Buzz
In an ever-changing world, waves of imaginative inventors continually emerge. Every innovator understands that the path to groundbreaking ideas is often riddled with challenges and uncertainties. Countless products have made brief appearances throughout history—ranging from the humorous to the peculiar, each a reflection of its time.
Explore ten unconventional “hit or miss” gadgets and inventions from various periods:
10. Full-Body Umbrella
The full-body umbrella started appearing sporadically on the streets of China and Japan in 2012. While it promised complete protection from rain and wind from every direction, its impracticality and issues with space management quickly became apparent.
In 2012, Zeng Yi from China patented an umbrella featuring a full-body plastic sheet attached to the brim. This transparent sheet surrounds the user, resembling a circular vintage shower curtain. One variant is produced by the Shenzhen Blueprint Umbrella Company in China.
A more advanced version was seen in Tokyo in 2008. This design combined five transparent umbrellas with panels to create a plastic dome, somewhat akin to a see-through igloo. Although numerous images of this model exist online, its creator remains unidentified (at least according to Google).
Imagine the awkwardness of visiting a street vendor or waiting for public transport while encased in a full-body umbrella. Add to that the challenge of navigating the city in an outfit that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie or a biohazard containment unit.
9. Spinning Ice Cream Cone
While this might be an amusing novelty for children, humans are naturally equipped with nimble fingers and opposable thumbs to handle such tasks. Nevertheless, the American giftware company Hammacher Schlemmer marketed this motorized cone as a solution to avoid “tiring head movements or wrist rotations.” It also promised to spare “lazy lickers” from the “monotonous effort of moving their mouths.” The product was available in vibrant colors and included a built-in drip tray.
The Lazy Licker’s Spinning Ice Cream Cone is no longer in production, but reviews on Hammacher Schlemmer’s website from 2017 and 2018 highlight its quirky appeal, especially among younger users.
8. Vending Machine for Tanning
Introduced in 1949 by Star Manufacturing Company in the United States, the suntan vending machine resembled a fuel pump at first glance. During the 1950s, when suntans became synonymous with health and beauty, these machines started appearing near pools, beaches, and tennis courts.
For a quick tan, users paid 10 cents for a 30-second spray. While this might have resulted in uneven or streaky tans for some, Betty Dutter, a model, showcased the device flawlessly at the Annual Vending Machine Convention in Chicago in 1949.
7. Pluto Lamps
As the Victorian era drew to a close, Pluto Lamps began appearing across London. These unique street lamps, doubling as vintage vending machines, became a popular attraction for city dwellers. Introduced by a company established in 1896 by HM Robinson (also known as the Refreshment Lamp Syndicate or Hot Water Supply Syndicate), the first Pluto Lamp was installed in Leicester Square in 1898. The lamp featured a gas-powered Denayrouze burner that heated water rapidly, dispensing a gallon of hot water or beverages like tea, coffee, cocoa, milk, sugar, or beef tea essence for a halfpenny.
Sadly, Pluto Lamps didn’t survive into the new century, vanishing as quickly as they had appeared. In April 1899,
6. Anti-Bandit Bag
Before the advent of online banking and secure armored vehicles, cashiers transporting money were easy targets for thieves. The anti-bandit bag, introduced in 1959, was a response to this issue. Promoted by British media following a surge in robberies during the 1950s, the inventor remains unknown, but a demonstration by British Pathe provides insight into its functionality.
With a design reminiscent of a Batman episode, the bag featured a hidden container connected to a wire. When snatched, the wire triggered a mechanism that released clouds of red smoke and stained the thief’s clothes and the money with red dye. Even if the thief escaped, the marked money and clothing would expose them. Despite its ingenuity, the invention never made it to market, partly due to the conspicuous wire attached to the user’s wrist. Interestingly, the criminals in the demonstration were played by British cricket players Godfrey Evans and Bill Edrich.
In the early 1960s, other versions of anti-theft bags emerged. The Amazing Anti-Theft Security Case, showcased in a 1961 British Pathe newsreel, deployed three metal poles and a siren when grabbed, trapping the thief’s hand in the handle. One could only hope no bystanders were nearby to be struck by the protruding poles.
Another anti-bandit bag design was patented by American inventor John H. T. Rinfret in 1963. His version involved pulling a chain to eject the base of the case, scattering its contents and thwarting the thief’s plan—unless the bandit was quick enough to grab an item and flee.
5. Cat-Mew Machine
Throughout history, humans have sought ways to deter rodents, but none as unique as the Cat-Mew Machine. As the New York Dispatch reported in September 1963, “a new device patented by a Japanese company promises to terrify rats and mice.”
