30 Fascinating Inventions That Shaped Their Time in History
Inventions have always been a means by which how people can solve problems when it comes to making life easier but these inventions can sometimes look weird or surprising, but they need appears that way. This technology has reached new heights, with everyday devices that marry the banal with the truly novel
The AI toilet seat is one of the most groundbreaking inventions in 2024. The smart toilet analyzes a persons stool and urine for signs of changes that could indicate a potential health problem.
The seat relays the information instantly to medical professionals in case something is detected causing problems, catching it early on. A neat instance of technological health enablement.
Yet another cool invention is HUMANOID robot working in a BMW factory. Indeed, this battery-powered, life-size robot works at such speed and precision to build cars.
It illustrates how industrial robots are being abstracted to change the way factories operate, enabling a higher level of efficiency leading to performing activities that previously were done by humans. In a way, these technologies are a worlds away from the weird stuff they’ve tried on us (or tried to sell us) before.
As an example, in 1938, somebody created a baby stroller that could not be blown up in a gas fight irrespective of getting used by a child. During the 1920s wooden swimsuits were created, designed to be lightweight and buoyant but likely less than comfortable to wear.
The whicker seemed so helpful back then, but now it feels so bizarre. We combed history for some of the weirdest inventions ever made, and the results are shocking. Read on for what people said they never felt that they could live without.
Some bizarre inventions prove humanity’s idea of “must-have” has always been a little strange.
“Les Paul, Age 14, In 1929 – Yes, He Invented The Rack – That Type Of Harmonica Holder, Too”
“In 1955, This Tiny Electric Narrow Gauge Train Was Installed In New York’s Holland Tunnel To Monitor Traffic Speed”
“Fold-Out Piano, Specially Designed For Bedridden Patients. Great Britain, 1935”
“Folding Bridge For Emergencies, Invented By L. Deth. The Emergency Bridge Can Easily Be Transported On A Handcart. The Netherlands, Location Unknown, 1926”
“A British Couple Sleeps Inside A “Morrison Shelter” Used As Protection From Collapsing Homes During The Wwii ‘Blitz’ Bombing Raids… March 1941”
“Jess Dixon In His Flying Automobile”
“Hamblin Glasses. A Pair Of Spectacles Especially Designed For Reading In Bed. England, 1936”
“Gas War Resistant Pram. England, Hextable, 1938”
“It Was A Bit Different Back In The 60s”
“Amphibious Bike ‘The Cyclomer’, A Bicycle That Can Ride On Land And Water With A Load Of Up To 120 Kilos, Paris, 1932”
“Doctor Vilhelm Irgens Pettersson Demonstrates His New Invention; A Baby Carriage That Can Climb Stairs. 26 November 1956”
“Electrically Heated Vest For The Traffic Police In The United States. The Power Is Generated Via Contact On The Street. Location Unknown, 1932”
“Car With Shovel For Pedestrians, Paris, 1924”
“Slot Machine Selling Warm Sausage Rolls On A Railway Station In Germany. 1931”
“Plastic Face Protection From Snowstorms And Cold. Montreal, Canada, 1939”
“The Isolator, By Hugo Gernsback”
“This Is How Babies Used To Fly On Airplanes”
“A Bicycle Tire Tied Around The Body As A Swimming Aid. Germany, 1925”
“Wooden Bathing Suits, Supposed To Make Swimming A Lot Easier. Haquian, Washington, United States, 1929”
“Kodak K-24 Camera, Used For Aerial Photography During Ww2 By The Americans”
“Portable Radio In A Straw Hat, Made By An American Inventor. United States Of America, Place Unknown, 1931”
“A French Soldier Wearing A Kind Of Armour As Protection Against Flying Bullets Above The Trench. First World War, France, 1915”
“Remote-Controlled Model Helicopter – Pennsylvania, April 16, 1941”
“Faxed Newspaper”
“Mr. Ted Spence, Engineer Of The Los Angeles Brush Manufacturing Corp., Demonstrates The New ‘Hairline Brush’ In Los Angeles, Jan. 12, 1950. The Brush Is Constructed To Fit A Bald Head’s Contour, With Bristles For Brushing Hair And A Felt Pad To Gently Massage The Scalp”
“Blind Man Tests A Device That Allows You To Hear Light, Invention For The Blind. 1912”
“Adjustable Mannequin”
“Clap Skate”
“Bulletproof Glass. Demonstration By The Best Rifleman Of The New York Police, 1931”
“Ice Auto, Between Ca. 1910 And Ca. 1915”
Reflected in history of inventions creative ideas have always come when there is a need for a solution, which may be an odd one out. The wooden swimsuits and gas-proof baby strollers of the past solved problems particular to their age.
But today, the tech we have has been geared towards practical health, safety and comfort improvements. Today’s innovation are transformative, even life-changing, while providing solutions once thought impossible. As technology progresses, the human race can await for innovation that sets pay phones and phone books to humane technology making us dream of new possible futures.
