Buzz
The Victorian Era was a time of remarkable creativity and bold experimentation. Many of history's strangest stories emerged from this period, alongside some of the world's most groundbreaking inventions. When these peculiar ideas were transformed into tangible creations, the result was a collection of incredibly odd yet occasionally useful innovations. Below are some of these fascinating inventions, ranging from the practical to the downright peculiar.
10. Automatic Smoking Machine
During the Victorian era, smoking was a widespread habit. Opiates were as accessible as snacks are today, and pipes loaded with various tobaccos were a common sight in nearly every household. This widespread smoking often filled places like bars and pubs with thick clouds of smoke. But what if your establishment didn't have enough smokers? What if you longed for the smoky atmosphere and hazy visibility that signaled a popular venue?
For those burdened by such peculiar needs, the automatic smoking machine was created. As shown in the image above, this device was designed to smoke cigars on behalf of a person. This allowed rooms to be filled with smoke and odor without anyone needing to touch a cigar or pipe themselves.
9. Multipurpose Cane
While undeniably strange, this invention holds some practical value. Its purpose is straightforward: it functions as a traditional cane while offering a variety of additional features. Among its many uses, it could serve as a flute, a tool for measuring horses, or even a device for catching butterflies. If caught in the rain, the cane also included a built-in umbrella to keep its user dry, all while allowing him to light his cane-pipe. To me, this seems no more unusual than a Swiss army knife, though I doubt the latter could double as a cane—unless, of course, you're particularly tall.
8. Stamp Licker
In an age where sending letters was a daily task, licking stamps could feel as tiring as running a marathon. This invention offered a solution. Available in various designs, it moistened stamp adhesive without requiring saliva, allowing users to affix stamps without using their tongues. Given the prevalence of written communication at the time, this peculiar yet practical device found its way into many homes.
7. Ladies’ Bicycle Protector
Admittedly, I know little about this invention, as details about its function are scarce. However, my initial guess about its purpose intrigued me enough to include it here. Based on an image of the device, I believe it was designed to shield women’s clothing from the dirt and grime of Victorian streets while riding bicycles.
At first, I believed this device was designed to ensure undergarments stayed hidden, but I soon understood that letting my imagination run wild only made me appear foolish and overly optimistic. Clearly, this wasn't the gadget's purpose, as Victorian modesty in clothing would prevent such wardrobe malfunctions. Moreover, what lay beneath the garments was far from captivating.
6. The Rolling Bridge
Reflecting the Victorian tendency to overcomplicate the simple, this invention emerged from a mindset that sought to reinvent the ordinary into something unnecessarily complex. Its goal was straightforward: instead of constructing a conventional bridge, rails would support a large rolling platform that could shift between locations, supposedly offering greater ease and adaptability than a traditional bridge (despite the fact that standard bridges continue to serve us well today). The rolling bridge saw little use, as it quickly became apparent that the idea was, in truth, rather impractical.
5. Mechanical Horse Brush
As someone who appreciates convenience, I find inventions designed to make life easier truly remarkable. However, when a gadget ends up being more complex than the chore it’s meant to simplify, it leaves me slightly frustrated. Take the mechanical horse brush, for instance. Its intricate system of arms, gears, and assorted components is intended to groom a horse without manual effort, but it feels unnecessarily convoluted.
Sometimes, even struggling to remove a can from my automatic can opener pushes me to the brink of frustration. Now, picture trying to groom a horse using this unwieldy contraption. The thought alone is enough to make me question the practicality of such an invention.
4. Writing Stabilizer
This peculiar invention, though seemingly odd, held significant potential during its era. At a time when travel relied heavily on trains or horse-drawn carriages, a smooth journey was far from guaranteed. Even short trips could take considerable time, as transportation methods were nowhere near as fast as they are today. Consequently, many individuals needed to work while on the move. This stabilizer device provided a solution: it fastened to a seat, enabling users to write effortlessly in any moving vehicle.
3. Electric Jewelry
Claiming the top position is this fascinating invention, the only one that truly caught me off guard. In an age when electricity was a groundbreaking discovery, the idea of jewelry illuminated by electric lights would have been incredibly captivating. Tiny lights embedded within the jewelry would shine through the gems, creating a stunning spectacle of opulence. While not practical for everyday wear, it was an intriguing and quintessentially Victorian concept.
2. Spherical Velocipede
I believe I would personally find this invention quite enjoyable. It perfectly aligns with the eccentric tastes and habits of the Victorian era. Essentially, it consisted of a clear sphere with an internal rod to support the rider. Such a vehicle would have been a fitting addition to the peculiar innovations of that time.
1. Diplograph & Bigraph
The diplograph is a fascinating creation, likely appealing to those who admired gadgets like the automatic stamp licker. Designed for the convenience of writers, it allowed users to produce two identical copies of a document simultaneously. Similarly, the bigraph replicated the writer’s hand movements to duplicate text onto another sheet. These inventions were invaluable for efficiently handling important correspondence with multiple recipients.
