The most effective inventions address everyday challenges with a hint of flair and efficiency. However, that’s not always the case. Some inventions appear bizarre as they tackle nonexistent problems or approach solutions in unconventional ways.

Featured Case: From brain-powered cat ears to dazzling car tires, here are ten truly peculiar items, including several strange hats. Let’s kick things off…

1. Cat Mimi

In 2011, the inventor merged Japanese technology with a playful animal-themed accessory, resulting in Nekomimi—cat ears that move based on the user’s brain waves. Concentration powers the ears, while a relaxed state causes them to drop.

Despite its oddity, this gadget is a hit among cosplayers and can be found in Japan for around £90.

2. Mono-Wheel Bike

Cars and motorcycles are iconic inventions, but had the Dynasphere gained popularity, the landscape of vehicles might have been very different.

This mono-wheeled vehicle could reach speeds of up to 48 km/h and was available with either a gasoline engine or an experimental electric motor.

However, safety concerns were paramount. Standing 3 meters tall, it was difficult to steer and prone to “gerbilling,” where the driver could be spun around like a rodent in a wheel.

3. Tomatan

Who hasn’t dreamed of being fed by a robot? Well, maybe not many of us.

Nonetheless, Japanese juice maker Kagome envisioned this concept, allowing marathon runners to eat tomatoes on the go. Unfortunately, it was just a prototype and not for sale—how unfortunate!

4. Glowing Tires

In the ’60s, Goodyear had a fascinating idea: illuminating tires! These were crafted from synthetic rubber and featured bulbs within the wheels, making them glow.

While they offered a range of colors and looked stunning in the dark, their performance in wet conditions was lacking. They also tended to melt under heavy braking, leading to abandonment of the concept.

5. Hayfever Hat

Kawasaki Ken is renowned for quirky inventions, coining the term “Chindogu,” meaning “strange tool,” and has created hundreds of unusual items, including mini shoe umbrellas and eye-drop funnels.

Next on the list is the “Hayfever Hat,” designed to dispense paper continuously to combat sneezing caused by allergies. While it seems odd, it offers a unique solution to a persistent problem.

6. Bed Glasses

Hamblin’s reading glasses enable users to read while lying down. Featuring a mirror system like a periscope, they allow reading at a 45-degree angle. They also double as a tool for checking your feet while walking.

7. Cat Meow Machine

Craving all the perks of cat ownership without the actual commitment? This bizarre invention from the 1960s Japan wasn’t even available for purchase.

Marketed to scare off mice, it ultimately failed as the rodents were not fooled, ensuring that pet owners could avoid cleaning up after a real cat.

8. Nap Pillow

The original nap pillow, Ostricpillow, is delightfully peculiar. It allows you to nap at your desk while blocking light and sound, and you can breathe through your nose or mouth.

The only downside? Your coworkers might not appreciate your snoring during crucial meetings, though you might be too cozy to care.

9. Submarine Car

In the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, James Bond took his Lotus Esprit for a swim. Although the Esprit wasn’t actively marketed as a submersible vehicle, Rinspeed—a German car company—decided to create its own version.

The result was the Squba, a zero-emission electric sports car that could dive to depths of 10m at a speed of 3 km/h, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Despite the buzz, it never moved beyond the prototype phase.

10. Mustache Shield

Mustaches have been a prominent form of facial hair for centuries, with handlebar varieties becoming popular during the latter part of the 19th century. In 1876, Virgil Gates patented a protective shield to keep them clean while eating and drinking.

Composed of rubber and metal, the guard was secured by elastic cords that looped over the ears. Unsurprisingly, it didn’t gain widespread acceptance.

11. Fliz Bike

The Fliz resembles a bicycle but functions similarly to a scooter. It harks back to the Laufmaschine Bike (or hobby horse) invented by Baron Karl Drais over 200 years ago. Like the Fliz, this early model had no chains and required riders to provide their own propulsion.

The key difference? Instead of sitting on a seat, riders dangle from the frame atop the bike. Constructed with a carbon fiber frame, the Fliz is lightweight and modern—but its practicality remains questionable.

12. Pet Rock

Long before Tamagotchis and virtual pet simulations, there was the pet rock—a pet that required no upkeep. This quirky toy came with “bedding” and a ventilated carrier to mimic the experience of real pet ownership.

For a fleeting moment, it topped the charts as America’s best-selling toy. However, after just six months, interest waned, leading to the Pet Rock’s quick discontinuation in February 1976.

13. V-Shaped Bed

Joseph Pilates was not only known for popularizing fitness techniques but also for his unique creations, including a V-shaped bed designed after he moved to America. He filed a patent in 1930, believing traditional beds were uncomfortable and that his design would provide better support for the back and limbs. Unfortunately, public reception was lukewarm.

14. Crane Head Cereal Serving Device

Artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox is known for his bevy of unconventional designs, such as a nose stylus for smartphone use in the bath.

The Crane Head Cereal Serving Device consists of a milk-powered hydraulic crane attachment worn on the head. Users can operate its arms to transfer cereal from a box to a bowl and pour milk on top. For some reason, this peculiar contraption hasn’t hit the market yet.

15. Baby Cage

Baby cages are a chilling concept that thankfully never took off. Designed for apartment dwellers with limited access to outdoor space, these cages were seen as a feasible solution for getting babies fresh air.

They were trialed in various locations around the globe, including New York and London, but fortunately, parents weren’t enthusiastic about the idea of their infants dangling outside a window.

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