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England Salutes 150 Years of Eccentric Patents

Posted by michael on from the think-different dept.

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.'"

7 of 259 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting patent history by PhysicsGenius · · Score: -1, Troll
    The first cyclotron (and early form of particle accelerator) had a patent applied for and rejected. The patent examiner said that because particles couldn't be seen they couldn't be verified to have been accelerated. This had two major effects. First, the inventor died penniless and heartbroken. Second, because there was no patent, the scientific community was easily able to pirate the design and do research with it leading to a profusion of nuclear weapons and the brink of war we find ourselves on today.

    IP law isn't as bad as you think, just imagine the safe and secure world we'd be living in today if this evil technology had remained a secret.

  2. England is a third world country by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Their evil history of killing and subjugating people around the world is over. Who the hell gives a f**K about 150 years of their retched history?? That socialist sissified nation is merely a third world slum on par with Zambia or Kenya.

  3. Re:Why do Brits have disgusting teeth? by ensjoeski · · Score: 0, Troll

    Someone has watched too many Austin Powers movies. I've yet to meet a former GB'er here in the states that has that type of problem (maybe just the typical teeth problems, no worse than the average American).

  4. Spelling error? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    Steve van Dulken, who oversees the patent archive at the British Library, says: "For every 100 applications lodged, I'd say that 10 are a bit whacky."

    "Whacky?" Hmmm, I think that's a spelling error. Unless they are talking about invention of objects used to whack things. In which case I think we should be a little concerned about what goes through the minds of these inventors. Maybe they are "out of whack."

  5. Re:Why do Brits have disgusting teeth? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    > Can someone explain to me why Brits have disgusting yellowish-black rotting teeth and breath that smells like dogshit??

    2 reasons.

    1) Because flouride toothpaste was patented by Mr. Colgate in America.

    2) So that they never notice how flavorless their food is.

  6. GOATSE 2.0 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Yes, as per popular demand, a bigger, longer and more uncut goatse has been relased!

    http://www.cowse.cx

  7. Re:Why do Brits have disgusting teeth? by 91degrees · · Score: 0, Troll

    Complaints of flavourless food is a bit hypocritical coming from a yank - a nation who's sole contribution to international cuisine seems to be the hamburger.