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50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird inventions that seem too crazy to be real!
With 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History , history has never been so fun--or wacky! Have you ever heard of a bike TV? Or a bird diaper? 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History describes 50 inventions that seem too crazy to be true—but are! Whether useful, entertaining, or just plain silly, these mind-boggling inventions and gadgets from yesterday, today, and tomorrow will surprise and delight fun-fact lovers of all ages.
- GenresNonfiction
112 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2017
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 25, 2017
50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that seem too crazy to be real! By Walter Foster Jr. creative team is a Walter Foster Jr. publication.
You never know when an idea or invention might take off and become the next big thing, the newest craze or a permanent part of our existence.
Many successful inventions have come with fascinating back stories, but what about those nutty ideas or inventions we’ve never heard about, or never saw the light of day?
This is a list book that counts down some of the more, shall we say, 'interesting' inventions that are so outlandish you won’t believe anyone ever attempted it.
Here are a few examples of the wacky and crazy inventions mentioned:
A gas powered Pogo Stick
Eye Glasses for Chickens
An alarm clock with wheels, you must chase down to turn off – which was one of the most amazing stories. You’ll have to read it to believe it.
At first I rolled my eyes and shook my read a lot when reading this book and thought many of these ideas were just plain silly. But, upon reflection, I think the humor is what makes this book work. These are real ideas and inventions, but, it’s supposed to be a fun book, so, while I really did have a hard time believing some of these products made it as far as they did, I still found it interesting. I’m amazed by how imaginative and confident people can be. No matter how skeptical was at first, I have to admit that at least these folks had a creative idea, something original, and had the boldness to see if it would make it or not.
This is a short book, easy to read, would be fun for kids and might even inspire you, or give you a few ideas of your own. Some of these ideas and inventions never got off the ground, some were tried, but failed, and incredibly, some of these insane inventions are still on the market, bestsellers even. You get the chance to guess which ones made it and which ones failed, before moving to the next chapter and the answers will often surprise you.
Overall, this book is educational and fun and can be enjoyed by everyone.
3.5 stars
You never know when an idea or invention might take off and become the next big thing, the newest craze or a permanent part of our existence.
Many successful inventions have come with fascinating back stories, but what about those nutty ideas or inventions we’ve never heard about, or never saw the light of day?
This is a list book that counts down some of the more, shall we say, 'interesting' inventions that are so outlandish you won’t believe anyone ever attempted it.
Here are a few examples of the wacky and crazy inventions mentioned:
A gas powered Pogo Stick
Eye Glasses for Chickens
An alarm clock with wheels, you must chase down to turn off – which was one of the most amazing stories. You’ll have to read it to believe it.
At first I rolled my eyes and shook my read a lot when reading this book and thought many of these ideas were just plain silly. But, upon reflection, I think the humor is what makes this book work. These are real ideas and inventions, but, it’s supposed to be a fun book, so, while I really did have a hard time believing some of these products made it as far as they did, I still found it interesting. I’m amazed by how imaginative and confident people can be. No matter how skeptical was at first, I have to admit that at least these folks had a creative idea, something original, and had the boldness to see if it would make it or not.
This is a short book, easy to read, would be fun for kids and might even inspire you, or give you a few ideas of your own. Some of these ideas and inventions never got off the ground, some were tried, but failed, and incredibly, some of these insane inventions are still on the market, bestsellers even. You get the chance to guess which ones made it and which ones failed, before moving to the next chapter and the answers will often surprise you.
Overall, this book is educational and fun and can be enjoyed by everyone.
3.5 stars
June 25, 2017
When my daughter was in elementary school, they had something called an "Invention Convention" where the kids had to invent something that hadn't been invented before, and which would solve a problem. The little kids came up with toy picker uppers, and stuff like that. I think my daughter tried to come up with a way to keep dry while closing your umbrella. It was quite a few years ago, but I was always impressed at what these kids came up with.
This book is a lot like this. Some of the inventions are a little wacky, such as sthe human bird feeder, or the hat with a vacuume tube radio in it, that didn't do too well. Others like the car that could be a boat actually sold to people like LBJ. And bird diapers are still being sold, especially for urban chickens. So while we may laugh at some of these inventions, some have a practice use, and are still be purchased to this day.
I think kids will have fun with this book, and perhaps it will inspire them to come up with an invention that needs creating.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This book is a lot like this. Some of the inventions are a little wacky, such as sthe human bird feeder, or the hat with a vacuume tube radio in it, that didn't do too well. Others like the car that could be a boat actually sold to people like LBJ. And bird diapers are still being sold, especially for urban chickens. So while we may laugh at some of these inventions, some have a practice use, and are still be purchased to this day.
