Patently Absurd : The Most Ridiculous Devices Ever Invented by Christopher Cooper

Collected here are 85 of the wackiest, weirdest inventions that never made it into mass production.  Including:

• amphibious horse carts
• guns in shoes
• coffin signaling systems
• unicycle roller skates
• lethal safety devices
• multi-use pants
• and possibly the world's least inviting snack

Using actual patents and their original illustrations the book spans 150 years of inventing from men and women whose great gift to the world was Patently Absurd.