World's Wackiest Inventions

By H.A. Jeffcott Jr. and A.E. Brown

Is the world ready for a tie pin that can be eaten in case of sudden hunger? Or a railroad train that avoids collisions by climbing on top of the opposing train? Or a man's hat that will automatically tip itself in greeting when the wearer nods slightly?
All these (and more) are actual patented inventions, unearthed for your amusement, enlightenment, and possible bewilderment. Who, for instance, would opt for a Hydraulic Alarm Clock, which drips icy water down the sleeper's neck? Or the Humane Rodent Exterminator, a well-intentioned device that attaches a bell to the rat's neck, "thereby frightening the other rats and causing them to flee"?
Each of the nearly 60 inventions appears with the inventor's explanation and the actual drawings submitted to the Patent Office. Some are of dubious efficacy-for instance, the battery-and-copper plate designed to extract poisons from the human body. Others are simply hilarious, such as the rocking chair fitted with a bellows in order to blow air onto the rocker. All offer fascinating glimpses of the modern obsession with utility, accenting the zany turns on a shortcut to convenience.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486225968
• ISBN13: 9780486225968
• Release Date: June 1970
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.3" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 8 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 3 and higher

Customer Reviews

The World's Wackiest Inventions

The World's Wackiest Inventions was a book I used in a course I taught this summer to teachers. I wanted to show that not all ideas are really valuable for broad consumer use. Some of these inventions were totally unrealistic. However, they were all interesting as creative thought, in my opinion. Some unrealistic ideas lead to more usable or practical inventions. Therefore, it is important to be supportive of creative ideas regardless of their practical applications.

I've loved it all my life!

My father was a co-author of this delightful little book. In the 1930's he and his friend, Al Brown, went on vacation to Washington, D.C. With time on their hands and fueled with a little beer, they found themselves in the U.S. Patent office looking up odd things that had actually gotten patents. It was first published as, "Beware of Imitations" and was reviewed favorably by Life Magazine. Patent Attorneys collected it. Then, it was published as, "Absolutely Mad Inventions". When my father was in his late 80's, he sold the rights to it for a paltry sum. This publication is news to me. I re-read it often and cherish the copy he signed to me (his oldest), "To My First Edition". Naturally, I heartily recommend it.

A Most Amusing Book

This is one of the most hilarious books you will ever browse, and will be eager to share with a someone. It is a treat. It induces nothing but side-splitting belly laughs without ever trying. The book lists actual patents obtained, by inventive out-of-the-box thinkers and tinkerers. It beats any current humorists's or comedien's dull gibberish by a long shot. I knew there were wacko patents issued to wacko inventors but this list contains: lip shaper,automatic saluting hat,trains which go over one another on the same track,( as opposed to colluding) vulture powered baloons, water splashing wake up clocks, chewed gum locket, and some others I will let you to find out yourself. All and all, there are about 60 inventions listed. These inventions, all, were granted US patents by the Patent Office. Keep it on your bedside it will end your day laughing out loud regardless of the day you had earlier.

Great Book!

Ever wonder where all those examples of crazy inventions come from? This is the book. Glasses for chickens, dimple maker....all sorts of crazy ideas. Maybe it will stimulate some new ideas. Either way, it's so cheap you can't go wrong.