I’m a writer. Writer’s tend to be overly creative people. We have overactive imaginations. We think differently than others. We see the world from a different perspective. We hate math.
Did you just shutter at the graphic? Did your eyes glaze over? Did you automatically say “24” after the first line because the multiplication tables were drilled into your head in the 5th grade? Well, you might be a creative person.
It’s no surprise. A lot of folks are creative. For instance, musicians, actors, artists, all rely heavily on the right sides of their brain. It’s the left-brainers you have to worry about. But sometimes I have to wonder, should we limit the extent of our creativity? I know that goes against the whole premise of this blog (“Where imagination abounds, nothing is impossible”), but hear me out. Consider these wacky inventions, then I’ll ask the question again:
What is the purpose of this? So a blind person knows where to hold the glass?
Pizza cutters not trendy any longer; we now need scissors? And who even eats a slice of pizza this small?
Here’s the answer to sweaty palms. (Jenny Hansen at More Cowbell has probably known about these for years.)
Wanna see who’s following you, but don’t want to turn around?
All the tables at your favorite restaurant full? No worries, just sit yourself down and order up. (I’d avoid the soup.)
I call this one – the Nap Lap.
Tired of messing up your whole face with that damned lipstick? Here’s the answer you’ve been looking for.
And my personal favorite:
Are you a busy mom but worry about setting your baby down on the dirty ground in order to get those dreaded chores done? Well, here’s the product for you.
I’ve got to admit, that last one is genius. (Does that make me a bad person?) But seriously, how can anybody holding a baby properly wash their hands after using the restroom? I’m sure this invention was created by a man; I’m just sure of it.
And so folks, after seeing just a minuscule display of the wacky stuff that people “create,” do you want to change your answer? Should creativity have limits? Or do you agree with me, that maybe we should just put a boundary restriction on inventors. Yeah, that’s it.
What’s the craziest invention you’ve come across? Have you ever purchased something “clever” to make your life easier? Do you want any of the above items for yourself? Hey, I won’t judge.
Word of the Day: Guipure
Fun fact about me: I love starfruit.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2015. Photos courtesy Google Images.
I am home ill,not homesick, and saw this and had to comment – the math problem is a creative way to solve the algorithm… and it looks very Common Core-ish.. I don’t teach math, but it makes sense… to prove it that way… I don’t think that way, though. I know my math facts and all the primes under a hundred. But, I do have a creative side, too. As for crazy inventions, I can’t think of any off-hand, but I read that the creator of the Pet Rock died in March – he was 78.Now, that’s creative. Have a wonderful week.
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Clay, I am sorry that you are home today due to illness. Being sick is never fun.
I look at that math “problem” and I think – now I have to solve 3 problems instead of just the 1. I get it, but it seems silly to me. I guess that’s because I know the old way.
And yes, the pet rock, silly invention that made some guy rich and famous. Why didn’t I think of that?
Have a great day despite the illness. I hope you’re back on your feet soon.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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My husband always comes home with skeptical stuff that he finds…and then rarely uses any of it. We have a pizza slicer in the shape of a chain saw (which actually works quite well). If he saw those picnic pants, I know he’d get a pair. He’s probably the one who keeps these extraordinarily creative people in business. Have a great week!
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Ah ha – picnic pants for the hubs for Christmas this year! Schwing!
A pizza cutter in the shape of a chain saw? Does it function like a saw? I’d be curious to see a photos of that clever device. Lumberjacks everywhere will be wanting one.
Thanks for visiting today. Have a super week!
Patricia
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Hahaha! Crazy clever.
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Debbi, I’ll bet you’d be wanting one of those baby hangers huh? Would that have come in handy for Miss Genny? Can you imagine hanging up your baby?
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Patricia
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LOL @ these! As a Clumsy Person, I would have certainly used the baby hanger! And the hand-imprinted glass looks kind of cool, but then you run into things like, “it doesn’t fit me.” I can just imagine some of the reviews on Amazon for this stuff–probably right up there with the banana slicer! And that’s why we shouldn’t limit creativity, because who doesn’t need a laugh?
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Hi Jennette and happy Monday! I do agree that the absurdity of some of these “inventions” does make for good laughs, not to mention fun blog posts.
Banana slicer? I’ve not seen that one. The level of genius isn’t so much what’s clever, it’s that somebody makes these items and attempts to sell them that boggles my mind. I wonder if anyone actually makes any money on these items?
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
Patricia
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Although I am an accountant by day and love the finality that math offers (for example, when you’ve reconciled an account, you’re DONE…no editing, no revising, etc), I do agree there is an outrageous proliferation of choices for almost EVERYTHING today, including stupid inventions. I”m with you, though, on the over the door baby hanger. I LMAO at the Nap Lap, and agree that Jenny Hansen needs a pair of the handerpants. She would totally rock them.
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Aren’t some of those things wacky? What in the world?
Yes, too many choices for everything, as you pointed out in the peeps post.
Thanks for stopping by Suzanne. Have a great week!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Okay, I think the picnic pants are kinda cool. With the right pattern/color they could double as harem pants. In reality, though, they’d end up as a pet hammock. Fun post, Patricia!
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Oh Debra, I can so see those picnic pants as pet hammocks. You should patent that and make millions.
Thanks for visiting today. Have a great week!
Patricia
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OMG, those last four inventions are STELLAR. I’m dying over here. And yes, I’ve got the handerpants thing down (IYKWIM). *clutches sides laughing*
https://jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/u-is-for-undies-a-special-undie-chronicle-volume-13/
If you want a great belly laugh, go read the Amazon reviews for that banana slicer. It’s rolicking good fun:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/sirajdatoo/amazon-reviews-of-this-plastic-banana-slicer-are-just-the-be#.reykzPwPkw
I can’t wait to hear what you think of ’em. 🙂
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Oh my god – those reviews are killing me. That is fun stuff right there. Thanks for the link.
Thanks for visiting. This comment went into moderation (probably because of the link), but I found it and you’re good to go now.
Patricia
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That lip-outline thingabob reminds me of a friend who applies her lipstick without looking in a mirror. The first time she did it, I expressed amazement. “I know where my lips are,” she said.
I know where mine are, too, but that doesn’t mean I can color within the lines.
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I can apply lipstick without using a mirror as well, although I most often will at least check the final result when I’ve finished applying.
Thanks for visiting, Pat. Always nice to see you.
Patricia
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I’m fascinated by that glass with the indentations. Don’t know why. Just am. 🙂 And after looking up the definition of guipure I’m picturing a dress that’s ALL lace. Probably need some boundaries with lace, right?
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Boundaries on lace might be required. I’d have to see the final result.
I’m sure you can probably find one of those glasses on Amazon. They seem to have everything there.
Thanks for stopping by Coleen.
Patricia
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