Featuring a black plastic cat head on a base, the machine plugged into a standard power outlet. It emitted cat meows several times a minute, with the cat’s eyes lighting up to scare away pests. Imagine trying to sleep with this device nearby—it would feel like the most annoying cat was on a mission to keep you awake all night.
4. Baby Cage
This questionable invention would never pass modern safety standards. Yet, in earlier generations, some well-meaning but misguided parents believed dangling baby cages were beneficial. During a time when doctors emphasized the importance of fresh air for infants' health, urban families without access to yards took this advice to extremes. They placed babies and toddlers in cages mounted outside apartment windows. The first commercial patent for such a cage was filed by Emma Read of Washington in 1922, but the concept gained popularity in 1930s Britain.
A 1953 British Pathe newsreel portrays the baby cage as entirely safe and wholesome. A caring mother in West London wraps her baby warmly before placing her in the cage. The suspended contraption is described as a “substitute garden,” “sunlit retreat,” and “penthouse life” for little Sally and her brother. Another clip from the same era promotes the cage as a safety feature, allowing mothers to knit without fearing their toddlers might fall from the window. Fortunately, no recorded tragedies are linked to baby cages, and society eventually recognized their risks, leading to their discontinuation.
3. Radio Hat
The Man from Mars Radio Hat, introduced in 1949, was marketed as a “dream-come-true” innovation. This pith helmet with an integrated radio caused a brief sensation, despite its extraterrestrial appearance. Created by Victor Hoeflich, founder of the novelty manufacturing company American Merri-Lei Corporation in Brooklyn, New York, the hat became a quirky symbol of its time.
The invention utilized radio valve technology, which had advanced during World War II. Two antenna-like tubes were positioned at the front of the hat, with a tuner in between. A large loop aerial at the back resembled a watering can handle. Although designed to pick up broadcasts within a 20-mile range, advertisements claimed the hat was “completely portable… no additional aerial required.” The circuitry inside the hat’s lining connected to a radio receiver earpiece, with a cord leading to a battery pack in the user’s pocket.
While battery-powered portable radios existed at the time, pocket transistors were still five years away from commercial availability. Hoeflich sought to create a product that allowed users to listen to the radio while on the move. In his 1949 marketing campaign, teenagers showcased the radio hats, available in vibrant colors like Lipstick Red, Tangerine, Flamingo, Canary Yellow, Chartreuse, Blush Pink, Rose Pink, and Tan.
After gaining attention in newspapers and magazines, the Man from Mars Radio Hat was sold across the United States for $7.95. However, its popularity was short-lived, and production ceased in the early 1950s. Users complained of signal drops caused by simple movements, like turning their heads, and difficulties tuning stations, often accompanied by a high-pitched squeal. Additionally, emerging technologies in the new decade overshadowed the hat. Despite its flaws, the radio hat stands in stark contrast to today’s broadband connectivity issues.
2. Keyboard Jeans
In 2008, Erik De Nijs and Tim Smit of the Dutch design firm Nieuwe Heren unveiled a unique pair of jeans. Dubbed keyboard jeans (“Beauty and the Geek”), they featured a flexible silicone keyboard on each thigh, built-in speakers, and a mouse on an elastic wire stored in the back pocket. Designed to offer alternative typing postures and reduce Repetitive Strain Injury, the jeans connected wirelessly to computers or laptops, reflecting the era’s growing focus on smartphone and tablet connectivity.
While the jeans earned praise for their uniqueness, they also sparked some concerns. Aside from users potentially adopting awkward postures, would anyone actually dare to wear them in public? Additionally, what happens if the wearer sits down without disconnecting and accidentally crushes the mouse? And is it even possible to wash these jeans without damaging the components?
De Nijs addressed these questions in a 2012 interview with WebPro News. He expressed hope for the jeans to reach retail but admitted, “the product is too complex, and we currently lack the funds to prepare it for the market.” Perhaps it’s just as well they never made it to production.
1. Selfie Toaster
The Selfie Toaster, launched in 2014, was the creation of American inventor Galen Dively of the Vermont Novelty Toaster Corporation. This innovative device allowed users to imprint images, typically faces, onto toast. Customers would submit their photos to a “Toast Artist” via the website Burnt Impressions, where custom templates were created for each toaster. Although Burnt Impressions is no longer operational, the toaster remains a memorable and humorous gift for many.
Reviewers noted some flaws in the Selfie Toaster’s performance. A critic from The Guardian, Australia described it as producing “wildly uneven toast,” with darker areas often burnt and lighter areas undercooked. While not the most appetizing breakfast choice—or a comfortable idea for those who find the concept of eating their own face odd—the toaster was a hit for its novelty and entertainment value in homes and businesses alike.
