World's most pointless inventions

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers around the concept of pointless inventions, with participants sharing various examples and opinions. Leaf blowers are highlighted as a prime example, as they merely relocate debris rather than eliminate it. Other inventions mentioned include exercise balls, battery-operated air fresheners, and chopsticks, which users argue are impractical or unnecessary. The conversation also touches on the humorous side of inventions, such as the "death clock" and "neuticles," showcasing a blend of skepticism and humor regarding modern consumer products.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of consumer product design and functionality
  • Familiarity with common household inventions
  • Knowledge of humor in product critique
  • Awareness of cultural perspectives on utility and necessity
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of consumer culture on product design
  • Explore the history of inventions deemed unnecessary or impractical
  • Investigate the role of humor in product marketing and critique
  • Learn about the Ig Nobel Prize and its focus on unusual inventions
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for product designers, marketers, and consumers interested in understanding the nuances of utility versus novelty in inventions. It also appeals to those who enjoy humor in critiques of everyday items.

  • #91
Ivan Seeking said:
Ties.

xunxine said:
I thought the paper shredder was a really unnecessary invention. You can shred the papers yourself.
But it helps to shred large amounts of papers faster and more cleanly. And other people to piece together parts of the papers you've shredded more easily.

Shredders are good for shortening your tie.
 
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  • #92
:rolleyes: The "Stepper" exercise thingy...


[PLAIN]http://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/Unit/How/FunctionalTeams/pictures/StepTest.jpg


God I hate that thing. Usually when I get one of these sorts of useless thingamabobs, I try to justify its existence (just not to throw it out and hurt somebody's feelings) by making it into a Christmas ornament or something like that. Hard to do though--I mean basically with what might have been a staircase; now missing 10 or 12 of its buddies.
 
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  • #93
...
the "snuggie", which is simply a bath robe worn backwards
the shake weight...
and
jersey shore, (the show)
 
  • #94
Mathnomalous said:
Brassieres.

Seriously, what's the point? :-p

Isn't that two points?
 
  • #95
Max™ said:
[URL]http://www.gifbin.com/bin/012010/1262868901_useless-machine.gif[/URL]

Do I win?

Also: leaf blowers are easier to use than a rake for gathering leaves into a pile, particularly those on porches/decks/carports/curbs/sidewalks/etc.

OMG, I have to build one of those! :smile:

Ooh, http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Most-Useless-Machine/"!
 
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  • #96
Borg said:
OMG, I have to build one of those! :smile:

Ooh, http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Most-Useless-Machine/"!

Starting work right away! :smile:
 
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  • #97
[URL]http://www.gifbin.com/bin/012010/1262868901_useless-machine.gif[/URL]
Borg said:
OMG, I have to build one of those! :smile:

Ooh, http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Most-Useless-Machine/"!
Everything is harder than it looks. I haven't experimented with anything like this in years and anything that can go wrong does. Destroyed a DPDT switch while trying to unsolder a dumb wiring arrangement, struggled with the arrangement of the arm, and then when I finally had something that I could test, the motor wasn't strong enough to flip the switch or even lift the lid. I think that I know how to finally get it to work but, I guess that I'll have to actually buy the correct motor rather than use the ones that I pulled out of VCRs and DVD drives.
 
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  • #98
Lightning Bug gummy candy that glows when you pick it up with the magic tongs



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjDFmCRQP5g

Pointless or not, they're fun, taste great, and make you feel better about yourself for having eaten glowing gummy candy.
 
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  • #99
Artman said:
I was going to lunch and saw a guy using a leaf blower. Think about it, the entire purpose of a leaf blower is to move a mess from one place to another, without really getting rid of it.


What are some other wasteful or pointless inventions?

10. The trouser-cushion
UK patent application No GB2267208, 1993

You may need to sit down for this one. British inventor Michael Bayley decided to put an end to standing nightmares by creating portable seat that you wear on a waist-belt. OK, it’s a somewhat convoluted version of having a cushion with a loop that goes through your belt. “The seat cushion is pivotable between a stowed position and a seating position in which it hangs down so that you can sit on it,” says the patent application. I can see one possible practical use: musical chairs, though you may get beaten to death by indignant toddlers.
 
  • #100
How to eat ice cream the easy way:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX1IDMKMocQ
 
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  • #101
Robo Stir.

http://www.infomercial-hell.com/blo...have-we-really-gotten-too-lazy-to-stir-a-pot/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqvxBdBI9rs?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tqvxBdBI9rs?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
 
  • #102
i made an account because i have topped all of these.


The treadmill bike

Treadmill-Bike1.jpg



For people who like running but don't like touching the ground



officially the DUMBEST thing ever invented in the history of time
 
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