For every invention that actually makes it to production, there are dozens of failed ideas, most of which failed for very good reasons. Like the fact that they’re painfully inefficient, totally unnecessary or just plain bizarre. These 15 weird and wacky creations developed between the 1920s and 1970s might be ridiculous, but they’re fun to look (and laugh) at.
1. The Isolator
The Isolator, by Hugo Gernsback: a terrifying hood with an attached oxygen tank, for when you want to be really, really isolated. “Outside noises being eliminated, the worker can concentrate with ease upon the subject at hand.”
2. Wooden Swimsuits
Swimsuits have come a long way since the days when they were long-sleeved wool monstrosities, but this wooden swimsuit invention, pictured in Washington State in 1929, wasn’t exactly a step forward.
3. Hangover Mask
Nothing will make you feel better when you’re suffering from a hangover than a mask that looks like this.
4. Radio Hat
All this poor guy wanted was an iPod. The portable straw radio hat was made by an American inventor in 1931.
5. Bicycle Tire Swimming Aid
This group of teenagers in 1925 Germany seem pretty proud of their invention, a swimming aid made of bicycle tires.
6. Radio Stroller
This stroller, equipped with an antenna and loudspeaker, was intended to help soothe babies in public places, but what happens when there’s a group of them all in the same room, listening to different stations?
7. Motorized Surfboard
Never mind that catching a wave is the point of surfing. The motorized surfboard, pictured in 1948, was an ideal platform upon which to casually stand around in a suit, smoking a cigarette. On the water.
8. Gas-Resistant Stroller
9. Shower Hood
The shower hood: for those times when you want to preserve your hair and makeup in the shower, while looking as ridiculous as possible.
10. Glasses for Reading in Bed
Unlike most of these inventions, Hamblin glasses, which are fitted with mirrors to enable the wearer to read while laying flat without lifting their arms, still exist. And they’re still just as weird.
11. Electric-Heated Jacket
You can’t really blame policemen for wanting to stay warm on the winter streets by any means possible. This heated jacket from 1932 got its power from “electric contacts in the street,” whatever that means.
12. Pedestrian Scoop
It was thought that this scoop, mounted onto a vehicle in 1924 Paris, would reduce pedestrian casualties.
13. Amphibious Bicycle
Buoys used as bicycle wheels do not an amphibious vehicle make, but this guy tried with ‘Cyclomer‘ in Paris, 1932. Too bad there’s not a picture of him trying to actually use it in the water.
14. Snowstorm Mask
15. Baby Suspenders
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