Curved Barrel Machine Gun, 1953The 20th century saw many astounding technological innovations. The automobile revolutionized the way people live and work, the internet changed the way people think about information, and the U.S. of A put a man on the moon. But some technological advances that came in the earlier part of the 20th centry weren't exactly meant for the history books. Because they were stupid. Take, for example, this M3 sub-machine gun with a curved barrel for shooting around corners. It's the perfect gun for the "shoot first, look where you're shooting later" kind of guy.
Anti-Bandit Bag, 1963Inventor John H T Rinfret demonstrates his anti-bandit bag. To foil thieves the chain is pulled and the bottom of the case falls out so the contents are scattered over the floor. That'll stop those thieves from getting at the contents of your bag! No, wait. It won't.
Hubbard Electrometer, 1968
American science fiction writer and founder of the Church of Scientology L. Ron Hubbard uses his Hubbard Electrometer to determine whether tomatoes experience pain, 1968. His work led him to the conclusion that tomatoes "scream when sliced.
"Cup Bras, 1949Charles L. Langs poses with his strapless, backless, wireless, support-less bras. His wife is justifiably dubious.
Finnish Portable Sauna, 1962
Baby Cage, 1937A nanny supervising a baby suspended in a wire cage attached to the outside of a high tenement block window. The cages were distributed to members of the Chelsea Baby Club in London who have no gardens, or qualms about putting a child in a box dangling over a busy street.
Laryngaphone, 1929A man at a shipping exhibition in Olympia, London, demonstrating the ''Laryngaphone,'' a noise-excluding telephone which only transmits vibrations from the vocal chords when the microphone is placed against the throat or cheek. For the man who wants to annoy both his wife and his mistress
Motorized Surfboard, 1948Hollywood inventor Joe Gilpin riding his motorized surfboard.
Rainy Day Cigarette Holder, 1954President of Zeus Corp., Robert L. Stern, smoking a cigarette from his self-designed rainy day cigarette holder.
Rocket Belt, 1961Engineer Harold Graham salutes President Kennedy after demonstrating Rocket Belt for him.
Honegar, 1959Inventor of a honey and vinegar mixture, called Honegar, Dr. DeForest C. Jarvis. Honegar was said to be a folk remedy for aches and pains, though it mainly sounds like a cure for lack of nausea.
Illuminated Tires, 1961A woman adjusts her stocking by the light of the Goodyear's illuminated tires. The tire is made from a single piece of synthetic rubber and is brightly lit by bulbs mounted inside the wheel rim.
Shower Hood, 1970For the woman who likes to put makeup on her dirty face.
Cigarette Pack Holder, 1955
Handwriting Game, 1955A handwriting game being analysed by members of the Ideal Toy panel on Inventor's Day at the Ideal Toy Company in Hollis, New York. Because there's nothing children love more than handwriting.
Fast-Draw Robot, 1960Robot equipped with fast-draw invention shoots it out with live gunner. It's always easy to question the wisdom of giving a robot a gun, but also making him quick on the draw is just irresponsible.
Yodel Meter, 1925Two girls try out the new yodel meter, which measures the pitch of the human yodel.
Mini Television, 1966British inventor Clive Sinclair shows off his mini television. Please note the thickness of his glasses.
Flying Platform, 1956Flying platforms being tested at an Air Force base.
Beating Breasts, 1963A pair of artificial breasts with a built-in heartbeat, an invention from — where else? — Japan intended as a sleeping aid for very young children.
Venetian Blind Sunglasses, 1950It was a bad idea then, it's a bad idea now. Sorry, Kanye.
Birdman Suit, 1955Birdman Leo Valentin demonstrates his method of flying from a special harness. Valentin died when his invention failed him after jumping out of an airplane in 1956.
Phone-Answering Robot, 1964A robot designed by Claus Scholz of Vienna answers the phone, though it cannot speak. Halfway there, Claus.
Baby Holder, 1937Jack Milford, player with the Wembley Monarchs ice hockey team, has invented a carrying device so that his baby can join his wife and himself on the ice. Because who wouldn't want to take something as fragile as a baby onto a rock-hard surface with very little friction?
Sea-Shoes, 1962Inventor M W Hulton demonstrates his sea-shoes and duckfoot propellers on the Grand Union Canal, England.
T.V. Glasses, 1963Inventor Hugo Gernsback with his T.V. Glasses.
Cat-Mew Machine, 1963This mechanical cat can meow ten times a minute and the eyes light up each time. The device for scaring rats and mice is from Japan and is powered by a two-watt motor.
Dog Restrainer, 1940
Cigarette Holder Built For Two, 1955
External Turkey Roaster, 1966Sursa: http://www.life.com/image/82501911/in-gallery/25371/30-dumb-inventions
