British Inventions - The Eccentric And The Not-So-Great

Contrast these with the workspace "British inventions - the good and the great". The British Pathe archives contain more footage of inventions both good and not-so-good that may or may not be British.

Motorised Roller Skates (1962)

Funny story showing girl getting a lift from her father who drives motorised roller skates.

Goggle Wipers (1951)

Footage of woman wearing goggles with small wiper blades. London.

First Moon Men (1947)

Two High Wycombe scientists want to be the first men on the moon.

Secret Camera On Bicycle (1940)

Man demonstrates small camera for taking secret pictures from a bicycle basket.

Inventions Issue Title Is The Very Idea (1939)

Novelty inventions such as hot knife for spreading hard butter and a magnetic key.

Crazy Inventions AKA Large Lumps (1940)

Bizarre item about strange impractical inventions.

Inventor (1950)

Benjamin Thomas shows his inventions including toothpaste squeezer and pipe lighter.

Emett's Ideal Home (1957)

Comic strip style inventor presents totally insane construction - automatic home. Excellent!

Crime Prevention (1959)

Film demonstrates effectiveness of various crime prevention devices.

Amphibious Water Scooter (1965)

Quirky item showing a man in a bowler hat testing a water scooter on the Thames by Parliament.

Robot Gardening (1959)

Great garden without sweating - demonstration of devices which make gardening simple.

Black Out Ideas Issue Title - Black And Blue (1939)

Footage of new inventions including bumper that prevents people walking into lamp posts.

Propeller Car (1955)

Portrait of the first ever propeller driven car invented by a confectioner from Yeovil.

Amphibious Caravan (1955)

Amphibious caravan for dream holiday - a week in the countryside and a week at sea (or river). Great!

Auto Skates Issue Title Is Step On It (1944)

Inventor Tom Hancocks demonstrates his new motorised roller skates.

Pedal Car Issue Title Is On Your Toes (1943)

The Sykes family combat petrol rationing - they ride around Sale in a pedal-powered car.

Sidecar Boat (1960)

Motorcycle sidecar that converts into a motor boat, Romford, Essex

Amphibious Caravan (1967)

Amphibious caravan on River Thames at Oxfordshire.

It's An Idea! (1946)

A look at boats, buses and a lighthouse, all now serving as homes for people. Also special cars.

Hover Stretcher (1961)

New device, the Hover Stretcher, is used to carry two 'patients' across a dusty field.

Caraboat AKA Caravan / Boat (1968)

A caravan that turns into a boat is taken for a spin at Henley-on-Thames.

Water Cycle (1949)

Quirky invention: a bicycle that can be ridden on water.

Electronic Teddy Bear (1955)

Air is pumped into a Teddy bear to simulate slow breathing - calms and cures insomnia in children!?

Combined Table And Chairs (1949)

Table with seats attached to its legs save space in London's restaurant.

Channel Motorcycled - Now ! (1929)

H.S. Perry crosses the channel on a motorbike, Dover, Kent.

Birdman May Fly Soon AKA Bird Man May Fly Soon (1959)

A look at pedal powered flying machine, the ornithopter.

Kweer Carriers (1933)

Two new methods of carrying inventions for a small child and a device for a paralysed dog.