I think kids will have fun with this book, and perhaps it will inspire them to come up with an invention that needs creating.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
October 5, 2017
50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real by the Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team is a nonfiction book for children that illustrates how wonderful and wacky the creative mind can be. Have you ever heard of a bike TV? Or a bird diaper? The 50 inventions highlighted in this book range from useful, to entertaining, to downright silly. These mind-boggling inventions and gadgets from yesterday, today, and tomorrow will surprise and delight fun-fact lovers of all ages.
50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real offers information and images that capture the imagination and interest of readers. I liked that while some of the inventions might seem ridiculous, the inventors and the reasoning behind each invention is offered, but not mocked. The silliness of the inventions is not left out, but at no point are the idea or people involved made fun of. This is important in my eyes, because making light of inventors might discourage readers that might have some wonderful ideas. The illustrations in the book are fun and cartoony, breaking up the text a little so that more reluctant readers will feel less overwhelmed by the amount of text and information. This was a fun and informative read, and one that I can see many taking the time to re read.
50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History: Weird Inventions that Seem Too Crazy to be Real offers information and images that capture the imagination and interest of readers. I liked that while some of the inventions might seem ridiculous, the inventors and the reasoning behind each invention is offered, but not mocked. The silliness of the inventions is not left out, but at no point are the idea or people involved made fun of. This is important in my eyes, because making light of inventors might discourage readers that might have some wonderful ideas. The illustrations in the book are fun and cartoony, breaking up the text a little so that more reluctant readers will feel less overwhelmed by the amount of text and information. This was a fun and informative read, and one that I can see many taking the time to re read.
November 16, 2017
I guess I was expecting too much. I thought 50 Wacky Inventions Throughout the World by Joe Rhatigan and the Walter J Foster Creative Team would be about "real" inventions which started as wacky ideas but then became useful. While there were a few obscure inventions which are still in use, most were stupid ideas which never went anywhere, some not even making it to the prototype stage. In addition, while the illustrations were colorful, they were cartoonish and failed to truly reflect the invention they were supposed to represent, giving a silly approximation of their use. I'm not convinced that there aren't 50 other "worthwhile" though wacky inventions which could be presented to children along with a photograph or drawing that shows a realistic representation of the item. Let's just say I was disappointed. While children might be less critical, there are much better books about inventions for libraries to purchase which will delight both students and their teachers. This one seems a wasted effort.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Two stars.
This ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Two stars.
September 5, 2017
Do you often have good ideas about making life better?
No.16 "Do you worry about your dog while you're at school? In 1989, inventor Rita Della Vecchia created the Pet Petter - a mechanical arm and hand that does the petting while you're away." (Still in the planning stages.)
No. 21 "One out of five people in the world don't have electricity...[T]he Soccket, a soccer ball that stores energy every time it's rolled or kicked...provides three hours of lamplight." (Possibly available by 2020.)
No. 14 Furniture filled with helium to free up floor space in small apartments.
No.11 Sibling Separator - for the back seat
No.1 Simply Alarming - the alarm clock that tips your bed sideways to toss you out if you don't wake up!
No.16 "Do you worry about your dog while you're at school? In 1989, inventor Rita Della Vecchia created the Pet Petter - a mechanical arm and hand that does the petting while you're away." (Still in the planning stages.)
No. 21 "One out of five people in the world don't have electricity...[T]he Soccket, a soccer ball that stores energy every time it's rolled or kicked...provides three hours of lamplight." (Possibly available by 2020.)
No. 14 Furniture filled with helium to free up floor space in small apartments.
No.11 Sibling Separator - for the back seat
No.1 Simply Alarming - the alarm clock that tips your bed sideways to toss you out if you don't wake up!
June 22, 2017
50 Wacky Inventions is a fun book that shows you just how creative and wacky the human brain can be. This book has inventions like the chicken sunglasses, levitating bed, and a driving alarm. It is one of those book that makes you want to get up and go start inventing. I highly recommend this book to inspiring inventors and those that love history. It really is wacky and fun and they really do seem too crazy to be real.
July 28, 2017
I enjoyed this book that talks about the the wacky inventions in history such as floating cards, and bird diapers. It has lots of bright and colorful graphics, but I would have rather seen the real inventions that were produced.
June 13, 2017
Pretty funny book of wacky inventions! Loved the flotation devises! Too funny! Kids and adults will enjoy this book!
July 24, 2017
The inventions featured here are hilarious and the illustrations that accompany them are super cute!
Want to read
March 26, 2018These inventions were, indeed, wacky. I was pleased to see some modern inventions that I did not know about included in “50 Wacky Inventions Throughout History.” Kids will enjoy learning about them and perhaps will be inspired to invent something on their own!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews