With an increased demand for an easier way of doing things comes a need for items and machines to make man’s life better. While some of these have met a need and transformed lives, many more have been considered to be useless inventions that leave us wondering why they were ever created.
From shoes that have umbrellas to baby mops, what exactly makes a useless invention? They may sound like great ideas but they turn out to be totally pointless or outrightly a waste of time and resources. Nonetheless, the number of inventions whether great or another pipedream will continue to increase as the world keeps moving on.
Here are the 20 Most Useless and Pointless Inventions
1. A Walking Slapping Bag
This is another useless and bizarre invention from China that was made to provide stress relief. This wearable bag is equipped with inflatable arms that continuously slap the wearer’s back as they walk.
Even though this bag may offer temporary relieve, it still remains a pointless invention.
2. Cuisine Curtains
This was made for those who cannot eat with their mouths closed. It was made by American designer, Matt Benetto and it is one of his several pointless and funny creations. Though nobody wants to see what someone else is eating why not learn to shut the mouth completely when chewing food?
3. Baby Mops
This is another useless invention that was made to get babies to help with the cleaning while they play around. This one-piece outfit with built-in mops on the arms and legs is another Japanese invention.
Aside from the fact that this invention is pointless, it is also unhygienic and may even cause potential harm to the baby’s skin.
4. The Subway Chin Rest
This is one of the most useless Japanese inventions of all time. According to the inventor, it was designed to provide support and comfort for those who struggle to stay awake for the whole journey.
The subway chin rest is an adaptable pole with a padded chin holder to help tired commuters rest their head preventing them from nodding off and potentially missing their stop. Isn’t this just as useless as it sounds?
5. Breast Cushion
This was invented in Germany to provide comfort and support for the women’s breasts while sleeping, However, it’s questionable design made it more of a novelty than a useful product.
6. Phone Finger
The question is what exactly do you need a phone finger for?
Well, this invention was made by an Austrian company to cover the index finger and thumb to prevent smudges on your screen or camera lens. However, it turned out pointless as they would still leave smudges on your phone screen and some reviews claim that it could scratch the phone screen.
7. Butter Stick Type
This was made by a man named Luke Moon to help spread butter easily on your bread. The device looks like a lipstick tube filled with butter which allows users to apply it directly on their bread or other items,\.
However, the stick doesnt spread the butter evenly and efficiently like a knife would. Also, the butter stick is difficult to clean after use as butter gets stuck.
8. The Banana Case
Why would a banana need a case when it has its peel? We can’t say what this South Korean man was thinking when he invented this plastic container to protect bananas from bruising. What we know however is that the case was unnecessary.
9. Screen Privacy Hat
First off, does anyone really need all that privacy? because this invention is totally pointless. It is a South Korean invention that was made to address the issue of Privacy in public spaces.
It is a hat with a built-in visor that extends beyond the user’s face and shields the screen from prying ears. Rather that giving privacy to the user, it was said to even draw more attention than the screen.
10. The Toilet Reader
Ever found yourself bored during bathroom breaks? Well, the toilet reader was invented to solve this non-existent problem.
It is a small device attached to the bathroom wall for holding books, magazines, and even tablets for your reading pleasure.
Obviously, this is a useless invention as spending excessive time in the toilet is hardly beneficial for one’s heath or productivity.
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11. Ear Dryer
This invention originates from Japan and was designed to dry one’s ears after showering. It is a handle device that blows warm air through a nozzle into the ear canal. Interestingly, it is instructed that users dry up their ears with a towel before using it. So what’s the point?
12. The Pet Vacuum Cleaner
This vacuum cleaner was designed in the United States to simultaneously groom and vacuum your pet’s fur. It consists of a vacuum cleaner and a pet grooming attachment that sucks up loose fur while brushing the animal. However, most pets would rather just be brushed.
Also, the noise from the device and suction power often terrifies the pets and leaves the owner distressed.
13. The iSmell
iSmell was a device that claimed to emit scents corresponding to websites or emails. While it may have seemed like an interesting concept, it never gained traction, leaving us to wonder why we would need to smell the internet.
14. The Inverted Umbrella
This invention was created in the 1990s by a Japanese inventor who claimed it would keep you dry in the rain even if you were walking backward. However, the design was so impractical that it never caught on.
15. Shoe Umbrella
Aside from the ridiculous look of invention, the purpose of its creation doesnt even add up. According to the inventor Bobby Cole, this was made to help keep the feet and shoes dry in the rain but what are rain boots made for?
Bobby also added that they were inspired by his wife because he got tired of hearing his wife complain about her wet shoes.
16. The Foot-powered TV Remote
This was invented in the United States and it was aimed at making channel surfing a more active experience by physical exertion of your feet. Unfortunately, it failed to gain traction as most people preferred the convenience of regular handheld remote control.
17. Banana Slicer
If you were to make a fruit salad, you would think the banana slicer would make things easier. However, it’s much easier to just cut a banana with a knife.
18. Cat Wig
Originating from Japan, the cat wig was designed to enhance the cuteness of cats and transfer them into some fashionistas.
Even though the bright colors of the cat wigs makes them attractive, this is definitely one of history’s useless invention as they have no use. Well, except for a bald cat.
19. The Anti-snoring Pillow
This would have been a thing for some people who snore loudly as it was invented to supposed to prevent snoring. The soft and comfortable memory foam pillow features four inflatable airbags that silently inflate and turn your head when snoring is detected. However, it’s not very effective and it can make you feel uncomfortable.
20. Electric Facial Mask
This invention was made to cleanse and exfoliate the skin. However, reviews say that it leaves the skin dry and irritated.
