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Long before "innovation" became a corporate buzzword, true inventors were tinkering away in garages and workshops, creating solutions to problems we didn't even know we had. Remember a world where someone thought, "You know what would make driving safer? A giant shovel attached to the front of cars to scoop up pedestrians!" These forgotten contraptions range from the genuinely useful (the Morrison shelter saved countless lives during WWII bombing raids) to the downright bizarre (a mechanical cat-meowing machine, anyone?).

Some inventions, like plastic face protection for snowstorms, made perfect sense until better options came along, while others—like the one-wheel motorcycle—make us wonder if safety regulations existed at all. This fascinating collection showcases human ingenuity at its most creative, practical, and occasionally questionable, reminding us that the road to progress is paved with some truly odd experiments.

#1

A British Couple Sleeps Inside A "Morrison Shelter” Used As Protection From Collapsing Homes During The Wwii 'Blitz' Bombing Raids... March 1941

Weird invention: a child sleeps in a cage under a table in a vintage room with a bookshelf and chairs.

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    #2

    Plastic Face Protection From Snowstorms And Cold. Montreal, Canada, 1939

    Vintage photo of women with cone masks, showcasing weird inventions from the past.

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    #3

    One Wheel Motorcycle, By M. Goventosa De Udine

    Man riding a monocycle, a weird invention once seen as revolutionary, observed by onlookers.

    Maximum speed: 150 kilometers per hour ( 93 Mph).

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    #4

    Cat-Mew Machine

    Vintage Cat-Mew machine, a quirky invention from the past, showcasing its mechanical design and unique concept.

    The Cat-Mew Machine was a bizarre Japanese invention from the 1960s designed to scare away mice. It repeatedly played a recorded “meow” to trick rodents into thinking a cat was nearby—though it’s unclear if the mice actually fell for it.

    Vintage Everyday Report

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    #5

    Mass Shaving Machine

    A vintage multi-person shaving machine attended by a barber, showcasing a weird invention from the past.

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    #6

    It Was A Bit Different Back In The 60s

    Baby in an early car seat, a weird invention once seen as revolutionary.

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    Rodney Boathand
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yea - the 50s and 60s, it's a wonder how many of us boomers survived haha

    #7

    Hamblin Glasses. A Pair Of Spectacles Especially Designed For Reading In Bed. England, 1936

    Person using reflective glasses to read while lying down, representing weird inventions.

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    #8

    Gas War Resistant Pram. England, Hextable, 1938

    Person with gas mask pushing a strange invention resembling a pram, showcasing weird inventions history.

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    #9

    This Is How Babies Used To Fly On Airplanes

    Flight attendant adjusts an overhead baby seat, a weird invention once seen as revolutionary in airplane travel.

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    #10

    Amphibious Bike 'The Cyclomer', A Bicycle That Can Ride On Land And Water With A Load Of Up To 120 Kilos, Paris, 1932

    Man on a vintage bicycle with floats, showcasing a weird invention that was once considered revolutionary.

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    #11

    Early Tripmaster

    Vintage car dashboard with an early GPS device, showcasing weird inventions that were once revolutionary.

    Sort of TomTom, early tripmaster: rolling key map. The map passes the screen in a tempo that depends on the speed of the car.

    Nationaal Archief Report

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    #12

    All Terrain Car

    Man driving a vintage, unusual multi-wheeled vehicle over rough terrain.

    All terrain car able to descend slopes up to 65 degrees. England, 1936.

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    #13

    Fold-Out Piano, Specially Designed For Bedridden Patients. Great Britain, 1935

    Woman in bed playing an unusual piano invention, showcasing weird revolutionary design.

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    #14

    Folding Bridge For Emergencies, Invented By L. Deth. The Emergency Bridge Can Easily Be Transported On A Handcart. The Netherlands, Location Unknown, 1926

    People standing on an early collapsible bridge, showcasing a weird invention once viewed as revolutionary.

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    #15

    In 1955, This Tiny Electric Narrow Gauge Train Was Installed In New York’s Holland Tunnel To Monitor Traffic Speed

    Police officer in a tunnel using a revolutionary vintage invention for patrolling beside a car.

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    #16

    Jess Dixon In His Flying Automobile

    A man piloting a unique early flying machine, highlighting weird inventions that seemed revolutionary once.

