Oddee.com - A Blog on Oddities: the odd, bizarre and strange things of our world!

Subscribe:

 

10 Strangest Inventions

Published on 11/12/2006 under Tech - 197,922 views

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

Reader Contributions

--There are no contributions yet--

Have a great addition to the article? Contribute!

Subscribe by RSS:
Subscribe by E-mail:
Share this:

E-mail it
Del.icio.us
Facebook


Corrections?

(Click the above icon, then highlight the text to be corrected --registration required)

  

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...
10 Coolest Lego Creations

 
15 Coolest Google Earth Finds
10 of the World's Greatest Jobs
10 Audacious Amputee Tattoos
10 Coolest Lighters
12 Amazing Photos of Urban Camouflage
15 Fascinating World War II Vintage Ads & Posters
12 Coolest MP3 Players
World's Oddest Couples
12 Coolest Google Street Finds
12 Most Creative Recycled Sculptures‏
10 Coolest Bookends
10 Most Bizarre Services
15 Hilarious Divorce Cakes
12 of the Wackiest Condoms ever
Top 8 Die-Hards in History
Another 12 Insanely Titled Books
15 Cutest Baby Costumes for Halloween
12 Most Creative Bathtubs
10 Audacious Amputee Tattoos
10 Strangest Body-Part Insurances
10 of the World's Greatest Jobs
10 Strangest Inflatable Stuff
20 Cute & Funny Animal Sleeping Positions
12 Coolest Barcode Artworks
10 Craziest Celebrity Baby Names
15 Craziest Halloween Costumes
15 Coolest Google Earth Finds
10 Weirdest Protests Around the World
15 Craziest Scalp Tattoos
15 of the World's Strangest Flags
10 Fascinating Rock Formations
10 Coolest Laptops
Another 12 of the Weirdest Shoes Ever
10 Strangest Celebrity Endorsements
12 Creative Backpacks
12 Wackiest Music Videos
World's Longest
12 Amazingly Tiny Pieces of Art
13 Most Creative Toasters
12 Accidental Deaths You Won't Believe
12 Most Bizarre Police Sketches Ever
10 Coolest Keychains
12 Coolest Steampunk Gadgets
15 Most Stupid Forehead Tattoos
15 Designs Inspired by Tetris
13 Most Extreme Gadgets Inspired by Hello Kitty
10 of the World's Most Bizarre Laws
10 Things Global Warming Could Change Forever
12 Coolest Tables
10 of the World's Most Unusual Prisons
12 Most Unfortunate Costumes for a Mugshot
10 Most Bizarre Uses For Duct Tape
12 Weirdest Soaps
10 Geekiest Panties
12 Craziest Pimped Car Interiors
15 Most Creative Green Ads
15 Wackiest Band Names
Another 12 Awful Parking Jobs
10 Fascinating Swimming Pools
15 Coolest Nail Art Designs
10 Most Controversial Music Videos
15 Fascinating Light Sculptures
9 Most Unusual Pets
10 Creative Doorstops
10 Bizarre Wine Brand Names
15 Most Creative Sinks
10 Weirdest Places To Be Born
15 Strangest Contact Lenses
12 Funny Roller Coaster Photos
10 of the World's Strangest Plant Species
10 Most Famous Doctored Photos
Another 12 Misspelled Signs
10 Coolest Pens
10 Weirdest College Mascots
18 Wackiest Tramp Stamps
10 Weirdest Cosmetic Products
15 Creative Car Paintings
8 People Who Accidentally Found a Fortune
More Articles »  


 
10 Geekiest T-Shirts
10 Far-out Valentine's Gifts
10 Coolest Computer Mice
12 Strangest Ties
10 Coolest Bottle Openers
10 Most Creative Holders
10 Coolest USB Flash Drives
10 Coolest USB Accessories
12 Funniest Wedding Cake Toppers
10 Most Creative Ice Cube Trays
Another 15 Awful Photoshop Mistakes
15 Sexist Vintage Ads
15 Most Idiotic Tattoos
18 Wackiest Tramp Stamps
10 Manliest Names Ever
12 Most Unfortunate Product Names
15 Worst Tan Disasters
15 Facts You Didn't Know About Your Body
Another 12 Sexist Vintage Ads
10 Weird Things you didn't know about Michael Jackson
12 Funny Roller Coaster Photos
13 Most Unfortunate Personal Names for their Jobs
When Ex-Lovers Take Revenge
10 Geekiest Panties
Only in the Subway
12 Accidental Deaths You Won't Believe
10 of the World's Tallest Women
12 Bizarre Vending Machines
10 Dumbest 911 Calls
15 Geekiest Tattoos
15 Most Literal Photos Ever
12 Banned and Controversial TV Commercials
8 People Who Accidentally Found a Fortune
15 Most Stupid Forehead Tattoos
12 Most Bizarre Police Sketches Ever
10 Unfortunate Neon Signs
20 Creative and Funny Toilet Signs
10 Most Famous Doctored Photos
8 Freakiest Fetishes
15 Strangest Contact Lenses
15 Ugliest Products Ever
Another 10 Hilarious Homeless Signs

Oddee by Category: Art  |  Advertising
Signs  |  Names
Places  |  People
Objects  |  Gifts
Science  |  Medicine
Stories  |  Tech
Misc

Search Oddee.com:
Sites we like:
I-am-bored | 2leep
Entensity | Leenks
Manvite | B2 | Bazooka
Uncoached | Unreality
MLanders | UniqueDaily
CollegeHumor
Flabber | Sublime
Dark Roasted Blend
Neatorama | Uphaa
The Inspiratorium
WebUrbanist | Ecoist
Gajitz | Dornob


Oddee.com makes PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites of 2008!

Great articles on other blogs: