboard, they can enter
random commands and data, damage your files, and even crash your computer. This can happen whether you are near
the computer or have suddenly been called away from it.
PawSense is a software utility that helps protect your computer from cats. It quickly detects and blocks cat
typing, and also helps train your cat to stay off the computer keyboard.
More
Automobile burglar alarm consisting of a detection circuit and a flamethrower
Charl Fourie and Michelle Wong (Johannesburg, South Africa) invented an automobile burglar alarm consisting of a
detection circuit and a flamethrower, to provide a deterrent to carjackings. With a rising crime rate,
carjackings became a serious concern in South Africa.
The Blaster car modification functions as a liquified petroleum gas flamethrower; when a carjacking occurrs, the
driver steps on an additional pedal next to accelerator and flames erupt from outer sides of both front doors,
"neutralizing" the assailant. The inventor claims it is unlikely to kill but would "definitely blind" the
assailant. In South Africa, it is legal to use lethal force in self-defense if in fear of ones life, and
ownership of flamethrowers is unrestricted.
More
Submit to:
 Del.icio.us
 Netscape
 Furl
 Facebook
|
|
Oddee's Original Videos (New!):
Amazing Girl Dances holding 10 Bottles over her Head!
Starring our first original video, professional dancer Rosa dances her paraguayan folk music while holding 10 bottles over her head!
For more videos, subscribe to Oddee's Channel at Metacafe
|
Send by Email
