Authors@Google: Brendan Boyle

From the same brains who brought you The Encyclopedia of Immaturity comes The Klutz Book of Inventions, a 200-page catalog of never-before-seen contraptions that are equal parts brilliant, useful, and ridiculous. None of them exist as actual products, but in a better world, a funnier world, they would all be household essentials.

One of the most ambitous projects we've ever undertaken, this compendium was created over the course of hundreds of brainstorm hours by an all-star team from Klutz and IDEO, the world's foremost product design firm. Each of the inventions was actually built in the legendary IDEO workshop before being photographed (usually in action) and described on its own page.

What kinds of inventions are included? A helium filled hide-a-bed (hop out of bed and it hides on the ceiling). A tricycle-lawnmower combo (puts wasted play energy to work). A quitter's convert-a-kit (for turning neglected exercise equipment into comfortable recliners). Training wheels for high heels. Scratch-n-sniff menus. Mood collars for pets. And so much more. Isn't it time you upgraded your wish list?

Category:

Science & Technology

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• Brendan Boyle
• Klutz Book of Inventions
• Authors@Google