The Strangest Inventions in Human History

Throughout world history, humans have created many incredibly quirky yet humorous inventions.

The Alarm Briefcase

In the Foggy Isle during the 1980s, the rise of theft and robbery became a nightmare for many, especially wealthy entrepreneurs. Seizing this demand, John Sharp Industries advertised an alarm briefcase.

Alarm briefcase by John Sharp Industries.

“Don’t resist; let the thieves take your briefcase. Just press the code on the remote control, and the briefcase will emit red smoke and loud noises. That will be the end of the thief.” These grand advertisements from John Sharp never became a reality.

Today, the idea of an alarm briefcase has evolved with advanced methods like GPS tracking. If you suddenly see someone with a smoky, noisy briefcase, you would think of an art performance or a movie scene rather than a robbery.

Seagull-Style Car Doors

In March 1984, Nissan sent out a message about a futuristic model for the 1990s that has yet to come to fruition over 30 years later. The Japanese car manufacturer advertised the NX-21 prototype as “the car of the 21st century, with an ultra-low friction performance of 0.25 and gull-wing doors mimicking the wings of a seagull.”

In fact, the concept of upward-opening car doors was pioneered by Mercedes-Benz in the 1950s with the 300SL and SLS AMG models. However, this idea did not progress far due to numerous inconveniences.

This design helps drivers exit the car in tight spaces.

Today, people are accustomed to horizontal-opening doors, as upward-opening ones would prevent you from carrying heavy items on the roof or risk trapping yourself inside the car if it flips over in an accident.

The only “highlight” is that this design would help drivers exit the vehicle in crowded parking lots.

Electric Doormat

German inventor A. Schmidt might win the award for the most expensive and complicated invention just to replace a very simple action: wiping your feet on a mat.

This mat has utility, but it failed to convince users.

In April 1981, Schmidt advertised a device that worked by “stepping onto the mat, the rotating bristle brushes will clean your shoes without making you slip.” The secret of the anti-slip technology of this doormat lies in the rotating brushes attached to a pulley system.

However, this “expensive” invention could not be commercially produced because people were satisfied with regular mats.

Transformer Car

While in the famous series “Transformers,” giant robots can turn into cars in an instant, Ital Design had this idea more than three decades ago.

The idea of a transforming car has yet to become a reality.

Ital Design envisioned a world where manufacturers could focus all their design efforts on a single model, but with the ability to transform into various other models. Specifically, instead of needing to buy a truck to carry heavy, bulky items and a flashy sports car to attract customers, a company could just purchase one vehicle for both tasks. This was the advertisement for Ital Design’s unrealized vehicle, “Inspector Gadget Car.”

Although this idea has not been produced on a large scale, some modern cars have developed interchangeable components.

Vibrating Sauna Machine

Many inventions from the 1980s are a combination of various inventions of that time, and Vibrosaun International is one such example. This device is a blend of a home entertainment system, an air conditioner, and a massage chair, creating a personal sauna shell.

Would you like to own a sauna machine at home?

The advertisement for this machine claimed, “Your head will relax with music while the rest of your body is bathed in steam at a temperature of 77 degrees Celsius.” To own such a modern device, you would need to spend about $5,995.

Perhaps, the inventor of the Vibrosaun machine hoped that everyone would have one of these sauna machines in their bedrooms, but that luxury is hard to realize. Instead, people today visit wellness centers, relaxing massage parlors, and beauty salons.

Multi-Function Card

Chairman Arlen Richard Lession of SmartCard International introduced a prototype of a card that could do everything back in 1986. According to the introduction, the card resembled a credit card but was thicker, battery-operated, with an LCD screen displaying two lines and a 10-button keypad.

The design goal of the card was to integrate all functions of a bank card, access card, and even serve as a phone card at public payphones. It could even store fingerprints, medical records, and track your daily calorie intake.

The multi-function card, though not widely applied, is being realized through the new generation of smartphones.

Mr. Lession also asserted that the Ulticard was the pioneering generation of the Supersmart line, helping you with everything from saving to weight loss.

Ultimately, this idea could not develop strongly. We still have to use many types of cards in our wallets, from bank cards, driver’s licenses, membership cards, etc. Perhaps, a better and more promising alternative to this multi-function card is the new generation of smartphones.

Dome House

Monterey Domes, an inventor from Riverside, California, announced his invention of the dome home in April 1981, claiming it would be the most energy-efficient house in the world.

The clear advantages of the double dome house include being equipped with both passive and active solar energy systems, requiring less material to construct the dome, and creating efficient surface area and volume ratios. This means it would keep the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter, relying less on electricity for climate control.

Double dome houses have many benefits.

However, today, dome houses are rarely seen. This architecture seems to have not overcome the negative perceptions about its strange shape and incompatibility with conventional furniture.

The All-in-One Device

In the 1980s, many people dreamed of owning a device that functioned as an AM-FM radio, a cassette player, a tape recorder, a computer, a clock, and an alarm. This is why PM Industries invented the PMI-TRC-4, which included all these features at the price of $239.

The multifunction device has become outdated.

This device is now considered obsolete. A multifunctional device like that is simply a watch with a computer attached. Today, an “all-in-one” device is a smartphone with countless functions that inventors in the 1980s could never have imagined.

Massage Helmet

If you wanted a head massage in the 1960s, you could wear a massage helmet for maximum relaxation.

Mouse Repeller

For anyone needing to trap mice, this robotic cat from Japan, created in 1963, is a great choice. To repel mice, the “cat machine” lights up its eyes and meows 10 times every 60 seconds.

Dancing Shoes

The Siamese dancing shoes feature a unique design where the tips of men’s and women’s shoes are fused together. Designed for ballroom dancing, these shoes help couples synchronize on the dance floor, whether it’s a foxtrot or a waltz.

Cyclomer Amphibious Vehicle

The Cyclomer is essentially a bicycle designed to operate on both land and water. It features two large drum-shaped wheels, each attached to smaller adjustable spheres that can be raised or lowered.

Vibrating Belt Machine

The vibrating belt machine was used for fat reduction. This weight loss machine became popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

Mustache Shield

The mustache shield was designed to keep the mustache from getting in the way while eating. This invention was patented by Virgil A. Gates in 1876.

Avocado Guard

In the 1950s, no one wanted to accidentally get their sleeve smeared with butter while reaching across the table. Thus, inventor Russell E. Oakes addressed this issue with a device resembling a spider.

Family Bicycle

Invented by Charles Steinlauf, this four-person bicycle was created so that the entire family could enjoy cycling together. It even has a dedicated seat for mothers to continue sewing while on the move.

Mass Production Razor

In the 19th century, men flocked to barber shops. To meet the high demand, this bizarre invention allowed barbers to shave multiple beards at once.

• Strange Inventions Around the World
• The “Strangest Desert in the World”: No Golden Dunes, Just Lakes with Shrimp and Fish
• The “River in the Sky” That Can “Break” a Continent