30 Unbelievable Inventions That Had Their Moment in History

Bizarre inventions that will make you question what people once thought they couldn't live without.

Damjan

• Published in Weird
• December 19, 2024

Inventions have always been a way for people to solve problems and make life easier, but sometimes they can be strange or surprising. Today's technology is taking things to new heights with devices that blend everyday life and cutting-edge science.

One of the most impressive inventions of 2024 is an AI-powered toilet seat. This high-tech seat scans a person's stool and urine for changes that could signal health issues.

If anything unusual is detected, the seat sends the information directly to medical professionals, helping to catch problems early. It's a great example of how technology can help improve health in unexpected ways.

Another exciting invention is a humanoid robot that works in a BMW factory. This battery-powered, life-size robot helps build cars with incredible precision and speed.

It shows how robots are changing how factories work, making them more efficient and capable of doing tasks that humans once did. These modern inventions are a stark contrast to some strange ideas from the past.

For example, in 1938, someone invented a gas war-resistant baby stroller designed to protect babies from gas attacks. In the 1920s, wooden swimsuits were made, meant to be light and buoyant but probably uncomfortable to wear.

These inventions may have seemed helpful then, but they feel odd today. We dug through history to uncover some of the strangest inventions from the past, and the results are surprising. Keep reading to see what people once believed they couldn’t 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"

Looking back at inventions throughout history, it’s clear that creativity has always been driven by the desire to solve problems, even if the solutions seem unusual. Past inventions like wooden swimsuits and gas-proof baby strollers were responses to specific challenges of their time.

However, today’s technology is focused on improving our health, safety, and comfort in more practical ways. Modern innovation can change the way we live, offering once unthinkable solutions. We can look forward to more breakthroughs as technology evolves, shaping our future in ways we can’t imagine.

Damjan