Some of the cleverest ideas ever made have solved basic problems stylishly and efficiently. Still, things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes, people end up creating gadgets that either fix problems no one ever had or tackle regular issues in very odd, head-scratching manners.
Take the following 15 curious inventions, for example – from cat ears powered by brainwaves to tyres that glow in the dark. And yes, there are quite a few odd hats in the mix. Let’s begin with…
Reading flat on your back just got a mirror upgrade (Photo: Twitter)
1. Necomimi
Sometime around 2011, a device came to light in Japan combining their technological strength with the love for dressing like animals. The outcome was Necomimi – a wearable gadget with cat ears that react to brain activity. When the user focuses, the ears stand upright; if the person relaxes, the ears drop gently.
This invention, despite being quite unusual, has gained steady popularity among cosplay fans and is still on sale in Japan, costing around £90.
2. The Monowheel Motorbike
Motor vehicles, both cars and bikes, have changed the way people live. But things might have gone in another direction if something called the Dynasphere had gained more users.
Capable of hitting a top speed of about 48 km/h, the Dynasphere ran on either a petrol engine or an early electric motor.
Apart from major safety concerns, its large size – standing three metres tall – made it difficult to manage. Turning the vehicle was a hassle, and it was known for something called ‘gerbiling,’ where a sharp stop or start could cause the driver to roll inside like a trapped animal.
3. Tomatan
It’s unlikely many people have ever wished for a robot that could feed them tomatoes, especially while running. Yet that’s exactly what Kagome, a Japanese juice company, created.
The strange device, named Tomatan, was built as a one-off concept meant only for advertising. Sadly, it never made it into stores, which may not be such a loss for most folks.
4. Glowing Tyres
Goodyear, a well-known tyre manufacturer in the 1960s, thought it would be stylish to produce tyres that light up. These tyres were crafted from synthetic rubber and lit from the inside using bulbs, making the tyres shine at night.
The plan was to offer various colours, and while they looked great under streetlights, they had poor performance on wet roads. Worse still, they would start melting under intense braking, which made them unsafe. So, the idea was dropped.
5. The Hayfever Hat
Kenji Kawakami made a name for himself by coming up with strange tools. He even coined a term – Chindogu, which means ‘unusual gadgets’. His list of creations includes tiny umbrellas for shoes, funnels for eyedrops, and gloves that work like Swiss army knives.
Another of his creations, the ‘Hayfever Hat,’ was meant to release a steady stream of tissue paper for people battling constant sneezing due to allergies. Though far from graceful, the invention aimed to solve a long-standing health issue.
6. Bed Glasses
Hamlin came up with a pair of reading glasses designed to allow people to read while lying flat. Thanks to mirrors working like a periscope, the user could see their book at a slanted angle of 45 degrees.
These glasses could also help someone see their feet while walking, though that’s probably not their best use.
7. The Cat Meow Machine
For those who fancy having a cat around without the responsibility, Japan created a device in the 1960s that imitated a cat’s meow.
It was intended to scare off rodents, but the mice were not convinced, and humans couldn’t cuddle with it either. On the bright side, it didn’t destroy furniture or leave unpleasant surprises on the floor.
8. Napping Pillow
The Ostrichpillow introduced a rather hilarious solution for people who wanted quick naps at their desks. Shaped to block out light and muffle sound, this padded pillow lets you rest with your head on a flat surface while breathing freely.
Though it looks comfortable, using it in a serious work setting might earn you a few stares, especially if you start snoring mid-meeting.
9. The Submarine Car
In the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me from 1977, a scene shows the character driving a Lotus Esprit underwater. While the movie used tricks to sell the idea, it later inspired a German company, Rinspeed, to attempt the real thing.
Their concept, the sQuba, ran on electricity and used lithium-ion batteries. It could reach 10 metres underwater and move at 3 km/h below the surface. Although people found it interesting, the car has remained in its early stages and hasn’t gone into mass production.
10. Moustache Shield
For years, men have worn moustaches with pride. In the 1800s, the handlebar style was especially popular. So in 1876, a man named Virgil Gates from the U.S. designed a moustache protector.
A tomato-feeding robot nobody asked for but remembered (Photo: Alamy)
His invention, which could be made from rubber or metal, used two bands over the ears to stay in place. But the public didn’t warm up to it, and it quietly disappeared.
11. Fliz Bike
The Fliz may appear to be a bicycle, but it functions more like an advanced scooter. Drawing inspiration from the old Laufmaschine – a foot-powered bike from 200 years ago – the Fliz leaves out pedals and chains altogether.
Unlike the old version, users don’t sit but instead hang from a frame while using their feet to move. It has a carbon fibre build, which makes it light, but in terms of real-world use, it seems more like a display piece.
12. Pet Rock
Before digital pets and mobile games, people in the 1970s turned to a simple solution – a rock in a box. This toy came with a small blanket and a box with air holes to pretend it was alive.
The Pet Rock quickly sold in large numbers across America but fizzled out within six months. Sales ended officially in early 1976.
13. The V-Shape Bed
Joseph Pilates, known today for the fitness technique bearing his name, also dabbled in designing furniture. After settling in the U.S., he came up with a bed shaped like the letter “V”.
In his 1930 patent application, he claimed it offered better spine alignment and more support for the limbs than regular beds. Yet, the public didn’t seem to like the idea, and it didn’t catch on.
14. Crane Head Cereal Serving Device
Dominic Wilcox, a creative mind known for bizarre inventions, once built a tool that lets you serve cereal using your head. It uses plungers and hydraulic systems powered by milk to scoop and deliver breakfast to your bowl.
Wearing this odd crane contraption might make you look funny, but it technically works. Still, no company has shown interest in putting it on store shelves.
15. Baby Cage
This chilling concept from the early 20th century involved suspending babies in cages outside apartment windows. The plan was to allow children living in city flats some fresh air when gardens weren’t available.
Tests were carried out in cities like London and New York. Thankfully, parents were too worried about the risks, and the idea faded without becoming common practice.
