The best inventions solve practical solutions to everyday problems, doing so efficiently and with a bit of style. But sometimes things don't exactly work out like this. Sometimes inventions can appear rather strange, either because they attempt to solve problems that do not exist, or they attempt to do so in very odd and peculiar ways.
Case in point: the 10 absolutely bizarre creations below, from brain-controlled cat ears to glowing car tyres. And hats – you can expect a lot of strange hats. Starting with...
1. Necomimi
Back in 2011, inventors came up with a new device that combined Japan's technology expertise with its fascination with dressing up like animals. The result was a device called Necomini, which are cat ears controlled by the user's brainwaves. When the user concentrates, the ears of the device perk up. When the ears drop, the user is in a state of relaxation.
Despite the weirdness of this invention, it is a popular gadget amongst cosplayers and is still available to buy in Japan (for about £90).
2. The monowheel motorbike
Cars and motorbikes are perhaps some of the most popular inventions of all time. But things could have been very different if the invention of the Dynasphere had proved more popular.
The Dynasphere could reach up to 48 km/h and was powered by a petrol engine or an experimental electric motor.
Aside from the obvious safety issues, this motorised death trap was not particularly practical at a height of three metres. It also suffered from being difficult to steer and was prone to a phenomenon known as 'gerbiling' – where hard braking or accelerating could result in the driver being thrown around inside like a gerbil in a wheel.
3. Tomatan
Who hasn't dreamed of a robot who feeds you tomatoes? Well, most of us, we would imagine.
That didn't stop Japanese juice maker Kagome from dreaming up this, erm, unique device as a means to eat tomatoes while running a marathon. Unfortunately, this prototype was only built for promotional purposes and is currently unavailable for purchase. Shame.
4. Glowing tyres
In the 1960s tyre company Goodyear had an interesting idea. Why not produce tyres that would light up? The tyres were made from a single piece of synthetic rubber and were lit by bulbs mounted inside the wheel, making the whole tyre glow brightly.
The idea was to offer a whole range of colours, but while the tyres looked amazing in the dark, they performed poorly in the wet. They also suffered from a tendency to melt under heavy braking (not ideal for safety) and the idea was scrapped.
5. The hayfever hat
Kenji Kawakami is a giant in the world of weird inventions. He termed the word 'Chindogu', which translates as 'weird tools', and has invented hundreds of these bizarre and absurd items. These include mini umbrellas for your shoes, eyedrop funnels and Swiss army gloves.
Then there's the 'Hayfever Hat', designed to dispense a continuous flow of paper to combat the incessant sneezing caused by the seasonal ailment. An inelegant solution to an age-old problem, but a solution nonetheless.
6. Bed glasses
The Hamlin reading glasses were designed to be able to allow the user to read a book while lying down. Using a system of mirrors like a periscope, the wearer could read at an angle of 45 degrees. It could also presumably be used for looking at your feet while walking.
7. The cat meow machine
Want all of the benefits of a cat without actually owning one? Well, this pointless invention developed in Japan in the 1960s doesn't offer you either.
The device was designed for scaring rats and mice but these rodents were not fooled – and it was incapable of cuddling you at the end of a long day. On the plus side, it didn't rip your sofa to shreds and didn't bring you home small dead animals.
undefined8. Napping pillow
The original napping pillow, made by Ostrichpillow, is gloriously bonkers. It allows you to take a nap on a desk or table in comfort, blocking out light and noise and cushioning your head while allowing you to breathe through the nose or mouth.
The only problem is that your coworkers might not appreciate your snoring during that important meeting, but you might be too comfortable to notice.
9. The submarine car
In the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me, James Bond takes his Lotus Esprit for a little swim. Although the Esprit was not a working submarine car as advertised, that didn't stop Rinspeed (a German car company) from being inspired to design their own version of a submersible car.
The resulting vehicle, known as the sQuba, was a zero-emission electric sports car, with power supplied by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. It could dive to a depth of 10m and reach speeds of 3 km/h when fully submerged. Despite much positive press, the car has not progressed past the prototype stage.
10. Moustache shield
The moustache has been a popular form of facial hair for hundreds of years, and during the later part of the 19th century, the handlebar moustache became a common sight around the world. So, in 1876, American Virgil Gates took out a patent for a moustache guard to keep it clean and dry while eating or drinking.
The guard, which could be made of rubber or metal was kept in place by two elastic cords slipped over the ears. Needless to say, it didn't prove popular.
11. Fliz bike
Okay, the Fliz looks like a bike, but it has more in common with a scooter. The Fliz harks back to a time before bicycles when the Laufmaschine bike (or hobby horse) was invented by Baron Karl Drais over 200 years ago. Like the Fliz, this early bicycle had no chain, with the rider providing all of the propulsion.
The main difference here is the fact that instead of sitting on a seat, you are suspended from a frame and dangle above the bike. With a carbon-fibre frame to boot, this bike is light and modern... but unlikely to actually be much use to anyone.
12. Pet Rock
Long before Tamagotchi and computer game simulations, if you wanted a pet without actually having the inconveniences of having to keep it alive then there was the Pet Rock. It came with its own bedding and ventilated carrier, designed to emulate the experience of owning a real pet.
For a very brief moment in history, this was a best-selling toy in the USA, but after six months sales began to slow, and the Pet Rock was quickly discontinued in February 1976.
13. The V-shape bed
German physical culture expert Joseph Pilates was the man behind the popular exercise and training technique. But well-known is his career as an inventor and a designer of beds.
After moving to America he designed a V-shaped bed, filing a patent in 1930. Pilates believed that traditional beds were not comfortable enough and that his new design would help keep the back straight and give more support to the arms and legs. It seems the general public, however, did not agree.
14. Crane Head Cereal Serving Device
Artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox has form when it comes to weird inventions, including the nose stylus for using your smartphone in the bath.
The Crane Head Cereal Serving Device is a milk-powered hydraulic crane device that is worn on your head. By pushing and pulling plungers you can move the arms to move the cereal from its box to your bowl. Once ready, you can then fire milk into your bowl and tuck in.
For some strange reason, the device is yet to go on sale.
15. Baby cage
The baby cage is a terrifying idea that thankfully didn't catch on. Designed for people living in apartments with limited access to green spaces, these cages were considered a good solution to get babies out into fresh air.
They were tried in various locations worldwide, such as New York and London but thankfully no parent was particularly keen to have their baby dangling out of a window.
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