Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents [Paperback]

Ted VanCleave (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2001

Totally Absurd Inventions offers the best of the goofy from the millions of patents granted during the past 70 years. Each of the nearly 100 off-the-wall inventions unearthed for this collection features the detailed patent application illustration and a lively description of the bizarre proposed creation. Need to know when your baby's diaper is dirty? You'll want to see the plans behind the Diaper Alarm. Little boys wanting to avoid playground kisses may find just what they need in the Kissing Shield. Want to add a unique Wisconsin twist to your cigarette? The Cheese-Filtered Cigarette might do the trick. Super Trash Man, the Cranium Cooler, the All-Terrain Stroller, and the Pet Toilet are just a few more of the zany but fascinating inventions highlighted in this compendium of creativity.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Author Ted VanCleave is himself an inventor of the weird. His award-winning Web site, Totally Absurd Inventions, began in 1997 after he conducted patent research for his own wacky invention, Inflatable Greeting Cards. That research uncovered similarly fascinating inventions that he's shared with the more than two million people who have visited his Web site, which has been named USA Today's site of the week and attracted the attention of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He lives in San Diego, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740710257
• ISBN-13: 978-0740710254
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Author Ted VanCleave is himself an inventor of the weird. His award-winning Web site, Totally Absurd Inventions, began in 1997 after he conducted patent research for his own wacky invention, Inflatable Greeting Cards. That research uncovered similarly fascinating inventions that he's shared with the more than two million people who have visited his Web site, which has been named USA Today's site of the week and attracted the attention of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He lives in San Diego, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book to stir ones mind, May 17, 2001

By 

Michael Smith (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents (Paperback)

Being a semi-bald man I was shocked to find that one day I might find myself in litigation over a *comb-over* hair style - yep someone actually patented a *comb-over*. I thought the book was well written and the illustrations helped me while I tried to understand a trailer hitch toilet seat for camping, an arm mitten, and a bunch of other gadgets that actually have real patents. Buy it...it's fun.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Humorous Respite From My Patent Practice, February 14, 2001

By 

Al Rava, Esq. (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents (Paperback)

As a patent attorney, protecting my clients' inventions is a rather serious business. And so I look forward to reading the author's upcoming book compiling the wacky inventions taken from his ...website. If the book is half as funny as the website, it's bound to be a bestseller.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Absurd Inventions, June 6, 2001

By 

admin@frompatenttopr (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Totally Absurd Inventions: America's Goofiest Patents (Paperback)

This is the funniest book you'll read in some time! I am an inventor and I know what it takes to make an invention marketable. And believe me, what is in these totally absurd inventions is NOT marketable...other than for good humor. However, I must say, there was one invention that did actually receive some interest from a university in Great Britain...a patent having to do with cow gas. That's right...gas! So go figure!