Keeps Smoke Out Of Eyes
This post was originally published on this siteAnd blow it into somebody else’s eyes. Wishing to read his newspaper without the annoyance of clouds of […]
inventions
Vest-Pocket Ash Tray, 1950
This post was originally published on this siteWhat can you do with cigarette ashes when there’s no ash tray around? In 1950, Dr. John H. […]
Suitcase Is Emergency Crib, 1940
This post was originally published on this siteUnable to bring a baby’s cot aboard a war-refugee ship from the Mediterranean island of Malta, an ingenious […]
Bathers Sail While Floating, 1937
This post was originally published on this siteA novel contrivance utilizing a slab of cork of a size capable of supporting an average man’s weight […]
House for the Atomic Age, 1953
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1953, a swimming pool that became an automatic decontamination bath during an A-bomb attack was one of […]
Pooch is Up to His Neck in Automobile, 1954
This post was originally published on this siteEuropean cars are small and have no room for large dogs, so an ingenious dog lover has converted […]
“Orange-Peel House” for Campers Fits on Small Trailer, 1955
This post was originally published on this siteDeveloped in Germany, a portable shelter for camping or trailer travel looks like a gigantic orange––and peels apart […]
Floating Automobile Trailer Cruising Lake Under Own Power, 1954
This post was originally published on this siteWhen it’s not rolling down the highway, a trailer owned by a West Berlin woman was likely to […]
Telephone Holder Is Curved to Fit Contour of Shoulder, 1948
This post was originally published on this siteLeaving both hands free, a telephone holder designed to fit the contour of the shoulder balances the instrument […]
Hans Hollein’s Inflatable Mobile Office, 1969
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1969, years before mobile-communication had developed its possibilities, Austrian architect Hans Hollein built an inflatable mobile office […]
A Space-Age Iconic Desk: The Swildens Desk For Peugeot in 1966
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1966 Ben Swildens in collaboration with Max Ingrand, designed this desk for Peugeot’s relocated headquarters to Avenue […]
Cigarette Holder for Nudists, 1938
This post was originally published on this siteFaced with the problem of carrying cigarettes when no pockets were available, a delegate to a nudist convention […]
The Curious World of the DeMoulin Brothers and Their Fraternal Lodge Prank Machines at the Turn of 20th Century
This post was originally published on this siteFrom 1896 to 1930, the DeMoulin Brothers Company manufactured prank devices that were used in various initiation ceremonies […]
The Tweter: One Sweater for Two, 1963
This post was originally published on this siteThe tweter was a fashion gimmick introduced in 1963. It continued to be sold for about a year […]
Float-ees Swim Trunks: Blow Them Up! They Float You!
This post was originally published on this siteMaking it to adulthood without learning to swim can be quite embarrassing for a man. You can’t very […]
Bullet-Proof Vest Resists Fire of Three Pistols, 1924
This post was originally published on this siteIn 1924, to demonstrate the effectiveness of a bullet-proof vest he invented, a New York man donned the […]
A Vintage Ad for the Acme Mustache Guard, 1892
This post was originally published on this site18th century men used waxes, greases and fats to keep their mustaches in place. It was bad enough […]
CAR CHICKS, for All the “CATS” Who Drive Cars!
This post was originally published on this siteThey’ll wonder why you have a disembodied head staring out your back window. “The most unusual automotive accessory […]
Luigi Colani Office Chair, an Early Concept of the Modern “Integrated Workspace” in 1970
This post was originally published on this siteThe retrofuturistic Luigi Colani office chair features a built-in split Selectric-style typewriter. Futuristic workstation, 1970. Luigi Colani (1928-2019), […]
Mitten Handcuffs Secure Criminals, 1933
This post was originally published on this siteOnly the tips of fingers and thumbs protrude from handcuffs of a new style, invented by a former […]
Pistol Fires Red Paint at Fleeing Auto, 1932
This post was originally published on this siteSo that gangsters and hit-and-run drivers cannot escape pursuing police cars in crowded city streets, a St. Louis, […]
Chicken Muzzle, 1938
This post was originally published on this siteA protective device to cover the chickens beak allowing it to eat but not to hurt others or […]
Suit Guards Bomb Opener, 1933
This post was originally published on this siteDressed in his official costume, the German police officer charged with the responsibility of opening bombs found in […]
The Albee Rolligon: An Innovative Transport Truck From the 1950s
This post was originally published on this siteOne of the earliest applications of Albee’s low-pressure tires was this three-roller Dodge Power Wagon. Ground pressure was […]
Police Planes Take Off From Car to Hunt Down Crooks, 1933
This post was originally published on this siteFugitive criminals stand little chance of escape when the Oregon State police take out after them. They are […]