Dec 16, 2014 6:30 AM

Gallery: 17 Ridiculous Victorian Inventions That Didn't Change the World

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
01
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__The Boot Lever__ A new book called *Inventions That Didn’t Change the World* is a compilation of 19th century design ideas that were submitted to the U.K.'s Design Registry, but then never saw the light of day. This lever was designed for pulling on and off boots.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
02
213
__The Garrote-Proof Collar __ Strangulation was a far more common form of murder at the time. Thus, this "design for an anti-garotting cravat," which could be worn underneath a collar.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
03
2
__The Mechanical Bookmark__ The designs say a lot about the Victorian times. This idea for a "spring bible and prayer case" replaces the ribbon often used as a bookmark for Bibles.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
04
138
__Parasol Spectacles__ Why not combine your parasol and eyeglasses into one device? Three monocle-like pieces of glass are inserted into the fabric of this "lunette parasol."

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
05
111
__Adjustable Bosom__ The "design for a corset with expansible busts" was a Victorian era push-up bra: india rubber or air proof bags could have been blown up to enhance the wearer's bust line.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
06
150a
__Artificial Leech__ During the Victorian period, scientific and medical research boomed as doctors experimented with all kinds of cures and treatments. Using leeches for bloodletting proved so popular, it led to a shortage of the worms.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
07
150b
That spelled out opportunity: these artificial leeches used an elastic cylinder to draw blood from sick patients.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
08
86
__Air-Conditioned Top Hat__ The "bona fide ventilating hat" would have allowed men to wear hats without overheating.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
09
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__A Hand-Crank for Criminals__ The manufacturing boom of the time inspired many aspiring designers. This design for the "hand hard-labour machine" is a hand crank meant for prisoners sentenced to hard labor.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
10
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__Fork Scissors!__ The rise of suburban life and dinner party hosting clearly influenced this knife-and-fork combination tool.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
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81
__The Universal Inkwell__ Advances in banking methods led to a huge hiring spree of accountants, clerks, and bankers who spent their days writing invoices and ledger entries by hand. The "universal reservoir inkstand" would have made those jobs easier.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
12
103
__Coin Purse Gloves__ Some ideas have obvious pitfalls, like this glove that comes with a coin purse stitched into the palm.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
13
130
__A Bunker for Gold Rushers__ One of the more perplexing designs is the "design for a gold digger's dwelling." The designer meant "gold digger" literally, and created this cart for those who migrated to the Gold Rush to stash their findings.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
14
133
__The Omni Cooker__ Like a prehistoric microwave, "design for a portable cooking apparatus" would have made cooking meats and eggs and other foods possible all at once.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
15
161
__Exercise Chair__ The "design for an invalid's chair" looks like a high chair, but actually has elastic straps that would have let a disabled person get some exercise.
The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
16
166
__A Better Gun Cane__ This "design for a walking stick gun" is a two-in-one: it acts as a cane, but also prevents any accidental gun firings.

The National Archives, London, England 2014. © 2014 Crown Copyright.
17
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__The Hyper Hair Brush__ The "portable rotary hair brushing machine" would have allowed hair (or skin or clothes) brushing at a greater velocity than brushing by hand.

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