from    Fakhi Karume
subject    Dumbest Inventions of the Twentieth Century
date    Wed, Aug 17, 2011 at 2:08 PM

The twentieth century was the century of inventions, and if we looked at the time line of historic developments and inventions, we’ll notice that our civilization achieved greater growth during that period in the field of science, technology, medicine, infrastructure, etc then in the whole course of human history. Technology, science, and inventions have progressed at an accelerated rate during the hundred years of the 20th century, more so than any other century.

We began the 20th century with the infancy of airplanes, automobiles, and radio, when those inventions dazzled us with their novelty and wonder. The expansion was from all points of the compass and besides all those great inventions some good, some bad that all had great impact on the whole human race, there were also a few not so successful ones.

Here is the list of the top ten dumbest and most useless inventions in the twentieth century. Have you ever thought about little umbrella over your cigarette that will make it easier to smoke in the rain? Or, what do you say about motorized surfboard? You name it, they’ve made it! I’m not all that surprised with the ideas, but I’m really surprised anyone actually built those crazy inventions.

We’ll start with baby cage, built in 1937 and distributed in London. This “adorable” and not at all Nazi-like cage was suspended over the windows over a busy street so the baby could enjoy the fresh air.

Since we’re already talking about babies, let’s mention another useless invention for babies. It is the beating breasts from 1963 invented by Japanese. Basically it is a pair of artificial breasts with a built-in heartbeats and it was supposed to help and putting babies to sleep.

This great invention, named Birdman Suit from 1955 is the work of Leo Valentin a true twentieth century double to antique Icarus and Daedalus. And just like his mythological friends, the inventor of this strange suit that was built to help us fly died when his invention failed him after jumping out of an airplane.

In 1966, someone came up with an idea that human race desperately needs an External Turkey Roaster. I wonder how come this one didn’t sustain? Maybe because of its bulkiness.

After a good meal, you might wanna relax a little bit and maybe loose some of the extra calories that you’ve gained after eating that delicious turkey, and that is when the Finnish Portable Sauna will shine with its full glow. This creative idea came to a realization in 1962 and for some peculiar reason it is exactly the same year when the production of this portable sauna was stopped. Strange isn’t it?

And if you prefer more open air activities, and especially water sports, but you don’t like getting dirty and sweaty the Motorized Surfboard is the thing for you! The surfing is really great sport and it is so exciting, but you need to be fit and extremely physically prompt to enjoy it, but this astonishing invention has a motor in it and that way you don’t need to do anything. You just stand on the board and enjoy the ride! And is you can see on the photo below, you can even wear your finest suit and heat.

The year of 1954 brought to the reality an invention that probably every smoker thought about while smoking outside in the rain – A Rainy Day Cigarette Holder! Just look at that elegant little umbrella over this man’s smoke. How could possibly resist it? I think the problem was that James Bond didn’t wanted to promote this invention and it failed only due to the lack of good advertisement!

This one is for the ladies. Just think how many times you’ve had your makeup and hair perfectly done and then decided to take a quick shower only to realize that that way you’ll completely ruin your makeup and headdress? With Shower Hood from 1970 you wouldn’t have to deal with this problem, because your head would remain perfectly dry and your hair and makeup safe.

The Venetian Blind Sunglasses from 1966 are both stylish and useful. I don’t know why this one didn’t sustain. Maybe it was simply too ahead of its time, but there is hope that these days someone like Lady Gaga will bring back this long and unjustly forsaken invention.

And at the end we have one of the most useful inventions ever! It is the yodel meter! Just think about it. Is there a person on earth that doesn’t want to measure someones pitch while yodeling? This invention is an absolute must-have at anytime. And the best thing about it is the fact that it is small enough to fit any purse and you can take it with you wherever you want – to a camping trip in mountains for example and then there exercise your yodeling. Just be careful not to start an avalanche wile doing so.

Written by: Sanela Todjeras
Source: Life Magazine