Travelling can be stressful, but alas inventors have thought up some clever ways to ease that all too familiar travelling tension. Unfortunately for them, some of their ideas didn’t quite take off (or did but didn’t go down so well). Here are the 9 most outrageous travel gadgets ever invented that probably shouldn’t have been:
1. The Suitcase Scooter
You’ll never have to worry about being late for your flight again. Just hop onto the back of your hand luggage and zoom through the airport to your gate. Sure, it will incur a few funny looks, but you’ll be the last one laughing when you arrive ahead of time, albeit a little hot and sweaty… unless of course you run over a fellow traveller in your high-speed haste.
2. Knee Defenders
Robbing those opposite you of their right to recline might seem like a genius idea and leave you feeling pretty smug with your un-invaded leg room… that is until a massive row breaks out – something that actually happened three times in 2014 thanks to these troublemaking gadgets, which have consequently been banned from air travel!
3. The Ostrich Pillow
It’s like a snuggie for your face! Covering your whole head, except for your nose and mouth, and including two hand holes for no obvious reason, the ostrich pillow may make you look totally off-your-rocker, but at least you’ll get a good snooze. Plus, with your eyes covered you won’t see everyone pointing and laughing at you anyway.
4. The B-Tourist
Giving you a shoulder width cubicle of privacy, you won’t have to see or talk to anyone the whole flight! This obnoxious slingshot-looking invention is sure to quickly make you the most unpopular passenger on the plane, especially if you have an aisle seat.
5. The Baby Hammock
Parents, before you rush to the shops to get yourselves one of these snazzy travel inventions lets just think it through a minute… You are enjoying your in-flight entertainment, the baby is asleep comfortably in his/her little cocoon, everyone is happy. Until the person in front decides to lie back for a nap. Then what do we have? A screaming baby, an impatient neighbour, and now what has proved itself to be a pretty thoughtless contraption attached to a chair, sandwiching you all together.
6. Luggage Cup Holder
Holding all your bags in one hand and a coffee in the other can be a challenge. The luggage cup holder however is here to alleviate that problem – secure it to the handle of your suitcase, insert your cup and away you go! Just try not to cut corners sharply, bump into anything or get the wheels stuck on any mats or you’ll just have a lot of bags, an empty cup dangling off your suitcase, and hot coffee-soaked trousers.
7. The Facekini
If you are worried about your face going fifty shades of beetroot in the sun this summer holiday and you aren’t really feeling the white suntan lotion look, China have your answer! A facekini is basically a beach balaclava which comes in a variety of colours and patterns so that you can avoid that awkward sunburn and look completely stylish (or completely crazy) in the process. It may have became a huge craze all across China, but the rest of the world weren’t so convinced…
8. Metal Detecting Sandals
If looking for treasure beneath the sand is your thing, you’ll want to check out these revolutionary sandals. They’re much easier to pack in your suitcase than a regular metal detector and also a far more accurate way of scouring every inch of the beach. The only downside – the people around you will probably think you just escaped a mental ward as you walk the beach seemingly aimlessly, staring down at your shoes. The funny dance you make as the shoes vibrate if they detect anything won’t help matters either.
9. Hand-Crank Mobile Charger
Want to take more holiday snaps but got no battery?… No problem! We’ve all been in that situation when your phone alerts you of low battery and suddenly it’s a race against time to find a plug for your charger! Well this electricity-free emergency battery re-fill is your answer. All you need is a bit of elbow grease and you could pump your way to a fully charged phone. There is also a pedal version if you want to give your hand a break. I am undecided if this invention is a stroke of genius or absolute madness.
