12 strange inventions from the past that still amaze today (13 photos)

People in the past have come up with some really crazy things.





The twentieth century was powerful for new inventions: they created ballpoint pens, built the first airships and airplanes, invented microwave ovens, credit cards. The list of things created in the last century that we use today is so huge that it’s impossible to list everything. However, some inventions were failures and did not take root at all. In fact, not only the inventors of the past created strange devices, our contemporaries also come up with complete absurdities.

Swimsuits made of wood, which, according to the creators, were supposed to make swimming easier, 1929



Heated vest for police officers, 1932





A car with space for pedestrians: in this way they tried to reduce the number of casualties among passers-by, 1924



Retractable bridge that can be easily taken with you, 1926



Protective face mask against blizzards, invented by a Canadian inventor, 1939



Lawnmower of the Future, 1957

It was called Comfort: it had a comfortable seat, a radiotelephone, air conditioning and even a system for cooling drinks.



Glowing Tires, 1961



Device for polishing a bald head, 1950



Hammock table for a schoolchild: if necessary, the table can be turned into a bed, 1913



Spoon for cooling soup, 1948



Transparent boat through which the bottom is visible, 1941



Automatic arm and small cash register for collecting tips, 1955