Slashdot Mirror
England Salutes 150 Years of Eccentric Patents
jonerik writes "Want to patent a moustache protector? Or perhaps you've hit upon the idea of improving chickens' lives by giving them eyeglasses. Well, don't bother - they've already been invented. The BBC has this piece today on the bizarre ideas that have trickled into the U.K. Patent Office on a regular basis since it opened 150 years ago this month. Other doozies which are saluted are a rifle fitted into a helmet, 'the recoil [of which] broke a man's neck during early trials' and the parachute hat. According to Steve van Dulken, who oversees the patent archive at the British Library, 'For every 100 applications lodged, I'd say that 10 are a bit whacky.'"
Hey, I can remove the damn things from my girlfriend with one hand.
Ahh, the joy of freeing those fantastic globes of pleasure.
I have a sudden craving for milk.
"Live Free or Die." Don't like it? Then keep out of the USA
Us people in big rich countries wonder why those people in little-bitty poor countries want to fight so much. Seems a little inefficient and self-defeating, you know.