    Built by Jess Dixon of Andalusia, Ala. Can fly forward, backward or straight up or hover in the air. Runs on road or flys across country. 40 H.P. motor, air cooled, speeds to 100 m.p.h. Kobel Feature Photos, Frankfort, Ind.,1940

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    #17

    Doctor Vilhelm Irgens Pettersson Demonstrates His New Invention; A Baby Carriage That Can Climb Stairs. 26 November 1956

    Man with a unique pram surrounded by admirers, showcasing a weird invention from the past.

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    #18

    Electrically Heated Vest For The Traffic Police In The United States. The Power Is Generated Via Contact On The Street. Location Unknown, 1932

    Police officer demonstrating a bulletproof vest, an example of weird inventions that once seemed revolutionary.

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    #19

    Car With Shovel For Pedestrians, Paris, 1924

    Vintage car with pedestrian catcher, a weird invention once seen as revolutionary, on a cobblestone street.

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    #20

    Wooden Bathing Suits, Supposed To Make Swimming A Lot Easier. Haquian, Washington, United States, 1929

    Four women in early 1900s swimwear, showcasing a weird invention that once seemed revolutionary.

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    #21

    Paternoster Lift

    Paternoster lift, a weird invention, with passengers stepping on and off in a hallway setting.

    The Paternoster lift is like an elevator with no pause button. Instead of stopping at each floor, its open compartments move in a continuous loop, and passengers have to step on and off while it’s still moving.

    Wikipedia , Ludek Report

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    #22

    Dymaxion Car

    Two views of the Dymaxion, a weird invention that once seemed revolutionary.

    The Dymaxion Car was a futuristic, teardrop-shaped vehicle designed by Buckminster Fuller in the 1930s. With three wheels, room for 11 passengers, and the ability to turn on a dime, it looked ahead of its time—but its unstable design cut its journey short.

    Wikipedia , Sascha Pohflepp , brewbooks Report

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    #23

    Dreamachine

    Two men examine a strange invention, once considered revolutionary, in a black and white photograph.

    The Dreamachine is a spinning device designed to create a trance-like state when viewed with closed eyes. Invented by Brion Gysin and Ian Sommerville in 1960, it uses flickering light to stimulate the brain and induce vivid visions.

    Wikipedia , John Aes-Nihil Report

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    #24

    Splayd

    Box of Splayds, a weird invention featuring a combination of knife, fork, and spoon, once considered revolutionary.

    A splayd is a handy utensil that works as a spoon, knife, and fork all in one. It was invented in the 1940s by William McArthur in Sydney, Australia.

    Wikipedia , User:Celcom Report

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    #25

    Radio Pram

    Vintage invention: 1920s baby pram with radio antenna, woman reading beside it.

    Pram provided with a radio, including antenna and loudspeaker, to keep the baby quiet. United States, 1921.

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    #26

    Les Paul, Age 14, In 1929 - Yes, He Invented The Rack - That Type Of Harmonica Holder, Too

    A young boy with a guitar and harmonica holder, showcasing a weird invention once considered revolutionary.

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    #27

    Revolver Camera

    A revolver camera captures a series of images, showcasing a weird invention that once seemed revolutionary.

    Revolver camera: a Colt 38 carrying a small camera that automatically takes a picture when you pull the trigger. At the left: six pictures taken by the camera. New York, 1938.

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    #28

    Madame A.t. Rowley's Toilet Mask

    Vintage ad for a weird invention: Madam Rowley's Toilet Mask, promising to improve complexion and beauty.

    Madame A.T. Rowley’s Toilet Mask was a 19th-century beauty invention that looked more like a horror prop than a skincare product. Made of rubber, it was worn overnight to supposedly smooth wrinkles—though it’s hard to say if it worked or just made sleeping incredibly uncomfortable.

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    #29

    Cycloped

    Illustration of a weird invention with a horse on a platform with wheels, highlighting past revolutionary ideas.

    The Cycloped was a bizarre attempt at a locomotive, powered not by steam but by a horse walking on a treadmill. Entered into the 1829 Rainhill Trials, it was quickly outpaced by steam engines and proved completely impractical.

    Wikipedia , Elijah Galloway Report

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    #30

    Loetafoon

    A man examines a vintage, revolutionary invention in a workshop setting.

    The Loetafoon was a gramophone record player that was connected to a film projector. A mercury contact on the film indicated exactly when the needle should be on the record to start the sound film. The device was supplied with a single, double and triple turntable.

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