Inventions That Didn't Work

Shiri is a Japanese mechanical butt that exhibits emotions 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 microphone help Siri determine how its being touched, for instance recognizing 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 landed as groundbreaking.

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 and tees. It also included a speaker that congratulated a player on getting a “nice shot!”. Unfortunately the company overlooked the fact that a woman would be left without a bra for a 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 and chopsticks.

French tailor and inventor Franz Richest 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 will be able to glide to safety. Though earlier test 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.

Evidently we didn't learn our lesson fro 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 screw, allowing them to detach if the owner wanted a normal car. During a test flight, the crew loosened, causing the vehicle to fall apart. Falling 122 meters, both the inventor and passengers were killed when it plummeted to the ground.

In 1998, a snacks company Frito-Lay introduced Wow! A brand of fat-free potato chips. The miracle chips included an ingredient called olestra. 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 the chips suffered from cramps and diarrhea. The ingredient is now used to lubricate power tolls and paint decking.

Created in 1938, the Firebox was an alarm intended to catch pranksters reporting fake fires. As soon as the alarm rang, a handcuff closes around the wrist, restraining them until freed by the fire police service. Of course, in the case of a real life fire, the heroic person who raised the alarm could be trapped as well, leaving them to perish with the blaze