transcript: 10. Shiri
Shiri is a Japanese mechanical butt that exhibits emotion in response to human touch. Made from skin-like silicone, it will tense
up in fear if hit, and shiver - seemingly in pleasure - if stroked. Internal microphones
help Shiri determine how it's being touched, for instance recognising the sound of a slap. Though people weren't exactly rushing out
to buy their own ro-butt, within robotics Shiri's ability to distinguish a human touch
from that of an inanimate object was lauded as groundbreaking. 09. High Five Simulator
Described as ""a convenient outlet for the release of excitement"", this 1990s invention
is essentially a spring-loaded arm that will high-five its owner. Created to help lonely sports fans celebrate
their team’s victory, the arms came clothed in colors of the owner's team, and some models
even replicated the hands of high-profile sports-stars. It also came with several pre-recorded
sounds, including two hands slapping, and a celebratory ""Yes!"" 08. Pet Rock
When the Pet Rock hit shelves, creator Gary Dahl made $15 million in the first 6 months. The rocks came in a cardboard carrying case,
with air holes and a bed of straw, and included a manual about how to care for and feed the
Pet Rocks. 1.5million people snapped up the rocks, ignoring the fact that rocks were widely
available on the street for free. Costing $4 each, this useless invention was
hailed as one of the ""most ridiculously successful marketing schemes ever"". 07. Foot-Powered Bike
A bike with neither a saddle nor pedals forces the rider to run at regular intervals between
periods of coasting - once they have built up speed. Created to encourage bike-riding in cities,
with the Fliz Bike the 'cyclist' wears a harness around their chest and dangles face down from
a metal bar. The invention was criticised for being useless
when tackling hills, as well as raising safety concerns as the rider’s head is wedged in
a metal frame. 06. Golf Putting Bra
A Japanese company designed a bra that can be turned into a mini putting ground, for
any women desperate to play a quick game of golf. Designed with a pocket for extra balls & tees,
it also included a speaker that congratulated players on getting a ""Nice shot!"". Unfortunately
the company overlooked the fact that a woman would be left without a bra while she played. Created in response to a growing love for
golf, the company have also made underwear that doubles up as a soup bowl - complete
with chopsticks. 05. Parachute Jacket
French tailor and inventor Franz Reichelt created the Parachute Jacket, which he hoped
would eventually be worn by pilots in case of emergency. With fabric attaching the sleeve ends to the
body of the suit, Reichelt believed that by simply holding out their arms, the wearer
would be able to glide to safety. Though early tests were unsuccessful, on 4th
February 1912 Franz decided to test it out himself. Wearing his creation, he jumped from
the first deck of the Eiffel Tower, plunging 57 meters to his death. 04. Mizar Flying Car
Evidently we didn't learn our lesson from Franz, as in 1973 the inventor Henry Smolinski
created the flying car. The invention was actually a Ford Pinto with
the wings, engine and tail of an airplane attached. The parts were attached with small metal screws,
allowing them to detach if the owner wanted a normal car. During a test flight these screws
loosened, causing the vehicle to fall apart. Falling 122 metres, both the inventor and
a passenger were killed when it plummeted to the ground. 03. Fat-Free Potato Chips
In 1998 snack company Frito-Lay introduced Wow! A brand of fat-free potato chips. The
miracle chips included an ingredient called olestra, a food additive. It tasted exactly like fat, but was said to
contain no calories or cholesterol. However, once eaten, it turned out that the ingredient
prevented the body from absorbing nutrients. As a consequence, those who ate them suffered
from cramps and diarrhea. The ingredient is now used to lubricate power
tools and paint decking. 02. Baby Cage
In the 1930s more and more Londoners began to live in tiny apartments in high-rise buildings.
With no access to gardens, some parents hung cages from the windows of their apartments
and placed their children inside so they could get some fresh air. Although it was a U.S. invention, it was only
distributed to members of the Chelsea Baby Club. Unsurprisingly many parents were a little
anxious about suspending their children several stories high and the trend didn't catch on. 01.The Firebox
Created in 1938, the Firebox was an alarm intended to trap pranksters reporting fake
fires. To ring the bell the user had to insert their
arm into a compartment to activate it. As soon as the alarm rang, a handcuff closed
around their hand, restraining them there until freed by the fire service. Of course, in the case of a real fire, the
heroic person who raised the alarm could be trapped as well, leaving them to perish in
the blaze.
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