Swimming Machine, 1931

No, this is not an instrument of torture. This is for those who want to learn how to swim without having to get wet. According to the inventor, "strokes must be made correctly or the bars will refuse to move. Any attempt to jerk or alter will be met with resistance."

Sounding more like an instrument of torture with every sentence.

Drizzle Gard (1950s)

Yes, but how wet do you get installing it?

blow torch 1924

Here's a fun idea. A flashlight that doesn't need batteries. Instead, the user simply blows into one end, and light comes out the other. In between is a mini turbine, which,when spun by blowing, charges two magnets creating an electrical charge thus lighting the bulb. Voila!

I'm sure cyclists all over the world would love to get one of these for Christmas.

Coach class, 1937

A little known aeronauttical fact is that the Russians invented economy air travel.

Dynasphere, 1932

This one wheeled car, or unicycle, was named The Dynasphere by its inventor, Dr JH Purves. It travels at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour (50kmh) and is steered by leaning to one side or the other.

Frankly, I don't know why he named it the dynasphere. Or why he invented it.

Mobile phone, 1940

Here it is folks, the world's first mobile phone!

This is the upgraded model with video component.

Toothbrush with plunger device, 1930

Now why didn't this one catch on? Save yourself the hassle of using one hand to brush your teeth, and instead use one hand to hold the toothbrush while using the other to push a plunger in and out, which causes the cleaning head to spin around, thus cleaning your teeth.

Brilliant.