10 Ridiculous Inventions That Only Exist Because People Couldn’t Think Straight

Some things get invented when people come up with brilliant ideas. Others happen when logic takes a nap. And this roundup is about the second kind—wild, unnecessary, and oddly unforgettable inventions. You’ll want to see what made the cut, because it might be a lot stranger than you’d think.

The Cuisine Curtain 

Invented by Matt Benedetto, this nose-mounted curtain blocks your mouth while eating, so no one sees you chew. It’s made of polka-dotted fabric and hangs like a tiny shower curtain. Even after the prototype went viral for its absurdity, it’s never been sold—just admired for its meme potential.

Neck Cell Phone Holder

Yes, it’s a wearable phone holder that straps to your neck, suspending your device in front of your face. Someone designed it for hands-free viewing as you lie down. However, it’s heavy, needs too much adjusting, and makes you look like you’ve lost control of your life choices.

Hawaii Chair 

Launched in 2007, this motorized office chair swiveled your hips at 2,800 RPM to simulate hula dancing. It was marketed as a way to “get fit while you sit.” In reality, the Hawaii Chair was impossible to use without spilling coffee or falling off. Ellen DeGeneres famously mocked it on her show.

Vibrating Jeans 

These GPS-enabled jeans by Spinali Design vibrate on your left or right thigh to guide you as you walk. They sync via Bluetooth and can alert you when you’re late. No matter how stylish the jeans may look, they’re more confusing than helpful—especially if your pants buzz mid-stride in a crowd.

Diet Water 

Marketed as a weight-loss aid, Diet Water lacked any scientific backing and mostly confused consumers. First sold in Japan by Sapporo in 2004, this bottled water claimed to be “healthier” than regular water. It had added minerals and zero calories, despite water already having none.

USB Pet Rock

ThinkGeek’s 2009 April Fool’s joke turned real product, it’s a rock that plugs into your USB port and does absolutely nothing. The USB Pet Rock doesn’t light up, store data, or even warm your coffee. It was a nod to the 1970s Pet Rock craze, and it sold surprisingly well for being utterly useless.

Baby Mop 

Baby mop is inspired by the Japanese concept of “chindogu” (useless inventions). The cloth has mop strands on its arms and legs, so babies go cleaning the floor while they crawl. Surprisingly, it’s still available online and sparks debates about hygiene and parenting ethics, all while being oddly effective.

BIOtouchless Toilet Dispenser

Some inventions try to automate everything—even wiping. This toilet paper dispenser uses infrared sensors to deliver paper with a wave of your hand. It’s wall-mounted and designed for hygiene, but let’s be honest: it’s still just a fancy way to do what your hand already does in half the time.

Burrito Bumper 

Created by Matt Benedetto, this chin-mounted funnel catches burrito fillings as they fall and redirects them into a waiting tortilla below. It’s part bib, part taco assembly line. Burrito Bumper actually started as a joke, but fans begged for a real version—because who doesn’t want a second taco from their mess?

Karoto Carrot Sharpener

This oversized pencil sharpener is designed for carrots—and yes, it works exactly like you think. Slide in a veggie, twist, and out comes a perfectly pointed root, ready for… whatever pointed carrots are good for. It was originally advertised as a kitchen tool for decorative peeling.