Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents

Ted Vancleave

Andrews McMeel Publishing, May 15, 2001 - Humor - 148 pages

Totally Absurd Inventions offers the best of the goofy from the millions of patents granted during the past 70 years. Each of the nearly 100 off-the-wall inventions unearthed for this collection features the detailed patent application illustration and a lively description of the bizarre proposed creation. Need to know when your baby's diaper is dirty' You'll want to see the plans behind the Diaper Alarm. Little boys wanting to avoid playground kisses may find just what they need in the Kissing Shield. Want to add a unique Wisconsin twist to your cigarette' The Cheese-Filtered Cigarette might do the trick. Super Trash Man, the Cranium Cooler, the All-Terrain Stroller, and the Pet Toilet are just a few more of the zany but fascinating inventions highlighted in this compendium of creativity.

What people are saying

User Review -

专利：完全荒谬的发明

Popular passages

Page 114 - ... you on your merry way. Going upwind? Sailors tack from side to side, but that can be risky on a busy street or narrow sidewalk. Need to stop quickly during a strong gust of wind? Find something big and ram it.‎

Page 51 - Oh. you know she's your baby and so, so precious, but those big ears keep ending up in the food dish and it just ruins your lap time together. You could clean her ears, but they are very sensitive and she is seriously precious. So how can we make everyone happy? Ear Tubes!‎

Page 27 - What happens when you go to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Do you turn on the light and squint, trying not to blind yourself, or poke around in complete darkness?‎

Page 3 - Are you tired of sticking your fingers down a wet diaper for moisture verification? How else can you know if your baby's diaper is wet again?‎

Page 140 - Big A" hits, simply dig a hole in the ground and erect this portable fallout shelter.‎

Page 91 - When you're ready to hit the slopes, simply reach behind you and fold down the leg-support portion of your pants.‎

Page 142 - The spittle receptacle can clip right onto your favorite armchair, making it perfect for watching the game—work up a good gob and just sputter into the funnel.‎

About the author

Author Ted VanCleave is himself an inventor of the weird. His award-winning Web site, Totally Absurd Inventions, began in 1997 after he conducted patent research for his own wacky invention, Inflatable Greeting Cards. That research uncovered similarly fascinating inventions that he's shared with the more than two million people who have visited his Web site, which has been named USA Today's site of the week and attracted the attention of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He lives in San Diego, California.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents
• Author: Ted Vancleave
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2001
• ISBN: 0740710257, 9780740710254
• Length: 148 pages
• Subjects: Humor / General; Humor / Topic / Business & Professional; Inventions; Inventions - United States; Inventions/ United States; Inventions/ United States/ Humor; Patents; Patents - United States; Patents/ United States; Self-Help / Motivational & Inspirational; Technology & Engineering / Inventions